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Micro RGB TVs to Replace Micro‑LEDs in 2026 — Brighter

Micro RGB TVs Overtake Micro‑LED in 2026
Micro RGB Takes Over
  • Micro RGB panels can hit 100% of the BT.2020 HDR color standard, improving color fidelity over quantum-dot sets.
  • Samsung’s first Micro RGB TV reached full BT.2020 but cost nearly $30,000 for a 115-inch model.
  • Micro RGB uses individual red, green and blue backlights, avoiding the filters quantum-dot tech requires.
  • CES 2026 will show more vendors shipping smaller, lower-cost Micro RGB models—potentially down to 55 inches.

Why Micro RGB matters

Micro RGB is emerging as the next high-end TV panel because it gives manufacturers direct control of red, green and blue light sources. That reduces reliance on color filters or quantum-dot layers and delivers more accurate primary colors.

The result is higher peak brightness and improved color volume, which helps meet or exceed the BT.2020 HDR gamut target used by the industry for high-definition color performance.

How Micro RGB compares to Micro‑LED and quantum-dot

Micro‑LED promised per-pixel LEDs and excellent contrast without a backlight, but manufacturing remains costly and complex. Major firms such as Apple have scaled back in-house micro‑LED programs because of those challenges.

Quantum-dot LED (QLED) panels marked a step up from traditional LCDs but typically top out around ~85% of the BT.2020 gamut. Micro RGB bypasses the filtering step by putting colored emitters directly into the panel, enabling far better native color coverage.

Samsung demonstrated the difference last year when its Micro RGB prototype reportedly achieved 100% BT.2020 coverage. That marked a clear technical milestone compared with previous high-end LCD alternatives.

Trade-offs: price, size, and power

Early Micro RGB sets are positioned for the luxury market. Samsung’s initial 115-inch model cost nearly $30,000, reflecting the newness and manufacturing costs of the approach.

Manufacturers say newer models launching at CES 2026 will shrink to more conventional sizes — including 55-inch options — and offer lower price points, though they will likely remain above typical OLED and LCD prices.

Power-wise, Micro RGB retains some of the efficiency advantages of per-pixel emissive designs and avoids energy lost to color filters, but exact consumption will depend on peak-brightness tuning and panel engineering.

What this means for buyers

If Samsung’s early claims hold across the market, 2026 could be the year Micro RGB becomes the premium choice for buyers who want the brightest HDR and the truest color.

For most consumers, OLED will remain an excellent balance of price and contrast. Enthusiasts and prosumers who prioritize color accuracy and HDR performance should watch Micro RGB models at CES 2026 for availability and pricing details.

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