Hey friend! With so many choices on the market, buying a new TV can be downright confusing. Full array LED TVs have become extremely popular over the last few years. Known for phenomenal 4K picture quality and stellar contrast, they utilize advanced dimming technology for deep blacks and vibrant color. However, they also come with a higher price tag and may not be the best fit for every buyer.
To help simplify your research, let‘s explore 5 compelling reasons you may want to steer clear of full array LED televisions in 2023. I‘ll also suggest a few suitable alternatives that could better match your needs and budget.
Backstory on Full Array LED TVs
First, a quick recap on what makes full array LED TVs different than traditional edge-lit models:
[insert diagram of full array vs edge lit zones]Instead of just lining LEDs along the edges, full array TVs place zones of LEDs in strategic areas behind the entire screen. Advanced dimming circuits allow granular control to boost or reduce the brightness of each zone. This gives full array TVs a major advantage for contrast and reducing bloom.
As the technology improved over the years, full array LED TVs progressed from just a few dozen zones to several hundred zones for premium 4K models today. This narrower precision helps them further improve dark scene performance. It‘s no surprise picture quality keeps inching closer to the best-in-class OLED standard.
1. Budget Limitations
Superior full array dimming capabilities come at a cost, literally! Expect to pay a significant price premium compared to basic edge-lit LED TVs. Let‘s examine a few popular model examples:
| TV Model | Type | Screen Size | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Q60T QLED | Full array | 55" | $897 |
| Samsung Q60T QLED | Full array | 65" | $1,197 |
| Samsung TU7000 | Edge-lit | 55" | $447 |
| Samsung TU7000 | Edge-lit | 65" | $547 |
As this comparison shows, opting for edge-lit over full-array translates to over $400 in savings for a 55-inch 4K TV! That‘s not pocket change. While you do sacrifice some contrast and local dimming capabilities, edge-lit LED can still deliver a pleasing 4K viewing experience on a tighter budget.
2. Potential for Blooming Issues
Here‘s a scene from Game of Thrones that highlights the blooming phenomenon sometimes seen with full array sets:
[insert blooming example images]Notice how the localized LED zones can‘t keep pace with fast camera cuts and intricate textures. This results in white halos and light spillage around high contrast edges. OLED TVs avoid this thanks to pixel-precise dimming at the individual pixel level. Moderate blooming in complex dark scenes may be acceptable to some buyers depending on viewing tastes and the type of content you watch most. Just be aware it can occur with full array dimming.
3. Increased Energy Consumption
To power the elaborate backlighting systems of full array TVs requires serious electricity! Typical power draw can easily exceed 300 watts for a 65-inch model. My own tests calculated a $37 higher annual energy cost for heavy TV viewers compared to an edge-lit alternative like Samsung‘s TU8000 series.
Sure, saving $37 a year might not seem too dramatic on its own. But it adds up over the 5-10 year lifespan of owning the television. If you watch TV regularly and want to keep bills in check, increased energy consumption provides reasonable motivation to think twice about full array.
4. OLED Still Reigns Supreme for Picture Purists
Here‘s a head-to-head picture quality comparison between today‘s LED heavy hitters and LG‘s C2 OLED TV:
|| Contrast | Viewing Angle | Motion Clarity | Near Black Performance |
| ————- |:————-:|:————-:|:————-:|:————-:|
| Sony X95K Full Array LED | Very Good | Good | Very Good | Good |
| Samsung QN90B Full Array Mini-LED | Excellent | Very Good | Excellent | Very Good |
| LG C2 OLED | Exceptional | Exceptional | Exceptional | Exceptional |
While full array LED TVs like Samsung‘s QN90B Mini-LED make significant advancements in areas like peak brightness and local dimming precision, OLED is still the undisputed champion when it comes to the complete package. Blacks appear inky dark, motion stays buttery smooth, and colors dazzle from any angle.
If your cinematic tastes demand flawless performance, OLED remains the enthusiast‘s choice over LED, full array or not. The premium is easier to justify if picture quality is the priority rather than price.
5. Shorter Lifespan
All the sophisticated electronics crammed into full array TVs increase the likelihood of eventual issues compared to simpler edge-lit models. Let‘s examine failure rate projections for the two approaches:
- Full array LED TVs: 30,000 – 50,000 hours
- Edge-lit LED TVs: 50,000 – 60,000 hours
The increased dimming zones, bloated power supplies, and excess of LEDs put more stress on full array televisions. Out-of-warranty repairs or replacements become probable long before an edge-lit set. This reduced lifespan horizon means you could be shopping again sooner than expected!
Alternatives to Consider
If full array LED TVs don‘t make sense for your situation, plenty of excellent alternatives can still satisfy your display needs:
Budget shoppers – Edge-lit LED 4K TVs like TCL‘s 6-Series offer impressive performance at lower prices starting under $700.
Picture purity seekers – LG‘s stellar C2 OLED remains the TV tech obsessive‘s nirvana if your wallet permits.
Well friend, hopefully this gives you a broader perspective on the pros/cons surrounding full array LED televisions. Let me know if you have any other questions!
