Today's living rooms would not be complete without a gorgeous TV set right smack against the wall. At least for those who still believe television sets are a necessity. Choosing the right TV, however, is never easy especially with more kinds with better features coming out every now and then. Two of the more popular TVs today are those with LED and OLED displays. So which one deserves its rightful place in your living room? Read on to find out.
First off, let's describe what OLED and LED are. Light-emitting diode or LED is the veteran of the two. LED TVs are actually LCD (liquid crystal display) TVs. LCD TVs previously used fluorescent tubes to light up the screen. These fluorescent tubes were replaced with LED thus the LED TV label. LED displays have better contrast and deeper blacks than the LCD version. The newer LED TVs also has a brighter screen and more vibrant colors. The TV set itself became thinner and lighter while also becoming more earth-friendly because of the lower consumption of energy.
Organic light-emitting diode or OLED is the newer of the two display technologies. OLED TVs are composed of carbon-based materials. These materials allow light to emit as electricity goes through them.
The most discerning difference between OLED and LED displays is the pixels, particularly how they are illuminated. OLED display does not require a backlight as each pixel or dot provides its own illumination. In other words, they are their own light source. In LED displays, the pixels are illuminated by a LED backlight. The lack of backlighting in OLED displays allows it to be thinner than LED ones. OLED also has better contrast ratios or what is described by USA Today as the "luminance between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks". Another plus factor for OLED TVs is that they are more energy efficient than LED.
The knock against OLED is its price. Because it is a premium technology, it is way expensive than other display techs. LED TVs also have better brightness, as reported by Digital Trends. The quantum dots in LED displays allow them to get extremely bright. While OLED TVs are also very bright, using them that way for extended periods will affect their life spans. In other words, do not use OLED TVs too bright if you want them to last as long as possible.
Viewing angle is another important factor in choosing the right TV. OLED wins this one because it can be viewed up to an angle of 84 degrees without the luminance degrading. With LED TVs, you need to stay focused on the center of the display.
To quip, both display technologies have their advantages and disadvantages. The LED is less expensive, has better brightness, and a longer life span. It is also available in large sizes and 4K resolution. OLED, meanwhile, is thinner, has better contrast range, wider viewing angles, and is more energy efficient. It also has better response time and lag.
LG Display is by far the only company manufacturing OLED displays. Sony, meanwhile, has recently started offering OLED TVs that are also made by LG. A number of smartphone manufacturers have also turned to OLED displays for their devices. Apple, for one, is working on adapting OLED displays for its upcoming iPhone 8.
The verdict? OLED is the clear winner if you're considering the picture quality and other features. If you're looking for value for your money, you can still get it with the more affordable LED.
