As a passionate gamer, I’ve always been on the hunt for the best way to maximize my gaming experience. After doing some research, I found myself stuck between two leading display technologies, QLED and OLED.
What’s the difference between the two, and which one works best for gaming? That’s what I’m here to explore in this blog post. I’ll go into detail about the pros and cons of each display type, and discuss which one is best suited for gaming.
While both OLED and QLED screens cater to high image quality, they’re not the same in terms of brightness, contrast, and even image retention. Plus, the cost and available dimensions can also affect a gamer’s decision.
| Key Takeaways | QLED | OLED |
|---|---|---|
| Brightness Levels | Better in well-lit gaming rooms | Better in dim rooms (wider off-axis viewing angle, true black levels, near-instantaneous response) |
| Gaming Performance | Slower response time (5.8ms with ALLM on) | Faster response time (as fast as 0.2ms) |
| Average Cost | More affordable | More expensive |
| Burn-in Risk | Lower risk, better for hardcore gaming | Higher risk, not a major concern for casual gamers |
| Available Dimensions | Wider selection, including 85″ displays | Limited to 55″, 65″, and 77″ models |
| Best Suited for | Most console gaming setups (balance of brightness, color accuracy, and budget) | Ideal for those willing to splurge and use as home theater (in dimly lit rooms with game mode on) |
Table of Contents
QLED vs. OLED for Gaming: What Are the Differences?
You might have heard that both OLED and QLED use Light-Emitting Diodes, but the difference is between Organic and Quantum-dot tech.
However, this piece of info alone won’t be enough to guide your decision-making process.
So, let’s look at the key factors you need to keep in mind before choosing either an OLED or a QLED screen.
Brightness Levels
In a dim room, like a luxurious home theater, the OLED technology would take the cake!
It simply checks all the right boxes in a wider off-axis viewing angle, true black levels, and near-instantaneous response.
However, the QLED will be a better fit in a well-lit gaming room. That’s all thanks to its unbeatable brightness levels and top-notch color accuracy.
In fact, some people find that even window light can be a hiccup with OLED screens, especially if you play a lot of thriller games with dim scenes.
Gaming Performance
With the brightness levels in mind, it’s still crucial to consider either tech’s frequency and response time. Ideally, you want something with a high refresh rate (Xbox supports 120Hz) and low response time for your gaming setup.
Of course, OLEDs would win the argument in response times since the tech can go as fast as 0.2 milliseconds!
Meanwhile, Samsung’s QLEDs deliver a response at 5.8 milliseconds, even with the Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) on. That won’t cause terrible input lags, but it’s still not as impressive as the OLED’s range.
On the other end of the equation, remember to check how far your favorite game (and console) actually goes. Some games are throttled at 1080p, so 4K and 8K TVs from either tech side won’t matter much in terms of resolution in these cases.
Average Cost
OLEDs come with a hefty price tag to match their captivating visual quality.
Some gamers won’t mind shelling out on their gaming setups. In that case, the OLED might seem like a tempting option — for the true black, if nothing else.
Meanwhile, others find that the extra luxuries on an OLED don’t come high on their priority list. So instead, they might just get QLED and spend the difference on other aspects of their gaming room, from speakers to console upgrades.
Burn-in Risk
The pitfall of OLED TV in gaming setups is the burn-in — or rather the mere thought of risking a potential burn-in.
Burn-ins happen when a static element leaves a “ghost” imprint behind on the pixels. Of course, many game interfaces have plenty of those elements.
You might know them as the HUDs (tasks, tools, status bars, etc.), but it’s not just that. Side logos can also pose a risk, especially red or magenta ones.
The key here is that burn-ins aren’t really a major concern for casual gamers. Yet, most hardcore gamers would rather avoid the risk entirely and prioritize lifespan by opting for QLED, especially considering how expensive OLEDs are.
Available Dimensions
If you want a dazzling 85” display to go with your gaming setup, you’ll be better off looking at the wider QLED selections.
Most OLEDs are limited to 55”, 65”, and 77” models. None of these are really considered “compact” TVs, but they could stand pale in comparison to the whopping 85” screen of a QLED.
Keep in mind that the size you go with also has to do with the room’s dimensions and seating arrangements. For example, you don’t want to sit too close to an 85” screen and risk eye strain after a long gaming session!
So, make sure you have around five times the screen’s width buffering between your seat and the screen itself. The keyword here is “width,” not “diagonal length,” though. This means that you’ll need to refer to the manufacturer’s dimensions.
- QLED Pros:
- High brightness levels
- Excellent color accuracy
- Affordable
- Good for preventing image retention
- QLED Cons:
- Lower refresh rate than OLED
- Slower response time than OLED
- OLED Pros:
- Excellent off-axis viewing angle
- True black levels
- Near-instantaneous response
- OLED Cons:
- Expensive
- Limited dimensions
- Risk of burn-in
Final Thoughts
So, after comparing QLED vs. OLED for gaming, it’s safe to say that both won’t disappoint the casual gamer.
That said, QLED TVs might be a better fit for most console gaming setups. They come in top in terms of brightness levels, color accuracy, budget balance, and combating image retention with hardcore gaming.
However, getting an OLED might be worth it if you’re willing to splurge, especially if it’ll double as a home theater. Just make sure to dim the lights and switch to the game mode when you’re ready to play.
Either way, remember to take frequent breaks during gaming sessions to stretch your legs, grab a drink, and give your screens a chance to rest!
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