Are you considering an LG TV purchase soon and debating between their NanoCell and QNED options? As two of LG‘s most advanced display technologies, both provide gorgeous visuals and a premium viewing experience. But besides the naming acronyms, what exactly is the difference?
This guide will dive deep into the underlying technologies, features, real-world image quality, prices, and value proposition of LG NanoCell versus LG QNED TV models. You‘ll finish with all the details needed to decide which suits your preferences and budget. Let‘s get started!
Brief Backgrounds on the Technologies
First, a quick history lesson. LG debuted the first Super UHD branded NanoCell TVs in 2017. These utilized nanoparticles to filter excess light wavelengths for improved color accuracy and wider gamut coverage. Contrast and backlights also saw a boost.
LG continued refining NanoCell panels year-over-year, increasing peak brightness, dimming zones, gaming responsiveness and introducing 8K models. The newest 2023 editions leverage powerful α7 Gen5 AI Processors to optimize both picture and sound.
The company unveiled their first QNED TVs in 2021, featuring next-generation "Quantum Nano-emitting Diode" technology. This merged quantum dots creating extremely vivid, accurate colors and NanoCell filters into high-end Mini LED backlights with precision local dimming abilities.
Let‘s explore exactly how these two innovations differ under the hood.
Comparing the Core Display Technologies
While both leverage nanoparticles (hence the shared “Nano” prefix), NanoCell and QNED TVs utilize them quite differently:
NanoCell Technology
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Nanoparticles filter excess light wavelengths outside the standard color spectrum to achieve wider, more accurate color reproduction.
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Some high-end NanoCell panels may additionally use quantum dots to enable even more vivid images, but not all.
QNED Technology
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Leverages nano-scale quantum dots to produce intensely vivid red and green light well beyond conventional LED/LCD TVs.
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Combines these quantum dots with NanoCell color filters for exceptional color accuracy.
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Utilizes advanced Mini LED backlights with up to 30,000+ dimming zones enabling much finer contrast control compared to typical large LED backlights.
So in summary:
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NanoCell = wider color gamut + color filtering nanoparticles
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QNED = extremely vibrant quantum dots + NanoCell filtering + precision Mini LED backlights
This table summarizes some key resulting picture differences:
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| Characteristic | NanoCell TV | QNED TV |
|---|---|---|
| Color Gamut | Up to ~93% DCI-P3 | Over 100% DCI-P3 |
| Contrast | ~5000:1 | >50,000:1 |
| Peak Brightness (nits) | Up to ~800 nits | > 1000 nits |
| Dimming Zones | 10 to ~500 zones </td | Up to 30K zones |
As you can glean from those numbers, QNED TVs handily surpass NanoCell models with quantifiably better contrast, high dynamic range (via higher peak brightness), and precision backlight control.
But how do those technical measurements actually impact real-world picture quality for movies, sports, YouTube or gaming? Let‘s find out.
Evaluating True-to-Life Picture Quality
Based on hands-on evaluation and testing from television experts across various independent review outlets like Rtings, CNET, and Tom‘s Guide, here is how NanoCell and QNED TVs perform:
NanoCell Picture Quality Highlights:
✅ Vibrant, accurate colors straight out of box covering wide DCI-P3 gamut
✅ Decent black levels and contrast; great dark room performance (with full array dimming)
✅ Clean, sharp 4K clarity and decent upscaling
✅ Excellent motion handling with fast response times around 15ms
✅ All core HDR standards supported; great highlight and shadow details
❌ Limited peak brightness means HDR pop isn‘t quite as impactful
❌ No risk of burn-in but some image retention possible
❌ Large angle viewing can degrade contrast and color vibrancy
Real-World Impressions: NanoCell TVs provide gorgeous, immersive picture quality for most types of content. While they can‘t match OLED or QNED performance, colors remain accurate, images life-like, and motion fluid. You‘ll thoroughly enjoy movies, shows, sports and games on a NanoCell display.
