Acronyms abound in the TV industry, whether in company names likeLG or TCL, image formats such as HDR, or resolution shorthands like UHD. And ultimately, all of these capital letters can make finding the right TV confusing and exhausting.
Screen technology is among the most important features of a TV, helping to define itscapabilitieswhen it comes to brightness, contrast, and sharpness. However, this area is where it can get particularly complicated, with plenty of technological terms and marketing buzzwords muddling what all these combinations of letters really mean.
I’ve used LED TVs and mini-LED TVs, and here’s which one I like best
These terms themselves may look and sound similar, but in concept have some clear differences.
With that in mind, here is a non-exhaustive, simplified list of all the important acronyms you need to know when looking at television screen technologies.
LED (light-emitting diode)
Basic technology
An LED TV is a TV that uses a backlight panel to illuminate the screen. It comprises a large group of models, available in a range of sizes from every manufacturer. An LED TV does not in and of itself specifically define where the screen is lit, only that a backlight is used to illuminate the screen.
For example, a LED may feature edge lighting, in which lights are located around the perimeter of the screen. An LED TV mat also features full-array backlighting; in these screens, lights are located across the entirety of the screen to allow for a more uniform appearance.
An LED TV is a type of LCD (light crystal display TV), and pretty much the only type of LCD that’s made today. Old LCD models used cold cathode fluorescent lamps backlighting tech, but since that’s gone by the wayside, LED is used colloquially to mean an LED-backlit LCD TV.
LED TVs come in a variety of sizes, prices and resolutions. The basic components of LED TVs can be enhanced to great degrees, though generally they struggle at contrast. It may be good, but it’s hard to be great when it comes to darker scenes on screen, since the lights can dim but not entirely shut off. Still, they serve as the foundational technology for a majority of TVs being made at the moment. Unfortunately, if you see the letters “LED” in the name of a TV, it depends on what comes before to determine if it’s actually an LED TV.
QLED (quantum dot LED)
Samsung’s revelation
The QLED TV, a type of LED TV, was first introduced by Samsung in 2017, and since then, has been adopted by most manufacturers, including LG, Sony, and TCL, due to the ways in which it enhanced the image quality and accuracy.
The “Q” in the name actually stands for ‘quantum dot,’ which refers to a panel inserted between the backlight and the screen that features myriad microscopic transmitters. Light from the backlight panel hits this quantum dot filter and results in an image that offers increased peak brightness, vivid colors, and better color accuracy than traditional LED TVs. However, QLED TVs tend to lack contrast. With so much light coming through the back, and an additional layer that boosts brightness, these TVs can’t achieve absolute black. They can dim, and some more significantly and successfully than others, but it still may involve varying degrees of grays and some shadowing on the screen.
5 reasons I’d choose a QLED TV over a pricier OLED TV
While OLED TVs stand out in one their own respect, QLED models still deserve some kudos of their own.
QLED TVs have been adopted by a variety of manufacturers, and they are relatively affordable as this technology continues to be enhanced and developed. They are made in a range of sizes, in both 4K and 8K resolution, and may be supplemented by any number of other features.
Advanced backlight dimming
One of the drawbacks of quantum-dot technology (and the struggles of LED TVs) is that in order to achieve such impressive brightness, contrast must be sacrificed. It can be difficult for LED TVs to maintain quality contrast, particularly when the screen is supposed to display something dark or black. The lights can only dim so much, so it can’t achieve absolute black. The difference isn’t always significant, especially if you’re watching in a dark room at night. But consider how your TV looks when it’s turned on versus how dark segments of your TV look when watching a show or movie: there’s a noticeable difference in the black versus the gray. Or simply consider that episode of Game of Thrones that made everyone upset. It wasreally dark, and an LED TV likely wasn’t going to cut it.
However, mini-LED TVs work to fix all of those issues. In these types of TVs, the LEDs are smaller than in traditional LED units. And because of that, there are more of them, and thus they allow for more precise dimming. Mini-LED TVs may have hundreds or thousands of dimming zones, and the more zones, the better the TV will be able to present contrast and detail amid darker scenes.
Samsung, LG, Sony, Hisense, Vizio, and TCL are among those companies manufacturing mini-LED TVs, and they are gaining in popularity. However, not every company will call them mini-LED TVs directly in the name of the model, which can make finding them a bit tricky. As this technology is more recent and advanced technology, mini-LED TVs tend to be quite pricey, although they are available in a range of sizes.
Samsung evolved
‘Neo’ isn’t exactly an acronym, but neo-QLED TVs are still worth mentioning due to Samsung’s position as an industry leader. Its Neo-QLED TVs, understood to simply be ‘new’ models of its quantum-dot technologies. Only Samsung makes Neo-QLED TVs, and it’s not so much a technological term as it is simple marketing. These TVs feature mini-LED technology, but also use Samsung’s processing and quantum dot tech to create a TV that offers both stunning brightness and impressive contrast.
Best Samsung TVs: QLED, Mini LEDs, and more
Samsung is a pioneer in display technology. Here’s which TVs use its tech to the fullest.
As they are fairly new and rather advanced, these TVs are quite pricey, but come with a range of features and are made in a variety of sizes.
