Microsoft's Mixed-Reality Headset

OLED Micro Displays Possible deal between Microsoft and Samsung Display

2024-08-20 From Hendrik Härter | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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A possible mixed-reality headset from Microsoft could be equipped with OLED micro displays from Samsung Display. However, Samsung Electronics' decision to rely on Sony for its own headset raises questions about the future of Samsung Display.

Mixed-Reality Displays: Microsoft reportedly plans a deal with Samsung Display. This would have a positive impact on the Samsung subsidiary. But a separate MX headset raises questions.(Image: freely licensed / Pixabay) — Mixed-Reality Displays: Microsoft reportedly plans a deal with Samsung Display. This would have a positive impact on the Samsung subsidiary. But a separate MX headset raises questions.
(Image: freely licensed / Pixabay)

According to reports from South Korea, Microsoft has concluded an agreement with Samsung Display. This concerns OLED micro displays for a future MX (Mixed Reality) device that Microsoft plans to bring to market in 2026 or later.

For this purpose, Microsoft has agreed to order several hundred thousand OLED micro displays from Samsung Display. Samsung Display will work with Samsung System LSI, which is responsible for the design of the CMOS backplane. The production will be carried out by Samsung Foundry. Samsung Display will be responsible for the frontplane OLED deposition and encapsulation.

Technical background of the micro displays

The microdisplays will use a white OLED architecture with color filters. This is a common approach in microdisplay technology, in which a white light-emitting layer generates the desired colors through color filters. The necessary light output is improved via an MLA layer. This is a Micro-Lens Array (MLA) to increase the brightness of an AR display. Initially, Samsung System LSI will apply the color filters and the MLA layer, but Samsung Display plans to take over this process in the future.

Own MX headset from Samsung?

The deal puts Samsung in the spotlight. However, in contrast, Samsung Electronics has decided to use Sony's OLED microdisplays for its own AR headsets. This decision was seen as a setback for Samsung Display, which makes the agreement with Microsoft particularly significant as it secures a key partner for Samsung Display. Both Samsung Display and Samsung Electronics are subsidiaries of the South Korean conglomerate Samsung. Although both companies operate under the roof of the Samsung Group, they have different tasks and business areas.

Samsung's OLED Micro Display

At Displayweek 2024, Samsung presented a 1.03" diagonal OLED microdisplay based on an RGB direct emission architecture that was developed in collaboration with eMagin, a company Samsung acquired last year. The RGB direct emission architecture is a special technique used in OLED displays. In this architecture, each individual pixel cell is directly driven by separate organic materials that emit red, green, and blue light.

Experts expect that the direct emission architecture will not be ready for mass production until after 2026. (heh)

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