The first significant microLED breakthrough occurred in 2000 when researchers at Kansas State University created a blue monochrome microLED display. 

A decade later, the same team, now at Texas Tech, developed the first blue and green microLED display with 640 x 480 resolution using indium gallium nitride (InGaN) and gallium nitride (GaN), achieving energy efficiency and longevity.

In this article, we’ll explore how GaN microLED redefines the current display technologies, highlighting its benefits and growth potential, as well as its role in the future of smartphones.

Understanding GaN MicroLED Technology

In microLEDs, each pixel acts as a self-emissive micro-diode at its core, generating its own light. This results in sharp visuals, deep blacks, and vibrant colors.

Unlike OLEDs, which rely on organic compounds that can degrade over time, MicroLEDs use inorganic materials and are durable.

Why GaN MicroLED?

GaN microLED can provide clear visibility to smartphone displays under bright sunlight. GaN (Gallium Nitride) as a substrate material can enhance the capabilities of microLED technology. 

Here are some of its key benefits:

• Superior brightness and efficiency: GaN has high electron mobility and a wide bandgap, allowing it to operate efficiently at high voltages. This results in brighter screens than OLED and traditional LED displays without causing excessive heat buildup.
• Enhanced durability: GaN is resilient to temperature changes and mechanical stress, making GaN microLED displays durable. These displays deliver consistent performance and quality, even in extreme temperatures.
• Versatile applications: It enables the production of high-performance blue and green LEDs crucial for vibrant, energy-efficient displays.
• Less blue light emission: One significant advantage of GaN microLED displays is their reduced emission of blue light, which helps decrease eye strain. 
• Cutting down production cost: Additionally, advancements in production methods, like refining the mass-transfer process of tiny LEDs, can reduce production costs and make the displays more affordable. 

Why GaN MicroLED Displays Make Sense for Manufacturers

With GaN microLED’s durability and efficiency, companies can be competitive and meet consumer demand for high-quality displays. This technology provides two key benefits for manufacturers:

1. Higher ROI

Brands that adopt GaN microLED technology can attract tech-savvy customers. 

While the upfront costs of GaN microLED manufacturing are higher than traditional display technologies, the extended lifespan of GaN microLED reduces replacement and maintenance expenses.

For example, when Apple introduced the Smartwatch Ultra, it paid $50 for the entire display module, which is now down to less than $40. 

Also, according to Yole Group’s cost models, the microLED display for the Smartwatch Ultra would have cost $85 in its first year.

Apple concluded that OLED’s advancements made the higher cost of microLED less justifiable, even though some analysts predicted a potential reduction in microLED costs to $35 in the coming years.

2. Scalability and Market Demand

As production processes become more scalable and cost-efficient, we can expect GaN microLED displays across a wider range of devices, from flagship to mid-tier models.

Companies are advancing GaN microLED technology to improve display performance. 

For example, Porotech, a microLED technology developer, partnered with Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corp. (PSMC) to mass-produce GaN-on-silicon microLEDs. The partnership will help meet the demand for scalable, high-yield GaN microLED displays.

Porotech’s CEO, Dr. Tongtong Zhu, commented, 

“Our collaboration with PSMC signifies a momentous step forward for mass-producing the microLED-on-Silicon technology for display applications.”

Insights on MicroLED for R&D and Innovation Leaders

Industry leaders, including major players like Apple, Osram, and AUO, are heavily investing in microLED technology, integrating it into their product lines. 

Apple

Previously, Apple had ambitious plans to manufacture microLED displays for smartwatches. 

They invested over $2 billion in production infrastructure, including a major contribution from ams OSRAM for a new microLED chip fab​. 

However, Apple canceled its microLED smartwatch projects in 2024 due to manufacturing struggles, particularly with the mass transfer process and other technical issues. 

AUO

AUO has been investing in microLED technological developments since 2012.

The company is undergoing a strategic transformation, focusing on mobility solutions, vertical solutions, and the display segment. 

In November 2023, AUO announced an agreement with PlayNitride to build a $21.5 million 6-inch microLED production line at AUO’s Longtan factory.

Kubos Semiconductors

Unlike the limitations in the AR/VR market, where low red microLED efficiency has been a challenge, Kubos Semiconductors, a microLED material technology company, secured a £700,000 investment in 2023 to advance its proprietary cubic Gallium Nitride (GaN) process, known as KubosLED. The funding is aimed at nearly doubling the efficiency of red microLEDs compared to current technologies.

In 2024, Kubos raised $2 million to advance its cubic GaN technology and manufacture bright, efficient displays for AR/VR applications. 

Applications of MicroLED Displays Across Industries

MicroLED displays have potential applications in smartwatches, automotive displays, TVs, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR) devices, and more. 

A report by Yole Intelligence highlights the gradual reduction in die size and cost per microLED TV, which is crucial for scaling microLED technology. 

By 2032, the cost of a 4K microLED TV die is projected to decrease from $6,176 in 2022 to just $134, enabling widespread adoption across various industries.

The Yole report also highlights that high-volume manufacturing is expected in 2024, with companies like ams OSRAM designing high-quality LED chips and LG and Sharp developing TFT backplanes and panels to integrate microLEDs into functional display modules. 

GaN MicroLED Growth Potential

The GaN microLED market is expected to grow significantly and reach US$ 7,383.0 million by 2029, driven by its increasing adoption across industries such as wearable displays, virtual reality, automotive infotainment, and more. 

This growth will have a transformative impact on smartphone displays, enhancing visual quality and energy efficiency. 

For example, Veeco, a global supplier of thin film process equipment, remains optimistic about the microLED industry’s long-term potential. While it has sold some 300 mm GaN-on-Silicon deposition tools, it doesn’t anticipate major orders until 2025.

How will the rapid rise of GaN microLED technology shape the future of smartphones in the coming years?

So far, no major smartphone manufacturers have fully adopted GaN microLED technology, although there has been growing interest in the potential of this display innovation. 

Final Note

GaN microLED technology holds immense potential to redefine smartphone displays by delivering brighter, energy-efficient screens that work well even under direct sunlight. 

With its enhanced durability and reduced blue light emissions, this microLED promises a superior visual experience while comforting the eyes.

Despite not yet being fully adopted by major brands, the rapid advancements in GaN microLED indicate it’s only a matter of time before it becomes a game-changer in the smartphone market.