Introduction
If you are comparing the TM1668 vs TM1628, you are already past the early stage of your design. Both are Titan Micro LED display drivers with an integrated key-scan interface, both talk over a 3-wire serial bus, and both are common in household appliances. They are not interchangeable in every project, though, and the difference comes down to how many digits you need, how many buttons you must scan, and how much board area you can spare.
Most engineers and purchasing managers who search for TM1668 vs TM1628 or TM1628 vs TM1668 are facing one of two situations. Either they are designing a new appliance panel and need to choose between a compact 24-pin driver and a wider 28-pin driver, or they are maintaining an existing product and looking for a TM1628 alternative that shrinks the PCB without a firmware rewrite. Both paths lead to the same question: which part fits the panel, and which supplier can keep it in stock through the production run.
This guide compares the two devices on the parameters that actually affect a purchasing decision — display capacity, key-scan depth, package, supply voltage, and long-term availability — and explains which type of customer each part suits. It is written for buyers and engineers in India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Europe, the USA, and the Middle East who need original Titan Micro parts with competitive pricing and predictable delivery.
Product Overview
The TM1628 is a classic Titan Micro LED display driver with keyboard scan, long established in air-conditioner and large appliance control panels. It supports display modes from 10 segments × 7 digits up to 13 segments × 4 digits, pairs the display driver with a 10 × 2 bit key-scan matrix, and uses a 3-wire serial interface (CLK, STB, DIO). It ships in a SOP28 package with an 8-level software brightness control on a 5 V logic rail. Because it has been in production for years, the TM1628 is one of the most widely second-sourced display drivers in the appliance industry, and its firmware driver code is available for nearly every MCU platform.
The TM1668 is the more compact member of the same family. It covers 7 segment × 4 digit up to 10 segment × 7 digit displays with a 7 × 1 bit key-scan interface, the same 3-wire serial bus, and the same 8-level brightness control — but it fits into a SOP24 or SSOP24 package and operates from a wider 3.3 V to 5.5 V logic range. That combination matters on modern designs: a 3.3 V MCU can drive the TM1668 directly without a level shifter, and a 24-pin footprint leaves room for the display connector, the MCU, and the power stage on a single compact panel board.
Both parts integrate the serial interface, data latch, LED driver stage, key-scan logic, RC oscillator, and power-on reset in one chip. For a buyer evaluating TM1668 price against TM1628 price, the practical question is not which chip is technically superior — both are mature devices from Titan Micro Electronics (天微电子) — but which one matches the panel you are building and which one your supplier can deliver at scale.
Technical Specifications
The table below summarises the published specifications of both devices side by side.
| Parameter | TM1668 | TM1628 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Titan Micro Electronics (天微电子) | Titan Micro Electronics (天微电子) |
| Function | LED display driver with key scan | LED display driver with key scan |
| Display mode | 7 seg × 4 digit – 10 seg × 7 digit | 10 seg × 7 digit – 13 seg × 4 digit |
| Key scan | 7 × 1 bit matrix | 10 × 2 bit matrix |
| Interface | 3-wire serial (CLK, STB, DIO) | 3-wire serial (CLK, STB, DIO) |
| Logic voltage | 3.3 V – 5.5 V | 5 V (typical appliance rail) |
| Display voltage | Separate LED segment supply, up to 12 V | Separate LED segment supply, up to 12 V |
| Brightness levels | 8-level PWM duty adjustment | 8-level PWM duty adjustment |
| Oscillator | Built-in RC oscillator | Built-in RC oscillator |
| Reset | Built-in power-on reset | Built-in power-on reset |
| Package | SOP24 / SSOP24 | SOP28 |
| Typical applications | Compact appliance panels, set-top boxes, rice cookers, induction cookers | Air conditioners, washing machines, microwave ovens, large appliance panels |
Two specification differences drive almost every design decision. The first is package width: the TM1668 saves four pins and roughly 20% of the board footprint compared with the TM1628, which is significant when the display board also carries relays, a switching supply, and a large connector. The second is key-scan depth: the TM1628 scans a 10 × 2 matrix, so it can handle a richer keypad than the TM1668’s 7 × 1 arrangement. Everything else — serial protocol, brightness control, and the built-in oscillator — is close enough that firmware porting between the two is straightforward, which is why so many customers treat them as a matched pair when reviewing their LED driver IC BOM.
