OLED vs QD-OLED – What Is The Difference?

Samsung’s OLED panels are enhanced by the quantum dot technology (hence the name ‘QD-OLED’), which improves viewing angles, color gamut and color brightness.

In this guide, we’ll compare how QD-OLED stacks up to other OLED panels, including W-OLED panels by LG found in most TVs and monitors, and JOLED panels by JOLED, which are used for professional 27″ and 32″ monitors.

Subpixel Layout

There are three main OLED panel manufacturers when it comes to consumer monitors and TVs – and they all have different subpixel layouts.

JOLED RGB

JOLED makes OLED panels with the regular RGB subpixel layout. This is the most common subpixel layout when it comes to LED-backlit LCDs as well, and most applications are developed with that in mind. So, you get crisp and sharp text (assuming a decent pixel density) without any fringing artifacts.

LG RWBG

LG Display makes 27″ – 97″ OLED panels that use an RWBG subpixel layout, which consists of white, blue, green and red subpixels. These are also referred to as W-OLED sometimes.

The white subpixel is added for increased brightness and efficiency, but all four subpixels are never on at the same time.

This causes noticeable fringing on small text and fine details.

It’s not noticeable in games and videos, but some users are bothered by this when it comes to everyday PC use.

LG RGWB

In 2024, LG released new OLED panels with an RGWB subpixel layout, which improves text and detail clarity. For 2025, they’re considering developing true RGB panels.

Samsung QD-OLED

Samsung’s QD-OLED panels have RGB subpixels but in an uncommon triangular layout. Fringing on small text and details is less noticeable than that of W-OLED panels, but still noticeable.

Samsung’s second-gen QD-OLED panels, such as that of the OLED G9, have an improved diamond-shaped layout that further minimizes the fringing, and most users aren’t bothered by it, especially on higher pixel density displays.

Panel Coatings

Another thing that makes all three OLED panels different is their coating.

LG’s W-OLED TV panels have a glossy finish with an anti-reflective coating. Under strong ambient lighting, this causes mirror-like reflections, but blacks remain black.

Their W-OLED gaming monitors, such as the ASUS PG27AQDM, have an aggressive matte anti-glare coating, which efficiently prevents reflections but adds graininess to the image that’s noticeable when displaying solid colors.

Samsung QD-OLED panels (for both TVs and monitors) have a glossy screen surface with less mirror-like reflections, but because they don’t have a polarization layer, lighting that hits the screen directly will cause raised blacks with a purplish glow.

Samsung’s G60SD and G80SD monitors are an exception as they’re the only QD-OLED models with a matte anti-glare coating. However, they still lack a polarizer, so blacks are raised under direct lighting.

JOLED RGB panels have a similar coating to that of QD-OLED.

Overall, all three OLED panels don’t handle reflections as well as most LCDs with lighter anti-glare matte coatings, but they also produce a more vivid image quality without any graininess (except for W-OLED monitors).

While LG’s W-OLED TV panels are a bit better at mitigating indirect lighting, if you wish to take full advantage of any OLED display, it’s always best to view it in a dark room.

Brightness & Color

LG’s brightest W-OLED panels can reach up to 1,300-nits for small < 3% APL (Average Picture Level, white window size), 800-nits for 10% APL and 275-nits for 100% APL.

Samsung’s QD-OLED panels have a lower brightness specified of 1000-nits for < 3% APL, 450-nits for 10% APL and 250-nits for 100% APL.

However, note that these measures refer to white luminance. QD-OLED panels have a higher color luminance, which leads to an overall higher perceived brightness.

Samsung’s QD-OLED panels have the widest color gamut with around 80% Rec. 2020 coverage, followed by JOLED (~78% Rec.2020) and then LG W-OLED (~74% Rec.2020) and humans perceive more saturated colors as brighter, further contributing to the overall brighter image.

Burn-in

Dell’s AW3423DWF monitor with a QD-OLED panel offers a 3-year warranty that covers burn-in, just like Corsair’s 27QHD240 monitor with a W-OLED panel – yet both LG and Samsung claim to have superior burn-in resistance; they’re just not backing up those claims with better warranty.

Since QD-OLED panels are relatively new to the market, it’s impossible to know which panel has better burn-in resistance. It also mainly comes down to how you’re using the monitor. If you’re using it sensibly and taking advantage of its integrated burn-in prevention features, burn-in shouldn’t be an issue.

Conclusion

JOLED panels are intended for professional use, at least the models currently available. Their RGB subpixel layout is perfect for desktop use, they focus on color accuracy and are capable of sustaining satisfactory levels of luminance for what they’re intended for. Sadly, they’re not available with high refresh rates.

Most people will be interested in how QD-OLED compares to W-OLED panels.

Thanks to its high brightness, wider color gamut and no need for white subpixels, Samsung’s QD-OLED panel delivers higher color volume and therefore an overall brighter and more vibrant image quality with less aggressive ABL. They also offer a bit wider viewing angles.

Both QD-OLED and W-OLED panels have an unconventional subpixel layout, but with their latest panels combined with a high pixel density, it’s no longer an issue for most users.

In the end, you’ll most likely choose the OLED panel based on your budget and what combination of screen size, resolution and refresh rate is available. We have a dedicated OLED monitor guide where we keep track of all upcoming and available models.