MiniLED backlights have prolonged LCD's shelf life, but growth is expected to stop in 2025 as Apple starts transitioning to OLED in tablets and notebooks, according to DSCC.

MiniLED backlights are utilized behind LCD panels in TVs, monitors, laptops and tablets as a way to improve backlight control through the use of more dimming zones. In the TV space, TCL and Samsung have since 2019 and 2021, respectively, positioned miniLED LCD TVs as a high-end alternative to OLED TVs.


 The miniLED backlight is placed behind the LCD panel for improved backlight control. Illustration: TCL

Market research firm Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) expects TV makers to continue to use miniLED in premium LCD TVs until 2027, but expects the overall miniLED LCD market to peak in 2025, and plateau thereafter at roughly 30 million units annually.

- "This is because Apple will be applying OLED panels instead of MiniLED panels for its tablets and then subsequently notebooks, according to analyst firm Display Supply Chain Consultants," wrote Korean newspaper The Elec.

Meanwhile, OLED's share is widely expected to continue to grow in TVs, smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other categories, prompting manufacturers to invest more money in this technology to improve the displays and increase production capacity.

 Also read: Next-gen 'NanoLED' (real QLED) display prototype showcased

At CES 2023, LG Display and Samsung Display announced new and improved WOLED and QD-OLED panels that will make OLED TVs more competitive in terms of brightness versus high-end miniLED LCDs – one of the last remaining advantages of miniLED LCD.

- Source: DSCC, The Elec