When it comes to resolution, TVs have achieved remarkable clarity and detail. The most common resolutions available in the market include Full HD 1080p, 4K Ultra HD 2160p, and even 8K 4320p. Higher resolutions provide sharper images and more immersive viewing experiences, allowing viewers to discern even the tiniest details in their watch content. However, the overall display quality of a television is also affected by its display panel.
The type of display panel is another crucial aspect to consider when choosing a smart TV. The two primary types are LED and QLED. Since both of these options are quite confusing and are available in almost every budget category, we are going to offer major differences between both of these options and what you can expect from LED and QLED in terms of quality and clarity. So, read our guide until the end to understand which of these options is perfect for you.
What is an LED TV?
An LED TV is a type of television that uses light-emitting diodes as the backlighting source for the display panel. LED TVs are a popular and the most widely used technology in the television market. LED TVs consist of an LCD panel that utilizes a grid of liquid crystals to control the passage of light. Behind the LCD panel, an array of light-emitting diodes is placed to provide the necessary illumination. These LEDs emit white light, diffusing and passing through the LCD panel to create the image.
LED backlighting offers several advantages over traditional CCFL backlighting used in older LCD TVs. Firstly, LED backlighting allows for a thinner and more energy-efficient design, as LEDs consume less power and generate less heat. This results in slimmer and lighter TV sets that are more eco-friendly and cost-effective.
Another advantage of LED backlighting is its ability to provide better control over brightness and contrast. LED TVs can dynamically adjust the brightness levels by dimming or turning off specific areas of the LED array, resulting in improved black levels and overall contrast. This technology is known as local dimming and is particularly beneficial for enhancing the viewing experience in scenes with a mix of bright and dark areas.
What are the Different Types of LEDs?
LED TVs primarily use two main types of LEDs for backlighting: edge and direct-lit LEDs. In edge-lit LED TVs, the LEDs are positioned along the edges of the display panel. These LEDs emit light directed toward the center of the screen using a light guide plate or light-diffusing films. The light is then spread across the screen, illuminating the entire display. Edge-lit LED TVs have a slim profile and are known for their thin bezels.
However, the backlighting is usually evenly distributed across the screen since the LEDs are located only along the edges. This can result in slightly less uniform lighting, especially towards the center of the display. Some edge-lit LED TVs also incorporate local dimming zones to improve contrast by selectively dimming specific screen areas.
Direct-lit LED TVs, also known as full-array LED TVs, feature LEDs positioned directly behind the LCD display panel. These LEDs are spread across the entire back surface of the panel, providing more precise control over the backlighting. Direct-lit LED TVs offer improved uniformity of lighting across the screen compared to edge-lit models. They can also provide better local dimming performance since the LEDs can be individually controlled to dim or turn off specific areas, enhancing contrast and black levels.
The local dimming feature on direct-lit LED TVs divides the backlight into multiple zones that can be independently dimmed or brightened based on the displayed content. This technique further enhances contrast by allowing for deeper blacks in darker areas of the image.
What is QLED TV?
QLED can be termed as the new advancement in LED technology used for television. It modifies existing technology and makes it possible to deliver even sharper and brighter image quality. QLED stands for Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode, a type of television technology that utilizes quantum dot technology to enhance color reproduction and picture quality.
QLED TVs are built on LCD panels, similar to traditional LED TVs. However, they incorporate a layer of quantum dots, tiny semiconductor particles. These quantum dots are designed to emit light of specific colors when stimulated by a light source or an electric current.
In QLED TVs, blue or ultraviolet LEDs are used as the backlight source. The light emitted by these LEDs passes through the quantum dot layer, where the quantum dots absorb the blue light and re-emit it as a highly pure red and green light. Combining these primary colors creates a wide color spectrum, producing more vibrant and accurate color reproduction.
The utilization of quantum dots in QLED technology offers several advantages. First and foremost, it enables QLED TVs to achieve a wider color gamut, meaning they can display a broader range of colors, including more subtle shades and hues. This results in more lifelike and vivid images.
Additionally, QLED TVs can achieve high peak brightness levels, which allows for better visibility and detail in bright scenes. This is particularly beneficial for viewing content in well-lit environments, as the TV can maintain a bright and vibrant picture even in high ambient light conditions.
What are the Differences Between QLED and LED TVs?
Understanding the differences between LED and QLED TVs is important as it lets you make informed decisions when purchasing a television. LED and QLED represent two distinct technologies with varying characteristics and performance, and comprehending these dissimilarities enables individuals to choose a TV that best suits their needs and preferences.
You can easily assess your specific requirements by understanding the differences between LED and QLED TVs. LED TVs might be a suitable choice if you prioritize affordability and energy efficiency while still achieving satisfactory picture quality. However, if you desire enhanced color accuracy, a wider color gamut, and higher brightness levels, QLED TVs would be a more appropriate option.
