Previously, we delved into the epic battle of Mini-LED vs OLED in our comprehensive guide. Now, it's time to turn our attention to the showdown that has captivated the TV world for years: OLED vs QLED.
QLED and OLED are two of the leading display technologies used by the best TV brands in the world. Both displays offer stunning visuals, but they do so in different ways. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial in making an informed decision.
In this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of QLED and OLED screens, and help you make an informed decision on which TV technology best aligns with your specific preferences and requirements.
QLED vs OLED - what's the difference?
QLED | OLED | |
|---|---|---|
Picture quality | Excellent colour accuracy and vibrant visuals | Exceptional contrast, true blacks, and vivid colours |
Brightness | High peak brightness levels, suitable for bright environments | Lower peak brightness, but sufficient for most viewing needs |
Viewing angles | Good, but narrower compared to OLED | Wide viewing angles with consistent picture quality |
Energy consumption | Relatively higher power consumption | Potential for energy savings with individual pixel control |
Gaming performance | Generally slower response time | Faster response time |
Lifespan and burn-in risk | Potential risk of burn-in with static content | No risk of burn-in, improved lifespan in recent years |
Price | Generally cheaper compared to OLED TVs | Generally more expensive compared to QLED TVs |
OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode, while QLED stands for Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode.
QLED employs quantum dots, microscopic particles that emit light when excited by an electric current. On the other hand, OLEDs utilize organic compounds that emit light when an electric current passes through them.
When it comes to choosing a TV screen technology, important factors to consider are picture quality, viewing angle, gaming capabilities, power consumption and lifespan. So, here's a breakdown of the difference between QLED vs OLED.
Black levels and contrast (Winner: OLED)
OLED TVs are renowned for their exceptional black levels and infinite contrast ratio. In an OLED display, each pixel can emit its own light or turn off completely, resulting in true blacks when pixels are switched off.
On the other hand, QLED TVs, which rely on LED backlighting, provide excellent black levels and contrast but may not match the pure blacks of OLED. While they can produce deep blacks, the presence of the backlighting system limits their ability to achieve the same level of true blacks as OLED displays.
Brightness (Winner: QLED)
QLED TVs generally have an advantage in terms of brightness. The use of LED backlighting in QLED technology allows for higher peak brightness levels compared to OLED displays. This can result in more vibrant and impactful HDR content, where highlights are brighter and details are more pronounced.
On the other hand, OLED TVs, while generally not as bright as QLED, offer excellent performance in terms of contrast and black levels. OLED displays prioritize achieving deep blacks and infinite contrast rather than extreme brightness.
So when it comes to brightness, QLED wins the QLED vs OLED battle.
Viewing angles (Winner: OLED)
OLED TVs excel in this aspect, offering exceptional viewing angles. Each OLED pixel emits its own light, allowing for wide viewing angles without significant loss in colour accuracy or contrast. This means that viewers can enjoy consistent picture quality even when sitting off-centre or watching the TV from different positions within a room.
On the other hand, QLED TVs typically have good but narrower viewing angles compared to OLED. QLED technology utilizes LED backlighting, which can cause a slight degradation in colour and contrast as the viewing angle increases. They exhibit some colour shifts and loss of contrast when viewed off-centre.
Gaming (Winner: OLED)
When it comes to gaming response time, input lag, and refresh rate is what matters.
OLED technology, with its individual self-emissive pixels, can achieve faster response times. Each OLED pixel can independently and instantaneously turn on or off, resulting in quicker transitions and reduced motion blur.
On the other hand, QLED TVs have relatively slower response times compared to QLED. The liquid crystal layer of the QLED panel adjusts the intensity of the backlight behind it to control the brightness and colour of the individual pixels, which can introduce a small delay in pixel transitions.
Regarding refresh rate and input lag, both OLED and QLED TVs generally offer comparable performance.
Power consumption (Winner: OLED)
QLED TVs generally consume more power compared to OLED TVs. The use of LED backlighting in QLED technology requires the LEDs to be continuously powered, even in scenes that require darker areas of the screen. This means that QLED TVs consume a constant amount of energy regardless of the content being displayed.
On the other hand, OLED technology offers potential energy savings due to its self-emissive pixels. In an OLED display, each pixel can individually emit light or turn off completely when displaying true blacks. This allows OLED TVs to consume less power when displaying predominantly dark or black scenes since the pixels in those areas are switched off.
Lifespan (Winner: QLED)
OLED TVs have traditionally been associated with concerns about their lifespan. The organic compounds used in OLED displays can degrade over time, resulting in a phenomenon called "burn-in."
On the other hand, QLED TVs, which utilize inorganic quantum dot technology, have been touted as having a longer lifespan compared to OLED. Quantum dots are more resistant to degradation, allowing QLED displays to maintain their performance over time without the risk of burn-in.
QLED vs OLED - what's better?
The preference for OLED or QLED will ultimately depend on your specific needs, priorities, and viewing environment.
OLED TVs are often favoured by individuals who value deep blacks, infinite contrast, and exceptional picture quality. If you prioritize cinematic experiences, enjoy watching content in darker rooms, or desire accurate colour reproduction, OLED may be the better choice for you.
However, QLED technology has its own strengths, including higher brightness levels, vibrant HDR performance, and a longer lifespan. If you watch content in well-lit rooms, require high brightness for impactful visuals, or prioritize power consumption, QLED could be the preferred option.
If you are specifically looking for a gaming TV, you should go for OLED TVs. LG G3 OLED, LG C3 OLED, and Samsung S95C are some of the best gaming TVs out there right now.