Brighter but smaller SMD LEDs remain high on makers' agenda

SMD LED production continues to aim for wider adoption in LED displays despite COB package's popularity. Lighting and backlighting markets stay robust.

SMD LEDs are the mainstream technology in lighting, backlighting and LED displays, thanks to their advantages in size, weight and reliability. To keep up with changing trends in these categories, suppliers in China have had to make sure their products meet luminance requirements even with further miniaturization. The emergence of next-generation COB encapsulation, expected to succeed SMDs in coming years in display applications, has also been a spur to update their selections.

To continue competing in the LED display segment, China manufacturers hope to offer SMD LEDs in sizes of 1010, 0808 and 0606, which suppliers report as popular lately. Many are looking toward the release of smaller 0404 and 0505 units as well. Dongguan Zhiding has introduced a model measuring 1x1x0.9mm with wavelengths of 625nm for red, 525nm for green and 470nm for blue. The respective luminous intensity values are 30 to 40mcd, 60 to 80mcd and 8 to 15mcd.

There are SMD LEDs for P1.2mm LED displays at present, while COB rivals can match those with below P1 pixel pitch for sharper resolution and more vivid colors.

In lighting and backlighting, however, SMD diodes will still dominate, with demand forecast to stay on an upward trend in the years ahead.

Overall, China's SMD LED manufacturing sector is set for growth of about 5 percent in sales value in the near term. Shenzhen Jefei, which realized a nearly 7 percent increase in 2019, expects the same rate by year-end. The company announced expansion in early 2020 of its LED production and R&D center in Huizhou, also in Guangdong province. The facility will mainly focus on SMD diodes for backlighting, displays and automotive uses.

In exports, domestic companies are hopeful of a resolution to the trade war between China and the US, which impacted shipments to the latter in the past two years. They believe total outbound volume will increase by as much as 10 percent once an agreement is reached between the two countries. In the meantime, suppliers have shifted focus to other destinations such as Europe, Southeast Asia, South America, the Middle East and Russia.

The majority of locally owned companies in the sector allocate between 30 and 90 percent of outputfor overseas markets.

Hundreds of manufacturers make up the production pool for SMD LEDs in China, of which more than 80 percent are homegrown and over half have small and midsize operations. Key companies include Nationstar, Hongli and Refond, while foreign firms with factories in China include Everlight and Unity.

Most suppliers also offer other optoelectronic components, including COB and DIP LEDs, and LED modules, and finished products such as LED lights.

Many are in the electronics hubs in Guangdong and the other coastal provinces of Fujian, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Only a few new players are expected to venture into the category due to intense competition.

Available sizes

SMD LEDs in mainstream supply in China come in various sizes, including 5050, 3535, 3528, 3020, 2835, 0603, 0805, 1206, 020 and 335. Units in 5050, 3528 and 2835 make up the bulk of shipments.

In terms of emitted colors, there are natural, warm and cool white, red, green, blue and RGB options to suit lighting, backlighting and LED displays. Typical models can last for more than 100,000 hours of usage.

Companies generally accommodate custom specifications, products based on which make up 30 to 60 percent of their deliveries. A number develop their own designs. Shenzhen Unionlight Opto-electronic Technology Co. Ltd has patented its 4040 SMD RGB LEDs, which have enhanced color uniformity and light-mixing effect, and high efficiency.

Most manufacturers ensure output complies with CE and RoHS.

Components and materials such as PCBs, electrodes, gold wires, epoxy resin and paste are usually sourced from the local supply. Depending on the requirements, chips may come from foreign companies such as Cree, Lumileds and Osram, or major local providers, including San'an, Silan and Lumei.

The cost of production inputs stayed stable in the past year, keeping prices unchanged. This is expected to continue in coming months. Some makers, however, may raise quotes slightly to offset the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on trade.

The products in this gallery have been handpicked by our China-based market analyst for representing current trends in SMD LEDs from China makers.

5050 SMD LED rated at 2.9 to 3V

CPM Electronics Co. Ltd's S5050WUC-8895 model is a 5050 SMD LED with 2.9 to 3V rated voltage. It has 4,000 to 4,500K or 2,500 to 2,700K color temperature and 22 to 24 lumens luminous flux.

An order of at least 1,000 units is delivered within 7 days.

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1010 SMD LED emits hyper red, blue, green

Model DL-TOP1010RGBC-A1 SMD LED from Double Light Electronics Technology Co. Ltd has peak emission wavelength and luminous intensity of 625nm and 550mcd in hyper red, 520nm and 1,080mcd in green, and 470nm and 450mcd in blue. The unit uses a 1010 package and has a 120-degree viewing angle. Its forward voltage ratings are 2V for the hyper red, and 3.2V for the green and blue. The reverse current is 5µA.

The 10,000-unit minimum order has a 5-day delivery lead time.

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4040 SMD LED has 20mA rated current

From Shenzhen Unionlight Opto-electronic Technology Co. Ltd, the model US-4040DFNCU-01-XE-T SMD LED uses a 4040 package. It has 2,400, 4,800 or 1,200mcd luminous intensity and 619 to 624, 530 to 535 or 465 to 470nm wavelength. The unit's rated voltage is 1.8 to 2.4V or 2.8 to 3.4V and the rated current 20mA.

The minimum order is 20,000 units. Delivery is within 7 days.

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SMD LED in 0603 package

This RoHS-compliant 0603 SMD LED from Zhongshan Golden Sun Optoelectronic Technology Co. Ltd, 0603BLW model, has 750mcd luminous intensity and superwhite emitted color. Its voltage and forward current ratings are 3V and 20mA.

The supplier requires a minimum order of 10,000 units. Delivery is within 10 days.

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