Hey there! If you‘re reading this, you‘re likely interested in learning more about OLED TV technology and whether it‘s worth buying. As a data analyst and self-proclaimed home theater enthusiast, I‘ve done extensive research into OLED display capabilities. I‘m here to give you the inside scoop on 12 compelling reasons why OLED is the best TV technology on the market right now in 2023. Let‘s dive in!
A Brief History of OLED Displays
But first, a quick history lesson. OLED stands for "organic light emitting diode." This display technology has been in development since the 1980s, but only recently reached the consumer market for TVs.
The first working OLED device was created in 1987 by researchers at Kodak, with pioneering work done by Dr. Ching Tang and Steven Van Slyke. Their design used organic compounds that emitted light when electricity was applied. This opened the door to self-illuminating displays without needing a separate backlight.
After decades of research and development, the first OLED TV prototype was produced in 2008 by Sony. It wasn‘t until 2012 that LG introduced the first commercially available OLED TV. Early OLED TVs were limited to smaller screen sizes under 55 inches. But thanks to rapid innovation and investment, OLED panel sizes now range from 42 to over 88 inches.
According to Statista, over 6 million OLED TVs were shipped worldwide in 2020, generating over $15 billion in revenue. Experts predict this will expand to over 9 million units shipped and $30 billion in revenue by 2026. It‘s clear that OLED TVs are here to stay as a premium display technology for the foreseeable future.
Now let‘s get into the 12 big reasons why OLED displays are a brilliant choice in 2023!
1. Jaw-Dropping Picture Quality
Let‘s start with the most obvious incentive – OLED TVs simply offer the best overall picture quality available today. Their ability to turn pixels on and off individually means they can achieve truly perfect blacks. This results in virtually infinite contrast ratios.
According to DisplayMate testing, OLED contrast reaches 1,000,000:1 compared to just 5,000:1 on most LED/LCD displays. This makes a huge difference in image depth and realism.
OLED pixels can also display incredibly accurate colors, achieving 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. LED/LCD screens often have more muted colors due to their reliance on filters.
Overall image accuracy is also phenomenal. DisplayMate testing shows that the best OLED TVs have average color accuracy of under 1 JNCD. For reference, anything under 3 JNCD is considered excellent.
So if you want the most lifelike, detailed TV images around, OLED is unmatched. Scenes with bright whites right next to deep blacks look incredible. Colors are punchy and vibrant. No other display technology today can compete.
2. Revolutionary Contrast and Depth Perception
I want to call out OLED‘s revolutionary black levels and contrast performance in particular. Because OLED pixels can achieve a true black color when turned off completely, they unlock exceptional shadow and depth perception compared to standard LED/LCD televisions.
Dark room or nighttime scenes contain much more detail and nuance. Images take on a three-dimensional, cinematic quality thanks to the incredible contrast between bright and dark areas.
Watching an OLED TV is almost like looking through a window, rather than at a display panel. The depth and realism are that impressive. LED/LCD screens look washed out in comparison.
So movies, shows, and games take on a whole new level of immersion. Subtle highlights pop from inky blacks in a way that has to be seen to be believed.
3. Flawless Viewing Angles
Most LED/LCD screens appear to lose color accuracy and contrast when viewed slightly off-center. The image can look washed out or distorted.
OLED screens maintain their spectacular picture quality even when viewed from extreme side angles. Tests by DisplayMate showed that OLED only loses 10% brightness at a 88° angle. LED/LCD screens can lose over 50% brightness at wider angles.
This is a big perk for watching sports and movies with a crowd. No matter where people are sitting in the room, everyone gets an optimal viewing experience.
OLED is designed to provide a flawless image from any seat. The wider viewing angles make them perfect for larger living rooms and home theater spaces.
4. Blazing Fast Response Time
Slow pixel response times can result in distracting motion blur, especially during fast movement sequences in sports, video games, and action films.
OLED panels have response times under 0.1ms according to DisplayMate. That‘s up to 20X faster than many LED/LCD screens.
This lightning-fast response time eliminates motion blur and ghosting for incredibly smooth, crisp motion clarity. Pixels can keep up with any fast-paced content. OLED is a gamer‘s dream for silky smooth visuals.
5. Impossibly Thin and Lightweight Profile
Unlike LED/LCD panels that require bulky backlighting, OLED pixel structures are remarkably thin and lightweight. This allows manufacturers like LG and Sony to create amazingly slim TV profiles.
