2025

Consumer electronics displays are an incredibly cost-sensitive component given the increasing motherglass-area advantages LCD and OLED have enjoyed over the years. While uLED can command a premium price point due to potential advantages in select areas such as system battery life, maximum brightness and viewing angle improvements, most high-volume applications will still require pricing in-line with the current incumbents. In this masterclass, we go dive top-down into an example high volume display (>1M units) and explore what the cost contribution of materials, equipment and process would realistically have to be in various yield and technology choice configurations.

VR, MR, and AR have become bridges connecting humans between the real and virtual worlds. The development focus of VR/MR is on lightweight design and providing better immersion, allowing the application of the devices to extend beyond just the leisure and entertainment fields. As the mainstream technology used in high-end products, OLEDoS focuses on further enhancing specifications such as brightness and PPI. Meanwhile, mature technologies like glass OLED and LCD are also actively integrating backplane technologies, including LTPO, to balance the requirements of mainstream products in terms of specifications and cost. With the assistance of AI capabilities, AR glasses are now able to meet the consensus on specifications and design requirements for lightweight, power-efficient, and high-brightness clear images. In the area of display optics, LCoS is currently a relatively balanced option. LEDoS is highly anticipated by the industry for its compact size and high brightness, while OLEDoS maintains its competitive edge in both VR/MR and AR fields through panel miniaturization. Waveguide, as the mainstream optical solution, also plays an indispensable role in achieving miniaturization, low power consumption, and high efficiency. Moreover, there is ample room for optimization in materials selection, processing methods, and structural design.

As augmented reality inches closer to mainstream adoption, the competition among display technologies intensifies. MicroLED, LCOS, LBS, and other contenders each promise unique advantages - be it brightness, efficiency, or compact form factors - while grappling with their own technical and commercial hurdles. This talk will examine the recent breakthroughs and setbacks across key AR display technologies, evaluating their current viability and trajectory. Finally, we will explore the future landscape: will a single technology dominate, or will different solutions carve out specialised roles? Join us for a deep dive into the evolving AR display ecosystem and what it means for the future of immersive computing.
Labbet Advice is an independent advisory firm for deep-tech companies in Semiconductors and Photonics and to their investors. We strive for highest quality and confidence on various facets of deep-tech venturing: from building strategically valuable financing rounds and customer partnerships for companies, to providing expert assessments and due diligence services to their investors.

This masterclass explores the interplay between microLED manufacturing, system integration, and content optimization. From the fabrication process to the final image seen by the viewer, each step in the value chain influences performance, cost, and user experience. The discussion will take both technical and business perspectives to examine key constraints and opportunities, and explore how understanding and leveraging the human visual system can guide the design and manufacturing of display systems that are not only visually comfortable but also more profitable.