What’s the Difference Between OLED and QLED?
Modern TVs are assessed based on matrix types, hertz, and resolution. Buyers without prior knowledge often become overwhelmed by these complex terms and may be misled by manufacturers’ marketing tactics.
For instance, it’s common for people to mistake OLED technology for QLED. However, we understand the distinctions between these matrix types and will explain them in our content.
Historical Background
The first “flat” TVs were LCD panels with backlighting on gas-discharge lamps.
To illuminate the pixels in LCD matrixes, lamps of a similar type were used. They are called CCFL. Later, LED backlights replaced them.
An LED (light-emitting diode) is a semiconductor that emits light when an electric current passes through it. Diode light sources are used almost everywhere, from room lighting to cell phones and television screens.
LED lighting works even more economically than CCFL, giving a pure and believable “white.” At the same time, the diodes do not heat up much and take up little space. Their high-quality characteristics and small size allowed engineers to create new technologies and ways of image transmission. For example, the market is actively filled with TV sets with OLED, QLED, and mini LED matrices.
You can read this website tv buying guide to know exactly what to choose.
Organic
OLED (organic light-emitting diode) – organic light-emitting diode. Because of its structure, the classic LED cannot yet be small enough to fit into a TV pixel. The organic light-emitting diode is structured differently so that it can be created on a microscopic scale and even replace a pixel.
In an OLED matrix, each pixel functions as an independent LED composed of carbon material that produces light when activated, eliminating the need for backlighting. This allows pixels of various colors and brightness levels to coexist without interference, as each has its isolated light source. Consequently, OLEDs avoid the issue of light leakage when displaying dark images.
This is a brief explanation of what makes OLEDs different. If you consider all the other versions of such matrices and disclose in detail how they work, you will have to write a separate article.
Quanta
QLED (quantum dot light-emitting diode) is not just “some” LED but a whole set of technologies. QLED is generally more about the matrix’s color and light formation technology.
Conventional pixels are microscopic flasks with liquid crystals. When electricity is applied to them, the crystals turn and allow backlight radiation to pass through. The light that passes through the matrix pixels hits a filter that cuts off some waves and forms the desired color. For example, to display red color, the matrix should open only those pixels that “look” at the red color filter. And so for all shades of the RGB range.
Here, we look at TVs with the marketing names “NanoCell” and “QLED.”
In the classic matrix for backlighting, white-colored LEDs are used. However, experts say that the diodes do not have pure luminescence, so they consistently emit along with the primary shades of parasitic waves. For example, the display can spike in orange or pink for pure red. Because of this, the image quality and accuracy of the displayed colors suffer. Scientists have invented matrices on quantum dots to eliminate the mixing of the central and parasitic colors.
Manufacturers use different names and ways to implement this technology. However, the result is identical – the color rendering of all QLED matrices reaches the level of DCI-P3. For this purpose, a luminescent substance is used, which filters diode radiation and independently emits light in a limited range. The glow color of the quantum dots depends on their size: 2 nm glows blue, and 6 nm glows red. This is how the dots work in Samsung’s version. At the same time, in other manufacturers, the quanta can only filter light and turn it into real white.
Understanding the practical differences in matrix technologies is crucial for TV buyers. Prospective owners should evaluate the pros and cons of various matrix types.
Since QLED refers to advanced TVs in the line of models with better features, they are better than Crystal UHD TVs.
Advantages of OLED Panels
Contrast
Contrast is the difference between the brightness of black and the brightness of white. In televisions, this characteristic sets the basic level of picture quality. Unlike photographic contrast, “TV” contrast works on the principle of “more is better”: the higher the contrast, the cooler the TV simultaneously reproduces different brightness areas of the frame.
For example, it is difficult for a TV to combine the infinite black color of the night sky with the dazzlingly bright moon. To reproduce the moon, the TV turns on a powerful backlight. This, in turn, interferes with the display of a truly black sky. So you must choose between a dim moon and a black sky or a naturally bright moon and a backlit gray sky.
The contrast level is influenced by the type of matrix and backlighting used. If different kinds of QLED compete, OLED emerges as the clear champion. The organic LED matrix only displays images in illuminated areas. Pixels in darker regions are turned off, meaning they do not emit light. This contrast attribute is “infinite” and can be fully realized exclusively with OLED matrices.
Response Speed
Modern and advanced TVs are rarely used to receive terrestrial channels. Instead, the LCD panel is usually connected to a computer or console to play games and watch movies in 4K resolution. In film, the speed of the matrix plays a secondary role, but in games, it is the first thing the user notices.
LG’s all new 2025 LG TV models have been unveiled.
For dynamic game battles, pixels’ fast reaction to changes in state or color is essential. Each pixel is controlled individually in OLED matrixes, so their speed remains maximum in any scene.
Viewing Angle
Many TVs and monitors lose clarity when viewed from an angle. A simple shift from the sofa to the armchair can reveal distorted colors and stray highlights on lower-quality LCD screens. While manufacturers have minimized this issue in IPS matrices, noticeable distortions still occur with significant angle changes. TVs featuring Direct LED backlighting also show brightness artifacts when viewed off-axis.
Devices featuring OLED matrices do not experience similar issues. You can glance at the edge of the display and still enjoy consistent color reproduction. This wide viewing angle results from how the pixels are positioned; in conventional matrices, pixels are set back from the display’s front, whereas in OLED, they are nearly flush with the surface.
