IPS vs OLED Laptop Displays: Which One is Better?
When it comes to laptops, one of the most important aspects is the display. The display technology used in a laptop can greatly affect the user experience. In recent years, two technologies have emerged as the front runners for laptop displays: IPS and OLED. But which one should you choose? In this post, we’ll compare IPS and OLED laptop displays and provide you with the facts so you can make an informed decision.
What is an IPS Display?
IPS stands for In-Plane Switching. It is a type of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen technology that provides wider viewing angles and better color reproduction than traditional TN (Twisted Nematic) displays. IPS displays are known for their accurate colors and good viewing angles, making them ideal for professional work such as photo and video editing.
What is an OLED Display?
OLED stands for Organic Light Emitting Diode. It is a type of display technology that uses organic materials to produce light. OLED displays do not require a backlight, which means that each pixel can be turned on or off individually, resulting in deeper blacks and improved contrast ratios. OLED displays are known for their vivid colors, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles.
IPS vs OLED Laptop Displays: Comparing the Pros and Cons
Viewing Angles
IPS displays provide wider viewing angles than OLED displays. This means that you can view the screen from different angles without experiencing any color distortion or contrast degradation. On the other hand, OLED displays are known for their excellent viewing angles. You can view the screen from almost any angle without experiencing any color distortion.
Color Reproduction
IPS displays are known for their accurate color reproduction. They can reproduce a wider range of colors and shades than OLED displays. However, OLED displays are known for their vivid colors and high contrast ratios, which can make colors appear more vibrant and vivid.
Black Levels
OLED displays are the clear winner when it comes to black levels. Since each pixel can be turned off individually, OLED displays can produce true blacks that are impossible to achieve with IPS displays. IPS displays use a backlight, which means that black areas appear more like dark gray.
Power Consumption
Since OLED displays do not require a backlight, they consume less power than IPS displays. This means that laptops with OLED displays can have better battery life than those with IPS displays. However, OLED displays are known for their susceptibility to burn-in, which is when a permanent discolouration is left on the screen from long term static images.
Price
OLED displays are more expensive than IPS displays. This is due to the fact that OLED displays are more difficult to manufacture and still offer a limited selection. Laptops with OLED displays are usually priced higher than those with IPS displays.
Conclusion
There is no clear winner between IPS and OLED displays. Both technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages. IPS displays are ideal for professional work such as photo and video editing. OLED displays are ideal for multimedia and entertainment purposes. However, OLED displays have the risk of burn-in issue over the screen. In the end, it comes down to personal preference and intended use.
References
- Henninger, M. (2020, April 06). IPS vs. OLED Displays: What's the Difference? Retrieved on August 22, 2021, from https://www.lifewire.com/ips-vs-oled-displays-whats-the-difference-4740182.
- Lechner, C. (2021, April 12). OLED vs. IPS: Which laptop screen is better? Retrieved on August 22, 2021, from https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/oled-vs-ips.