MiniLED

Mini-LED is a backlighting technology used in LCD displays that relies on a much larger number of smaller LEDs to illuminate the panel. The LED die size in mini-LED backlights is typically around 100 to 200 micrometers, compared with the larger LEDs used in conventional LCD backlights. The increased LED count enables finer local light control across the screen.

In operation, a matrix of mini-LEDs sits behind a diffusion layer and light guide, with a dedicated controller dividing the backlight into numerous local dimming zones. The LCD panel modulates light through the liquid crystals, producing images. The result is higher peak brightness, better contrast, and reduced halo effects, especially in HDR content.

Compared with OLED and self-emissive displays, mini-LED remains an LCD backlight technology and does not provide true pixel-level emissive control. It offers improved brightness and contrast with fewer blooming issues when many dimming zones are used, but it can be costlier and more complex due to the larger LED array and driving circuitry.

Applications and adoption: Mini-LED has been deployed in high-end televisions, computer monitors, and laptops. Notable products include Samsung's Neo QLED TVs, TCL and other manufacturers' displays, and Apple devices such as the MacBook Pro models with Retina XDR displays and the iPad Pro with Mini-LED backlighting. The technology is often positioned as an intermediate step between traditional LED-backlit LCDs and self-emissive displays.