Suppose you want to pick a micro OLED screen for your product today, what parameters should you focus on? Read on, these are the key parameters that determine the performance of micro OLEDs and are used by manufacturers and customers to evaluate the quality of these displays.
What is Micro OLED？
Micro OLED is a display technology that uses tiny, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to create high-quality, high-resolution displays. Micro OLED displays are made up of millions of individual pixels, each of which can emit its own light. This enables micro OLED displays to offer high brightness, contrast, and color accuracy, as well as fast response times and low power consumption. Micro OLED displays are used in a wide range of applications, including virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, smartwatches, camera viewfinders, and more. As a result of their high performance and versatility, micro OLED displays are becoming an increasingly important technology in the display industry.
Here are 8 important factors to look for when selecting a micro OLED, including brightness, contrast ratio, response time, viewing angle, power consumption, lifetime, resolution, and cost. In this article, we will introduce them one by one.
1. What is brightness？
Brightness: The brightness of an OLED display is measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m2). It determines how bright the display can get and is an important factor for outdoor use and bright environment applications.
The brightness requirement for micro OLEDs can vary depending on the specific application. Generally, the brightness of an OLED display is measured in candelas per square meter (cd/m2). The required brightness will depend on several factors, including the operating environment, display size, and intended use.
For indoor use, micro OLEDs typically need a brightness level of around 200 cd/m2 to 400 cd/m2. For outdoor use or bright environment applications, micro OLEDs need to have a higher brightness level, typically around 500 cd/m2 to 1000 cd/m2 or higher.
For virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) head-mounted displays, the brightness requirement is usually lower, around 100 cd/m2 to 200 cd/m2, as these displays are used in a more controlled environment.
In general, the required brightness will also depend on the contrast ratio of the display. A higher contrast ratio will allow for a lower brightness level as the display will still produce vivid images.
It's important to note that the required brightness can vary between different applications, and the manufacturer of the micro OLED should be consulted for specific requirements.
2. What is contrast ratio？
Contrast ratio: The contrast ratio is the ratio of the brightness of the brightest color to the darkest color. High contrast ratio displays produce more vivid images and have better color accuracy.
The contrast ratio of a micro OLED display is an important parameter that determines the quality of the display. A higher contrast ratio generally indicates a display that can produce more vivid and accurate colors, as well as deeper blacks and brighter whites.
Micro OLED displays are known for their high contrast ratio compared to other display technologies. Here is a comparison of the contrast ratio of micro OLED displays with some other popular display technologies:
LCD: LCD displays typically have a lower contrast ratio than micro OLED displays because they rely on a backlight to produce light. This can cause issues with light bleed and uneven lighting, which can affect the perceived contrast ratio. The contrast ratio of LCD displays is typically around 1000:1. AMOLED: Active-matrix organic light-emitting diode (AMOLED) displays are similar to micro OLED displays in that they use self-emissive pixels to produce light. However, micro OLED displays typically have a higher contrast ratio than AMOLED displays. The contrast ratio of AMOLED displays is typically around 100,000:1. PMOLED: Passive-matrix organic light-emitting diode (PMOLED) displays are another type of OLED display that uses a simpler, lower-cost method of driving the pixels. However, PMOLED displays typically have a lower contrast ratio than micro OLED displays. The contrast ratio of PMOLED displays is typically around 10,000:1. E Ink: E Ink displays are a type of electronic paper display that are known for their low power consumption and ability to display text and images in sunlight. However, E Ink displays typically have a lower contrast ratio than micro OLED displays. The contrast ratio of E Ink displays is typically around 10:1.
Here are some of the key parameters that can affect the contrast ratio of a micro OLED display:
OLED technology: Micro OLED displays use organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) to produce light. This technology enables micro OLED displays to achieve a much higher contrast ratio than other display technologies such as LCD, which rely on a backlight to produce light. Pixel structure: The pixel structure of a display can also affect its contrast ratio. Micro OLED displays typically have smaller and more densely packed pixels than other display technologies, which can help to improve contrast and reduce light bleed between pixels. Color accuracy: The color accuracy of a display can also affect its contrast ratio. Micro OLED displays are known for their excellent color accuracy, which enables them to produce more vivid and accurate colors. Ambient light: The ambient light in the environment can also affect the perceived contrast ratio of a display. Micro OLED displays are generally more immune to ambient light than other display technologies, which can help to maintain a high contrast ratio even in bright environments.
Overall, micro OLED displays have a very high contrast ratio, typically ranging from 100,000:1 to 1,000,000:1, which makes them ideal for applications that require high-quality visuals such as virtual reality and augmented reality headsets, camera viewfinders, and more.
