Hey there! As a home theater technology geek, let me walk you through the crucial differences between QD-OLED and WOLED TVs. These are the two most advanced display technologies on the market in 2023, but I bet you’re confused trying to pick one right? Well, stick with me as I break things down so it all makes sense!
First, you’re probably wondering what makes these new TVs so special in the first place…
QD-OLED stands for Quantum Dot OLED. This game-changing tech combines OLED’s perfect black levels and pixel-precise dimming with Quantum Dots for massively expanded color and brightness.
WOLED is LG’s White OLED panels found exclusively in their TVs. For 2023, LG supercharged WOLED performance with something called a Micro Lens Array (MLA) for big boosts in brightness, efficiency and viewing angles.
Now let’s dig deeper into how they work and compare every metric you care about as a savvy shopper…
A Quick Refresher – How QD-OLED and WOLED Displays Work
Remember that knowing the underlying technology gives you insight into its real-world performance.
Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED)
In QD-OLED televisions made by Samsung, each pixel contains a blue OLED element with a quantum dot filter layer on top separated into red and green subpixels. So instead of using white OLED backlight passed through color filters, QD tech gives superior control over color and intensity at the individual subpixel level.
WOLED
The WOLED panels in LG TVs utilize blue OLED emitters coated with yellow phosphors to generate white light. This gets directed through red, green and blue filters to create color. An extra white subpixel boosts maximum brightness but limits it compared to QD-OLED.
For 2023, LG implemented an MLA micro lens array film above the WOLED pixels containing microscopic convex lenses. This optical enhancement squeezes out 60% more brightness, widens viewing angles by 30% and improves energy efficiency by over 20%!
Now that you’ve got the basic technology down, let’s move onto the juicy side-by-side comparison…
Peak Brightness
With both LG and Samsung significantly boosting their pixel performance for 2023 models, QD-OLED and WOLED TVs now achieve over 2000 nits peak brightness. That demolishes normal OLED topping out around just 900 nits.
For their newest QD-OLED lineup like the S95C, Samsung implemented something called AI-powered pixel control using a special HyperEfficient Electroluminescent Layer. Meanwhile LG’s newest MLA-enhanced WOLED panels hit a peak luminance over 2100 nits in certain modes by improving light extraction from the OLED elements.
When it comes to maximum real-scene brightness for HDR content though, QD-OLED still has the legs over WOLED in sustained full-screen output. But both deliver outstanding, retina-searing luminance way beyond older generation OLED televisions.
Color Performance
With support for over 95% of DCI-P3, both QD-OLED and LG’s evo WOLED panels produce a wide, vivid range of cinema colors. But measurements give QD-OLED the definite victory here:
- Samsung S95B QD-OLED: 119% DCI-P3
- LG G2 evo WOLED: 97.5% DCI-P3
Why such an advantage? Quantum dots have the inherent capability to produce an expansive color volume beyond what color filters alone can output. The extra purity and control over red and green provided by QD-OLED pushes its color gamut significantly further.
So for the most true-to-life, highly saturated and accurately vivid imagery with over a billion shades, QD-OLED wins for color performance. But WOLED still impresses here too.
Contrast & Black Level
When it comes to inky blacks and high dynamic range, self-emissive QD-OLED and WOLED leave LED/LCD in the dust with effectively infinite contrast. But within OLED technologies, QD-OLED pulls ahead slightly for black level depth.
By utilizing pure RGB OLED emission without the white subpixel boosting found in WOLED, QD-OLED delivers the deepest, most consistent blacks. They completely vanish into pitch darkness. LG’s newest WOLED TVs still achieve exceptional contrast though thanks to per-pixel dimming mastery. But QD-OLED is untouchably good here for the best HDR experience.
Viewing Angle Performance
Off-angle viewing used to be a weak spot for QD-OLED, but the optical enhancements of LG’s MLA layer help its latest WOLED models regain the crown. By extracting and focusing light directionally, colors stay accurate even viewed extremely off-center.
Standard OLED starts dimming and shifting colors at around 30° off-center. QD-OLED loses some ground on angles due to the quantum dot pixel structure. But MLA lens array technology helps WOLED defy old OLED limitations – you’ll swear the picture looks just as good even way off to the side!
Gaming Prowess
Gamers rejoice because both bleeding-edge options here provide an equally phenomenal experience. With 4K 120Hz support, VRR, ALLM and ultra-low input lag under 10ms, these TV technologies trade blows when it comes to gaming.
LG’s newest WOLED models rock a 120Hz native panel with four HDMI 2.1 inputs while Samsung‘s latest QD-OLED displays reach up to 144Hz refresh rates. Ultimately no matter which you choose, you‘ll enjoy insanely responsive controls and buttery smooth visuals. Both are fantastic for gaming!
Image Processing & Quality
This arena comes down to a photo finish between the latest AI processors powering these TV technologies:
- Samsung Neo Quantum Processor – New AI upscaling powered by special HyperEfficient Electroluminescent Layer
- LG α9 Gen6 Processor – Boosted scene detection, depth and detail enhancement powered by AI
In the end, Samsung clinches the narrow win for best-in-class overall picture quality. But that’s not to say LG’s newest iteration of its cognitive intelligence engine is any slouch. No matter which display tech you pick, you‘re getting world-class image processing and jaw-dropping 4K visuals.
Burn-In Risk
Image retention, or burn-in of static elements, continues haunting older generation OLED panels. But QD-OLED essentially eliminates this issue thanks to built-in pixel shift algorithms and refreshing cycles. Samsung guarantees extensive anti burn-in features on their QD-OLED TVs without compromise.
LG has also made their WOLED tech incredibly resilient compared to early OLED days. But subtle image retention can still occur under extreme circumstances on WOLED. So when it comes to long-term durability for keeping your TV pristine, QD-OLED pulls ahead as practically immune to burn-in.
Price Considerations
Due to LG’s decade-plus of experience mass producing WOLED panels, their TVs sell for substantially cheaper than Samsung’s still nascent QD-OLED tech. As Samsung scales up manufacturing of QD-OLED displays, costs should decrease over time. But WOLED provides the more affordable entry point for now.
When directly comparing new 2023 models like the Samsung S95C QD-OLED vs LG G3 WOLED, you’re looking at a $500+ price difference for the 65-inch sizes. So if keeping tight budget, WOLED brings exceptional performance for hundreds less. But the QD-OLED price premium does buy noticeable advancements in color, contrast and processing.
So Which is Better for You?
While both technologies deliver jaw-dropping image quality that destroys conventional LED/LCD televisions, QD-OLED ultimately triumphs thanks to its expansive color volume, perfect black levels and nearly unparalleled HDR peak brightness.
But WOLED remains an outstanding option as well – especially with LG‘s new MLA optical enhancement supercharging performance on 2023 models. Gamers may also still prefer WOLED for Dolby Vision gaming support on Xbox. And if keeping within a tighter budget, WOLED brings remarkable contrast and color without breaking the bank.
Hopefully breaking down all the crucial metrics helps provide clarity so you can shop confidently! Let me know if any other questions pop up. Happy TV shopping!
