SEOUL — Samsung Display has officially resumed the development of Quantum Dot Nanorod Light Emitting Diode (QNED) technology, a next-generation display solution that the company had sidelined several years ago.
The move signals a strategic shift in Samsung’s roadmap as it seeks to overcome the limitations of current organic-based displays. QNED is widely regarded as a superior alternative to Quantum Dot Organic Light Emitting Diodes (QD-OLED) due to its significantly longer lifespan and higher peak brightness.
A Return to the Lab
According to industry sources on March 11, Samsung Display established a dedicated QNED research organization within the "M Commercialization Team" under its Small and Medium-sized Display Business Division late last year.
Samsung originally embarked on QNED development in 2019 and even produced prototype TV panels. However, the project was halted approximately two to three years ago after engineers struggled with technical bottlenecks—specifically, the difficulty of uniformly aligning nanorod LEDs and ensuring consistent light output across large surfaces.
"The personnel previously involved in QNED development have been regrouped," an industry expert noted. "There is a strong internal consensus that nanorod LED technology is essential for the company's long-term competitive edge, leading to this revival."
The Technology: Nanorod LEDs vs. LCDs
QNED technology combines Quantum Dots (QD) with Nanorod LEDs (NED). These nanorods are microscopic, rod-shaped LEDs extracted from gallium nitride (GaN) based epi-wafers. In a QNED structure, blue nanorod LEDs serve as a self-emissive light source, while red and green QD color conversion layers are applied via inkjet printing to complete the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) spectrum.
It is important to distinguish Samsung’s QNED from LG Electronics' "QNED TV" currently on the market. While LG uses the term for LCD TVs that enhance color reproduction through nanocell and quantum dot filters, Samsung’s QNED is a self-emissive technology that does not require a backlight.
Efficiency and Cost Advantages
The primary appeal of QNED lies in its manufacturing efficiency. Unlike Micro LED displays, which require a complex and expensive "mass transfer" process to pick and place millions of tiny chips, QNED utilizes inkjet printing to spray nanorod LEDs into place. This method is expected to yield higher production rates and lower costs.
Furthermore, compared to Samsung’s current flagship QD-OLED technology, QNED eliminates the need for vacuum deposition processes. This simplifies the manufacturing line and offers a clearer path to cost reduction. Because each pixel is composed of approximately ten nanorod LEDs, the technology is also inherently scalable, making it easier to produce larger screens.
"It appears Samsung Display has found a technical clue to resolve the alignment issues that previously acted as a bottleneck," an industry insider analyzed.
A Multi-Pronged Strategy
The revival of QNED is part of a broader "QD-centric" strategy. Alongside QNED and QD-OLED, Samsung is also developing Electroluminescent Quantum Dot (EL-QD) technology, where the quantum dots themselves emit RGB light through electrical stimulation.
By internalizing a diverse portfolio including QNED, QD-OLED, and EL-QD, Samsung Display aims to provide tailored solutions for various market segments and customer demands, securing its dominance in the premium display market for the next decade.
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