3. How long is the response time？
Response time: Response time is the time taken for a pixel to change from one state to another. Low response time displays are more suitable for fast-paced applications like gaming or video playback.
Micro OLED displays have a much faster response time compared to other display technologies such as LCD or LED displays. The response time of a display refers to the time it takes for a pixel to change from one color to another or from black to white.
The response time of a micro OLED display is typically less than 1 microsecond, which is significantly faster than the response time of an LCD or LED display. This fast response time is made possible by the self-emissive nature of the OLED pixels, which allows for individual pixels to be turned on and off quickly and with high precision.
In comparison, the response time of an LCD or LED display is typically in the range of a few milliseconds, which is much slower than the response time of a micro OLED display. This slower response time can result in motion blur and image ghosting, particularly in fast-moving scenes.
The fast response time of a micro OLED display makes it well-suited for applications where fast response times are critical, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) headsets. The fast response time helps to reduce motion blur and improve the overall visual experience of the user.
It's important to note that the response time of a micro OLED display can vary depending on the specific device and the type of content being displayed. Additionally, other factors such as the refresh rate and color accuracy of the display can also affect the overall visual quality of the display.
The response speed requirement for screens used in virtual reality (VR) applications is a critical factor that determines the quality of the VR experience, and it affects the suitability of the screen for fast-paced VR applications.
For VR applications, the response speed requirement is typically around 6 milliseconds or less. This is because VR applications require a low latency display to provide a seamless and fluid experience. A low response speed helps to minimize any lag or delay in the display, making the VR experience more realistic and engaging.
4. What is the viewing angle？
Viewing angle: The viewing angle of a display refers to the maximum angle at which the display can be viewed without significant degradation in image quality. Wide viewing angle displays are preferred for applications where the display is viewed from different angles.
The viewing angle of micro OLED displays can vary depending on the specific display technology and design, but generally, micro OLED displays have a wide viewing angle. This means that the image quality remains consistent even when viewed from off-center positions.
There are two types of viewing angles commonly used for displays: the horizontal viewing angle and the vertical viewing angle. The horizontal viewing angle is the maximum angle at which the display can be viewed horizontally without significant degradation in image quality, while the vertical viewing angle is the maximum angle at which the display can be viewed vertically without significant degradation in image quality.
Many micro OLED displays have viewing angles of at least 160 degrees, both horizontally and vertically. Some micro OLED displays even have viewing angles of up to 180 degrees, which means that they can be viewed from almost any angle without experiencing significant color shift or distortion.
The wide viewing angle of micro OLED displays is due to their self-emissive nature, which means that each pixel emits its own light. This allows the display to be viewed from different angles without the light being distorted by a separate backlight or other external light source.
The viewing angle is an important factor in determining the quality and usability of a display, particularly for applications that require a wide field of view, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
For VR and AR applications, a wide viewing angle is important as it allows users to view the content from different angles without significant distortion or degradation in image quality. A viewing angle of at least 110 degrees is recommended for VR and AR applications, although higher viewing angles are also possible.
The viewing angle of a display is determined by the type of panel technology used, such as an OLED, LCD, or LED display. OLED displays are known for their wide viewing angles and high contrast ratio, making them suitable for VR and AR applications.
It's important to note that the viewing angle requirement for VR and AR applications can vary depending on the specific use case and the manufacturer of the VR or AR device should be consulted for specific requirements.
5. Does micro OLED consume less power than other display technologies?
Power consumption: Power consumption is a critical factor in battery-powered devices like wearable devices or portable displays. Micro OLEDs consume less power compared to traditional displays and are more power-efficient.
Compared to other display technologies such as LCD or LED displays, micro OLED displays typically have lower power consumption due to their self-emissive pixels and small size. Additionally, micro OLED displays have faster response times and better color accuracy, making them suitable for a wide range of applications where low power consumption, high performance, and high image quality are important. Here are some of the parameters that contribute to the lower power consumption of micro OLED displays: Self-emissive pixels: Micro OLED displays have self-emissive pixels, which means that each pixel emits its own light, eliminating the need for a backlight. This feature reduces power consumption as there is no need for additional power to power a backlight. Small size: Micro OLED displays are typically small in size, which means that they require less power to operate compared to larger displays. The smaller size also allows for greater design flexibility and reduces the overall power consumption of the device. Low voltage operation: Micro OLED displays can operate at low voltages, which helps to reduce power consumption. The low voltage operation is made possible by the use of organic materials and thin-film transistors. High efficiency: Micro OLED displays are highly efficient at converting electrical energy into light, which helps to reduce power consumption.
It's important to note that the power consumption of a micro OLED display can vary depending on the specific use case, the brightness of the display, and the power management strategies used in the device.
