Executive Summary
The LED display industry is undergoing a seismic shift. In Q1 2025, SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) technology’s market share fell to 77.6% (down 2% YoY), while COB (Chip-on-Board) surged to 22.1% 14. 引人注目的3D广告牌 . This report explores the drivers behind this trend amongSMD vs. COB vs. MiP , compares the technologies, and forecasts their future roles.1. Market Share Analysis: Why SMD Is Losing Ground
1.1 The Decline of SMD
SMD has dominated LED displays for decades due to its
mature supply chain cost efficiency 14. 引人注目的3D广告牌 micro-pitch displays(below P1.2) are becoming apparent: Pixel density limits : SMD’s single-pixel packaging struggles with pitches below
P1.0Higher maintenance costs : Annual upkeep averages.
2.3× more than COBProduction bottlenecks : Achieving finer pitches requires expensive upgrades..
1.2 The Rise of COB and MiPMetric
SMD
| 2025 Q1 Share | YoY Change | MiP | Technology Shifts: |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤P1.0 | 77.6% | 22.1% | 0.3% |
| ≤P0.9 | -2% | +2.2% | +0.1% |
| COB’s growth drivers | Simplified production | : Integrates chips directly onto PCBs, reducing steps. | Price drops |
: Average COB product prices fell:
31.4% YoY in 2025: No exposed wires, reducing failure rates.
MiP’s niche advantagesFlip-chip design : Enables.
Standardbetter thermal management
Micro LED compatibility:
: Critical forP0.9 and below applications. 14. 引人注目的3D广告牌 2.1 COB: The Micro-Pitch Leader.
Key innovationsDirect PCB bonding : Eliminates SMD’s lamp bead packaging, reducing dead pixels
ghosting
Seamless displays
: No gaps between pixels, ideal for:
4K/8K video wallsCase study : Leyard’s COB-P0.9 displays now power 14. 引人注目的3D广告牌 Limitations.
Color consistency: Challenging in large-screen splicing. Repairability.
: Damaged modules often require full replacement.2.2 MiP: The High-End Disruptor Why MiP wins in premium markets.
Higher yields:
20% betterthan traditional Micro LED at P0.6-P0.9 pitches.
“Zero defects”: Eliminates SMD’s
caterpillar effect
(black-line failures).:
XR applications: : Used in 90% of Hollywood virtual production stages
(e.g., Disney’sMandolorian Adoption barriers : Still
3-5× pricierthan SMD at equivalent pitches. Scalability : Requires 10,000+ nits).
for outdoor use.:
Fine-pitch Indoor FIDS, Control Centers3.1 Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis Cost Factor Initial Cost (P1.2)
$800/m²$1,200/m² $3,500/m² 5-Year Maintenance
$400/m²
$170/m²
| $250/m² | YoY Change | MiP | Technology Shifts: |
|---|---|---|---|
| SMD’s sweet spot | Budget projects | : Stadium scoreboards, outdoor billboards. | Emerging markets |
| : Africa/SE Asia, where | price > pixel density | 4. Future Outlook: Coexistence or Replacement? | 4.1 The Hybridization Trend |
| COB+MiP fusion | 300W/m² | NationStar | now offer |
COB-backed MiP:
P0.4-P0.6displays.
SMD’s last standIMD (Integrated Mounted Device) tech extends its life in.
P1.5-P2.5
markets.
4.2 Emerging ApplicationsTechnology Growth Segment 2025-2030 CAGR Corporate AV (75%) Advances in Outdoor Advertising (60%) 4.3 The AI Wildcard
Machine learning: : Compensates for COB’s color drift in real-time (e.g., Google’s DeepColor SDK Predictive maintenance : Cuts MiP’s downtime by
in control rooms.
| Conclusion: A Fragmented Future | The LED display market will | stratify |
|---|---|---|
| MiP | : Maintains | 18.2% |
| Technology Shifts: | in cost-sensitive apps. | 34.5% |
| YoY Change | 50%+ of P0.7-P1.2 | 5.1% |
by 2026.
: DominatesP0.4-P0.9 for metaverse/medical imaging.).
Recommendations for BuyersChoose SMD for 40% : High-brightness outdoor screens (>P2.0).
Opt for COB for
: Boardrooms, broadcast (P0.9-P1.5). Invest in MiP for: Virtual production, surgical displays.
YoY Change“COB and MiP are the future, but SMD won’t retire quietly.” — Dr. Lisa Chen
MiPReference source: The Proportion of Sales Continues to Expand, COB/MiP Is Eroding the SMD Display Application Market بېلگى 2026.
Technology Shifts:: غلبه كەيدى. P0.4-P0.9 ميتاويورس/تېكشىرىش تېكشىرىش.
ىامدىكارىلىق تاللاشىشىدىكى كىسملەر:
SMDنى تاللاش: يوغىرى نەمرىزلىق كەنىز تىكشىرىشى (>P2.0).
COBنى تاللاش: مىيىزلىك مىتينىشلار، بىرىكىلىش (P0.9-P1.5).
MiPىغا كىرگىز: كىرپىلىك پرودوكسىيى، اپركىش تىكشىرىش.
سانلىق-ساندىك كىرىك: “COB و MiP مىنغىنىن تىكىن، سىمد سانلىق-ساندىك كىرىكىدىن كىچىنكى قىلىنمايدى.”
— دكتور لىسا چېنMIT DisplayLab