Answer:
OLED displays offer an infinite contrast ratio, instantaneous response time and wide viewing angles.
However, they cannot get as bright as QLED LCDs and they are at risk of image burn-in and image retention.
When comparing QLED vs OLED displays, both technologies have their advantages and disadvantages.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about QLED LCDs and OLED displays (both monitors and TVs) so that you can make an informed decision about purchasing your next screen.
What Is QLED?
QLED technology is applied to LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display) – it introduces a film layer of quantum dots between a display’s LED backlight and its panel, which minimizes color crosstalk and light loss to increase its color gamut and brightness.
These quantum dot nanoparticles can be applied to any LED-backlit panel type: IPS, TN, and VA; however, they are mostly utilized in Samsung’s VA-panel desktop monitors and TVs.
Samsung’s Neo QLED TVs combine the quantum dots with a mini LED backlight for an even brighter picture and better local dimming control.
Similarly, their latest QD-OLED technology applies the quantum dots to OLED panels for better brightness and color gamut.
Nano IPS
LG is the main manufacturer of IPS panels and they use their own technology called ‘Nano IPS‘ to enhance the LED backlights of their LCDs.
This technology works by applying nanoparticles directly to the backlight of an IPS panel display; these nanoparticles absorb excessive light wavelengths, which allows for a wider color gamut (98% DCI-P3 vs 95% DCI-P3 of QLED) in comparison to QLED.
However, VA panels still offer a higher static contrast ratio than IPS displays, resulting in deeper blacks (image above).
LG’s Nano IPS technology is more represented in desktop monitors, particularly in gaming displays such as the LG 27GP850.
What Is OLED?
Unlike QLED, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) is a display technology of its own.
It doesn’t use a backlight but produces its own light, meaning that it can achieve basically infinite contrast ratio and instantaneous response time (pixel transition) speed.
OLED also offers more accurate color reproduction and wider viewing angles that ensure there are no major alterations in color, contrast, or brightness when looking at the screen at an angle.
The main flaws of OLED displays include the risk of image retention/burn-in and lower peak brightness in comparison to some LED displays.
Modern OLED displays have numerous features to prevent burn-in and image retention though – you can learn more about it here.
QLED vs OLED
In the end, if you’re on the fence between QLED and OLED displays, here’s what you should know:
QLED displays have a higher peak brightness, which makes for eye-catching details in the highlights of the image, but OLED displays have a higher contrast ratio that ensures deeper blacks and an overall better relation between the darkest and the brightest colors without introducing blooming in tricky scenes.
OLED displays also offer a faster response time speed and wider viewing angles. However, you will have to be more careful with the display due to the image burn-in risk, although newer models have many automatic features that will help.
For more information, visit our best TV buying guide and best HDR monitors where we go into details about each popular model ranging from budget to high-end series.