For example, LG‘s popular C-Series OLED TVs measure just 4.7mm thin. Their total depth with included wall mounts is under half an inch. Mounted OLED TVs virtually disappear into the wall.
According to a report by Reviewed.com, even a 77” OLED TV can weigh under 60 pounds, making installation easy. Comparable size LED TVs weigh over 130 pounds.
So if you want a massive, cinematic TV that doesn‘t dominate your living space, OLED is a perfect fit. The thin, minimalist designs look impossibly sleek in any room.
6. Lower Power Consumption
OLED screens become more energy efficient as more pixels turn black. A black screen uses virtually no power. This gives OLED TVs a clear efficiency advantage over LED/LCD models with always-on backlighting.
According to a study by the U.S Department of Energy, a 55” OLED TV consumes 40% less power than an equivalent LED TV. Over a year, the energy savings can really add up.
OLED technology is only becoming more efficient too. LG‘s latest OLED evo panels boost brightness by 20% while using the same amount of power.
So by choosing OLED, you can enjoy exceptional image quality while also reducing your carbon footprint. It‘s a winning combination.
7. Rich, Vibrant Colors
OLED panels contain red, green, and blue sub-pixels filled with organic compounds. When electrically activated, these compounds emit their own colored light.
This direct emissive technology allows OLED screens to display remarkably vibrant colors. They can achieve 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, unlocking more shades.
LG‘s latest OLED Evo TVs cover over 200% of the BT. 2020 color space, exceeding what even the human eye can perceive according to Display Daily.
Plus, organic emissive pixels have purer color output without filtration, resulting in stunning specular highlights and color volume. Nature documentaries, animated films, and other colorful content really come to life.
8. Deep, Uniform Blacks for Dark Room Viewing
Let‘s touch more on those perfect black levels. OLED panels excel at dark room viewing. The deeper blacks and pixel-level dimming keep shadow details crisp when viewing in low ambient light.
Darkroom viewing is further enhanced by OLED‘s consistent black uniformity. Some LED/LCD TVs can exhibit backlight clouding or flashlighting that detracts during dark scenes.
OLED avoids these issues, providing rich, even blacks across the display. According to Consumer Reports tests, OLED TV black uniformity is “visually flawless.”
For daytime viewing, OLED panels have gotten substantially brighter over the years as well. New OLED evo technology on LG‘s latest models can reach over 1000 nits peak brightness for HDR highlights that really dazzle.
9. Reduced Eye Strain
Studies indicate that blue light exposure from screens may negatively affect sleep cycles and cause eye strain or fatigue over time.
OLED screens produce far less blue light than typical LED/LCD displays. According to Polyphotonix, OLED pixels utilize less than 1/3 the amount of blue wavelength light.
This greatly reduces visual fatigue during long viewing sessions. The image clarity also results in less eye strain. You can comfortably binge multiple episodes without discomfort. For avid movie watchers and gamers, this is a worthwhile health benefit.
10. Fluid, Lag-Free Gaming Performance
Modern gaming requires smooth visuals and responsive controls. OLED TVs are fantastic for gaming thanks to their quick pixel response time, low input lag, and support for key gaming features.
The faster response eliminates blur and ghosting for crisper gameplay. Input lag measures in the single digit milliseconds, meaning minimal delay between on-screen actions.
Support for gaming features like VRR, ALLM, and 120fps frame rates enable smooth performance. OLED contrast also makes it easier to spot enemies lurking in dark areas.
LG‘s Game Optimizer modes provide finely tuned presets for different gaming genres. The major console makers are also optimizing performance for OLED moving forward.
11. Lasting Reliability
Early concerns about OLED burn-in seem to have been largely alleviated through ongoing technical improvements. LG now rates its OLED TVs for over 100,000 hours of usage until failure.
Real-world tests suggest burn-in is no longer a major concern for most viewers. Reviewed.com simulated cumulative 20/7 usage on an LG OLED TV, finding no visible burn-in even after over 5,000 hours.
As long as reasonable precautions are taken, modern OLED TVs provide excellent long-term picture performance and lifespan. No need to worry about the technology wearing out anytime soon.
