Whether you watch a lot of TV or not, a good television set for your starter home or forever home makes a big difference to your living space. The constant evolution of technology has led us to the point where there are a lot of alternatives from different brands to choose from, but it can also get really confusing really quickly. For example, when it comes to QLED vs Neo QLED vs OLED, what are the differences between them? How do you pick what’s right for your home and your budget?
The answer is easy for someone familiar with such technology, but a guide to OLED and Neo QLED TVs may be just what you need to plan your investments in entertainment for 2025. It’s time for a comparison of OLED vs Neo QLED tech to see what works best for you.
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QLED vs Neo QLED vs OLED: What You Need to Know About the Differences in These Terms
An updated TV technology guide for 2025 should be a key part of your research before you make any big investments in your television setup at home. The number of brands that make and sell TVs is endless, but even if you have a preference between them, their offerings are just as confusing to sort through. If you want an ultra slim TV or a picture frame TV like the one Samsung sells, it is a little easier to look specifically for that device, however, the quality varies, and as a result, so does the price.
The frills and thrills of AI and smart TV tech aside, the most critical consideration while buying a TV should be the viewing experience and how it appeals to you. If you aren’t too particular about excessively high-quality displays, you might be able to settle for a TV that falls within your budget more nicely, however, unless you know the differences between concepts like QLED vs Neo QLED vs OLED, identifying what works for you becomes difficult.
First, What Are LEDs?
LEDs refer to Light-Emitting Diodes, which are small semiconductor devices that shine a light when electricity passes through them. LED bulbs and lighting strips for home lighting have dominated the market for years now, taking over from the fluorescent bulb that used to be the standard before.
LED TVs use this technology to provide the primary source of backlight for your TV screen when you turn the device on. The LED backlights are diffused across your TV, illuminating the liquid crystal display (LCD) so you can see what is going on. When the number and quality of your LEDs change, so does your picture quality.
What are QLED TVs?
Now before we get started with our main guide to OLED and Neo QLED TVs, the term QLED refers to Quantum dot Light-Emitting Diodes in panel technology, where minute semiconductor particles, or dots, emit specific colors of light when they are illuminated. They integrate the LED mechanics with the LCD screen we already discussed, but add another layer in between.
What this does is offer a more dynamic color gamut when you view your screen, presenting you with a more vibrant visual experience. You’re much better off displaying HDR and 4k images with a QLED TV than the older non-quantum dot LCD-LEDs.
It can also help achieve higher peak brightness so you never have to miss out on any details, enhancing the contrast between dark and light. The first takeaway from our TV technology guide is that QLED TVs are a small step up from what is possible with just LED technology.
Samsung, Sony, TCL, and Hisense have some really good options to consider if you want a QLED TV.
Now What Do We Mean by Neo QLEDs?
Neo QLED or Neo Quantum Light Emitting Diodes are more exclusive Samsung technology that works slightly differently from the QLED system. QLED TVs use LED panels on the edges behind the display to evenly distribute the light across the screen. Neo QLED TVs exchange the standard LEDs for “tens of thousands of Mini-LEDs” which provide more control over how the screen lights up.
These thousands of lighting zones make the colors more vivid, impactful, and true to their original form in the real world. Essentially, Neo QLEDs are an enhanced version of the QLED technology.
What is OLED?
OLED or Organic Light-Emitting Diode technology is very different from QLED tech. With QLED technology, the film that does the work does not rely on its own light and instead optimizes the LED backlight in different ways. OLED technology is emissive, which means that the pixels emit their own light and do not rely on separate LED technology.
The OLED subpixels that construe the image produce their own light, which impacts the visual experience on the device. Due to their self-reliant approach, the quality of the display is often more stabilized, providing better light contrast and dimming control. Eliminating any worry of color blooming, these TVs are much better at showing darkness as they turn the pixels off completely in specific areas. In contrast, the color areas are able to stand out that much more.
The next question then is QLED vs Neo QLED vs OLED, what are the differences, and which one is better for you?
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QLED vs Neo QLED vs OLED: The Differences In the Detail
Now that we know what these terms mean, our guide to OLED and Neo QLED TVs can now focus on what it means for you. Since the arrival of OLED screens, they have often been regarded as the superior technology.
The Nintendo Switch OLED handheld found its fair share of customers, solely for the upgrade in quality it promised. For a much larger TV screen, the choice of tech is significantly more important. Let’s dive into a more narrow comparison of OLED vs Neo QLED.
Brightness Comparison of OLED vs Neo QLED TVs
OLED or Neo OLED TVs are generally much brighter. If you live in a space with poor overhead or natural lighting, you might benefit from purchasing a TV with better brightness support. If you live in a space with overwhelming natural or indoor lighting, then the brightness of an OLED TV won’t be relevant to you.
True Black Display Capabilities
Neo QLEDs have improved their depth display and black output levels over the years, but OLED TVs are far superior in this regard. With the former, you can expect some of the light to bleed into surrounding black areas but that is never a problem with OLED TVs.
Overall, in terms of color and contrast, an OLED TV will generally come out on top.
Differences in the Form Factor
OLED TVs are often far sleeker than Neo QLED TVs if that is a priority for you, although this is a problem that you will only realize if you see the two types side by side. While Neo QLED TVs are by no means bulky, if your living space would do better with the flattest of the flat devices, then an OLED TV is a better bet as they are easier to move and mount.
Consider the Damage Risk Before Making a Purchase
Our guide to OLED and Neo QLED TVs would be incomplete if we didn’t mention the slight difference in the fragility. While both device types can be prone to damage, the sleeker, thinner design of the OLED TVs makes them more vulnerable.
The risk of a burn-in is also said to be higher, where an afterimage is burnt into the screen due to prolonged use. These types of damage risks are high with any gadget of any type, but it is a factor to consider.
Variety and Range of Products of Offer
Another key element to consider while reviewing QLED vs Neo QLED vs OLED TVs and their differences is that you are a lot more restricted in your options with Neo QLED TVs. Since the technology used is exclusive to Samsung, you’ll have a smaller number of options to choose from.
With QLED or OLED TVs, you can look at other brands that fall within your budgets and preliminary preferences.
Pricing Differences Between Neo QLED vs OLED TVs
While comparing TVs with similar specs, a QLED or Neo QLED TV can end up being much more affordable for the user. OLED TVs that are cheaper tend to sacrifice some of their capabilities so you’ll have to consider the other elements that are important for you in a TV before making a purchase.
While we’ve covered a guide to OLED and Neo QLED TVs, there are other aspects of a TV buying experience that might be relevant to you such as the number and type of ports to connect your accessories, the additional UI features that come with the TV, the size and integration of it with your home space, and even the purpose of the TV, whether primarily for gaming or for streaming content.
The best TV for you will be the one that checks all the boxes but once you understand the difference between the QLED, Neo QLED, and OLED terminology, you’ll know what you’re signing up for with the purchase you make.