Smaller is newer

The bigger news, however, is that Samsung unveiled a smaller MicroLED at 75 inches and 4K resolution. Smaller MicroLED TVs are more challenging than big, because the LEDs need to be smaller and closer together, while still producing acceptable brightness for a TV.

Only 146 inches

Here's the first The Wall, a 146-inch model shown at CES 2018. It's actually on sale now for the commercial market. Pricing depends on how it's installed, but it's safe to say it's very, very expensive.

Modular

One benefit of MicroLED is that it's easier to make different screen sizes and aspect ratios than with traditional LCD and OLED technologies. 

Wide versus square

For example, here you can see a screen with a much wider aspect ratio, and one with a square aspect ratio. 

More modular

Another example of the modular capabilities. 

Sizes and shapes

It'd be possible with MicroLED to have these different shapes and sizes all be high-resolution video displays. 

Depth

Current versions are thicker than other display techs, but that depth should come down as the technology advances. 

Wall-sized The Wall

Though you've been able to get a display this size for years using a projector and screen, none of those could ever be as bright as MicroLED.

Multiuse

Samsung expects a screen the size of The Wall to have uses far beyond just TV watching, like displaying art. 

TCL 140-inch MicroLED display

Not to be outdone by Samsung, TCL also showed a concept MicroLED display at its booth. It's smaller, but the same concept: 24,000,000 individual LCDs, high contrast and wide color gamut. No word on whether TCL will try to bring it to market.

Modular

One of Samsung's MicroLED modules. Put a bunch together and you've got a TV.

MicroLED close-up

A close-up view of MicroLEDs making an image.

Microscopes

A comparison of an LED of a conventional TV (left) with a Samsung MicroLED (right).

LED evolution

The evolution of LEDs getting smaller and smaller. The top left is the most recent, and they get larger and older in a clockwise direction. 

Descriptions

Samsung's description of how MicroLED looks up close and how many LEDs there are (a lot). 

Image quality

Beyond huge screen sizes and crazy aspect ratios, the underlying capabilities of MicroLED are also impressive. Think OLED levels of picture quality, but even brighter. 

Sizes

An illustration of the size difference between traditional LEDs and MicroLEDs. 

Check out MicroLED is the first new screen tech in a decade. Can it beat OLED? for more about how this technology works.