OLED vs MiniLED: in this guide, we compare the two-panel technologies found today on high-end TVs to understand the differences in features, strengths, and weaknesses.
Index
- Main advantages and disadvantages
- Image quality
- Brightness and viewing angles
- Gaming, sports, and action
- Value for money
- OLED TV brands
- MiniLED TV brands
- OLED vs MINILED Verdict
In recent years, OLED TVs have represented the top of the performances obtainable on a television screen, surpassing LED TVs in precision, colors, and contrast rendering.
Lately, however, there have been some significant changes in the landscape of LED televisions, due to the introduction of new technologies that have allowed significant improvements in image quality.
MiniLED TVs are the latest in this sector and promise very high-level results in image quality, brightness, and performance. But can they compete with models with OLED technology?
Let’s compare them in detail to understand if on a visual level an OLED or MiniLED TV is better, for each type of use and for different applications, to understand when it is better to buy one or the other type of technology, and what the real value for money of these two categories of televisions.
What is an OLED TV
An OLED TV uses Organic Light Emitting Diode technology, from which it takes its name. Its screen is able to emit its own light and each pixel is activated independently, turning on, turning off, and coloring itself independently from those next to it.
Compared to a traditional LED TV, OLED technology is characterized by simpler yet more effective operation. Since the individual pixels work independently, it is possible to represent even a tiny light detail placed on a deep black background with infinitely greater precision, without creating a bright halo around it.
What is a MiniLED TV
These are TVs with LED backlighting, there is in fact an LCD matrix on which the images are reproduced which must be illuminated by a series of “lamps” placed behind it, the LEDs.
Compared to traditional LED TVs, in the new MiniLED televisions, the diodes are very small (200 microns), which allows a greater number of them to enter, with the same screen area.
Compared to the OLEDs, the pixels of the MiniLEDs cannot be activated individually, but in the high-end models, the control takes place in areas, which can also be very numerous to guarantee a higher level of precision, with results, to the human eye, similar to those of the OLED panels.
Let’s see briefly what are the main advantages and disadvantages associated with each technology.
LG Smart TV
Samsung Smart TV
Image quality in comparison
From an image quality point of view, is OLED or MiniLED better? OLED TVs continue to be unattainable in some aspects in particular, such as the representation of deep and realistic blacks and the rendering of contrast levels. But even from these points of view, the Mini LED technology has made it possible to take a big step forward, going well beyond the results that could be obtained on traditional LCD televisions.
OLED
The main strength of OLED TVs lies in the exceptional level of contrast and perfect reproduction of blacks. Since each pixel lights up on its own, a pixel showing black is effectively off. Realistic blacks like those of OLED TVs give a great sense of depth to the images shown, which appear almost three-dimensional.
It is no coincidence that one of the most popular contents used by manufacturers to show the full potential of an OLED screen is shooting fireworks in the night sky. The TV is able to perfectly show the lights and colors that stand out clearly against the black background, without the so-called “halo effect” or blooming, ie that halo of light in the dark area surrounding the illuminated elements, typical instead of the models with LED panels.
MiniLED
Even if they still can’t match the results of OLED technology, the new TVs with Mini LED screens still manage to render the blacks and contrasts very well, using local dimming. This feature allows you to selectively turn off only some LED areas of the TV, to obtain a real deeper black in those points. In a high-end MiniLED TV, the zones can be as high as 2000 or 3000, for a level of control which, although not per single pixel, is very precise.
The color rendering of a high-end Mini LED panel is today very good, comparable to an OLED. Thanks to the higher brightness level achieved, MiniLED TVs generally manage to obtain better HDR performance, with a more extended dynamic range, especially in the highlights.
Brightness and viewing angles
A higher brightness level improves the viewing experience when the TV room cannot be darkened, while wider viewing angles allow even those not facing the panel to see well. How do OLED and Mini LED screens to behave with respect to these two characteristics?
OLED
OLED TVs have very wide viewing angles on their side and can also be watched from a side position without experiencing effects such as color loss, faded blacks or other unpleasant visual artifacts. For this, they are the perfect solution for watching movies or games together in an environment where not all viewers are right in front of the screen.
The main flaw of OLED TVs is instead a brightness level that fails to come close to Mini LEDs. Only some particularly performing OLEDs reach around 1000 nits of brightness, and only under certain conditions (for example, if a very clear scene is shown, the light output decreases). It follows that the ideal scenario for using an OLED TV is inside a living room or a multimedia room that can be darkened or simply for watching movies in the evening.
MiniLED
The main advantage of Mini LED panels in general lies in their higher brightness level than OLEDs. Thanks to this technology, in fact, a greater number of LEDs will be placed inside a Mini LED screen compared to a traditional QLED or LED model (with the same dimensions in inches). In practice, therefore, a MiniLED TV can reach a brightness level even double that of an OLED. This allows you to obtain an optimal vision even if the environment in which the television is located is illuminated by natural or artificial light.
On the other hand, the viewing angles of a MiniLED TV are more limited than those with OLED technology. If you stand in front of the TV, the experience is excellent; but moving and looking at the panel from the side (an inclination of 30-40 degrees is enough), the quality of the images deteriorates rapidly, with alterations of the colors, especially of the darker ones that will tend to fade.