6. How long is the lifetime of micro OLED?
Lifetime: The lifetime of an OLED display refers to the length of time the display remains functional before it needs to be replaced. Longer lifetime displays are preferred for applications where the device is used frequently.
The lifetime of a micro OLED display is an important factor to consider when evaluating its performance and durability. The lifespan of a micro OLED display can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the specific materials and manufacturing process used, operating conditions, and usage patterns. Generally, micro OLED displays are expected to have a lifespan of tens of thousands of hours, which is similar to other display technologies such as LCD or LED displays. However, it's important to note that the actual lifespan of a micro OLED display can be affected by a variety of factors, including the operating conditions and usage patterns of the display. For example, displays that are exposed to high temperatures or humidity levels, or that display content with high brightness levels, may experience greater degradation over time. Here are some of the key parameters that can affect the lifetime of a micro OLED display: OLED material degradation: The organic materials used in OLED displays can degrade over time due to exposure to heat, light, and moisture. This can lead to a decrease in brightness and color accuracy over time, reducing the effective lifetime of the display. Manufacturing defects: Manufacturing defects can also impact the lifetime of a micro OLED display. Defects in the manufacturing process can result in dead pixels or other issues that can reduce the overall lifespan of the display. Operating conditions: The operating conditions of the display can also affect its lifetime. High temperatures and humidity levels can accelerate the degradation of the OLED materials and reduce the overall lifespan of the display. Usage patterns: The usage patterns of the display can also impact its lifetime. For example, displays that are used for extended periods of time or display content with high brightness levels can experience greater degradation over time. Burn-in: Burn-in is a phenomenon where static images can cause permanent damage to the OLED materials, resulting in ghost images or discoloration. This can occur if static images are displayed for long periods of time on the display. To maximize the lifetime of a micro OLED display, it's important to carefully control the operating conditions and usage patterns of the display, as well as implement measures to prevent burn-in. Additionally, manufacturers can incorporate features such as automatic brightness adjustment and pixel refresh cycles to help maintain the quality and extend the lifetime of the display.
7. What is Resolution？
Resolution: Resolution refers to the number of pixels in a display and is an important factor for image quality. Higher resolution displays produce sharper images.
The resolution of a micro OLED display refers to the number of pixels that the display can show, and is an important factor in determining the visual quality and clarity of the display. Here are some of the key parameters that can affect the resolution of a micro OLED display:
Pixel pitch: The pixel pitch of a display refers to the distance between each pixel. A smaller pixel pitch generally results in a higher resolution display, as there are more pixels per unit area. Subpixel structure: The subpixel structure of a display refers to the arrangement of the red, green, and blue subpixels that make up each pixel. Different subpixel structures can affect the clarity and color accuracy of the display. Manufacturing process: The manufacturing process used to create the display can also affect its resolution. Advanced manufacturing techniques can enable the creation of smaller and more densely packed pixels, resulting in a higher resolution display. Driver electronics: The driver electronics used to control the display can also affect its resolution. Higher-performance driver electronics can enable faster and more precise control of the individual pixels, resulting in a higher resolution and better overall visual quality. The resolution of a micro OLED display can vary depending on the specific device and manufacturing process used. Some micro OLED displays have resolutions in the range of 800 x 600 pixels, while others can have resolutions as high as 1920 x 1080 pixels or higher. It's important to note that higher resolution displays generally require more processing power and can have higher power consumption, so the specific resolution of a micro OLED display should be chosen based on the specific application and use case.
8. How much does it cost to adopt micro OLED？
Cost: Cost is an important factor for mass-market applications and is a trade-off between performance and affordability. Cost-effective displays are preferred for applications where cost is a concern.
The manufacturing cost of micro OLED displays can be higher than other display technologies, such as LCD or even OLED. This is because the manufacturing process for micro OLED displays is more complex and requires more advanced equipment.
Micro OLED displays are typically made using a process called wafer-level processing, where thousands of tiny OLEDs are created on a single wafer. This requires highly precise and advanced manufacturing equipment, which can be expensive to acquire and maintain. Additionally, the small size of the individual pixels in a micro OLED display can require even more precise manufacturing processes, which can further increase the manufacturing cost.
However, as with most electronic devices, the cost of manufacturing micro OLED displays has been decreasing as the technology advances and economies of scale are achieved. As production volumes increase and manufacturing processes become more efficient, the cost of manufacturing micro OLED displays is likely to continue to decrease.
Despite the potentially higher manufacturing cost, micro OLED displays offer many advantages, such as high contrast, fast response times, and low power consumption, which make them an attractive option for many applications, especially in fields such as virtual and augmented reality where high-quality visuals are essential.