What are QLED TVs?
What is QLED? What does QLED mean? How does it work? We’ll tell you everything you need to know.
What is QLED Technology?
QLED TV is a Quantum Dot LED TV. Quantum Dot technology is what makes these types of television differ from conventional LED TVs.*
What are Quantum Dots?
Put it simply, they are very small particles, around few nanometers (nm) in size. The purpose of a Quantum Dot is to produce different colors of light depending on the size of the particle at that very moment. When these Quantum Dots are illuminated by UV light from behind the screen, they gain energy and produce different colors of light. The light derived from Quantum Dots is more efficient than a conventional LCD,* allowing QLED displays to deliver a brighter picture, more accurate color and greater energy efficiency. Samsung QLED TVs let you enjoy your favorite series with brighter whites, deeper blacks and an exceptional color range overall.1
What is a Samsung Quantum Processor?
A Quantum processor uses machine learning and AI-based formulas to upscale lower definition picture content to 4K or 8K quality, giving a greatly enhanced viewing experience. The Quantum processor allows for even more precise control over backlight dimming, greater distribution of brightness and a boost to black detail. This means that the brighter parts of the TV are even brighter, whilst the darker areas of the screen are able to display greater details, giving improved visibility at both ends of the spectrum.†
Want to learn more about TV screen resolution? Visit our helpful buying guide articles to learn more about 4K TVs and 4K TV resolution.
What's special about QLED TVs?
QLED TVs take advantage of the many unique characteristics that Quantum Dots offer such as "high luminance". Luminance refers to how bright a screen looks and that brightness is an important factor affecting other elements of image quality. First, the contrast ratio is naturally improved when brightness is higher. When bright and dark representations of videos and images can be widely expressed, it's known as HDR (high dynamic range). This HDR, which is an essential component of picture quality, is enhanced further providing crisp and rich images.
Now, let's have a look at how all this affects color.
The effect of brightness on overall color quality is simple. For example, in the red color spectrum there is a range of bright and dark reds, but QLED TVs express an even wider range of colors at 100% Color Volume.* This unique QLED technology, along with other black implementation technologies such as Direct Full Array, provides a completely different picture quality and a more realistic viewing experience compared to non-QLED TVs.1
What is the difference between QLED and OLED?
Samsung OLED TVs and Samsung QLED TVs both offer excellent capabilities for all kinds of viewing, but you might want to consider how you plan to use your TV and what you want to get out of your experience before buying one over the other. The difference between QLED and OLED technology is as follows.
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) uses a very different display technique compared to traditional LED screens. In Samsung OLED TVs, there is no backlight required because every single pixel has an LED that produces its own light and color, resulting in darker blacks and deeper, richer color.
Conversely, brightness is where Samsung QLED technology really shines. Samsung QLED TVs utilizes cool and warm LEDs behind the screen for a brighter picture, higher contrast and accurate color expression, no matter the brightness.
Conversely, Samsung Neo QLEDs use Mini LEDs for backlighting while QLED TVs use either Direct Full Array or Dual LED, depending on the series. Generally, QLEDs and Neo QLEDs are ideal for brighter rooms, bringing content to life in everyday lighting.
What is the difference between
QLED and Crystal UHD?
Like the QLED displays, Crystal UHD is also 4K compatible. However, QLED 4K TVs can provide a better viewing experience as they offer greater luminosity and a better color coverage in comparison to Crystal UHD TVs. QLED technology uses an LED backlight that projects onto a quantum dot layer. This process results in greater brightness and more accurate color, far beyond the average LCD screen.
Even better is our range of Samsung Neo QLED TVs, which deliver deeper black levels than previous QLED TVs.
What is Crystal UHD?
Crystal UHD means Crystal Ultra-High Definition; they are our range of HDR displays that offer 4K resolutions with screens having 3840x2160 pixels. Like the QLED displays, they are also 4K compatible.
What is the best QLED TV?
Our top-of-the-range QLED TV is the Samsung Neo QLED 8K HDR Smart TV. With the endlessly stunning infinity screen, this top model offers the finest 8K picture yet. Plus, you can enjoy all the smart TV apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and more. Visit our QLED TVs comparison guide to find the perfect one for your needs.
To achieve the greatest viewing and listening experience, our QLED TVs go hand-in-hand with the Samsung Q Series Soundbar.‡ The elevated cinematic surround sound will place you in the heart of the action as you will hear the sound coming from every direction when connecting a soundbar to your Samsung TV. Equipped with Amazon Alexa voice assistant, it really is a great amalgamation of smart technology and entertainment at its core.
The best Samsung QLED TVs
Explore our QLED TVs
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*Refers to Samsung TVs without Quantum Dots.
†As compared to Samsung Crystal UHD.
‡Soundbar sold separately
1As compared to TU7000