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The search for the perfect TV is often a daunting one. The process involves considering several factors like resolution, HDR format, screen size, and display technology, among other considerations. TV tech is constantly evolving, and what worked a few years ago might not offer the same level of enjoyment today.
Speaking of evolution, 2022 saw the official debut of the now-famous Quantum Dot, or QD-LED, technology. Samsung pioneered the technology with the S95B and S96C TV models and is currently the talk of every TV forum. Competing with QD-LED is LG’s WOLED (white OLED), a relatively older display technology that the company bought from Kodak back in 2009.
WOLED is an older technology, and we can confidently say it doesn’t stand a chance against QD-OLED. However, things are about to change in 2023. LG announced it would incorporate Micro-Lens Array (MLA) technology into its OLED panels. MLA is a state-of-the-art technology that uses microscopic lenses to enhance the light from OLED panels.
Branded Meta Technology, LG says that because of MLA technology, there’s a 60% increase in brightness and a 30% increase in viewing angles. The micrometer-sized convex lenses comparatively enhance energy efficiency by 22%. This new tech will give WOLED TVs a massive performance boost and set them up against QD-OLED TVs as the year progresses.
Let’s break down everything you need to know about QD-OLED and WOLED to learn how they compare and make the best choice for your home theater setup.
QD-OLED vs. WOLED TVs: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Samsung S95C | LG G3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Model Year | 2023 | 2023 |
| Panel Type | QD-OLED | WOLED |
| Display Type | OLED | OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 140Hz | 120Hz |
| Color Reproduction | Excellent | Good |
| Burn-In? | Less likely | More likely |
| Video Processor | Neural Quantum Processor 4K | Alpha 9-6 |
| HDR Format | HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR 10, HLG, DOLBY Vision IQ |
| TV Platform | Tizen 7.0 | webOS23 |
| Brightness | Up to 2,000 Nits | Up to 2,100 Nits |
- Contains about 8.3 million self-illuminating pixels that switch on and off
- AI-powered processor behind the intuitive Smart TV Hub
- Quantum HDR OLED 4K
- Built-in Dolby Atmos
QD-OLED vs. WOLED: What’s the Difference?
Before we dig deeper into the differences between QD-OLED and WOLED, it’s best first to understand how these technologies work.
OLED panels manufactured by LG feature blue organic LEDs coated with a yellow phosphor. This yellow coating, combined with the blue LEDs, produces white light. From there, LG places red, green, and blue color filters that maintain a single color after cutting off different light wavelengths.
To compensate for the brightness lost after adding these filters, they add white subpixels to the green, blue, and red subpixels. Unfortunately, even with this addition, the brightness isn’t as good as LED TVs. Typically, the highest brightness you can expect from an LG OLED TV is about 850 nits.
However, 2023 saw LG add “META” technology to its WOLED panels. This technology is within the OLED panels, adding a layer of micron lens (convex) to cover each pixel. The main reason for this is to alleviate the light-emitting efficiency of the OLED panel. LG revealed that its latest G3 TV models would reach a peak brightness of 2,100 nits in dynamic mode. Other modes will see the TV reach up to 1,800 nits, which is quite impressive.
How QD-OLEDs work is quite different. A stack of blue OLED material illuminates pixels containing green and red quantum dots. Each pixel splits into three subpixels, including a blue subpixel consisting of the initial blue OLED material, a green subpixel with green-tuned quantum dots, and a red subpixel with red-tuned quantum dots.
Combining these brings forth a truly white light with brightness reaching up to 1,250 nits for the Samsung S95B model. However, to match the competition set forth by LG, Samsung is also giving its OLED TVs an overall boost in 2023.
According to Samsung, its S95C 2023 model will have a peak brightness of up to 2,000 nits. That’s an impressive 30% increase compared to the previous model. This massive increase is due to adding AI-assisted perceptual color mapping (HyperEfficient ElectroLuminescent layer) to its latest Neural Quantum Processor 4K.
Let’s get more into the key differences between the two display types below.
Brightness
2023 saw both LG and Samsung improve the brightness of their OLED TVs by adding MLA Technology to WOLED and AI-assisted perceptual color mapping to QD-OLED. Both technologies pushed peak brightness ratings up to 2,000 nits or more. We could argue that WOLED has a small win here with its peak brightness of 2,100 nits in dynamic mode.
However, you must understand that Quantum Dot, with its three subpixels, eliminates the traditional need for a white subpixel. Essentially, QD-OLED TVs have the potential to reach even brighter levels than WOLED. Moreover, WOLEDs are more likely to suffer from burn-in and image retention.
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Reflections
One major downside of OLED TVs has always been reflections. OLED TVs use self-emitting technology, which makes them susceptible to glare and bright light. To this end, most manufacturers implement anti-reflecting layers to reduce reflectivity. And, when looking at the two technologies, QD-OLEDs tend to perform better in this regard.
The S95C copes well with ambient reflections and light from other sources compared to the LG G3. This difference becomes even more apparent when playing with dark picture content. For instance, you’ll notice a relatively higher reflection susceptibility when comparing Samsung’s S95B QD-OLED to LG’s C2. We highly doubt there’ll be any difference in the G3 2023 version in this regard.
We must note that, in the end, OLED TVs, including QD-OLEDs and WOLEDs, will still reflect a certain amount of light due to the self-emitting technology. Also, both screens have a visible color cast, which is a known drawback. You might notice that, while a LG C2 color appears purplish, the P95B appears pinkish.
