QD-OLED vs Mini-LED: Which is Better?

In display technologies, many acronyms are frequently used to describe the types of screens available, especially when talking about televisions. The newest of them is most likely QD-OLED, a hybrid display technology designed to improve upon the outstanding properties of an OLED display and quantum dot technology to develop something even better. In this blog post, we will look at two next-generation display technologies, QD-OLED and Mini-LED, to determine which is the better option.

What Are QD-OLEDs?

QD-OLED stands for quantum-dot organic light-emitting diode and is a new technology that combines the existing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) technology and quantum-dot light-emitting diode (QLED) to provide a brighter, higher quality display screen.

A TV display produces three different colours via a quantum dot layer, whereas previous technology used color filters. These colours are red, green, and blue and they are combined to create the images we see on our TV screens. In a QD-OLED TV display, a blue self-luminescent layer is used to shine a blue light through to the quantum dot filter. A portion of this blue light is then converted into green and red, which, combined with the remaining transmitted blue light, creates white light, from which a pixel’s colour can be chosen, and ultimately comprises the image we then see.

What Are the Benefits of QD-OLEDs?

There are several benefits to using QD-OLED technology and although it is still new to the market, it is looking promising in terms of providing the highest quality pictures on TV screens to date. Below, we will be reviewing the benefits QD-OLEDs provide.

High Levels of Brightness

Because of the combination of OLED and QLED technologies, the QD-OLEDs will provide a 4K resolution and have around 8.3 million controllable light sources. As a result, they will provide a high contrast ratio of 1,000,000:1 as well as higher quality image details and better HDR performance. OLED TVs are a popular choice with gamers for this reason.

Improved Colors

QD-OLED screens offer one of the widest ranges of color expressions amongst its competitors and at a much higher quality. This technology enables more colors, higher color quality and up to 90% color coverage, whereas previous technology sat around 80% coverage.

True Black Levels

Another benefit of a QD-OLED display is that the self-emitting emission technology of OLEDs allows individual pixels to be completely turned off, depending on what is shown on the screen. This allows for more accurate color viewing.

Additional benefits include an improvement in display response times, screen reflection and viewing angles. Samsung has also mentioned that the screens will reduce harmful blue light by 40-50%.

What Are Mini-LEDs?

Mini-LED technology is mostly found in TV displays and they are widely available across the market. They are available as a stand-alone technology but are also frequently combined with other types of technology to improve screen standards. Mini-LED displays are not dissimilar to QLED, but the key point is the backlights are much smaller, which offers a range of advantages for mini-LED TVs. 

What Are the Benefits of Mini-LEDs?

Because the LED backlights are so much smaller in Mini-LED technology, a number of benefits are provided. These advantages include:

Affordability

One of the main benefits of mini-LEDs is that they are an affordable, cost-effective piece of technology compared to some of their competitors. 

Better Quality

Finer control over highlights and shadows in the display is enabled by the smaller LEDs. This means that pictures are more accurate as precise shading is created along with a better sense of depth. 

Higher Brightness

Owing to the much smaller LEDs used in Mini-LEDs, this enables a high peak brightness and a higher quality of images, which can be further enhanced by using HDR. 

QD-OLED vs Mini-LED: Which is Better?

After reviewing both QD-LED and the Mini-LED technology, let’s look at which is the better option when considering television screens. 

If you are using the screen outside or in environments with plenty of light, then a Mini-LED screen is a better choice because of the level of precision and peak brightness that can be offered. Mini-LED is also a more affordable option compared to OLED technology. 

One of the downsides of Mini-LED is that it is still based on LCD panels, which comes with its own set of problems, such as fixed aspect ratio or pixels that are permanently on or off that prevent precise images and maintain a low resolution.

QD-OLEDs on the other hand, offer excellent contrast and allow entirely black levels of color. Many companies have been using their resources to develop and improve OLED technology, which provides a thinner and more efficient technology than standard LCDs. When coupled with quantum dots, LED screens can be dramatically enhanced. 

Our conclusion is that it depends on the environment you use the screen in. If you’re in a dark or mostly dark setting, then the QD-OLED is your best option as each individual pixel can be controlled. Mini-LED is more suitable for brighter settings and will have more long-term durability.

If you’re looking for more information on the next-generation display technology or would like to make a purchase, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We will be in touch as soon as possible.