Your next television won't be micro-LED. Here's why.

The experience of observing an impressive micro-LED display in person usually elicits a unanimous reaction of awe, describing the viewing experience as simply mesmerizing. Seven years ago, the most recognized television brands began showcasing prototypes of micro-LED TVs, creating the illusion that we would soon all have one at home. However, seven years later, it is reasonable to assume that very few, if any, readers have a micro-LED television. Perhaps some affluent enthusiasts have paid around $110,000 for an 89-inch model from Samsung, but it is unlikely that the majority have had that opportunity.

Year after year, the community has awaited the launch of consumer micro-LED televisions at accessible prices, especially in sizes ranging from 55 to 85 inches for less than $25,000. Over time, we have seen advancements in this type of technology. Looking back at events like CES, the first announcements of micro-LED displays were showcased by companies such as Sony and Samsung, who are credited with some of the most memorable presentations in 2018, but progress has been slower than expected.

Since 2019, announcements about advancements in micro-LED televisions have continued, including some versions in smaller sizes. However, the question persists: Where are the micro-LED televisions that can compete with the best OLED models in common sizes? As we approach 2025, the question remains whether we will see commercially available micro-LED models that we can buy and install in our homes.

The reality is that, despite expectations, it seems unlikely that micro-LED televisions in standard sizes will be available anytime soon. The challenges related to large-scale production are numerous, with one of the main ones being pixel pitch, which refers to the distance between the centers of adjacent pixels. For example, a Samsung display with a 4K resolution of 146 inches needs to maintain a pixel pitch of 0.84 mm. This becomes much more complex as the display size decreases, increasing manufacturing costs and reducing performance.

Micro-LEDs are a promising technology, as each small LED acts as a pixel, allowing for intense brightness and perfect black levels. However, their production is costly and complicated due to the heat management required when they are clustered so closely together. This has led most prototypes to be modular, as it is more economical to discard small defective modules than a complete display.

Despite the advancements made by major brands in this technology, there has been a stagnation in its implementation for the end consumer. Some companies, such as Apple, have also abandoned their plans to use micro-LED due to high costs and a lack of added value.

However, there is hope on the horizon, as quantum dot technology could provide a viable solution to the pixel pitch problem, reducing costs and improving availability. By utilizing single-color micro-LEDs and complementing them with quantum dots, it may finally be possible to create an accessible micro-LED television.

In the future, other technologies such as QDEL (quantum-dot electroluminescent) are also being explored, which promise greater viability in production while maintaining comparable quality to micro-LED and OLED. As CES 2025 approaches, enthusiasts still hope to see significant advances in these technologies, although it is unlikely that micro-LED televisions will be available on the market at reasonable prices by that year.