Crystal UHD and QLED are two of the most competitive TV types in the industry. They share some similar features but are separated by differences in quality specifications.
Samsung’s entry-level product, the Crystal UHD TV supports 4K resolution. The specialty is that it has a Crystal 4K processor to process the image and upscale the media. Certain types of crystal UHD TV aid dynamic crystal color and different shades of color. Moreover, it has good brightness, HDR, and a solid resolution.
QLED TVs have quantum dot technology. Generally, it has the ability to filter out unnecessary colors. It also enhances the accuracy of the display. The major point is that it is an LCD TV with a backlight. QLED TVs have attractive features, including good refresh rates, object tracking sounds, and advanced motion smoothing.
If quantum dots are removed from QLED TV, it is a UHD TV.
Crystal UHD vs. QLED: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Crystal UHD | QLED | |
---|---|---|
Resolution | Maximum 4K (3840 x 2160p) | Maximum 1080p to 8K |
HDR | Yes | Yes |
Processor | Crystal 4K processor | Quantum processor |
HDMI 2.1 | No | Yes |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 60 – 120 Hz |
Color Output | Good | Vivid |
Cost | Low | Expensive |
Lifespan | Lesser lifespan compared to QLED | Longer lifespan |
Crystal UHD vs. QLED: 6 Must-Know Facts
- Crystal UHD is a marketing term for Samsung. Generally, it supports Ultra High Definition. Only certain Crystal UHD support the dynamic crystal color feature.
- The image quality of Crystal UHD is pretty good. They have moderate brightness, HDR, and good color definition.
- Crystal UHD and QLED have LED backlights.
- Crystal UHD has a lower lifespan than QLED. But, Crystal UHD fits into a decent budget. Crystal UHDs are large TVs for a cheaper price.
- QLED has good contrast, color, brightness, and additional features compared to Crystal UHD.
- QLED has light bleeds and fewer viewing angles compared to Crystal UHD.
What is Crystal UHD?
Crystal UHD is an advancement of the traditional LCD.
It has a special crystal layer to improve the color definition and brightness of the output. The pixel density is higher in Crystal UHD. Generally, it is especially handy for watching movies and television shows. This is produced based on the HDR feature to output bright and clear shades of color.
The crystal layer in Crystal UHD filters and outputs high-quality color light. A major advantage of crystal is that it blocks unnecessary light from the display. Generally, it paves the way for more vibrant and eye-friendly contrasts.
Crystal UHD is a high-definition 4K TV, consisting of a 3840 x 2160 resolution. It has a good refresh rate and brightness level to handle the visuals effectively.
This type of TV display is recommended for gamers due to the clear picture settings of the TV. Plus, it has a built-in microphone to control the voice.

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Pros of Crystal UHD
- High image quality
- Quality night vision
- Affordable
- 4K resolution
Cons of Crystal UHD
- Colors are not 100% accurate
- Reflective screen
- Complications of crashing in the interface software
What is QLED?
QLED specializes in quantum dots. Quantum dots are small semiconductor crystals that emit light toward the display. These are used for various displays, such as LCDs, OLEDs, and plasma TVs.
The displays have higher color definition and are energy-efficient. But, they are more expensive than Crystal UHDs. Thus, it is not very affordable and less popular among users. It also has higher brightness levels compared to LCDs.
QLED is used in televisions, monitors, and mobile devices, as well. Generally, the light of the display is emitted through the quantum dots. The colors are among a wide range of colors and are eye-friendly.
They have a resolution of a maximum of 1080p to 8K and a good refresh rate of between 60 and 120 Hz.

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Pros of QLED
- Good brightness quality
- Low power consumption
- Greater switching speed
- Uses less power
- Considered more energy-efficient
Cons of QLED
- Do not produce light by themselves
- Does not contain a constant contrast
Final Thoughts
You should now have a good idea of the differences between Crystal UHD and QLED TV types.
‘Crystal’ is simply a marketing term for Crystal UHD. As Samsung products, both are great TV types with their own strengths.
It’s not easy to choose between Crystal UHD and QLED TVs, but ultimately the best one for you comes down to your own personal preferences as the user.
If you prefer a good-quality TV that fits into your budget, then Crystal UHD is better for you than QLED.
If you care more about great contrast while watching TV without using a ton of power, then the QLED is for you.
Ultimately, you should weigh your personal pros and cons to figure out what you look for in a TV, and use that as your guide to choosing between the two.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©iStock.com/Robert Daly.