Korean OLED TVs, long considered the gold standard for premium television, are facing growing competition from Chinese and Japanese manufacturers as they roll out next-generation RGB LED TVs. At CES 2025, leading Chinese TV makers showcased RGB-based mini LED TVs. Japan’s Sony has also chosen RGB LED technology as the future of TV displays.
Sony executives believe that RGB LED TVs will define the future of the TV market and have ramped up investment in RGB LED technology, according to sources familiar with the matter on March 17. The company expects RGB LED technology to develop more rapidly than OLED display technology and has redirected its top engineers toward advancing RGB LED tech.
RGB stands for red, green, and blue. RGB LED is a type of light-emitting diode that combines these three colors to produce over 16 million hues of light.
Spearheaded by Chinese appliance-makers TCL and Hisense RGB mini LED TVs differ from conventional mini LED TVs, which rely on white LEDs and LCD color filters. RGB mini LEDs feature independent red, green, and blue LEDs that emit light directly, which enhances color vibrancy.
However, designing the display to ensure color accuracy is complex, and RGB LEDs generate more heat than white LEDs, which, if not properly managed, can negatively impact the lifespan and performance of the TV.
RGB LED TV performance continues to improve as engineers in China and Japan word to overcome these challenges. At CES, Dennys Li, president of Hisense visual technology, said, “Compared to QD-OLED and conventional mini LED TVs, Hisense’s RGB mini LED TriChroma TV reduces energy consumption by more than 20% while delivering richer colors.” He noted that while QD-OLED technology still dominates the premium TV segment, it requires improvements in brightness and energy efficiency.
Sony is investing heavily in R&D to improve the power efficiency and color accuracy of tiny LEDs used as light sources for RGB LED displays. TCL has also ramped up R&D efforts. Scott Ramirez, Vice President of Product Marketing and Development at TCL, said, “TCL is making large-scale investments in mini LEDs. Our latest TVs feature ultra-high-power LED chips and incorporate advanced microlens technology and optical design for precise light control.” TCL’s push into mini LED TVs has paid off, with the company achieving the highest market share growth among TV manufacturers in North America last year.
Samsung Electronics, the world’s largest TV manufacturer, is also responding to this industry shift. The company is developing RGB micro LED TVs and is expected to launch its first model later this year, according to sources. Unlike China’s RGB mini LEDs, Samsung’s RGB micro LEDs boast higher LED pixel density, offering superior image quality. The company plans to introduce various RGB micro LED TV models, including 75-inch, 85-inch (4K resolution), and 98-inch (8K resolution) models, to cement its leadership position in the next-generation TV market.
Meanwhile, LG Electronics, which has long dominated the OLED TV market, faces mounting challenges. According to market research firm Omnia, LG shipped only 3.18 million OLED TVs last year, securing a 52.4% share of the OLED TV market in terms of shipments. However, as more manufacturers shift toward RGB-based mini and micro LED TVs, LG may find itself increasingly isolated in its commitment to OLED technology.
