TV Buyer Guide QLED vs OLED - Which is Better?

If you have found yourself in a dilemma of choosing between OLED and QLED then do not fret. We have been there too. Searching for answers regarding display quality, the right contrast levels, and accurate viewing angles. There is so much to consider when making a purchase. Surely no one would want to end up regretting their decision once they realize their preference fell short on the expectations they had.

We did the research for you so you do not have to. In turn, we have curated a brief yet precise breakdown of OLED and QLED display technologies. OLED or QLED? Which is better? Keep reading to get your answers.

QLED (Quantum Light-Emitting Diode)

All tech jargon aside, Quantum Light-Emitting Diode abbreviated as QLED, is basically new-gen LCD technology. QLED screens are built from an LCD display and quantum particles, otherwise known as dots, which govern the emission of both color and brightness. A QLED is governed by the LEDs that are unified into an LCD panel. The number of LEDs can vary from hundreds to thousands and these tiny LEDs offer backlight to the LCD panel to light up the display. Since a QLED TV screen is majorly built from LEDs, the TV screen is named QLED for the same reason. 

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)

Organic Light-Emitted Diode or OLED is a tad bit different from QLED. While the name ‘Organic Light Emitting Diode’ might make a few of you associate it with LEDs, there is no correlation with an LED backlight. The catch here is that an OLED display does not require any backlight source. It all rests on the light emitted via pixels in the display. Implying that every pixel itself acts like a tiny LED light. The pixels possess the potential to produce color and light at once with no need for a backlight source.

QLED vs. OLED – The Producers

QLED technology dates back to 2013 with its pioneer being Sony. However, soon after QLED’s entry into the market, Samsung took the lead for its production and now licenses QLED TVs to companies like Sony and Hisense.

As for OLED TVs, the technology is yet to have a direct competitor. Only LG Display is currently manufacturing OLED displays to LG Electronics as well as to Panasonic and Sony to name a few.  

We thought of keeping the production details brief so that we could jump right into the differences of both QLED and OLED.  

QLED vs. OLED – Which is Better?  

The display technologies of both QLED and OLED have their set of differences. In some areas, one is likely to prevail, while in other parts, the same might fall short on one’s expectations. We have curated our review based on a few key features.

Here are a few important factors to consider:

Factor #1 Brightness

Unlike OLED technology where every pixel emits lights for display, QLED TVs rely on hundreds and thousands of LED backlights. In turn, a QLED display is considerably brighter than OLED. The strength of light emitted by a quantum particle can be maximized to the point that you will not end up losing color saturation. So if you have set your TV screen in the brightest spot of your house, a QLED display will not dim out on you.

As for OLED TVs, the same cannot be said. OLED TVs perform better in dimly lit environments. The rocket science behind an OLED display’s lack of brightness levels is that OLED pixels are not built to produce radiant display in any lit-up room. However, if you do not want a TV screen to put a strain on your eyes then OLED is the one to pick.

However, as the judging criterion was brightness, QLED takes the lead here. 

Factor #2 Contrast

OLED knows when to display chunks of black and when to maintain the desired levels of contrast. For darker scenes, OLED screens do not visually overly emphasize on making the scene look brighter. Instead, it balances it out. But that has its cons, as well. The darker a scene, the harder it becomes to view it. OLED displays tend to remove all particles of light or grey-to-black tone colors and amalgamate them into a chunk of dark visual matter. It might work for a few scenes but not always.

On the other hand, QLED displays perform relatively better when it comes to contrast range. The display is not pushed to either side, bright or dark, and dark details OLED would have made duskier are visually clearer in a QLED screen.

Both displays have their own take on contrast levels but if you do not want your movie or video game to get visually murkier, QLED is a better option.

Factor #3 Color

Both QLED and OLED are going head to head in competition when it comes to color brightness, volume, and precision. QLED’s entry of quantum particles is only making its display and color quality more accurate and brighter than before. QLED TVs now hold the potential to display a more diverse range of colors in any given palette. The same can be said for OLED. The only improvement we are expecting to see is in color saturation in bright visuals.   

Factor #4 Viewing Angle

Viewing angles vary in many ways. Especially if the screen is used solely as a TV display then some viewers would sit in the center, some on the sides, and some would be somewhere in between. But both display technologies have their ideal angles.

QLED displays perform visually better in a centrally located viewing angle. If it is off-centered then the colors, brightness as well as the contrast quality dims out. However, for an OLED display, if your viewing angle is slightly or majorly skewed, the picture quality, brightness, and contrast remain crisp to the core. OLED displays are certainly the winner when it comes to viewing angles. You know which display to pick for your weekend family movie marathons.

To Conclude

Both the technologies have remained fair contenders but our verdict would have to present a winner. In case you were contemplating which display to pick, it will be easier to make a decision now.

When it came to brightness and contrast, surely the winner is QLED. But if you take a holistic view of the two, OLED performed decently in terms of contrast, viewing angle, and even in color precision. Both OLED and QLED their a set of pros and cons but as a viewer, if you are well aware of your viewing needs, you can pick either of the two. 

FAQS

1. Which is better Qled or OLED?

Since OLED can light each pixel individually, it is generally considered better than QLED.

2. Is Qled brighter than OLED?

Yes, QLEDs are brighter than OLEDs.

3. Which is better OLED or Qled or LED?

OLEDs are generally considered better than both QLEDs and LEDs since the latter are both considered pretty much the same.

4. Is OLED better than 4K?

Yes, It has much better color accuracy, which is why in terms of color information, OLEDs are considered better.