1. Color Accuracy
Regarding color accuracy, there are notable differences between QLED and LED TVs. QLED TVs generally offer better color accuracy compared to traditional LED TVs. This is primarily due to the utilization of quantum dot technology in QLED displays.
Quantum dots in QLED TVs are designed to emit very specific and pure colors when excited by the backlight. The quantum dot layer helps to filter the light emitted by the LEDs, resulting in a wider color gamut and more accurate color reproduction. The ability of QLED TVs to display a broader range of colors and achieve higher color saturation contributes to improved color accuracy, ensuring that the colors appear more vibrant and true to life.
LED TVs, while capable of producing decent color, may not achieve the same level of accuracy as QLED. LED backlighting in traditional LED TVs can be influenced by factors such as the quality of the backlight source and the performance of the LCD panel. These factors may result in slight variations in color accuracy and consistency across the screen.
2. Contrast and Brightness
QLED TVs generally excel in contrast due to their ability to achieve deep blacks and high peak brightness levels. QLED technology incorporates local dimming zones, where the backlight can be selectively dimmed or turned off in specific screen areas. This enables QLED TVs to achieve deeper black levels by blocking the backlight in dark portions of the image, resulting in enhanced contrast and improved detail in dark scenes. The precise control over backlighting zones also helps to prevent light bleed and halo effects.
Additionally, QLED TVs often feature high peak brightness levels, allowing them to deliver vibrant and impactful images even in well-lit environments. Combining deep blacks and bright highlights creates a more dynamic and immersive viewing experience.
On the other hand, LED TVs typically have more limited contrast performance compared to QLED TVs. While LED TVs can offer decent contrast, they may not achieve the same level of deep blacks and precise control over backlighting as QLED displays. The overall contrast performance of LED TVs can vary depending on factors such as the quality of local dimming for some specific models.
3. Power Needs
LED TVs utilize LED backlighting which is known for its energy efficiency. Thus, LEDs consume less power compared to traditional CCFL TVs. LED technology has significantly increased power efficiency, allowing LED TVs to operate while consuming minimal energy.
LED TVs also tend to have lower power consumption because they typically use edge-lit backlighting. This design allows for a more efficient light distribution across the screen, minimizing power usage. Additionally, advancements in LED technology have led to improvements in energy-saving features such as automatic brightness adjustment and power-saving modes, further reducing power consumption.
On the other hand, QLED TVs, while offering impressive picture quality, may consume more power than LED TVs. While various efforts have been made to improve power efficiency in QLED technology, incorporating additional layers and components can contribute to slightly higher power needs than LED TVs.
It’s important to note that the power consumption of both QLED and LED TVs can vary depending on screen size, display brightness settings, usage patterns, and specific models. Energy-saving features and settings, such as adjusting brightness levels, enabling power-saving modes, or utilizing timers, can also help reduce power consumption for both types of TVs.
4. Affordability
LED TVs have been on the market for longer and are widely available in a range of price points. The technology used in LED TVs, including LED backlighting and LCD panels, has become more mature and cost-effective. As a result, LED TVs are generally more affordable, making them accessible to a broader range of consumers.
LED TVs come in various models and sizes, allowing individuals to choose an option that fits their budget and specific needs. They offer a cost-effective solution for those looking for a reliable, high-quality TV without breaking the bank. LED TVs provide good picture quality and a range of features, making them a popular choice for many households.
In contrast, QLED TVs tend to be positioned in a higher price range than LED TVs. The incorporation of quantum dot technology and advancements in display capabilities make QLED TVs more sophisticated and offer enhanced color and other features. These technological advancements contribute to higher production costs, which are reflected in the pricing of QLED TVs.
5. Response Time
Response time refers to how quickly the pixels on a display can change from one color to another. A faster response time generally results in smoother motion and reduced motion blur, which is particularly important for fast-paced content such as sports, action movies, or couch gaming.
LED TVs generally have faster response times compared to QLED TVs. LED technology has been refined over the years, improving response times and reducing motion blur. This is especially true for LED TVs with advanced features such as high refresh rates and motion enhancement technologies. These features help reduce ghosting and blur, resulting in smoother and more fluid motion.
QLED TVs, while offering excellent picture quality and color, may have slightly slower response times compared to LED TVs. This is because QLED technology, which uses quantum dots and an LCD panel, can introduce additional layers and processes that may affect the response time. However, it’s worth noting that advancements in QLED technology have led to improved response times, and high-end QLED models can still offer respectable performance in motion handling.
6. Black Level
Black level refers to the ability of a TV to display deep and true blacks. Deeper black levels contribute to improved contrast, allowing for a greater distinction between dark and bright areas of the image, resulting in a more immersive viewing experience.
QLED TVs, with their use of quantum dot technology, have an advantage when it comes to black levels compared to traditional LED TVs. QLED displays incorporate precise dimming zones where the backlighting can be selectively dimmed or turned off in specific screen areas. This allows QLED TVs to achieve deeper black levels by blocking the backlight in dark portions of the image, resulting in enhanced contrast and better detail in dark scenes.
