Mini LED, with better performance in brightness, contrast and saturation for display applications, is expected to grow radically in 2019 and 2020. To meet the booming demands of Mini LED, Taiwan-based companies are preparing to expand production of related Mini LED products.

The adoption of Mini LED might not be popular in consumer products, yet the industry chain has been equipped to speed up Mini LED shipment for potential applications as Apple was said to release Mini LED backlight equipped iMac by 2H19 and iPad by 4Q20. Also, Huawei and Xiaomi were might launch Mini LED backlight products in 2H19.

Taiwanese LED firms Epistar and Lextar have begun shipping Mini LED products including Mini LED backlight for gaming monitors and notebooks and RGB Mini LED module for signage since 2H18. Epistar has increased investment in ProLight Opto to push Mini LED production and development. The company might reportedly become Apple’s supplier if Apple extends its Mini LED adoption.

Vertically integrated LED maker Lextar has mass produced and delivered 32-inch Mini LED backlight modules in 2018 and will continue to increase the share of Mini LED backlight products. The company has cut its general lighting business to be more focused on high margin applications including Mini LED and VCSEL production.

LED driver IC designer Macroblock is ready to produce driver ICs for Mini LED backlight modules and plans to release products for Micro LED adopted wearable devices in 2020. Macroblock has been working closely with Samsung for fine-pitch LED displays and might flourish with the Korean brand’s Micro LED products.

LEDinside noted that production cost is the most critical issue for Mini LED and Micro LED to enter the end market. With more leading brands joining the market to accelerate the supply chain of Mini LED and Micro LED, the technologies could be further enhanced with improved production efficiency and lower manufacture cost. The market value of Mini LED is estimated to reach US$ 1.699 billion in 2022.