According to +information available to TFT Central on the planned LCD panels from the manufacturer AU Optronics (AUO), a 32-inch IPS display is to be produced that will have the 8K resolution combined with a mini LED backlight with 4,608 zones. Displays with up to 540 Hz are planned for gamers.
The “AmLED Backlight” (Adaptive mini LED technology) of the 8K IPS panel with the identification number M320MAN01.0 is said to have a total of 4,608 light zones that can be independently adjusted in terms of brightness. That is significantly more than currently available mini LED monitors, which offer between 576 zones (e.g. AOC AG274QXM) and 2,048 zones (Samsung Odyssey Neo G9). In the 32-inch class, 576 zones or 1,152 zones, such as the AOC PD Agon Pro PD32M (test), are currently common.
Zones × 4 = zone size/4
Conversely, the quadruple number of zones (4,608) means that the area illuminated by a zone is only a quarter of the size: on the aforementioned AOC monitor with 1,152 zones on 32 inches, a zone is around 2.4 cm² in size; with the upcoming AUO panel with 4,608 zones on 32 inches it is only 0.6 cm². The Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) works correspondingly more finely, and unsightly halo effects with bright objects in front of a black background should be far less noticeable. Nevertheless, the pixel-precise dimming of self-illuminating pixels of OLED displays or future micro-LED displays remains unmatched.
The table above compares the size of monitor mini-LED zones, assuming that the mini-LEDs can be individually driven to form one zone each. Some mini LED displays like the iPad Pro 12.9" four mini LEDs form a dimming zone. The table also impressively shows how poorly positioned the 5,000-euro Apple Pro Display XDR is in this regard. Just 576 zones on 32 inches in 16:9 format means a comparatively large 4.9 cm² per zone.
Next year, but not for players
According to the current status, production of the AUO panel M320MAN01.0 is not scheduled to begin until the second quarter of 2023. Monitors based on it can therefore not be expected before the second half of next year. Since the refresh rate is only 60 Hz and a very high price is to be expected, the expensive professional segment should be targeted. Also mentioned is a color space coverage of 99% for Adobe RGB and DCI-P3 as well as meeting the requirements for the VESA seal DisplayHDR 1000, which requires a brightness of at least 1,000 cd/m² in certain areas.
Up to 540 Hz for players
Various high-frequency displays for gamers are also planned at AUO. After the 360 Hz panels, which are now in mass production, the production of 540 Hz panels is planned to start in the first quarter of 2023. This is the TN panel M241HTN01.0 with 24.1 inches and 1,920 × 1,080 pixels. According to information from TFT Central, an AmLED backlight is also to be used here, but it only has 96 zones.
The display manufacturer BOE is also planning with at least 500 Hz. As with the 360 Hz monitors, Nvidia is likely to be the godfather and has also already pointed out upcoming 500 Hz displays; the model shown by Asus (title picture) is to have an AUO panel.
AUO will also be offering the WQHD IPS panels M270DAN10.2 and M270DAN10 in the fourth quarter of 2022 at the earliest .3 go into series production with 27 inches and 360 Hz. The 4K IPS panel M320QAN03.0 with 240 Hz is not expected to be manufactured until the third quarter of 2023.
A comparison graphic comes from the marketing department of AUO, in showing the alleged advantages over the OLED panels of the competitor JOLED.
About other new ones AUO-Panels informs the extensive report of TFT Central.