oled vs qled: what's the difference?

Both of our main television brands offer advanced screens at the top of their range. LG produces the OLED screen, where Samsung focuses on both QLED and OLED, as well as hybrid QLED/OLED screens. The similarity of these names can lead to some confusion about these technologies: here's an explainer!

QLED screens are effectively an enhanced version of a regular LCD screen. They operate under the same basic principle, that being a liquid-crystal screen illuminated by LEDs behind it. However, QLEDs add extra layers to the screen composed of quantum dots. These quantum dots dramatically increase the vividness of the color, resulting in a brighter, more vibrant image. Samsung QLEDs like their NeoQLEDs also have enhanced backlights called MiniLEDs which can further enhance the color and brightness.

OLED screens are fundamentally different. OLED or Organic Light Emitting Diode, are self-lighting screens. Every pixel (roughly 8.3 million on a 4k TV) on this paper-thin screen technology lights itself, so it does not need backlighting systems of any kind. Each pixel simply turns on to whichever color is needed. More importantly, if any part of the image needs to be darker or even black, each pixel can adjust its brightness, all the way to completely black or off.

How do they compare? QLEDs are very good, offering vibrant colors and a lot of brightness when compared to standard screens. However, the OLED’s pixel-level color control means it has the best color accuracy ever seen on a TV. And since it can completely turn pixels off, the black levels and overall clarity are simply unmatched. Higher level OLEDs or hybrid screens like Samsung's OLED/QLED will offer the best of both worlds: great brightness and fantastic black levels.

In the end, the only way to know for sure which one works for you is to see them for yourself, in person. Feel free to come in and see them side-by-side in our showroom!