ULED (ultra light emitting diode)
Hisense creates an acronym
Another marketing term on the list, ULED is Hisense’s line of high-end LED TVs. Exclusive only to the Chinese manufacturer, ULED TVs combine a variety of patents, and notably incorporate quantum dot technology to boost brightness and color accuracy. Samsung may have led the charge on quantum dot filters, but lots of companies took note, and paired the idea with their own innovations.
Hisense debuts a more budget-friendly Samsung Frame alternative
The CanvasTV will allow you to display art on your TV for a much better price.
It seems Hisense also borrowed Samsung’s idea of simply making up a new acronym that is meant to imply importance but doesn’t really mean too much. “Ultra” doesn’t really mean much, but “uber” would have been pretty funny (as would “premium-LED). Still, some of these TVs are rather impressive. Certain ULED TVs utilize local dimming with traditional LEDs, while others employ more advanced mini-LEDs for improved detail and contrast. Positioned as a more budget-friendly brand, the ULED TV might be worth looking at for those looking for a good deal.
QNED (quantum NanoCell Emitting Diode)
LG’s LED twist
Not to be outdone, LG is putting its own marketing spin on a widespread technology just to make things a little more confusing. LG sells QNED TVs, which are its own version of mini-LED TVs with lots of small local dimming zones.
LG NANO90 4K NanoCell TV review: Can it outshine OLED?
LG has been making waves in OLED for years. The NANO906 is its top-line LCD LED TV; an alternative that’s a half the price of the OLED equivalent.
These models use NanoCell technology, LG’s patented innovation, which strives for color accuracy and clarity. That’s where the ‘N’ comes from. One of the strengths of NanoCell integration is that the TV can be viewed from a wide angle without distortion. These TVs also use quantum filters to enhance color brightness. While they are pricey, in part due to LG’s position as an industry leader, they are still a less expensive alternative to the next type of tech on the list that comes at a higher cost.
OLED (organic light-emitting diode)
No backlight here
So far, every TV on this list is a type of LED TV, no matter what prefixes, adjective, or made-up words or letters are involved in the name. Despite “LED” right there in the name, OLED TVs are very different.
The pride of LG, OLED TVs are a completely separate category from LED TVs and all its progeny. OLED TVs do not include a backlight whatsoever. Instead, the screen is lit by individual pixels made up of an organic compound. When these very tiny, individual pixels are stimulated by electricity, they light up. This is why OLED TVs are referred to as emissive, whereas LED TVs, in which light passes through to the screen, are known as transmissive.
4 reasons I’d buy an OLED TV over a mini-LED TV
Don’t worry about the price tag. Your favorite shows, movies, and games will look the best they can with OLED TVs.
The major benefit is that, because the pixels can individually turn on, they can also each turn on, allowing portions of the screen to go completely black and achieve absolute contrast. There shouldn’t be any shadowing or blurring or grays and blacks. In addition to better supporting content that is literally dark, it also helps watch a lot of prestige TV and high-end content that’s shot with a special style of flair. OLED TVs offer impressive fidelity, and tend to be preferred by those who want to witness an artist or creator’s full vision.
OLED TVs were long championed by LG (and resisted by Samsung), but the popularity and success of the technology is such now that many companies, including Samsung and Sony, produce their own styles. These TVs are much more costly to make than LED ones, however, and as such, come at a high price. The price gets significantly higher as size increases as well; there tends to be a big jump in cost from 55-inches up to 65-inches.
Best LG OLED TV: Top models for any budget
LG has a wide range of OLED TV models in a number of different sizes and price points, but which is the best?
QD-OLED (quantum-dot OLED)
Advanced models for a price
These types of TVs aren’t as common, but they are both impressive and just a bit confusing. Sometimes referred to as QDLED or QD-OLED, these models combine the pixel technology of OLED screens with the quantum dot filters of QLED models. They are an upgraded version of an OLED TV, with improved brightness and color accuracy as supplied by the quantum dots.
6 reasons why I’d pick Sony TVs over Samsung TVs
I’ve always been a Samsung cinephile, but Sony’s latest innovations might convince me to switch over.
This is essentially a creation by companies that are looking at the best technology available and combining in all together in a super TV. They are expensive and only made by a select few companies, including Sony.
Samsung’s future
This tech is the newest, rarest, and most expensive. It’s not so much the present of the industry, but instead a potential future. The idea here is pretty simple: what’s smaller than mini-led? Micro-LED. The ‘micro’ isn’t so much a technical term as it is a descriptor, and it was used presumably because LG has done a lot with ‘nano’ already.
With even smaller lights, and more of them, impressive peak brightness can still be achieved, but even better contrast can also be seen. It offers incredible detail, making images on screen seem lifelike and tactile. It is a tech that looks to be legitimately rivaling and even surpassing OLED screens, eventually.
Samsung’s new microLED TVs will cost you more than a Porsche
It’s going to be a while before microLED reaches the masses.
For now, these TVS are reserved for wealthy consumers. Samsung is the only producer of them, and they are only available in large sizes, from 89-inches all the way up to 114 inches. The cheapest is roughly $110,000, while the largest option available peaks at $150,000, so it’s not exactly cheap.
There’s a lot going on with screen technology, but the simplified way of looking at the market is to keep in mind that TVs may be either LED or OLED, with key differences between the two. From these main branches, companies may incorporate any number of technologies, proprietary or otherwise, to offer up a TV that is faithful, immersive, and captivating. With a lot of manufacturers vying to be your brand of choice, there are sure to be more acronyms on the way.
