Los Angeles-based startup Q-Pixel Inc. has successfully developed the highest resolution, active-matrix color display in the world. The display, which measures just 1.1 cm x 0.6 cm, boasts an impressive resolution of 3K x 1.5K, amounting to 6800 pixels per inch (PPI). This significantly surpasses existing displays, such as the Apple Vision Pro, which has a PPI of around 3380.
Q-Pixel’s breakthrough lies in their utilization of III-V compound microLED pixels, rather than the commonly used micro-organic LEDs (micro-OLEDs). The III-V microLEDs offer numerous advantages over OLEDs, including faster response time, higher brightness, longer lifespan, and superior energy efficiency. While inorganic III-V microLEDs have long been considered the ideal display technology, the commercial viability of this technology has previously been uncertain.
The main obstacle in commercializing microLED displays lies in the assembly of full-color pixels using individual monochromatic red, green, and blue (RGB) LEDs. This labor-intensive and costly process is challenging for high-resolution displays with small pixel sizes. Q-Pixel has addressed this challenge by replacing the three RGB subpixels with fully color-tunable pixels.
The key to this breakthrough is Q-Pixel’s tunable polychromatic LED (TP-LED) pixel technology. The TP-LED pixel emits light across the entire color spectrum without the need for subpixels, quantum dots, color filters, polarizers, or mechanical stacking. This technology simplifies display assembly, reduces manufacturing costs, and enables world-record pixel densities.
Q-Pixel has previously achieved world records with their 5000 PPI and 10,000 PPI microLED displays based on TP-LED technology. Now, by delivering the world’s highest resolution active-matrix color display at 6800 PPI, Q-Pixel has demonstrated their ability to produce ultra high-resolution microLED displays and surpassed more established technologies like OLEDs. These accomplishments establish Q-Pixel as a leader in the field and pave the way for the commercialization of their groundbreaking displays.
Q-Pixel’s technology and prototype will be featured in Compound Semiconductors magazine, and they will demonstrate their displays at the upcoming SID Display Week in May 2024.
Q-Pixel Inc. operates in the display technology industry, specifically focusing on microLED displays. This industry is highly competitive, with major players such as Apple, Samsung, and LG dominating the market.
MicroLED displays are considered the next frontier in display technology, offering superior image quality and energy efficiency compared to traditional OLED displays. The market for microLED displays is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. According to a market research report by MarketsandMarkets, the microLED market is projected to reach $20.50 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 89.3% during the forecast period 2021-2026.
Despite the immense potential, there are several challenges facing the industry. One of the major hurdles is the complex and expensive process of manufacturing high-resolution microLED displays with small pixel sizes. Q-Pixel’s breakthrough technology, the tunable polychromatic LED (TP-LED) pixel, addresses this challenge by simplifying the display assembly and reducing manufacturing costs.
Another challenge lies in the commercial viability of microLED technology. While microLEDs offer numerous advantages over OLEDs, such as faster response time and longer lifespan, the commercialization of microLED displays has been uncertain until now. Q-Pixel’s ability to develop the highest resolution active-matrix color display in the world demonstrates the potential for commercial success in this field.
The achievements of Q-Pixel, including their previous world records for pixel density, establish them as a leader in the microLED display industry. Their groundbreaking technology has the potential to disrupt the market and pave the way for wider adoption of microLED displays in various applications, including smartphones, televisions, and augmented reality devices.
For more information about the display technology industry and market forecasts, you can refer to the following links:
MarketsandMarkets – MicroLED Market Report
SID Display Week Official Website
Compound Semiconductors Magazine