For gaming, sports, and fast action
Mini LED vs OLED: which technology is to be preferred from a motion management perspective? To understand this, it is necessary to consider the response time, that is the time it takes a pixel to change its state based on the characteristics of the new image to be displayed.
OLED
Compared to MiniLEDs, OLED TVs have the lowest response times. Based on the analyzes carried out by specialized sector sites, the response time (MPRT) of an OLED screen is about 2-3 milliseconds, about half that of high-end LED competitors. This is possible because each pixel has the ability to change its state extremely quickly.
What does this mean in practice? In showing fast-moving images, ie those typical of action scenes in films and sports, the viewer’s eye will not perceive that sort of trail (known as “motion blur”) that leaves the moving subject.
MiniLED
MiniLED TVs are, like all models with LED panels, more prone to motion blur. This means that when showing fast-moving image sequences, it will be easier to notice some blur. Obviously how evident this effect is will depend on the performance of the single display; the top Mini LED models while failing to match an OLED, will perform better than the cheap ones.
As for gaming, however, it is worth adding a detail: generally LED TVs have lower input lag (i.e. the time it takes for the signal to arrive from the console / PC to the screen) than OLEDs.
OLED VS MiniLED: current quality/price ratio on the market
Considering the characteristics of the two technologies and the prices we see now on the market, which type of TV offers the best value for money, OLED or MiniLED?
OLED
OLEDs have long been the most expensive TVs to buy. Even just for an entry-level model, a minimum expense of $ 1,000 must be taken into account.
In addition, it must be considered that this type of TVs is subject to the phenomenon of burn-in. What happens in practice is that some pixels of the panel end up wearing down, reducing their brightness level and showing a sort of halo of the images shown above on the screen. Fortunately, on modern televisions this happens after many years, it depends on how long the device is on and above all if it is frequently used to show the same static image (ex: the models on display).
MiniLED
The Mini LED is still too recent a technology and the prices of these TVs are very close to those of OLEDs. Hopefully, with the passage of time and with an increase in the production of these panels, it will be possible to purchase a MiniLED TV at a more competitive price.
In general, LED televisions offer a greater choice between models and formats than OLEDs. The manufacturers’ catalogs are rapidly becoming populated with MiniLED TVs and in the coming times it will therefore be easy to find the model that suits your needs (perhaps even coming across some interesting promotions).
- LG: At the moment this is the only brand that makes OLED panels for TVs, which it mounts on its own TVs and sells to other manufacturers. The current lineup includes models ranging from 48 to 88 inches, with 4K Ultra HD and 8K resolution. The higher-end ones belong to the GX, CX, and C1 series. Signature products are characterized by an innovative design that allows the panel to roll upon itself and to be closed when not in use.
- Sony: currently the brand has in its catalog some models with 4K Ultra HD OLED technology belonging to the Bravia XR series, they can be identified by the initials A9, with starting price of around 1200 $.
- Panasonic: the brand produces a wide range of 4K Ultra HD OLED TVs, with sizes ranging from 48 to 78 inches, and prices starting at just under 1000 €.
- Hisense: Hisense also currently has a small number of OLED UHD TVs in the catalog, with prices starting at around $ 900 for the 55-inch.
Which brands produce MiniLED TVs
- LG: The MiniLED TVs produced by LG are marked with the initials QNED (an acronym that derives from the union between the QLED and Nanocell LED technologies), have 4K or 8K resolution and sizes ranging from 65 ” and up to 86 ”. The starting price is around € 1500.
- Samsung: the MiniLEDs of the Samsung range is called Neo QLED and are Smart TVs available in both 4K and 8K resolution. The smallest models are the 55-inch ones and have prices just over € 1000, the largest are from 85 and even cost € 8000.
- TCL: the brand has in its catalog some 55 and 65 inches 4K Ultra HD MiniLED Smart TVs, with prices starting from 900-1000 €. Furthermore, starting from 2021 it has developed the new OD Zero technology, also based on Mini LED, which offers even higher performance. We find it on top of the range of large models.
- Sony: launched its range of Smart Mini LED TVs in 2022, they are top of the range with 8K resolution available in 75 and 85-inch sizes.
- Hisense: this brand also has some 4K MiniLED Smart TVs in its catalog, currently we find a 75 ”, but other models are expected in the future, even with 8K resolution.
Related: OLED burn-in TV: How to fix burn-in and avoid them!
Better an OLED or a MINILED? Verdict and conclusions
Currently, OLED TVs are still the best choice for those looking for maximum image quality, especially for cinema enthusiasts who have a darkened environment available to watch television (or, simply, do it in the evening), even in a company. thanks to the wide viewing angles.
MiniLED TVs, however, represent an interesting alternative, above all for their better visibility in illuminated environments, which makes them more versatile, and for their greater longevity. Currently, there are not many models and the prices are still quite high and comparable to those of OLEDs, but it is worth continuing to keep an eye on this technology because thanks to its excellent performance it has all the credentials to quickly become the choice. best for quality/price ratio.