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.

Subpixel Layout

JOLED RGB

JOLED made 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.

Sadly, JOLED filed for bankruptcy in March 2023, so these panels are no longer available.

TCL / CSOT have been actively working on similar inkjet-printed OLED (IJP OLED) technology, but there’s no confirmed timeline for mass-market TVs or monitors yet.

LG W-OLED 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 referred to as W-OLED panels.

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

This layout 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 W-OLED RGWB

In 2024, LG released new OLED panels with an RGWB subpixel layout, which improves text and detail clarity to the point where it’s no longer an issue on high pixel density displays.

LG W-OLED RGB

In 2026, we’re expecting the first W-OLED monitors with a true RGB stripe subpixel layout for zero fringing. The new panels will be available in the forms of 27″ 4K 240Hz, 32″ 4K 240Hz and 39″ 5K2K 165Hz.

Since these won’t have a white subpixel layout, white luminance is lower than that of the previous-gen panels, down to 1300-nits 1.5% APL from 1500-nits for the 39″ model, for instance. However, color luminance increases because there’s no white subpixel diluting it, so the overall perceived brightness should remain similar.

Size & Resolution	Dual Mode	Subpixel Layout	True Black	Peak Brightness (1.5% APL)	Glossy Versions
27” 1440p 240Hz	No	RWBG	400	1000	No
27” 1440p 240Hz	No	RWBG	400	1300	Yes
27” 1440p 480Hz	No	RGWB	400	1300	No
27” 1440p 280Hz	No	RGWB	500	1500	Yes
27” 1440p 540Hz	720p 720Hz	RGWB	500	1500	Yes
32” 4K 165Hz	1080p 330Hz	RGWB	400	1300	Yes
32” 4K 240Hz	1080p 480Hz	RGWB	400	1300	Yes
32” 4K 240Hz	1080p 480Hz	RGWB	500	1500	Yes
32” 4K 240Hz	1080p 480Hz	RGB	400	1000	Yes
27” 4K 240Hz	1080p 480Hz	RGB	400	1000	Yes
45” 3440×1440 240Hz 800R	No	RWBG	400	1000	No
45” 3440×1440 240Hz 800R	No	RWBG	400	1300	No
39” 3440×1440 240Hz 800R	No	RWBG	400	1300	No
34” 3440×1440 240Hz 800R	No	RWBG	400	1300	No
45” 5K2K 165Hz 800R	2560×1080 330Hz	RGWB	400	1300	No
39” 5K2K 165Hz 1500R	2560×1080 330Hz	RGWB	500	1500	No
39” 5K2K 165Hz 1500R	2560×1080 330Hz	RGB	400	1300	Yes
24.5” 1080p 540Hz	No	RGWB	600	1700	Yes

QD-OLED Triangular RGB (Diamond-Shaped)

Samsung’s first-gen QD-OLED panels have diamond-shaped 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.

QD-OLED Triangular RGB (Square-Shaped)

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

QD-OLED V-Stripe RGB

Finally, there are QD-OLED panels with the new V-Stripe RGB subpixel layout that basically removes all fringing on small text and fine details.

Notice the thin green line at the top of the window and the magenta line at the bottom on the MSI MPG 271QR X50 (right). There’s also some green and magenta fringing around the ‘New folder’ text.

In comparison, the MSI MPG 341CQR X36 on the left shows virtually no fringing, aside from a faint red line along the left edge of the window.

Size & Resolution	Refresh Rate(s)	Subpixel Layout	True Black	Peak Brightness (3% APL)	Coating
34” 3440×1440	165Hz, 175Hz, 240Hz	Diamond-shaped	400	1000	Old
49” 5120×1440	144Hz, 240Hz	Square-shaped	400	1000	Old
27” 2560×1440	240Hz, 280Hz, 360Hz	Square-shaped	400	1000	Old
27″ 2560×1440 Edge	240Hz, 180Hz	Square-shaped	400	400	Old
27” 3840×2160	120Hz, 240Hz	Square-shaped	400	1000	Old
32” 3840×2160	165Hz, 240Hz	Square-shaped	400	1000	Old
32″ 3840×2160 Edge	180Hz	Square-shaped	400	400	Old
27” 2560×1440	500Hz	Square-shaped	500	1000	Old
32” 3840×2160	240Hz	Square-shaped	500	1000	New
27″ 2560×1440	320Hz	Square-shaped	500	1300	New
34” 3440×1440	280Hz, 360Hz	RGB Stripe	500	1300	New
32″ 3840×2160	360Hz (1080p 680Hz, 1440p 520Hz)	RGB Stripe	600	1500	New

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.

There are several W-OLED gaming monitors with a glossy finish, such as the ASUS XG27AQDMG.

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 Odyssey OLED monitors are an exception as they have a matte anti-glare coating. However, they still lack a polarizer, so blacks are raised under direct lighting.

Samsung’s new film removes the magenta tint seen in previous-generation QD-OLED panels under direct ambient light, boosts black level by 40% and improves surface hardness to 3H for 2.5x better scratch resistance.

Here’s how the MSI MPG 341CQP X36 (on the left) with this film compares to the MSI MPG 271QR X50 (on the right) when light is aimed directly at the screen.

This is the same LED light bar aimed at both screens. You can see that the 271QR X50 reflects the LEDs with a purplish tint, which gives blacks that infamous magenta cast. On the 341QR X50 with DarkArmor Film, the reflected LEDs appear more greenish and closer to white, resulting in a more natural-looking reflection.

Below you can see how both screens handle an LED lamp and a softbox light aimed at the screen.

Overall, the new film is a big step up from the previous-generation coating. The screen is still clearly reflective, so for the best image quality, you’ll

Brightness & Color

LG’s brightest currently available W-OLED panels can reach up to 1,500-nits for small 1.5% APL (Average Picture Level, white window size), around 750-nits for 10% APL and 335-nits for 100% APL.

Samsung’s QD-OLED panels have a lower brightness specified of 1300-nits for 3% APL, 500-nits for 10% APL and 300-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.

In the video above, you can see how the KTC G27P6S with a W-OLED panel compares to the MSI MPG 321CURX with a QD-OLED panel.

Related:W-OLED vs QD-OLED vs Mini LED – Which Monitor Delivers Best HDR Image Quality?

Burn-in

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.

There are both QD-OLED and W-OLED monitors with a 3-year burn-in warranty.

Conclusion

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.