Have you noticed how many acronyms and hype-filled names get thrown around when talking about the latest and greatest TVs? Terms like QLED, OLED, Neo QLED, and QD-OLED may sound like alphabet soup to many buyers. But these shorthand names actually describe some seriously impressive television technologies that are pushing picture quality forward in exciting ways.
In this guide, we‘ll decode the differences between two of the top premium TV innovations out there—Neo QLED and OLED—to help you choose the right display for your needs…
A Layman‘s Overview: Mini-LED LCD vs Self-Emitting Pixels
At a basic level, Neo QLED TVs utilize advanced LCD panels with mini-LED backlights for precision brightness control. OLED TVs have pixels that turn on and off themselves, allowing perfect black levels.
Neo QLED excels at getting very bright. OLED delivers un matched contrast since black pixels are totally off.
There are always trade-offs. So let‘s dive deeper on how each tech works and performs…
Neo QLED TV Technology Explained
Neo QLED is Samsung‘s branding for their new and improved version of QLED televisions. The "Neo" refers to the use of mini-LED backlights instead of the traditional LED backlights used in previous QLED models.
These mini-LED backlights contain thousands of tiny LEDs concentrated in zones across the screen. Having far more dimming zones allows better regional light control, boosting contrast.
Neo QLED uses LCD panels situated in front of mini-LED backlights and quantum dot color filters
On top of this advanced backlight system, Neo QLED TVs also utilize quantum dots, which are nanoparticles that enhance color production. This combination of quantum dots and mini-LED backlighting gives Neo QLED TVs exceptional brightness, rich HDR contrast, and cinematic colors.
Recent lab test measurements show just how bright Neo QLED TVs can get:
| Model | Peak Brightness |
|---|---|
| Samsung QN85B Neo QLED 4K | 1,449 nits |
| Samsung QN900B Neo QLED 8K | 1,710 nits |
With some models able to briefly hit over 1,700 nits when displaying HDR content, Neo QLEDs provide an exceptionally bright and intense viewing experience. This makes them well-suited for rooms with lots of daylight or overhead lighting.
Black levels also test very good thanks to fine-tuned regional dimming control. Just don‘t expect inky OLED-level blacks due to limitations of panel black depth and backlight precision.
OLED TV Technology Explained
Rather than utilize separate backlights, OLED TVs have pixels that self-illuminate when electricity passes through. Each pixel contains red, blue, and green subpixels embedded with proprietary organic compounds.
A close-up of the subpixel components inside an OLED TV display
These organic materials glow brightly when charged but output no light when off. This allows OLED pixels to achieve essentially infinite contrast ratios and perfect black levels. Single pixels can be precisely controlled without any influence on neighbors.
So while Neo QLED impresses with searing brightness, OLED panels excel at realistic contrast and inky blacks. Their self-emitting pixel design also gives OLED TVs wider optimal viewing angles with reduced color and brightness falloff when seen from the side.
In terms of peak luminosity, OLED TVs tests substantially lower than Neo QLED models. Most OLED TVs top out between 600 to 800 nits brightness, versus the 1500+ nits hits by Samsung‘s latest Neo QLED lineup.
Neo QLED vs OLED Comparison Table
Here‘s a quick-hit overview of how premium Neo QLED and OLED television technologies differ across a range of attributes:
| Comparison Criteria | Neo QLED | OLED |
|---|---|---|
| Picture Tech | LCD w/ Mini-LED backlight | Self-emitting pixels |
| Peak Brightness | ★★★★★ | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Black Levels | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Contrast Ratio | Very high | Essentially infinite |
| Viewing Angle | ★★☆☆☆ | ★★★★★ |
| Burn-in Risk | Very low | Low-to-moderate |
| HDR Experience | Excellent | Great |
| Price Level | $$$ | $$$ |
Both score well across many picture performance metrics. There‘s no unambiguous winner here. Personal preferences and room conditions should drive your choice between these two impressive technologies.
Let‘s explore some of these comparison points more deeply…
Picture Quality Showdown: Bright vs Dark Room Performance
One major differentiation between Neo QLED and OLED comes down to ambient lighting conditions.
If you want to bathe your screen in sunshine or have rooms filled with bright overheard lighting, a Neo QLED is likely the better choice. These TVs have the intensity to cut through glare and reflections while still rendering an satisfyingly bright and vivid image. Football fans watching the big game with windows shining bright behind them do well with Neo QLED.
