Date of issue:2026.09.22
Company News
SMD Is Everywhere — Why Do Large Outdoor LED Billboards Still Choose DIP?
Different application scenarios have different requirements for LED displays
In recent years, SMD has become the mainstream solution in the LED display industry, especially in indoor fine-pitch applications. But if you turn your attention to large outdoor LED billboards, you'll notice something interesting: by 2026, DIP has not exited the outdoor display stage. The answer isn't about which is "more advanced" — it's that different scenarios have fundamentally different requirements.
01 High-Brightness Outdoor Environments Demand Higher Reliability
The biggest difference between outdoor and indoor screens is the operating environment. Under direct sunlight, LEDs need sufficient brightness to be clearly visible from a distance. High-brightness outdoor screens typically reach 6000–10000+ nits. Higher brightness means LEDs must withstand greater operating current and thermal stress, making aging tests particularly important. Long-term, high-load operation helps identify potential issues with LEDs, solder joints, and circuits in advance. For outdoor billboards that run 24/7, reliability is never something that can be ignored.
02 Why Does DIP Still Have Advantages Outdoors?
SMD uses surface mounting — compact structure, small pixel pitch, ideal for indoor and fine-pitch displays. DIP uses a through-hole structure, with LED pins inserted directly into the PCB and soldered, providing stronger mechanical connections. Outdoor long-term operation must face high temperatures, low temperatures, rain, moisture, wind, and thermal expansion and contraction. Therefore, in large outdoor billboards, sports venues, and roadside media applications, DIP's structural stability still has real value. This is why many large outdoor billboards still use DIP solutions today.
03 DIP Is Not an "Old Technology" — It Continues to Evolve
Maturity does not mean stagnation. Take Kingaurora's independently developed DIP570 RGB 3-in-1 LED as an example — it integrates RGB chips into a more compact DIP structure, achieving multiple optimizations over traditional DIP346:
Higher Transparency
Better suited for LED mesh screen applications
High Brightness
Meets long-distance outdoor viewing requirements
Energy Efficiency
Greater focus on power consumption while meeting brightness needs
Long-Term Stability
Optimized reliability for long-term outdoor use
DIP continues to adapt to the modern outdoor display market through new packaging and product designs.
04 SMD or DIP — How to Choose?
No single LED packaging technology suits every scenario. If a project focuses on small pixel pitch, high-definition display, and close-viewing quality, SMD usually has clear advantages. For high-brightness, large-size, long-distance viewing, and 24/7 outdoor billboards, DIP remains a solution worth considering. In short: indoor fine-pitch favors SMD; large high-brightness outdoor favors DIP.
Comparison
SMD
DIP
Typical Application
Indoor, fine-pitch, close viewing
Large outdoor, high brightness, long distance
Packaging Structure
Surface mount, compact
Through-hole, stronger mechanical connection
Pixel Pitch
Clear advantage in fine pitch
Suited for larger pitch outdoor applications
Outdoor Adaptability
Moderate
Stronger, better weather resistance
Long-Term Reliability
Suited for standard environments
Suited for 24/7 harsh environments
Truly professional LED display selection should not simply pursue the "latest technology," but comprehensively judge based on the project's usage environment, viewing distance, brightness requirements, operating hours, and reliability requirements.
Conclusion
In 2026, SMD remains an important technology route in the LED display industry. But at the same time, DIP is far from obsolete. For large outdoor LED billboards, high brightness, heat dissipation, structural stability, and long-term reliable operation are often more important than simply pursuing smaller pixel pitch.
There is no absolute "best" technology — only choices better suited to specific application scenarios. This may be why, in 2026, DIP remains active in the large outdoor LED display market.
Kingaurora — focused on LED display technology and product development, providing more reliable LED display solutions for different application scenarios.