Should I Upgrade to OLED?
By Kerry L
Should I Upgrade to OLED?
Few technologies have dramatically changed at the rate of TV screens. Just a couple of decades ago, most homes in the UK still possessed an obnoxiously large tube TV. The latest advancement in the television industry is OLED.
Obviously, the jump from a TV from the 1990s and an OLED screen is noticeable, but is upgrading worth the investment if you already have a high-definition screen in your living room?
In this article, we cover:
- How OLED works?
- Advantages and disadvantages to the technology
- How does the tech stack up to older models?
- If OLED is worth the investment
How Does OLED Work?
OLED stands for organic light-emitting diode. While this term is a bit intimidating, it is a simple concept when dissected. The ‘organic light’ refers to the self-illuminating carbon film inside the TV. When electricity is passed through the panels, they emit their own light. ‘Diode’ is the one-way electrical connections illuminating the panels creating the visual.
The ability to generate light allows OLED screens to produce a 1:1 pixel accuracy, better load times, and flexible displays. OLED displays are made from evaporating gases in a vacuum chamber. The advancement is considered the best ever created and a much simpler solution to projection than other TV screens.
H2 The advantages to an OLED screen:
- Viewing angle – Even at an extreme angle, OLED screens are visible.
- Blacker blacks – Each pixel is individually illuminated, allowing the screen to produce deep blacks.
- Brighter colors – Self illumining panels allow for the brightness to be distributed.
- Ultra-thin flexible screen – Curved screens!
- Faster load times – Refresh rates as low as 0.001ms.
H2 The disadvantages to an OLED screen:
- Cost – OLED screens are difficult to manufacture, but prices are becoming more affordable
- Color degradation – Blue Diodes degrade faster than other colors, creating a noticeable change over time.
- Oversaturation – The extreme color contrast turns some people off.
H3 OLED vs. LED
OLED is much thinner, with faster load times, and the picture quality is much better than LED. The price of LED screens is more affordable, but OLED technology is becoming cheaper every year.
H3 OLED vs. 4K
4K and OLED both produce incredibly clear resolutions. While OLED screens best 4K in viewing angle, the two are pretty close in user experience.
H3 OLED vs. LCD
The most significant difference between LCD and OLED is the strain on the eyes. OLED screen produces up to 50% less blue light, making long binges more manageable.
H2 Is OLED Affordable?
OLED still an expensive technology, but prices are coming down. For the first time, we are seeing 55 inch options under £1000. Most 65 inch TVs are around £2K while screens above 77 inch cost £4K and above.
The flexible material and distribution of light allows more creative freedom. OLED screens can be transparent, curved, and available in unorthodox shapes. Some of the designs are truly remarkable but can cost an exorbitant amount of money. The LG signature OLED88Z9PUA will set you back over £30,000.
H2 Making the Switch – Upgrading to OLED
OLED is an improvement on existing display technology. Upgrading to an OLED TV will be noticeable, but you may not see much of an improvement if you already have a 4K screen. If you are still using older LED or LCD, the difference will be night and day and worth the investment.
TV technology is continually evolving. While OLED is the latest advancement, we will likely see an improvement in the next few years. Making the change can be a significant investment, but if you appreciate a crystal clear resolution, wide viewing angles, and speedy load times, making the switch may be a good call.