LED vs OLED: Who Wins In The Game Of Television?
When it comes to purchasing a gaming TV, the advanced display interface technology is an important consideration. Two popular options include LED and OLED, that have both gained a loyal fanbase for gamers. While LED (Light Emitting Diode) has been around since the early 1960s, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) is relatively new in the market. As a result, users often find it challenging to identify which display interface technology to invest in. In this post, the Flare Compare team has compared these two technologies and their suitability for your gaming TV.
How LED Works
In LED TVs, the liquid crystals are arranged in layers and illuminated by LEDs, which result in an enhanced range of colors, contrast, and brightness. Depending on the LED backlighting configuration, LED displays can either be direct-lit, edge-lit, or full-array-lit. Direct backlighting, where the lights are evenly dispersed at the back of the screen, provides a consistent picture quality. On the other hand, in Edge LED lighting, backlights run along the edges of the screen, which provides a thinner design, but uneven lighting. Full-array LED backlighting provides the best picture quality, but usually comes at a slightly higher cost.
Pros of LED technology for gaming TV
- LED displays are readily available in the market across all ranges of sizes and prices.
- LED TVs consume less power compared to OLED TVs.
- LED TVs have a higher brightness level, which is an advantage in bright rooms or settings.
- LED TVs have a higher refresh rate and response time, making them ideal for fast-paced gaming.
Cons of LED technology for gaming TV
- LED technology produces lower contrasts compared to OLED.
- The viewing angle on LED displays is not as wide as the OLEDs.
How OLED Works
OLED panels are made of organic compounds that light up when activated. Unlike LED technology, each pixel on the OLED display can turn on and off independently, providing deeper blacks and brighter whites. OLED technology doesn't require additional backlighting since each pixel provides its illumination, making the screen thinner and enabling better visual accuracy.
Pros of OLED technology for gaming TV
- OLED displays provide higher contrast, deeper blacks, and richer colors than LED displays.
- OLED displays provide a wider viewing angle than LED.
- OLED displays do not suffer from backlight bleeding that is common in LED displays.
Cons of OLED technology for gaming TV
- OLED TVs are more expensive than LED TVs.
- OLED TVs consume more power than LED TVs.
- OLED TVs are prone to image retention (a phenomenon where an after-image persists on the screen after a static image is displayed for extended hours), but most of the current OLED displays have built-in functions to mitigate this issue.
So Which is Better for Gaming, LED or OLED?
When it comes to gaming TVs, choosing between LED and OLED technology heavily depends on your needs and budget. While OLED displays provide better image quality and wider viewing angles, they can be quite uneconomical when it comes to price and power consumption. On the other hand, LED displays offer better value for money, faster response time and refresh rates, and a suitable option if you intend to watch TV in places with ambient light.
Ultimately, the right choice for gaming depends on what matters most to you: peak picture quality, cost, energy consumption, or contrast.
References
- LED vs OLED: Which Is Better? by Robert Silva, Lifewire.
- LED vs OLED: The differences explained by Ty Pendlebury, CNET.