- Great contrast, deep blacks, and over a billion colors
- 8 million self-lit OLED pixels
- α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K, exclusive to LG, intuitively adapts to what you're watching
- Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQ, and Dolby Atmos
- LG Game Optimizer mode with NVIDIA G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
Color Gamut and Image Quality
Color gamut is the range of colors a panel can accurately produce. The more expansive the color gamut, the more vivid and realistic images look on screen. OLED TVs feature pixel-by-pixel lighting control, which lets them reach a wider color gamut than regular LCD TVs. This feature is common in both Quantum DOT OLED and WOLED TVs.
Also, both come with DCI-P3 coverage. However, the Samsung S95B model has higher DCI-P3 coverage at 89%, compared to LG’s C2 model with a 79% DCI-P3 coverage. While we expect the 2023 models to improve upon this metric, Samsung will likely maintain its edge over LG because of the Quantum HDR 4K technology.
One area LG has the edge over Samsung TVs is the inclusion of Dolby Vision HDR. This technology is the most widely supported version of HDR, guaranteeing the best dynamic range. Unfortunately, even in its latest TV models, Samsung has adamantly refused to include this technology.
Energy Consumption
Energy efficiency is a must-have feature in modern TVs because high electricity bills can quickly become problematic. LG’s latest Micro-Lens Array (MLA) technology inclusion in its OLED TVs is set to improve energy efficiency by 22% compared to the previous models. Samsung hasn’t paid much attention to energy consumption, which explains why HDR energy consumption for TVs like the S95B is 252 kWh/1,000 Hours, while that of the LG C2 evo is 193kWh/1,000 hours.
We expect even better energy efficiency after LG includes the MLA technology in its LG C2 evo 2023 model. Unless Samsung does something about energy consumption, LG will continue its rule. If you are cautious about your electricity bill, we recommend going with an LG TV.
Gaming Features
Given the defining nature of gaming features to modern tech products, it’s important to ensure that the TV you buy also supports modern gaming. LG has always enabled gamers to have the best gaming experience with its screens, and the G3 isn’t any different. The TV features four 240Hz/4K HDMI 2.1 ports, G-Sync, FreeSync Premium version, wub-10ms input lag, and VRR support.
Unlike Samsung S95C, it also supports DolbyVision Gaming for Xbox. However, the Samsung S95C isn’t a complete letdown. With a refresh rate of 144Hz, VRR/ALLM support, and four 120Hz HDMI 2.1 ports, it’s also a force to be reckoned with. Comparatively, the G3 has a refresh rate of 120Hz, which is relatively low.
Regarding audio features, Samsung S95C takes the lead. The TV comes with a 4.2.2 channel speaker system. The G3 comes with a 3.1.2 setup that works well but limits gamers who desire a fully immersive experience.
Image Processing and System Features
Powering the latest QD-OLED Samsung S95C is the Neural Quantum processor packed with 4 AI-assisted perceptual color mapping. Through this technology, Samsung can achieve excellent color performance. Its black performance is out of this world, providing crisp dark blacks. Coupled with the triple subpixels, it offers better color accuracy and is more durable.
The 2023 LG G3 will feature Alpha 9 AI processor generation 6. This technology has exciting features that are likely to enhance image quality compared to the previous generation 5. For instance, we have Dynamic Tone Mapping Pro, a feature capable of splitting display images up to 20,000 blocks.
What this does is increase the accuracy of HDR images. However, it doesn’t match the Quantum HDR 4K level in the Samsung S95C. We can argue that Samsung still reigns supreme when it comes to image processing.
LG also upgraded its operating system from webOS22 in 2022 to webOS23 in 2023. The new update will be available in the LG G3 model, adding more advanced personalization features. Samsung will use its Tizen OS version 7.0 which will support features like Apple AirPlay 2. Unfortunately, UK viewers won’t have access to Freeview Play.
QD-OLED vs. WOLED TVs: 8 Must-Know Facts
- Samsung pioneered QD-OLED technology, whereas WOLED is synonymous with the LG brand.
- 2023 WOLED TVs will feature “META” or Micro Lens Array (MLA) technology designed to increase brightness by more than 60%.
- The MLA technology in 2023 LG WOLED TVs will also increase viewing angles by 30% and improve energy efficiency by more than 22%.
- Image quality is superior in QD-OLED TVs compared to WOLED TVs because of higher DCI-P3, at about 89% for the former and 79% for the latter.
- 2023 QD-OLED TVs will also feature advanced AI-assisted perceptual color mapping to its latest Neural Quantum Processor 4K, which will give a brightness of up to 2,000 nits to its S95C models, an increase of more than 30% from the previous model.
- QD-OLED has less blue pixel degradation because of the Quantum Dot illumination used.
- QD-OLED has a better anti-glare filter, meaning reflections are less pronounced than those of a WOLED screen.
- There’s generally a minimized risk of screen flagging with a QD-OLED screen.
- Contains about 8.3 million self-illuminating pixels that switch on and off
- AI-powered processor behind the intuitive Smart TV Hub
- Quantum HDR OLED 4K
- Built-in Dolby Atmos
QD-OLED vs. WOLED TVs: Which One is Better for You?
Samsung hasn’t been active in the OLED space for quite a while but returned to the market with its revolutionary QD-OLED technology. LG is also adapting to the current market conditions and is vouching for its Micro-Lens Array technology set to make its WRGB technology more competitive.
It’s pretty apparent that the QD-OLED is the better TV overall. Samsung will integrate a HyperEfficient Electroluminescent Layer with AI-powered pixel control for better image quality and increased brightness in its 2023 OLED models. Moreover, QD-OLED technology has better antiglare filters and features that generally minimize screen-flagging risk. However, you can buy an LG WOLED (2023 version) if you want Dolby Vision, as this feature is currently not available within Samsung models.
