OLED TV, or Organic Light-Emitting Diode TV, is a type of display technology that uses organic materials to produce light and color.
Unlike traditional LED TVs, which have a backlight and an LCD panel, OLED TVs have individual organic cells that emit their own light, resulting in deeper blacks, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors.
This is considered to be the best TV for picture quality, especially for dark room viewing and HDR content.
However, everything has its pros and cons and OLED is no expectation!
This article will walk you through everything you need to know about OLED Technology and the TVs made by this.
Let’s move on…
How does OLED Technology work?
OLED Technology mainly works by using organic molecules that emit light when an electric current passes through them.
As I mentioned above, unlike traditional LEDs, OLEDs do not need a backlight, which makes them thinner and more energy-efficient.
Look at this diagram:
Here’s how an OLED TV works:
- Anode: An electric part that starts the process.
- Cathode: Another electric part that helps the process.
- Emissive layer: This is where the light is made.
- Conductive layer: Helps move electricity to make the light.
- Substrate: A base that supports everything.
- Seal: A protective layer that covers the OLED.
The cathode and anode give power to the OLED. The emissive layer creates the light using those special molecules. The conductive layer helps move electricity to the right place.
The substrate is the base, and the seal protects the OLED.
When the electric current flows from the cathode to the anode, it passes through the emissive and conductive layers, creating a flow of electrons and holes (positive charges).
When the electrons and holes meet in the emissive layer, they form a state called an exciton.
The exciton then releases its energy as a photon of light.
The color of the light depends on the type of organic molecule used in the emissive layer. By using different organic molecules, OLEDs can produce different colors of light, such as red, green, and blue.
What about Lifespan?
According to LG, one of the major manufacturers of OLED panels, the latest generation of OLED TVs has a lifespan of over 100,000 hours.
This means that if you watch an OLED TV for 10 hours a day, it could last for 30 years!
Of course, the actual lifespan will depend on various factors, such as usage habits, screen brightness, and the quality of the TV’s components.
I checked a bunch of discussions on Reddit, and most of them reported no issues, no burn-in, and no brightness reduction after several years of use.
However, some users also encountered problems such as vertical lines, banding, or burn-in after heavy or extreme usage.
LG claims that they have addressed this issue with technology that helps protect the screen and features self-healing properties. They recommend using some features like:
- Screen Saver
- Clear Panel Noise
- Screen Shift
- Logo Luminance
To preserve image quality in track!
So, you can consider OLED TVs as long-lasting and reliable (only if you use them properly).
But, what are the pros and cons?
Actually, OLED TVs are mainly popular choice for those people who want a high-quality display with deep blacks, wide viewing angles, and fast response times.
But, they also have some drawbacks that you should be aware of before buying one.
Here’s a table describing that:
| Pros of OLED TV | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect blacks and infinite contrast ratio | Higher price tags, especially for larger screen sizes |
| Widest viewing angles | Average brightness levels, less suitable for bright rooms or HDR content |
| Energy-efficient | Susceptible to burn-in, affecting lifespan and appearance of the screen |
| Unmatched response times for gaming | Limited color range, cannot display full spectrum of colors required by some HDR formats |
F.A.Q.s
Q: Are OLED TVs better for gaming than LCD TVs?
OLED TVs offer faster response times and lower input lag compared to LCD TVs, making them a better choice for gaming.
However, the difference in performance may not be noticeable to casual gamers.
Q: Are OLED TVs suitable for large-screen sizes?
Yes, OLED TVs are suitable for large-screen sizes, as they offer superior contrast, deeper blacks, and faster response times compared to LCD TVs. But, the cost of OLED TVs may increase with larger screen sizes.
Q: Can OLED TVs be used for professional color grading or video editing?
OLED TVs offer superior contrast and deeper blacks compared to LCD TVs, which can help improve the color grading and video editing experience.
However, LCD TVs may have a wider color gamut and brighter peak luminance, which can also enhance the color grading and video editing experience.
Abdul Kader, a handy guy and experienced founder of a TV repair shop in Gulshan, Dhaka, Bangladesh. He is mainly an expert in understanding and repairing different types of issues with Smart TVs and providing helpful insights on how to keep them in good working order. Read his Full Story.