Comparing Viewing Angles of QD and OLED Devices

Viewing angle is a key parameter in the performance of any digital display. This is measured outwards from a 0° axis – or a direct view – which is the definitive optimal viewpoint for liquid crystal displays (LCDs), quantum dot LCDs (QLED), and organic light emitting diode (OLED) devices. Deviations from this axis are associated with a commensurate decrease in the optical performance of a display, including: desaturated colors; washed-out black levels; and unusual optical properties.

Printed Display Materials

Off-axis viewing of QD and OLED devices may expose performance issues that significantly impact the user experience and undercut the extremely high picture quality that modern consumers have come to expect. This is problematic for manufacturers as very few consumers are able to experience visual content at the 0° axis at all times. Everyday factors such as the layout of rooms and TV position, alongside the number of viewers, can dramatically affect an individual’s perception of a device’s quality. At an off-axis viewing angle of 45°, the intensity of black levels on LCD devices can decrease by up to 65%.

Both QD and OLED devices are envisaged as improvements upon existing display technologies in almost every aspect – with the notable exception of price. Each is capable of reproducing lifelike colors across a wider color gamut (WCG) with enhanced black levels and peak brightnesses supporting high dynamic range (HDR) content with 4K resolution capabilities. However, these next-generation optical properties are still affected by viewing angle with measurable picture degradation at off-angles.

Viewing Angles and QD Devices

QD devices offer the most realistic color representation currently available in display technologies, with improved panel technology mitigating the effects of LEDs illuminating neighboring pixels and affecting black levels. Innovative anti-reflective coatings are also used to enhance the transmissive properties of the device, yet there is still a fairly noticeable drop-off in quality at viewing angles of 45° and above.

Novel QD displays have incorporated additional technologies to gradually broaden the axis of optimal viewing. However, the technology is not expected to challenge OLED devices for the widest possible axis of quality viewing until QD color filters and MicroLED architectures become commercially available.

Viewing Angles and OLED Devices

OLED devices have dominated the high-performance display market for years. Although QD displays have abruptly eclipsed the technology with respect to WCG capabilities, OLEDs still lay claim to the highest possible contrast ratios and low degradation of optical qualities at severe off-angles.

Even standard OLED devices exhibit little to no diminished luminance capacities at angles of up to 84°. Normal viewing angles of 45° do not limit the technically infinite contrast ratios of the technology and result in a brightness reduction of as little as 24%. This translates to outstanding performance in real-world environments.

OLED Devices from Avantama

Avantama is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-performance optical materials for LCD, QD, and OLED devices. We provide unique nanoparticle formulations for solution processing of various thin film architectures. If you would like any more information about the comparative performances of QD and OLED devices, read our previous posts:

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