Comparing OLED and QLED: Determining the Superior TV Tech
In the world of premium television technology, two acronyms stand out: OLED and QLED. Despite their similar names, these two display technologies could not be more dissimilar.
OLED, or Organic Light-Emitting Diode, is a self-emissive panel technology wherein each pixel is individually lit. In contrast, QLED, or Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode, represents an umbrella term for a variety of backlit TVs from various brands and price points.
Delving deeper, we find subcategories such as QD-OLED and Primary RGB Tandem OLED. But what exactly do these terms signify? And perhaps more crucially, which TV technology is ideal for your specific needs? Let's break it all down.
What is OLED?
At its core, an OLED display utilizes a carbon-based organic compound sandwiched between two electrodes. A current passing through these layers emits white light, which is then filtered through an RGB filter to create the picture. The appeal of OLED stems from its pixel-by-pixel light emission capability, which offers numerous advantages, such as superior color accuracy and true blacks.
Interestingly, all standard OLED TV panels on the market today, including those used by LG Display, Panasonic, Sony, and Philips, originate from LG Display. QD-OLED, however, requires its own explanation.
QD-OLED is a hybrid technology that takes the basic OLED concept and adds a layer of quantum dots over the pixel layer. This new layer breaks each quantum dot down into red, green, and blue sub-pixels from the outset, eliminating the need for a color filter. This structural change allows QD-OLED displays to produce brighter pictures compared to traditional or 'standard' OLED sets.
Several improvements have been introduced to traditional OLED displays over the past few years to keep up with this development. Notably, Micro Lens Array OLED (MLA OLED) utilized millions of microscopic lenses to direct light more effectively, enhancing picture brightness. LG G4, Panasonic Z95A, and Philips OLED909 are among the TVs featuring this technology.
However, MLA OLED was subsequently discontinued and has been replaced by Primary RGB Tandem OLED, which boasts a four-stack panel architecture and enhanced brightness. These advanced OLED technologies will be reserved for high-end, premium models, such as the five-star LG G5 and the upcoming Panasonic Z95B.
What is QLED?
QLED is based on LED TV technology, with the primary distinction being that instead of self-emitting pixels, QLEDs rely on a backlight filled with LEDs, divided into small, individually controllable zones. These zones generate light for the TV. In contrast, a traditional LCD TV's light passes through a liquid crystal display (LCD) and numerous other layers to achieve the final picture. QLED also includes an added layer of quantum dots, which significantly boosts the color vibrancy of the displayed image compared to standard LCD.
Samsung has been most closely associated with QLED TVs, but other manufacturers, including LG (under the brand name QNED), Hisense, Sony, and TCL, also use this technology. 'Neo QLED,' on the other hand, is a Samsung-exclusive term for its Mini LED TVs.
While we won't delve into the specifics of Mini LED versus OLED in this current discussion, it is important to note that Neo QLED is Samsung's take on Mini LED technology, which incorporates quantum dots in a similar manner to regular QLED displays but offers improved brightness and more precise backlight control.
In the near future, self-emissive QLEDs have been demonstrated at industry events, such as the first 8K self-emitting QLED display designed by BOE. Unlike traditional QLEDs, the quantum dot film in these displays is replaced by quantum dot nanocrystals that can produce their own light when exposed to an electric field—something we will discuss more in the future.
Additionally, MicroLED technology is worth mentioning as it is also a developing self-emissive display technology that has potential implications for the TV industry. Keep an eye on the progress of these innovative technologies over the next few years.
Which Display is Right For You?
Perfect Contrast Performance
One of OLED's key advantages lies in its exceptional handling of light. The ability for each pixel to be individually lit means that when one pixel is on, adjacent pixels can be turned off, resulting in the deepest blacks and an infinite contrast ratio. Even with recent advancements in backlight technology and Mini LED implementations, QLED models cannot match the precision of OLED in terms of light control.
For example, the flagship Samsung QN95D reportedly boasts more than 1300 independent dimming zones in the 65-inch version. While impressive, the pixel-level control of OLED means that these zones pale in comparison to having more than eight million individual dimming zones at your disposal. This leads to improved picture quality, particularly in the areas of blooming (light bleeding into darker areas of the picture from a bright object) and patronage of high-contrast images.
Better Viewing Angles
If you have a living room with numerous seating positions, an OLED TV may be preferable due to its near-perfect viewing angles. Colors and contrast will hold firm when viewed off to the side, while QLED displays are more susceptible to a drop in color saturation and black level during off-axis viewing.
Faster Response Times
For gamers, the pixel-level control of OLED displays generally results in faster response times, which enables the clearest images even in fast-paced games. This response time edge could provide a competitive advantage in certain gaming scenarios.
Better for Wall Mounting
Due to its thinner, lighter design, an OLED TV is typically a better choice for wall mounting. With fewer layers and no chunky backlight, OLED displays tend to be lighter and thinner than QLED models. That said, recent QLED models from Samsung have featured extraordinarily slim designs.
QLED Can Go Brighter
Traditionally, QLED displays have been able to reach higher peak brightness levels than OLED sets, though recent advancements in OLED technology have minimized this gap. If you are considering the more expensive, next-generation OLED models, such as LG G5 and Samsung S95D, QLED still maintains a brightness advantage.
More Affordable, More Choice
Generally speaking, QLED displays are more affordable and offer more choices for budget-conscious consumers. While prices for OLED sets are constantly improving, QLED sets can be acquired at a lower cost, especially when considering the high-end, next-generation OLED models. Additionally, QLED displays are available in a broader range of sizes, both at the budget and premium ends of the spectrum.
No Risk of Burn-in
Organic materials in OLED panels make them susceptible to burn-in (image retention) due to static content, such as channel logos or sports scores. While modern sets employ various strategies to minimize this issue, there is still a risk of burn-in. In contrast, QLED panels are nearly immune to burn-in, providing greater longevity and reliability.
In the battle between OLED and QLED, there is no clear victor as each technology has its respective strengths and weaknesses. It is essential to evaluate your specific needs and choose the display that best suits your requirements. When shopping for the best TV, it is crucial to consider not just the panel technology but also the set's processing ability, as this will make the biggest difference in overall performance.
- In the world of premium television technology, two acronyms that stand out are OLED and QLED, despite their similar names, these two display technologies are vastly different.
- QLED, or Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode, is an umbrella term for a variety of backlit TVs from various brands and price points, in contrast to OLED, or Organic Light-Emitting Diode, which is a self-emissive panel technology.
- QD-OLED and Primary RGB Tandem OLED are subcategories of OLED, but what exactly do these terms signify? And which TV technology is ideal for your specific needs?
- QD-OLED is a hybrid technology that takes the basic OLED concept and adds a layer of quantum dots over the pixel layer, allowing QD-OLED displays to produce brighter pictures compared to traditional or 'standard' OLED sets.
- QLED TV news is often dominated by Samsung, but other brands like LG, Hisense, Sony, and TCL also use this technology. Samsung's Neo QLED is a term for its Mini LED TVs, which incorporate quantum dots in a similar manner to regular QLED displays but offer improved brightness and more precise backlight control.
- For perfect contrast performance, OLED's ability to individually light each pixel, leads to the deepest blacks and an infinite contrast ratio, QLED models cannot match the precision of OLED in terms of light control.
- If you are considering more affordable and offering more choices for budget-conscious consumers, QLED displays might be the better option, though OLED sets prices are constantly improving.