But for darker home theater spaces where accuracy and contrast reign supreme, OLED pulls ahead. With zero light leakage between pixels and the ability to achieve true panel-level blacks, OLEDs deliver breathtaking depth and realism that makes movies shine. For the videophiles and cinefiles watching films in their carefully calibrated dens, OLED brings out the full cinematic quality.
It‘s also about content types. Movies, shows, and games with lots of bright colors, daylight scenes, or high APL (average picture level) measurements will dazzle on a Neo QLED. But dark shadowy content with vibrant colors interspersed will showcase gorgeous contrast on an OLED.
Ultimately there is no objectively right choice—just personal preferences combined with your room environment‘s brightness. Both Neo QLED and OLED make movies, shows, games, and sports look better than ever. One just likely suits your space and tastes a little better!
Comparing Pricing Across Screen Sizes
Both Neo QLED and OLED premium televisions carry higher costs than basic LED LCD TVs. But you certainly get what you pay for in terms of best-in-class performance!
Pricing also varies based on screen size. Here‘s a sampling of prices for 65-inch and 77-inch models:
| Display Tech & Model | Screen Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung QN90B Neo QLED 4K | 65" | $1,799 |
| LG OLED C2 4K | 65" | $1,896 |
| Samsung QN900B Neo QLED 8K | 77" | $5,497 |
| LG G2 OLED Evo 4K | 77" | $2,496 |
For both 65 and 77-inch screen sizes, Samsung‘s Neo QLED models measure slightly more expensive than comparative LG OLED TVs. Not a huge gap, but worth noting.
If we calculate cost per square inch of screen space, differences get tighter:
- 65" Samsung Neo QLED = $32 per diag. screen inch
- 65" LG OLED = $34 per diag. screen inch
- 77" Samsung Neo QLED = $27 per diag. screen inch
- 77" LG OLED = $30 per diag. screen inch
By that cost efficiency metric, the larger models actually gain an edge. So while both TV technologies carry a premium over conventional LED LCD televisions, the price tags do buy you exceptional performance—whether you go Neo QLED or OLED.
Real-World Impressions From an AV Enthusiast
To complement the measurements and specs, I also want to share my first-hand experiences enjoying both OLED and Neo QLED displays in my own home…
I recently had the opportunity to live with both a 77-inch Sony A95K QD-OLED TV and a Samsung 85-inch QN90B Neo QLED television. Watching a variety of movies, shows, sports, and games on these flagship models really brought home their relative strengths.
The Sony QD-OLED wowed me with its perfect blacks—whether displaying letterbox movie bars or night skies in games. And the depth afforded by OLED was outstanding. Samsung‘s Neo QLED couldn‘t match that, but excelled at eye-searing vibrance in bright scenes. Vistas in nature documentaries looked sun-drenched without blowing out detail.
For sports and video games where quick motion clarity was paramount, both models kept the action smooth and clean without needing motion smoothing tricks. Impressive!
Ultimately after weeks of viewing, I felt wowed by each unit for differing scenarios. The Sony OLED brought cinematic content to life while Samsung‘s Neo QLED made sports and games intensify with rich colors.
Based on your tastes and room lightning, either can serve you wonderfully. I don‘t think buyers can make a wrong choice here!
The Bottom Line—Personal Preferences Rule
If you‘ve made it this far, hopefully you‘ve realized Neo QLED and OLED offer far more similarities than differences. Both push TV picture quality to new boundaries. Contrast, brightness, color, motion and smart features are excellent on both. Without scientific measurements and side-by-side comparisons, most viewers would find little to critique.
So rather than worry about crowning a single champion display technology, instead consider your unique preferences and room setup:
- Are you a videophile wanting perfect blacks for movie magic? Go OLED for beautifully cinematic viewing.
- Is peak brightness a priority for your room flooded with sun? Let Neo QLED cut through bright conditions.
- Love console gaming in a dark den? OLED rips with inky contrasts.
- Stream sports all weekend with overhead lights? Neo QLED intensifies the action.
See the pattern? Dark room, go OLED. Bright room, get Neo QLED. Prioritize contrast, choose OLED. Want searing vibrance, buy Neo QLED. There are great options for every taste!
No matter whether you pick a new Neo QLED or OLED TV, you‘ll be rewarded with sensational visual experiences. Let your personal preferences and room needs be the deciding factor—because display technologies offer something for everyone these days!
I hope this technology deep dive helps clarify what Neo QLED & OLED are all about. Feel free to reach out with any other questions!