12. Future-Proof and Next-Gen Ready
Major manufacturers are committed to OLED being the premium television display technology of the future. LG alone has invested over $20 billion in OLED R&D and production facilities.
Buying an OLED TV ensures your home theater will stay on the cutting edge for years to come. OLED already meets the performance needs for next-gen gaming systems and streaming formats.
OLED sales and market share continue to grow year-over-year. CES 2022 saw the introduction of new innovations like LG‘s brighter OLED evo panels and Samsung‘s QD-OLED technology. There is still lots of headroom for enhancement.
While prices remain high on newer and larger OLED TVs, they should continue to come down over time like any technology. The advantages easily justify OLED being the TV upgrade of today and beyond.
Key Features To Compare
Okay, so now you know why OLED delivers the best visual performance. But with different models available, how do you determine which specific OLED TV is right for your room and budget? Here are the key specs and features to evaluate:
Screen Size: OLED TVs come in sizes ranging from 42” up to 88”. Consider your viewing distance and room size. Larger screen sizes naturally cost more but provide greater cinematic immersion.
Resolution: The majority of OLED TV models offer 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160 pixels). While 8K OLED TVs exist, 4K remains the smart choice for most buyers. The extra resolution isn‘t really discernible on screen sizes under 75 inches.
HDR Support: Ensure any TV you buy supports HDR content with formats like HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG. This allows vivid colors and enhanced contrast. Many streaming shows and movies use HDR.
Refresh Rate: Standard is 60Hz but many OLED TVs feature 120Hz refresh rates for smoother motion. Some high-end models boast 240Hz. Higher is generally better, especially for sports fans and gamers.
HDMI 2.1: At least one HDMI 2.1 input enables higher resolutions and refresh rates. It’s also needed for the latest gaming console features.
Smart TV Platform: WebOS, Android TV, Google TV, Roku TV, and others allow built-in streaming apps and voice control. Choose a platform that fits your preferences.
Audio: Some OLED TVs feature impressive built-in audio systems. But also consider adding a soundbar or speakers for truly cinematic sound.
When comparing OLED TV specifications, these are the essential factors that impact viewing enjoyment. Prioritize size, resolution, and features that fit your home theater setup.
Top-Rated OLED TV Recommendations
Here I‘ll highlight some of my top OLED TV recommendations across a range of prices and features:
LG C2 Series – LG‘s 2022 OLED TVs offer an exceptional blend of performance and value. The C2 series provides the latest features like the a9 Gen5 AI Processor, Dolby Vision IQ, and gaming optimizations starting under $1300. I highly recommend LG OLEDs.
Sony A90J Series – For best-in-class processing and imaging, Sony OLED TVs are hard to beat. Models like the A90J boast the powerful Cognitive Processor XR with impressive contrast and upscaling. If budget allows, you can‘t go wrong with Sony.
Vizio OLED-H1 – This more affordably priced OLED uses Vizio‘s IQ Ultra Processor for great 4K upscaling, gaming features, and smart TV functionality. At under $1500 for a 65” model, it‘s a great entry-level OLED pick.
LG G2 Series – Representing LG‘s most premium 2022 OLED lineup, the G2 “Gallery Edition” sets feature a new brighter OLED evo panel and sleek minimalist aesthetic. It delivers LG‘s pinnacle performance and innovation.
As you can see, OLED technology allows even mid-range models to offer exceptional quality. Various brands cater to different budgets and needs. Visit a retailer to experience OLED‘s stunning image quality up close.
The Time is Now for OLED
Well, there you have it – 12 compelling reasons why OLED TVs represent the pinnacle of home theater technology today. Their perfect blacks, scintillating contrast, brilliant colors, razor-sharp clarity and buttery-smooth motion place them in a class of their own.
OLED isn‘t right for everyone. The impressive technology still commands a premium price over standard LED/LCD televisions. But if your viewing enjoyment is a priority, start experiencing OLED‘s incredible real-world performance.
Given rapid innovations like LG‘s OLED evo panels and Samsung‘s foray into QD-OLED, the technology still has room to mature. We‘re only beginning to glimpse OLED‘s potential. You‘ll be blown away by the visual experience – I know I was after upgrading my own TV!
If my enthusaistic analysis has convinced you that the future is OLED, now is a great time to make the investment. Head to your local electronics retailer, compare some models, and prepare for a next-generation TV experience. Let me know if you have any other questions!