QNED Picture Quality Highlights:
✅ Jaw-dropping quantum dot colors with searing brightness and accuracy beyond 100% DCI-P3
✅ Best-in-class contrast exceeding OLED thanks to precision Mini LED backlights
✅ Near-perfect black levels for beautiful shadow detail
✅ Exceptional sharpness and upscaling
✅ Extreme HDR pop with specular highlights leaping off screen
✅ 120Hz native refresh rate for buttery smooth motion clarity
❌ Very expensive for larger sizes
❌ Some occasional blooming around bright objects
Real-World Impressions: QNED TVs deliver downright cinematic picture quality sure to satisfy even discerning home theater enthusiasts. The unprecedented backlight control and quantum filters produce images rivaling the best MicroLED screens. Movies and games feel immersed with inky blacks and vibrant colors.
Essentially, NanoCell provides very good performance that delights casual viewers on a budget. But cinephiles and gamers seeking ultimate quality will bask in QNED‘s visually stunning images.
Comparing Key Features and Specifications
Beyond just the display technologies themselves, buyers should also consider the picture settings, connectivity options, formats supported and other features that impact usability.
Here‘s how LG‘s NanoCell LED LCD TVs and QNED Mini LED LCD TVs compare:
| Features | NanoCell | QNED |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Sizes | 43" to 86" | Currently 65" to 86” |
| Resolution | 4K and 8K | 4K; 8K upcoming |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz, 120Hz | 120Hz |
| HDMI Ports | 3 or 4 | 4 |
| Gaming Features | AMD FreeSync VRR Support ALLM |
Same as NanoCell |
| Smart Platform | webOS | webOS |
| Voice Assistants | Google Assistant Alexa LG ThinQAI |
Same as NanoCell |
| HDR Support | HDR10, HLG Dolby Vision HDR10+ (some models) |
Above + Dolby Vision IQ |
As evidenced above, besides the more advanced backlight control, QNED TVs share many of the same display specifications and software capabilities as traditional NanoCell sets. So no matter your choice, you can expect a full-featured smart TV experience.
One current QNED disadvantage is less screen size variety—but over time, LG will likely scale the technology down to smaller inches. QNED also supports Dolby Vision IQ which intelligently optimizes picture mode and settings based on ambient room lighting conditions.
Pricing Breakdown by Series and Model
Of course, a key consideration for most buyers is how much lighter their wallet will become after purchasing one of these premium LG TVs! Since QNED utilizes cutting-edge Mini LED and quantum dot technology, it demands a higher price.
Here‘s a pricing comparison across equivalent 2023 LG model series:
| Series | NanoCell | QNED |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level 4K | NANO75 – $499 (50") | – |
| Mid-range 4K | NANO80 – $799 (65") | QNED80 – $1799 (65") |
| High-end 4K | NANO90 – $1096 (65") | QNED90 – $1996 (65") |
| Upper-mid 8K | NANO900 – $2796 (65") | – |
At the entry level for smaller TVs, NanoCell offers amazing bang for buck that competes well with budget options from other brands. Stepping up to the QNED series essentially doubles or triples the price over their NanoCell counterparts.
Of course, discounts happen often and prices will fluctuate over time. But the above information provides a helpful baseline indication of MSRP differences between the technologies currently. Generally expect to pay $800+ more for QNED over NanoCell televisions of the same size tier.
The Bottom Line: Two World-Class Options for LG TV Buyers
For shoppers seeking a new entertainment centerpiece this year from LG‘s catalog, both NanoCell and QNED TV model lines deliver stunning, cutting-edge performance. They share wide viewing angles, rich smart platforms, gaming prowess, and elegant designs as LG hallmarks.
However, discerning videophiles wanting the ultimate theater-like picture quality with inky blacks and vibrant quantum dot color will find QNED worth the premium. Home theater enthusiasts aiming for high-end luxury need look no further.
More casual viewers who still appreciate gorgeous 4K images at reasonable prices will feel right at home with LG‘s mature NanoCell technology too. For the size, their vivid wide colors, crisp clarity, smooth motion and HDR punch belie their mid-tier cost and lack of finessed Mini LED backlights.
So are you a value-seeking television watcher satisfied with very good quality? Or an AV connoisseur demanding the state-of-the-art in consumer display tech? Let your priorities and budget decide between stellar LG NanoCell and step-above LG QNED TVs. Their shared roots guarantees you can‘t go wrong!
