Choosing Between QLED and OLED: Which One is Right for You?

The era of CRT, LCD, and Plasma TVs is a thing of the past. Today, representing the two new powerhouses in the TV market are the independent organic LED (OLED) and quantum dot QLED displays.

1. Choosing Between QLED and OLED: Which One is Right for You?

The era of CRT, LCD, and Plasma TVs is history. Today, representing the two new forces in the TV market are the independent organic LED (OLED) and quantum dot QLED displays.
Nowadays, TV technology is advancing with 4K resolution, HDR support becoming more common, ready for your viewing pleasure anytime, anywhere. But with the plethora of abbreviations and new marketing terms, choosing the right product can be confusing. Follow this article to understand the differences between the two latest screen technologies and make the best choice for your living room this festive season.

Pros and Cons of OLED
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) is a screen technology that uses panels constructed from organic light-emitting diodes, where all pixels on this panel will automatically change their on/off state when electric current runs through independently without the need for a backlight system like LED TVs or a UV light system like the Plasma TVs of the past.
The thinness of the OLED screen is one of its main advantages; an OLED TV can be as thin as 2.75 mm, equivalent to 2 coins or 4 stacked credit cards. Clearly thinner compared to traditional TVs, current OLED TVs are noticeably slimmer.
Additionally, OLED stands out with its ability to display the deepest black color thanks to using self-emissive pixels. These pixels can be turned on or off to produce deeper black than on LED/LCD TVs.
However, deep black on OLED usually displays well in low-light conditions. To maintain clarity in a well-lit living room, viewers are compelled to increase the brightness. However, this poses a significant problem - if the brightness of pixels is raised to the maximum, their lifespan will decrease significantly, making burn-in phenomena more likely to occur. Burn-in is a weakness of OLED screens and occurs when viewing a static image for an extended period (such as TV station logos, scoreboards in sports matches, etc.), causing ghosting on the screen.

Pros and Cons of QLED
Another major TV manufacturer, Samsung, has developed a different technology: QLED. QLED technology stands for Quantum-dot Light-Emitting Diode, meaning quantum dot emitting light diodes. These quantum dots allow for incredibly vibrant, bright, and diverse colors.
Compared to OLED, QLED has the drawback of being thicker, and the display of black is not as deep. However, at present, Samsung's changes and advancements in QLED panel technology are progressing well. Specifically, the 2019 QLED series from the brand allows for wider viewing angles, not significantly inferior to OLED screens, and achieves deeper and more impressive blacks.
Additionally, QLED TVs exhibit incredibly vibrant colors, reproducing the colors of nature with high brightness. This is explained by maximizing the light of quantum dots by creating brighter colors in the color spectrum without losing saturation. Therefore, QLED allows users to have a bright enough screen to see clearly in low-light environments or brightly lit rooms, suitable for families looking to take advantage of natural light in the living room.

Pros and Cons of QLED
Another major player in the TV industry, Samsung, has introduced a different technology: QLED. QLED technology stands for Quantum-dot Light-Emitting Diode, meaning quantum dot emitting light diodes. These quantum dots enable the creation of vibrant, bright, and diverse colors.
Compared to OLED, QLED has the drawback of being thicker, and the display of black is not as deep. However, at present, Samsung's changes and advancements in QLED panel technology are progressing well. Specifically, the 2019 QLED series from the brand allows for wider viewing angles, not significantly inferior to OLED screens, and achieves deeper and more impressive blacks.
Additionally, QLED TVs exhibit incredibly vibrant colors, reproducing the colors of nature with high brightness. This is explained by maximizing the light of quantum dots by creating brighter colors in the color spectrum without losing saturation. Therefore, QLED allows users to have a bright enough screen to see clearly in low-light environments or brightly lit rooms, suitable for families looking to take advantage of natural light in the living room.

In addition, longevity is also a strength of QLED. This is explained by two Samsung researchers, Dr. Eunjoo Jang and Dr. Yu-Ho Won, who published a paper in Nature about the new QLED technology based on indium phosphide instead of toxic cadmium, with a lifespan of up to millions of hours. Their improved shell design seems to enhance efficiency by preventing oxidation and energy leakage processes.
Furthermore, QLED excels in addressing the issue of image retention on TVs. This phenomenon occurs when static images are displayed for an extended period and are retained as a blurry overlay on other displayed content. Samsung is currently the TV manufacturer on the market that dares to commit to a 10-year no-burn-in warranty for its customers.
Overall, each product has its strengths, so choosing between OLED and QLED TVs depends on many factors. However, before deciding to bring a TV home, make sure that the TV can accompany your family for the long term. Especially when a TV is a significant investment, not frequently changed, and considerable consideration is needed.