Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:18 am
Are you in the market for a new HDTV and are wondering whether you should buy a Neo QLED TV or an OLED TV?
Both offer superior picture quality and viewing experience compared to previous HDTV technologies. But then there are differences between them you should take note of.
Before we look at the difference between a Neo QLED TV and an OLED TV, let’s first learn what a Neo QLED TV is and then explore what an OLED TV is.
Neo QLED TV
Neo QLED TV stands for Neo Quantum Dot LED (Light-Emitting Diode) TV.
It was first introduced by Samsung in 2021. However, other manufacturers like LG, Phillips, and TCL have adopted the technology, too.
Neo QLED stands apart from other TVs due to its quantum dot filter.
What does this quantum dot filter do?
It raises the picture contrast and color vibrancy to a high level to provide enhanced viewing pleasure.
Understand QLED First
To understand Neo QLED TV, you’ll first need to know what QLED is.
Why? Because Neo QLED is an enhancement of QLED.
You may want to read more about QLED first.
Here is a brief explanation.
TVs come with standard LED backlights. QLED adds a layer of quantum dots to this backlighting.
These dots are in the form of nanocrystals. Once exposed to light, they give out their own light.
This enhances the TV’s existing colors.
As a result, you get a wider range of colors, sharper and more vibrant.
TV picture quality ends up much brighter and this heightens the viewing experience.
How Neo QLED Enhances QLED
Neo QLED improves on the QLED technology by adding smaller LED lights than those used by standard TV screens.
Since the lights are smaller, more of them can be placed in the screen area, compared to standard LED screens.
This boosts the brightness level. Superior black intensity is also produced. allowing more clarity in low-lighting TV shows or movie scenes.
Quantum Matrix Layer
Smaller LED lights aside, Neo QLED also boasts a Quantum Matrix layer.
What is this unique layer all about?
This layer communicates with the built-in Neo Quantum AI processor to adjust LED brightness.
Through this communication, an AI-powered processor is able to figure out which part of the picture needs to be enhanced and does so accordingly.
OLED Basics
You may read more about OLED but here are the basics.
OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode.
OLED TV was first introduced in 2013.
OLED doesn’t employ backlighting. The pixels on OLED TVs switch on and off automatically depending on the requirement of the picture displayed.
As such OLED displays have no limit when it comes to contrast ratio.
Neo QLED Advantages
Higher Contrast Ratio
What makes Neo QLED superior is they provide a higher contrast ratio, Blacks in your picture will be enhanced without affecting the vibrancy of other colors.
Some LED TVs have the ‘halo effect’. With Neo QLED this won’t be a problem as colors are highly contrasted.
Enhanced Gaming Experience
If you’re a gamer, you’ll benefit from a Neo QLED. The brightness levels offered by it will enhance your gaming experience.
This is not surprising as the brightness level of Neo QLED can reach 4000 nits compared to OLED’s 600 nits.
However, if you’re playing games with dark scenes, Neo QLED may not offer you a good gaming experience.
OLED would be far better for games with dark scenes.
No Burn-In Risk
Screen burn-in occurs when it displays bright images for a long period. Pixels are damaged and this is the main cause of the problem.
Such a condition is more common in OLED models.
Neo QLED doesn’t suffer the burn-in problem, after the prolonged playing of bright pictures.
Neo QLED Disadvantages
Despite its superior features, Neo QLED has its drawbacks.
Poor Performance in Dark Surroundings
Neo QLED works well in bright surroundings. It doesn’t fare as well as OLED in low-light conditions or dark environments.
OLED fares better in low-light conditions because it has an infinite contrast level and
Limited Viewing Angle
You get the full benefit of Neo QLED if you view it directly. If you view the screen sideways, you’ll not get to enjoy maximum picture quality.
On the other hand, you can view OLED from any angle and not have your viewing pleasure affected.
Cost
As with any new technology, the initial cost will be higher. So, if you’re on a limited budget, you may want to wait until prices come down.
But then if you’ve money to burn and want to enhance your TV viewing experience, you may want to grab a Neo QLED TV.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Do Neo QLED TVs Last?
Being burn-in-free, Neo QLEDs are expected to last anywhere from 70,000 and 100,000 hours with heavy use.
If the TV is turned on occasionally, it will certainly last longer. Anyway, with normal use, Neo QLED TV should serve you for 10 years.
Is Neo QLED Anti-Glare?
If you require an anti-glare model, you would want to choose a specific model like the Samsung 75-inch Class Neo QLED 4K QN90B.
Check out the video below to get a closer look at this TV model.
Which is Better? Neo QLED or Full Array LED
Full Array LED models have excellent brightness levels ranging from 1000 to 2000 nits.
However, Neo QLED TVs surpass that with brightness levels ranging from 2000 to 4000 nits.
So, if your TV viewing is to be done in a bright room, it would be wise to opt for a Neo QLED model rather than a Full Array one.
