If you’re in the market for a new TV, you might be surprised — and slightly confused — as you compare the options and review technical specifications: OLED versus QLED, LCD and LED. How do you know which to choose?
Big Sandy Superstore carries televisions featuring all of the latest technology to fit every budget. Our electronics product specialists created this simple guide to help you tune into which television models best fit your specific needs. Upgrade your TV entertainment center with these tips.
A New TV Technology: OLED
Remember the scene in The Wizard of Oz when Dorothy lands in Oz, opens the door and the view magically changes from black and white to color? An OLED TV gives you that same feeling — a whole new world full of bright, beautiful, vivid colors.
Technically, OLED stands for organic light emitting diode. Each pixel emits its own light and color – it doesn’t need a backlight like traditional LED TVs. It’s a completely unique technology, unlike any other kind on the market today.
One of the biggest differentiators of OLEDs: better contrast and the capability to offer a true black, giving you superior image quality. Because each pixel is emissive, individual ones can turn off completely to show an absolute black (the absence of light) whereas backlit TVs can only produce a washed-out grayish black. It’s the kind of difference you have to see to believe, like in Big Sandy’s LG C9 Series 65-inch TV.
OLEDs are remarkably thin and flexible, allowing them to be used in more designs and installations aside from a conventional entertainment stand. They also have better viewing angles than any other type of TV, so you don’t have to sit squarely front and center for the best view. An OLED TV, such as the LG C9PUA Series 77-inch TV, also ranks more energy efficient.
Of course, with all the positives, there are a few things to keep in mind when narrowing down your decision. For the time being, OLEDs only come in certain sizes: 55, 65, 77 and 88 inches. A 48-inch version is scheduled to be released for retail sale sometime this year. Also, OLEDs can’t achieve the brightness level of other types of televisions and could possibly (although unlikely) experience burn-in or image retention.
QLED TV: A Quality Classic
While the term “QLED” (quantum light emitting diode) may be new to you, the technology really isn’t. QLEDs are LCD flat panels that use quantum dots. When an LED backlight hits the quantum dots, they emit their own colored light that’s transmitted through the screen’s surface.
QLED TVs are impressive, and a step up from your typical LCD television thanks to those quantum dots intensifying the color and brightness. They actually offer the highest color volume of any LED technology, and brightness levels at more than twice what OLEDs can do. This is important if you plan to use your TV in a brightly lit room. If so, consider a QLED from Big Sandy like Samsung’s Q60R Series 65 inch.
Available in more sizes, QLED televisions tend to be an economical option. You won’t have to worry about screen burn-in or ghost images either. And although QLEDs can’t produce a true black, some of the higher-end models, such as Samsung’s Q80R Series 75 inch, feature backlight technology that improves contrast enough to rival the picture quality of OLEDs.
Speaking of the view, most QLEDs don’t offer the perfect picture from every angle. However, this technology keeps improving, especially in high-end models. It’s something to keep in mind if you’re shopping on a budget or for a sunny space in your home.
What Type of TV is the Best?
So, which television technology is really the best? It’s close. Both are available in 4k and 8k resolutions. In a recent CNET comparison, the LG B9 Series (OLED) beat Samsung’s Q80 (QLED) in overall picture quality, but truth be told, either option will elevate your TV-watching experience.
One final thought: We know it’s a lot of technical information to absorb. When you stop by Big Sandy Superstore to shop TVs, you can compare your options side-by-side and remember: OLED gives you that “oh my” feeling of being in Oz while QLEDs are a solid, quality option that won’t disappoint.