PlayNitride showed several microLED-based displays and demos at DisplayWeek 2026. First was the Garmin microLED watch with 3000 nits and compared it to an OLED-based watch with 1000 nits. PlayNitride works with AUO to manufacture the microLED panel in the Garmin watch.

PlayNitride showed their new 1.39-inch Tantium round microLED display with resolution of 454 x 454, 326 PPI, 5000 nits of full screen brightness. This is a color converted device being developed in cooperation with Panasonic. This is the next generation design that will offer higher brightness and lower power consumption. Although the power consumption was not specified, they showed the two microLEDs panel running at the same (unspecified) power level with the older one outputting 1000 nits and the new Tantium outputting 1700 nits.

They also showed a 6.2-inch microLED HUD that delivers 20,000 nits using about 20W of power. This is simply reflected off a demo windshield screen. Resolution was 624 x 360 with a pixel pitch of 0.22mm and a PPI of 115. They included spotlights in their demo to show the luminance even in demanding conditions.

A 9.38-inch demo with 1000 nits was designed to show off the high contrast (>100K:1) capabilities. Specs included resolution of 960 x 480, pixel pitch of 0.22 and 114 PPI. This uses an LTPS backplane whereas another demo used a PCB for driving the display. This is likely a 1×2 tiled display.

This second one was shown as a smart surface type application in a 10-inch form factor. Specs here included resolution of 1440 x 240 and 0.33 mm pixel pitch. The demo included the seamless tiling of three modules each emitting around 7000 nits. This light was attenuated by the decorative panel so that only 1000 nits reached the surface. PlayNitride says this is the highest pixel pitch they are aware of for a PCB backplane. This seems true as all others talk about a 0.5 to 0.6 mm pitch as the lower limit for PCB backplanes.