What Is OLED?
If you've been shopping for a television and are wondering just what OLED is, we've got you covered. OLED ("organic light-emitting diodes") is a new technology that allows TV manufacturers to create extremely thin screens that excel at displaying both vibrant colors and deep blacks. This technology is already available on many smartphones, tablets, and digital cameras under the term AMOLED (“active-matrix organic light-emitting diodes”).
Now, OLED screens are ready to work on the larger surface of big-screen TVs providing the best picture quality yet in an even slimmer profile.
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How Does OLED Work?
The small cells in OLED screen technology are made of organic compounds that generate their...each pixel turns on or off individually, allowing for greater control over picture contrast... own light with the introduction of electricity. This structure is in direct contrast with LCDs and LEDs, which rely upon a separate lighting source to illuminate pixels on the screen. With OLED panels, each pixel may be turned on or off individually, allowing for greater control over picture contrast.
Deeper Blacks, Brighter Whites
 OLED technology is what makes the blacks on these screens look deeper. Prior TV technology, which requires extra lighting to illuminate the individual pixels, can end up washing out the darker pixels. This extra lighting is commonly referred to as backlighting or side lighting. With OLED, the pixels generate their own light, no longer needing these extra lights that wash out colors. The resulting OLED color saturation is brighter, more enhanced, and has a wider range that provides greater contrast between the deepest blacks and brightest whites.
Thin Profiles
 OLED screens can be as thin as a pencil. LCD backlighting requires the use of multiple layers, but these are no longer necessary with OLED technology, allowing for lighter and thinner TV panels. OLED TVs do not require a backlighting system. As the technology advances, you'll eventually see OLED TVs on flexible surfaces that can be rolled up or so thin as to be invisible when not in use.
The Curved Screen
 Newly released OLED TVs take advantage of the flexible and thin OLED panels with curved screens. The purpose of a curved screen is to put all parts of the screen at an equal distance from the eye, so that everything in view has the same apparent size. The screen is curved to naturally fit our vision range, providing an image that can practically wrap around you.
Optimal Viewing Experience
OLED screens also have better viewing angles and none of the motion blur usually...near perfect viewing angles... associated with prior flat screen technologies. OLEDs emit their own light rather than rely on back or side lights. Each pixel is lit independently, creating wider viewing angles and virtually no color distortion from one viewing angle to another. OLED TVs provide near perfect viewing angles for a more immersive viewing experience.
Motion Blur
 The OLED response rate is 1,000 times faster than that of older flat screen technologies. Quicker response rates allow for virtually no blur during fast moving scenes, making motion blur a thing of the past. OLED is great for watching action films and sports, or gaming.
Increased Energy Efficiency
 OLED sets don't rely on backlights or sidelights to illuminate the screen constantly. Instead, each small cell on the screen illuminates as needed, generally decreasing overall power consumption when you're watching television shows or movies.
Downsides of OLED TVs
...lifetime use of OLED screens is generally less than that of LEDs...OLED TVs are far from perfect. The lifetime use of OLED screens is generally less than that of LEDs, depending on your daily usage. As with any new-to-market technology, the manufacturing process is expensive, causing the price point for these new sets to be significantly higher than current high-end HDTVs on the market.
Is an OLED TV Right for You?
OLEDs outshine HDTVs that rely on other technologies. Gamers, sports fans, and film buffs in particular will enjoy the quality of an OLED picture and the lack of blur on high-motion footage.
If you are looking for an HDTV that is both affordable and provides a great picture, current LED or plasma sets still provide outstanding performance. Though, if you want to enjoy the cutting edge of television technology, you may want to consider an OLED TV.
LG and Samsung have introduced OLED TVs to the market, and other manufacturers may release their own models soon. These TVs offer different features, such as curved screens, full HD, built-in Wi-Fi, smart capabilities, and 3D technology. Make sure the OLED TV you choose has all the extras you need to accommodate your home entertainment system.
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| OLED vs LED TV |
The differences between OLED and LED TVs are much more substantial than an extra vowel in their names. OLED TV is not just next-generation LED, it's an all-new technology that has different pros and cons when it comes to performance, design, and energy consumption. Learn more
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| OLED vs 4K Ultra HD TV |
While both are considered to be next-generation TV technologies, 4K and OLED quite different. While the OLED TV is a new TV display technology, 4K is a screen resolution, not a new piece of technology. Read here to learn more about the differences and what to look for when comparing OLED and 4K Ultra HD TVs. Learn more
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| What is 4K Ultra HD? |
4K Ultra HD is a new class of high-definition resolution offering unprecedented picture clarity and detail. Although the technology was already in use in film production and movie theaters, it is just now coming home to the television, offering nearly 4,000 (or 4K) pixels across the screen’s horizontal dimension. Learn more
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| TV Buying Guide |
Buying a TV can be one of the most difficult electronics-related decisions you can make. There are so many makes, models, sizes, and features available, the choice can seem somewhat overwhelming. Thankfully, we've put together this TV buying guide to help you narrow the field and find the TV that's best for you and your home. Let's take a look at some of the most important things to consider. Learn more
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All images provided by LG
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