QD-OLED TVs are coming soon, and they're going to be pretty special

Date:
Thu, 10 Feb 2022 22:28:15 +0000

Description:
Are you ready for the next revolution in TV tech? If not, weve got a complete rundown to help get you started.

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QD-OLED TVs are the next big innovation in television technology and theyre going to arrive on store shelves in the next few months.

If youve been following TV technology for a few years now, the idea of something new and even better on the market might make you a bit skeptical. First you were told that plasma panels were going to be the future of TVs, then OLED , then QLED , then QLED with mini-LED and next MicroLED . The list goes on and on...

So what makes QD-OLED different and why is everyone excited about it?

In short, QD-OLED is a better version of OLED that combines some of the learnings from QLED and its quantum dot filters with OLEDs self-emissive
pixel structure. The result is incredible contrast and significantly improved color saturation.

The best part? While the screens will be slightly more expensive at launch than OLED, theyll still be very much within reach of the average cinephile. What is QD-OLED?

QD-OLED is the combination of a quantum dot filter (QD) in front of blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLED). Its different from how OLED TVs have been manufactured in the past, and it promises a wealth of benefits for gamers, cinephiles and TV lovers. What are QD-OLEDs advantages and disadvantages?

The big advantage of adding a QD filter is better color saturation. Early reports from Samsung and Sony suggest that we could see a 200% increase in color saturation compared to traditional LED-LCD screens, plus the contrast
of OLED TVs. One potential disadvantage is that individual LEDs may burn out or hold a color in between uses. (Image credit: Sony) Are QD-OLED TVs expensive?

Were still waiting for final pricing, but early reports suggest that they
wont be significantly more expensive than the OLED TVs currently on the market. Early rumors put QD-OLED models at around $2,000 to $3,000 (around 1,700 or AU$5,000) but well know more about pricing in April or May of this year. Will you be able to see a difference with QD-OLED?

By and large, yes, you will. QD-OLED screens will have that wow factor of
QLED with the contrast of OLED TVs. If youre coming from a traditional
LED-LCD screen, QD-OLED will seem significantly more colorful and will have those inky black levels from OLED TVs. (Image credit: Samsung) How does QD-OLED work?

On paper, QD-OLED sounds so simple. You take a blue self-luminescent layer, throw on a film of quantum dots, and then add a glass screen to the front. Have some signal processing happening in the base of the TV, throw some
inputs on the back and voila! You have a QD-OLED.

That is, of course, a gross simplification of whats happening but it does explain the basics.

So what are we looking at in terms of specs and features? Well, it will vary depending on which manufacturer is selling the TV, but they should all be 4K HDR smart TVs. Its unlikely that well see 8K QD-OLED TVs this year but that is something we could see eventually. QD-OLED TVs: where can you get one?

As of right this second, theres nowhere you can actually buy a QD-OLED TV. Only one model has been announced for 2022 the Sony Master Series A95K. Theres no word yet on how much it will cost or when it will be available, but Sony debuted the TV at CES 2022 with plans to release the TV sometime this year.

Of course, Sony isnt the only one with its hand in the proverbial honey pot here. Samsung Display has also announced that its currently working on a QD-OLED display of its own and put it on display behind closed doors at CES 2022. Samsung Electronics hasnt said whether it will use the display in any consumer TVs this year, but it seems like its only a matter of time until
that becomes a reality.

Last but not least, we wouldnt count LG out of this arms race even if it hasnt officially said anything about QD-OLED TVs, its been a huge proponent
of OLED technology. LG currently has a rival product called OLED evo that offers some advantages over regular OLED including increased luminance but that doesnt preclude LG from pursuing something in QD-OLED in the future. (Image credit: Sony) Should you buy a QD-OLED TV this year?

With only one model to pick from with a still-unannounced price tag, we wouldnt hold out for a QD-OLED if youre in the market for a new TV right this minute. There are a lot of variables right now in the TV industry from production issues to shipping problems that could impact the price and delivery date of these screens. In short, were very likely going to start seeing them on store shelves in the next six to eight months, but it could be a lot longer, too.

That being said, wed probably recommend waiting for one of this years OLED
TVs that are far closer to release. The LG C2 OLED uses the aforementioned OLED evo panel in the 55-inch screen size and above, and its likely to scoop up a number of awards later this year. That should be out in the next two to three months at most major retailers.

For those looking to be an early adopter of the technology, we certainly wouldnt stop you from waiting; on paper, QD-OLED sounds revolutionary however, we feel that most folks can safely pick up a non-QD-OLED TV this
year and look forward to buying a QD-OLED for the next purchase in five years once the technology has come down in cost some. Want to stick with OLED?
Don't miss our guide to the best OLED TV of 2022



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/news/qd-oled-tvs-are-coming-soon-and-theyre-going-to -be-pretty-special/


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