OLED vs QLED vs 4K – Difference and Comparison

What is OLED?

OLED (organic light-emitting diode) is a flat panel display that uses organic compounds to create light. It is a newer technology than traditional LCD (liquid crystal display) displays and has several advantages. One of the main advantages of OLED is that it can produce deep black levels and high contrast ratios, as each pixel in an OLED display is self-illuminating.

OLED displays are also thin, lightweight, and flexible, making them suitable for use in many devices, including smartphones, TVs, and computer monitors. However, OLED displays can be prone to image retention and burn-in, which is when a static image is displayed for an extended period of time and becomes permanently etched into the display.

What is QLED?

QLED, or Quantum Dot LED, is a type of television display technology that uses quantum dots to produce vibrant and accurate colors. Quantum dots are tiny semiconductor particles that emit light when electricity is applied, and they are able to produce a wide range of colors by changing their size and shape. QLED TVs use a layer of quantum dots between the LED backlight and the LCD panel.

One of the main benefits of QLED TVs is their high color accuracy and wide color gamut. They are able to display over a billion different colors, which is significantly more than traditional LCD TVs. In addition, QLED TVs have higher peak brightness and better contrast ratios, making them ideal for use in bright rooms or watching movies with lots of dark scenes.

What is 4K?

4K, also known as Ultra High Definition (UHD), is a resolution standard for display devices with approximately 4,000 pixels horizontally. It is approximately four times the resolution of Full HD, which has a resolution of 1,080 pixels horizontally. The increased resolution allows for a clearer and more detailed picture, particularly when viewed up close or on larger screens.

Research has shown that 4K technology can improve the viewing experience for casual and professional use. In a study published in the Journal of the Society for Information Display, researchers found that 4K displays had a significantly higher resolution, color accuracy, and contrast ratio than Full HD displays. Some findings suggest that 4K technology can provide a superior viewing experience for various applications, including movies, television, and gaming.

Difference Between OLED and QLED and 4K

  1. OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode.; QLED is the short form of Quantum Light Emitting Diode; 4K refers to 4,000 pixels.
  2. OLED uses organic materials that emit light when an electric current is applied; QLED (Quantum Dot LED) TVs use quantum dots to produce light; 4K is a resolution standard that offers approximately 4,000 pixels horizontally.
  3. OLED has a higher contrast ratio and better black levels; QLED TVs use a backlight that is evenly distributed across the entire screen; 4K can have both OLED and QLED.
  4. OLEDs are considered to have a better overall picture quality; QLED has a better quality; 4K’s quality depends on which LED is used.
  5. OLED offers a wider color gamut; QLED TVs offer a wider color gamut and higher peak brightness; 4K’s color gamut varies.

Comparison Between OLED and QLED and 4K

Parameters of ComparisonOLEDQLED4K
AbbreviationOrganic Light Emitting DiodeQuantum Light Emitting Diode4,000 Pixels Horizontally
MechanismUse of Organic Materials for LightQuantum Dots to DisplayThousands of Pixels to Display
Contrast RatioHigherLowerVaries
Picture QualityHigherLowerVaries
Color GamutLess WideWiderVaries

References

  1. https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/0022-3727/49/31/315101/meta
  2. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15980316.2019.1572662
  3. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15980316.2020.1720835