If you’re in the market for a new TV, you may have come across terms like OLED, LED, QLED, and QD-OLED used to describe different display technologies. The world of electronics is constantly evolving, and while the debate between plasma and LCD is a thing of the past, the focus has shifted to various LED-based designs.
Understanding all the technical jargon can be challenging, especially with similar-looking and sounding terms. With differences in quality across brands and prices ranging from a few hundred dollars to over $2,000, shopping for TVs can be overwhelming.
If you need guidance on your search, here is everything you need to know about OLED and LED, including what the acronyms stand for, which is better, and insights into other formats like QD-OLED and QLED.
If you’re looking for a new TV, check out our curated list of the best 4K TV deals and OLED TV sales.
What does LED mean?
Non-OLED TVs consist of an LCD panel and a backlight. The LCD panel contains the pixels, which are the colored dots that form the TV image. Pixels need a backlight to be visible. In the past, CCFL (cold-cathode fluorescent light) was used for backlighting, but modern flat-screen TVs use LEDs. Therefore, when you see “LED TV,” it refers to an LED-backlit LCD TV.
However, not all LED TVs are the same. Differences in the number and quality of LEDs used can impact factors like brightness and black levels. QLED TVs are a type of LED TV that uses quantum dots to enhance brightness and color.
What does OLED mean?
Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) TVs create light and color from a single diode when electricity is applied, eliminating the need for a separate backlight. This allows OLED TVs to be thin, flexible, and efficient. Each pixel in an OLED TV emits its own light, resulting in superior black levels compared to LED TVs.
LG Display is a leading manufacturer of OLED panels for TVs, used by brands like Samsung and Sony in their OLED models. OLED technology provides unmatched black levels and power efficiency.
Is QLED the same as OLED?
OLED and QLED are distinct technologies. While OLED self-emits light, QLED is closer to traditional LED-LCD TVs, incorporating quantum dots for enhanced brightness and color. QLED uses a layer of quantum dots to improve light quality before it reaches the display.
But what about QD-OLEDs?
QD-OLED is a hybrid display technology that combines QLED lighting with organic, self-emissive pixels. Samsung and Sony produce QD-OLED TVs, offering deep colors, contrast, and superior brightness through a blend of OLED and quantum dot technologies.
Which is better, OLED TV or LED TV?
When comparing OLED and LED TVs based on factors like colors, contrast, viewing angle, brightness, and performance, OLED reigns supreme in picture quality. OLED TVs offer better black levels, viewing angles, and energy efficiency than LED models.
Overall, OLED technology excels in various aspects, making it the preferred choice for many consumers.
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