Applications
Both devices serve the same broad market of appliance and instrument front panels, but they land in different product classes.
Where the TM1628 wins:
- Air-conditioner indoor units — multi-digit temperature, mode, and timer displays with a large function keypad; the 10 × 2 key-scan matrix covers every front-panel button on one chip.
- Washing machines and microwave ovens — program selection, remaining-time readout, and a full button row with numeric entry.
- Water heaters and industrial control panels — setpoint displays that need a wider digit count and more keys than a compact driver supports.
Where the TM1668 wins:
- Rice cookers and induction cookers — compact timer and power readouts with a handful of function keys, on a board that cannot accept a SOP28.
- Set-top boxes and AV equipment — channel, volume, and input indicators with front-panel buttons.
- EV charger status panels and instrumentation — compact readouts that must stay legible in varied ambient light, often on 3.3 V MCU designs.
Manufacturers across India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Turkey use both parts heavily. In our experience, the split is predictable: if the panel has a full numeric keypad and a large air-conditioner-style display, the TM1628 remains the natural choice; if the board is tight and the keypad is small, the TM1668 is the better fit.
TM1668 vs TM1628: Side-by-Side Comparison
The table below translates the datasheets into the criteria buyers and design teams actually weigh.
| Criterion | TM1668 | TM1628 | Which is better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display capacity | Up to 10 seg × 7 digit | Up to 13 seg × 4 digit / 10 seg × 7 digit | TM1628 for maximum digit count |
| Key-scan depth | 7 × 1 bit (7 keys) | 10 × 2 bit (up to 20 keys) | TM1628 for large keypads |
| PCB footprint | SOP24 / SSOP24 — compact | SOP28 — wider | TM1668 for space-constrained boards |
| Supply voltage | 3.3 V – 5.5 V | 5 V rail | TM1668 for 3.3 V MCU designs |
| Interface | 3-wire serial | 3-wire serial | Tie — same protocol family |
| Brightness control | 8-level PWM | 8-level PWM | Tie |
| Firmware maturity | Well supported, easy port from other Titan Micro parts | Extremely mature, drivers available for most MCUs | TM1628 for fastest bring-up |
| Second-source availability | Good | Excellent — industry-standard footprint | TM1628 for legacy replacement |
| Best-fit product | Compact appliance panels with a small keypad | Air conditioners and larger appliance panels | Depends on panel size |
Read the table as a decision rule rather than a ranking. If your display needs more than seven digits or more than seven buttons, the TM1628 is the only option of the two. If your digit and key requirements fit inside the TM1668 envelope, then the TM1668 usually delivers the smaller, cheaper board — particularly on a 3.3 V design.
One more practical note: the two parts share the same serial protocol structure, so migrating firmware between them is a register remap rather than a rewrite. Design teams often prototype with the TM1628 because sample code is everywhere, then move to the TM1668 for the production board once the panel shrinks. For cross-brand comparisons in the same family, see our TM1628 vs HT1628 comparison, our TM1650 vs HT16K33 comparison, and our TM1640 vs MAX7219 comparison.
Buying Guide: How to Select a Reliable TM1668 or TM1628 Supplier
Once the part is chosen, the harder problem begins. Titan Micro drivers are widely counterfeited, and the difference between a good quote and a bad one rarely shows up until several thousand units are already on the line. These are the checks that matter when you evaluate a supplier for either device.
Verify the original source. Ask for the manufacturer name and batch code on the reel label, and confirm the part marking matches Titan Micro’s own marking convention. Suppliers who cannot state where the stock originated are a risk, no matter how attractive the price looks. Re-marked or salvaged devices may pass incoming inspection at low volume and still fail in the field at temperature.
Confirm supply stability. Display drivers are long-lifecycle parts, and a product built around the TM1628 or TM1668 may ship for five years or more. Ask whether your supplier holds recurring stock, can reserve a production quantity, and how they source when the factory is short. A distributor who only quotes spot buys will leave you exposed on the second and third order.