LED TVs offer satisfactory black levels but are inconsistent with the same deep blacks and precise local dimming as QLED displays. Traditional LED backlighting in LED TVs typically illuminates the entire screen uniformly, which can limit the ability to achieve true black levels. However, it’s worth noting that advancements in LED technology, such as incorporating local dimming in some high-end LED models, can improve black levels to a certain extent.
7. Motion Blur
Motion blur refers to the blurring or trailing effect that can occur when objects are in motion on the screen. It is especially noticeable in fast-paced content, such as sports or action scenes. Minimizing motion blur helps maintain image clarity and ensures a smoother viewing experience.
LED TVs, with their LCD panels and advancements in motion enhancement technologies, generally have faster response times and better motion handling compared to QLED TVs. LED technology has been refined over the years to reduce motion blur, resulting in smoother motion and improved clarity. High refresh rates, such as 120 Hz or 240 Hz are often available in LED TVs, enabling smoother transitions between frames and reducing motion blur.
QLED TVs, while offering impressive picture quality, may have slightly slower response times compared to LED TVs. This can result in slightly more motion blur during fast-paced scenes. However, it’s important to note that advancements in QLED technology have led to improvements in response times, and high-end QLED models can still provide respectable motion-handling performance.
8. Viewing Angle
The viewing angle is the angle at which the screen can be viewed without significant color and contrast degradation. A wider viewing angle allows for a more consistent and enjoyable viewing experience, particularly when multiple viewers are watching the TV from different positions in the room.
QLED TVs, with their advanced display technology, often provide wider viewing angles than traditional LED TVs. This means that viewers can experience consistent picture quality and accurate colors even when watching the TV from off-centre positions. QLED displays achieve this by utilizing various techniques to minimize color and contrast shifts at wider angles, ensuring that the image remains vibrant and true to life, regardless of the viewer’s position in the room.
On the other hand, LED TVs may have more limited viewing angles, especially when compared to QLED displays. LED technology typically uses LCD panels with a backlighting system, which can result in color and contrast shifts when viewed from off-center angles. As the viewer moves away from the optimal center viewing position, the picture quality may deteriorate, with colors appearing less accurate and contrast levels diminishing.
9. Image Retention
Image retention, also known as screen burn-in, refers to a phenomenon where a static image or pattern displayed on the screen for an extended period can leave a temporary or permanent ghost image on the display. This can occur when the pixels or subpixels of the display are overused or stressed, leading to uneven wear.
LED TVs are generally less prone to image retention compared to QLED TVs. The design of LED TVs, including the use of liquid crystals and LED backlighting, reduces the risk of persistent image retention. The constant movement and refreshing of the liquid crystals in LED displays help prevent static images from being retained on the screen for prolonged periods.
QLED TVs, which incorporate quantum dot technology along with LCD panels, may be more susceptible to image retention. While QLED displays have improved a lot in terms of durability and resistance to image retention compared to older technologies, the nature of their design and the use of organic compounds can still present a risk of temporary or permanent image retention under certain conditions.
QLED Vs LED – FAQs
Ans: Yes, QLED technology is generally considered better and more advanced than traditional LED technology in terms of color accuracy. QLED TVs utilize a layer of quantum dots, tiny semiconductor particles emitting highly pure and saturated colors when excited by a light source. This allows QLED displays to produce a wider color gamut and more accurate color reproduction compared to standard LED TVs.
Ans: QLED TVs generally offer wider viewing angles compared to LED TVs. QLED technology incorporates various techniques to minimize color and contrast shifts at wider angles, ensuring that the image remains vibrant and true to life regardless of the viewer’s position in the room. This wider viewing angle is made possible by the advanced display technology used in QLED TVs, including quantum dots and improved panel design.
Ans: Both QLED and LED TVs can offer a variety of smart TV features and operating systems, but the availability and specific offerings may vary depending on the manufacturer and model. So when you are buying a QLED or LED TV, it’s recommended to review the specifications and features of the specific model to ensure it offers the desired smart TV capabilities.
Ans: LED TVs are known for their energy efficiency. LEDs are more efficient at converting electricity into light compared to traditional CCFL backlighting used in older TVs. LED technology has significantly increased power efficiency, allowing LED TVs to operate while consuming minimal energy.
Conclusion
This guide explored the differences between QLED and LED TVs across various aspects. We discussed the distinctions in terms of display technology, resolution, panel types (such as edge-lit and direct-lit LEDs), and the advantages and disadvantages of each choice. We also discussed QLED TVs and LED TVs along with the major differences available with both options. So, you can easily find all the necessary information on this guide and understand which options are the best for you. If you are unsure, we suggest going with a QLED LED TV to make it a future-proof option. In any case, QLED TVs are going to become the industry standard sooner or later, so it’s better to stay ahead of the curve. And with many advancements in QLED technology, the majority of shortcomings of QLED TVs are minimized and won’t affect the performance or energy efficiency of the display panel at all.