The fourth-generation OLED TV panel blocks 99% of internal and external light reflection, creating a perfect black color even in bright daylight.
Dimensions and Weight
Matrices with organic pixels are more compact and lighter. This extends to the devices themselves. The central thickness of a TV with an OLED matrix is the built-in power supply and control electronics. The thickness of the display itself can be only a few millimeters. In this case, the manufacturer even has to “thicken” the matrix of large TV sets to not crack under its weight.
This advantage is due to the device’s design – OLEDs are devoid of backlight diodes, light-scattering layers, and additional electronics—only the matrix and nothing extra. Hence, the weight of OLED TVs has been reduced. Some models of such devices are arranged modularly: the control electronics are located in the soundbar, separately from the screen. This makes the TV even more compact and lighter. Only OLEDs can do this.
Power Consumption
In OLED, each pixel works on its own. Therefore, to display the picture on the TV screen, the matrix “lights up” only those pixels that should display something. At the same time, the rest can be turned off or work “half-light.” In other matrices, the backlight works over the entire matrix area, and liquid crystals regulate the brightness of the color. Because of this, power consumption increases. OLEDs do not suffer from this.
It includes 120Hz WOLED 4K panels, which means the picture quality should be excellent, even if Sansui’s video processing isn’t up to LG or Sony’s standards.
OLED Disadvantages
Banding
Owners of early OLED TVs observed an unusual issue: in scenes that should display pure black at 0% brightness, a “near-black” fill of 2-3% brightness was used instead. This resulted in gray artifacts and distortions, detracting from the deep black characteristic of organic displays.
This problem is partially solved thanks to modern video signal processors. However, budget models of devices sometimes “sin” banding, and users must put up with it.
Burnout
A common problem of organic pixel matrices is burn-in. OLED quickly burns out if the screen is displayed on a static object for a long time, such as the Windows taskbar, clock, or TV channel icon. After some time, ghosts replace such objects, which is noticeable if you fill the TV with a solid color.
However, when the panel serves as a screen for home theater, these issues don’t pose a risk to the device. In addition, manufacturers have developed several hardware advancements and software solutions to safeguard the panels from burn-in.
the potential expansion of QD-OLED technology to 83 inches next year is excellent news!
Advantages of QLED-matrices
Brightness
The brightness of a TV set is the leading indicator of its “coolness.” Previously, this parameter influenced only the overall brightness of the panel. Still, after the emergence of the HDR standard, the backlight power became one of the trump cards of flagship TVs.
HDR is a new video signal standard that offers improved brightness and contrast in images. To truly support HDR, a television must reach a brightness level of at least 1000 nits. This brightness level enables the screen to display the full spectrum of colors and shades encoded in the HDR format.
TVs with QLED-matrixes are the brightest on the market. For example, Samsung devices have long passed 1000 nits of constant brightness. At the same time, the peak level can reach 4000 nits in a limited area of the screen. Note that the comfortable brightness level for the human eye is only 150-200 nits, and most 4K TVs on the market have a maximum level of 500 nits.
Color Reproduction
Color depends on the image profile setting and the sensor’s factory calibration. The quality of color reproduction lies in the matrix’s ability to show the picture as the director intended, not the marketing department with “vomit-glaze” technologies. That’s why you don’t want to discuss color reproduction in modern QLED or OLED TVs. They cope with it in the same way—on “excellent.” It is much more essential to take the time to adjust the image parameters.
Experts assert that QLED matrices excel over other technologies in color accuracy. However, it’s important to note that OLED maintains consistent color rendering across all brightness levels, while other matrices can display inaccuracies in lower backlight settings.
Disadvantages of Quantum Matrices
Black Depth
Even the most advanced QLED-matrix is not comparable to OLED in terms of black depth and contrast. The difference will be noticeable when viewing “dark” scenes.
Cost
OLED and QLED represent the priciest display technologies available today. Furthermore, QLED models are advancing rapidly, becoming more sophisticated and costlier. As a result, many of Samsung’s flagship TVs have surpassed OLEDs in price for some time now.
Dimensions
Despite various quantum filters and advanced nanotechnology, QLED is still fundamentally an LCD matrix. This contributes to a complex array of components that adds to the TV’s thickness and weight.
What to Choose?
Electronics is divided into price categories, where each level implies a specific quality bar. That is, TVs of different firms from the same price category show approximately the same. At the same time, the quality of some flagship Samsung models with QLED matrices will be enough to surprise the owner of a budget OLED TV. But OLED’s “innate” abilities should also not be forgotten – no one has beaten the record of black depth. This level can’t even boast models with miniLED-matrixes – devices close to OLED by the type of work.
Verdict
OLED is the top choice for enjoying movies and cartoons at home. While it provides satisfactory gaming performance, users should be aware of the risk of pixel burnout with static gaming displays. Fortunately, consumers have another option to consider: quantum dot TVs.
Samsung TVs, in particular, use quanta along with VA matrices, which contrast higher than matrices from other manufacturers. They also achieve an incredible level of black depth—not yet OLED, but already very close. And without burn-in, they have much higher brightness and correct color reproduction—just what the most demanding owners who understand what they are paying for need.
