Best OLED Display for Gaming Revealed

I vividly remember purchasing my first OLED TV, the LG E8 55-inch, back in 2019, right before the world went into lockdown. It turned out to be the perfect companion during isolation. Initially, my understanding of OLED (organic light-emitting diode) technology was superficial. I knew it utilized self-lit pixels instead of a backlight like LCD displays, promising infinite contrast. However, after immersing myself in the visually stunning worlds of Final Fantasy XV and The Last of Us Part II, I truly experienced the magic of OLED. It was like stepping into a nostalgic fever dream in real time. Naturally, my fascination with OLED didn't end with the E8.

A few years later, I upgraded to the LG C2 65-inch TV. Since then, I've reviewed numerous devices featuring OLED displays and discovered that not all OLED screens are the same. In fact, the technology varies significantly. You might be curious about the types of OLED available. While there are several, three stand out: WOLED, QD-OLED, and AMOLED.

WOLED, QD-OLED, and AMOLED: How They Work

OLED technology has been in development for decades, with companies like Kodak and Mitsubishi experimenting with various approaches. It wasn't until LG introduced its OLED TVs in the early 2010s that the technology gained widespread recognition.

LG's version of OLED is known as WOLED (White OLED). Although LG markets it simply as OLED, WOLED uses a pure white OLED layer with an RGBW color filter. This approach addresses the issue of burn-in, which is exacerbated by the different deterioration rates of red, green, and blue emitters in traditional OLEDs. However, WOLED has its own challenges, such as imbalanced brightness and reduced color volume due to the color filtering process. Higher-end WOLED models attempt to mitigate this with Micro Lens Array technology, which enhances light focus.

In 2022, Samsung introduced QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED), which replaces the white OLED layer with a blue one that interacts with quantum dot color converters. Unlike the RGBW filter, quantum dots absorb and convert light without losing brightness, resulting in more vibrant colors and higher overall brightness.

AMOLED, on the other hand, is a distinct category. It's similar to WOLED but includes a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer, which allows for faster pixel activation. However, this comes at the expense of OLED's renowned "infinite" contrast.

WOLED, QD-OLED, and AMOLED: Which Is Better for Gaming?

Choosing the right OLED technology for gaming depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a straightforward answer, QD-OLED is generally considered the best option. However, there are scenarios where WOLED or AMOLED might be more suitable.

AMOLED displays are commonly found in smartphones and laptops. They are less common in TVs due to their higher cost. AMOLED's flexibility makes it ideal for foldable devices, and it offers high refresh rates and excellent viewing angles. However, AMOLED displays struggle in direct sunlight due to lower peak brightness.

For gaming monitors and TVs, you typically choose between WOLED (marketed as OLED) and QD-OLED. WOLED can achieve high brightness levels, particularly with whites, but the RGBW filter can reduce brightness across other colors. QD-OLED, on the other hand, provides superior overall brightness and color vibrancy thanks to its quantum dot technology.

In my experience, WOLED performs better in environments with significant glare. The darkest parts of the screen remain truly black, whereas QD-OLED can exhibit a purplish tint in similar conditions due to the absence of a polarizing layer. While QD-OLED generally offers better color and brightness, WOLED is less distracting in highly reflective spaces. Ultimately, the quality of the display depends on its specifications, and higher-priced models tend to offer superior performance.

The Future of OLED Is PHOLED

Beyond WOLED, QD-OLED, and AMOLED, another type of OLED technology is on the horizon: PHOLED (Phosphorescent OLED). PHOLED uses phosphorescent materials to convert energy into light more efficiently than fluorescent materials. However, the blue component in PHOLED has historically had a shorter lifespan, making it less viable for commercial use.

Recently, LG announced a breakthrough in blue PHOLED technology, paving the way for mass production. LG refers to PHOLED as "Dream OLED" due to its 100% luminous efficiency, which significantly surpasses the 25% efficiency of fluorescence. This advancement promises brighter displays with lower power consumption. While PHOLED TVs are not expected to hit the market soon, we may see this technology in smartphones and tablets in the near future.