Understanding the Surge of Micro RGB TVs at CES 2026

Distinguishing Micro RGB from OLED, Micro LED, and Mini LED

Introduced quietly last year, Micro RGB TVs might have been easily confused with other display technologies, but this year their prominence at CES 2026 is undeniable. As the latest high-end technology in the display market, what sets these TVs apart from OLED, Micro LED, and Mini LED you might wonder? Let's delve into this innovative tech and its distinctions.

The Evolution of Display Technology

To comprehend the significance of Micro RGB, it's necessary to trace the advancements in flat-panel displays over two decades. Initially, LCD TVs operated using liquid crystals that transformed to let light from a rear backlight pass through, forming images through an RGB filter.

The downside was that LCDs allowed light leakage, rendering blacks as dark grey. Early models relied on inefficient fluorescent backlights causing uneven illumination and resulting in diminished brightness due to the RGB filter.

Innovation came with LEDs, initially placed on screen edges before being moved directly behind in models like Sony’s 2004 Qualia. This improved brightness, reduced energy usage, and enhanced color and light distribution, with precise dimming zones allowing deeper blacks.

The breakthrough with Quantum Dot (QD) technology in 2013 through Sony’s Triluminos series marked a new era. By replacing the RGB filter with a semiconductor nanocrystal layer, it achieved higher brightness and color precision due to the purity of monochromatic colors. Samsung’s QLEDs became emblematic of this innovation.

With the development of Mini LED technology, the precision of quantum dot tech combined with thousands of tiny dimming zones offered magnificent brightness and color precision but did not achieve perfect black levels, displaying a halo effect around bright elements due to pixel leakage.

These issues were addressed by OLED technology, first commercialized by Sony as XEL-1 in 2007. OLED displays, made from organic light-emitting diodes, control each pixel individually, enabling true blacks and superior contrast, although they suffer lower brightness and potential burn-in problems.

An alternative, Micro LED, uses inorganic LEDs on a microscopic scale for each pixel, offering similar advantages to OLEDs but with greater brightness and no burn-in risk. However, the technology remains costly, limiting its market availability with models like Samsung’s ultra-expensive The Wall.

Introducing Micro RGB Technology

The emergence of Micro RGB brings a new level of precision in color and contrast. HDR content, aligning with BT.2020 standards, offers a broader color spectrum and higher brightness than SDR associated with REC.709. To match the color accuracy required for BT.2020, Micro RGB employs highly precise red, green, and blue LEDs behind each pixel, surpassing Mini LED technology with superior color accuracy and potentially higher brightness.

Currently, Samsung’s 115-inch 4K MR95F model stands as the sole Micro RGB TV in the market. It promises industry-leading color fidelity, fully covering the BT.2020 HDR spectrum. This achievement sets a new benchmark over quantum dot technology, affording a broader range of visible colors.

While some critical specifications, such as the brightness levels or dimming zones, remain disclosed, the technology's potential suggests exceptional performance. Engadget’s assessment highlighted the MR95F's vivid color output, surpassing leading-edge TVs and justified its significant price tag.

Other brands, like HiSense, have also ventured into RGB Mini LED models analogous to Samsung’s, featuring larger RGB units that vary slightly in technical arrangement.

Anticipated Expansion at CES 2026

The presence of Micro RGB TVs is set to expand dramatically. Samsung announced an inclusive lineup extending from 55 to 115 inches, promoting these models as the pinnacle of luxury home entertainment, achieving complete BT.2020 HDR compliance under a new Micro RGB Precision Color 100 certification.

Further enhancing the excitement, Samsung revealed a massive 130-inch prototype, showcasing the potential of Micro RGB technology. The scale and color depth astonished observers and editors, likened to admiring an artistic masterpiece.

Simultaneously, LG entered the arena with its Micro RGB “evo” series, pledging full BT.2020 and wider SDR standards coverage, significantly through abundant dimming zones for fine-tuned coloration.

The juxtaposition of LG’s Wallpaper OLED with their new Micro RGB models left viewers amazed. The vivid color detail and lifelike texture of images contributed to an immersive viewing experience unseen in other display offerings.