Check quality inspection and documentation. A credible supplier provides outgoing inspection data, batch traceability, and can supply the datasheet and pin-compatibility notes on request. If you export finished goods, you also need correct commercial invoices, packing lists, and HS-code classification.
Look for export experience. Shipping ICs to India, Vietnam, or Europe involves more than air freight. Reels must be vacuum-sealed with desiccant, moisture-sensitive devices need proper labelling, and the supplier should be comfortable with the carrier and customs process in your market.
Test MOQ flexibility. Prototype and pilot builds should not require a full reel commitment. A good distributor supports small quantities for engineering samples and still quotes competitively at production volumes.
Compare on total cost, not unit price. Factor in lead time, freight, duty, incoming-inspection labour, and the cost of a line stop caused by a bad batch. The lowest quotation is frequently the most expensive decision in the project.
Why Choose Newfly Electronics
Newfly Electronics is a specialist distributor of Titan Micro (天微电子) integrated circuits, serving overseas manufacturers and engineers who need original parts without the friction of buying directly from the factory. Titan Micro maintains no dedicated foreign-trade sales team and quotes high prices to overseas buyers, which makes a China-side distributor with export experience the practical route to competitive landed cost.
What that means for your TM1668 or TM1628 order:
- Competitive China supply chain pricing — we buy within the local supply chain and pass the advantage on, so your TM1628 price and TM1668 price reflect real market levels rather than factory export quotes.
- Stable supply — recurring stock and reserved production quantities for customers running repeat builds.
- Export service — proper reels, vacuum packaging, documentation, and shipping to India, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Europe, the USA, and the Middle East.
- Technical support — help with package selection and choosing between the TM1668 and TM1628 for a specific panel design.
- Flexible quantities — small sample orders for prototyping and bulk pricing for volume production.
- Full Titan Micro range — the TM1637, TM1640, TM1650, TM1638, and TM1621B are all available from the same supplier, which simplifies your BOM.
Send your requirement to sales@newflyelectronics.com or message us on WhatsApp +86 15112635657 with the model number and quantity, and we will come back with pricing, stock status, and lead time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the TM1668 a drop-in replacement for the TM1628?
Not electrically, because the pin counts differ (SOP24/SSOP24 versus SOP28). The parts share the same serial protocol family, so firmware migration is usually a register remap, but the PCB must be redesigned and the display and key-scan limits of the TM1668 respected. If your design needs more than 10 segments × 7 digits or more than seven keys, the TM1628 remains the correct choice.
Where can I buy TM1668 or TM1628 ICs in original Titan Micro packaging?
Newfly Electronics supplies both parts from China with batch traceability and documented origin. Contact sales@newflyelectronics.com with your target quantity and destination country for a quotation.
What package do the TM1668 and TM1628 use?
The TM1668 is available in SOP24 and SSOP24; the TM1628 ships in SOP28.
Which part is cheaper — TM1668 or TM1628?
Pricing depends on quantity, package option, and market conditions. As a general rule the smaller TM1668 package carries a lower board and assembly cost, while the TM1628 is the more widely second-sourced part. Request a current quotation for both to compare landed cost.
Does Newfly Electronics provide the datasheet and pin comparison?
Yes. We provide the Titan Micro datasheet for both devices and can advise on pin compatibility and firmware migration between the TM1668 and TM1628.
Are the TM1668 and TM1628 still in production?
Yes, both are active Titan Micro products and remain in regular use across appliance platforms worldwide.
Can I order small quantities for prototyping?
Yes. Newfly Electronics supports sample and pilot-build quantities as well as bulk production orders.
Request a Quotation
Choosing between the TM1668 and the TM1628 is a design decision; getting either part reliably at a competitive price is a supply decision, and it is the one that keeps your production line moving. Newfly Electronics supplies original Titan Micro display driver ICs to manufacturers and engineers worldwide with competitive China supply chain pricing, stable stock, export documentation, and technical support on both small and bulk orders.
Send us your model number, package preference, and quantity, and we will reply with price, availability, and lead time — along with the datasheet and any technical guidance you need to finalise your panel design.
Request a quotation for TM1668 or TM1628 today.
Email: sales@newflyelectronics.com
WhatsApp: +86 15112635657
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