Compare of a 42-inch OLED TV versus a monitor: Does any LED screen match OLED's wide viewing angleability?
OLED TVs Take the Lead in Viewing Angles
In the world of television technology, OLED screens have emerged as the clear winner when it comes to viewing angles. This is due to the self-emissive nature of OLED pixels, which individually light up, maintaining color accuracy and brightness regardless of the viewer's position.
In contrast, LED TVs, which use a backlight, suffer from color shifts and brightness loss when viewed off-center. Some LED TVs employ IPS panels to improve viewing angles, but they still cannot match the consistency of OLED screens[1].
This advantage is particularly noticeable in group viewing or when viewers watch from different parts of a room. OLED provides a uniform picture quality for all angles, ensuring everyone enjoys the same high-quality viewing experience[1][2].
Video comparisons confirm this trend, with OLED TVs looking nearly the same off-axis, while LED (including Mini LED) TVs show a loss of color and contrast when viewed from the side[3].
While some high-end 4K Mini LED TVs have made strides in improving viewing angles, they still fall short of OLED's performance[1]. For example, the Panasonic Z95A TV, known for its dialogue clarity, stands out, but its viewing angles are not on par with OLED screens[1].
In the market, TCL QM7 is a recommended choice when the price of TCL QM7 and QM6K is similar. The 2024 model QM7 has been impressively improved from the 2023 Q7, as seen at CES 2024[4]. It boasts better image processing and HDR performance compared to the QM6K[5].
However, it's important to note that LED TVs are not without their merits. VA panels, for instance, offer higher contrast and more narrow viewing angles. Samsung's QN80F, for example, has a faster max refresh rate at 144Hz compared to the LG B4's 120Hz[6].
In the ongoing race for TV technology, both Samsung and Sony are continually working on improving VA panels to maintain great contrast and improve viewing angles[7].
For those who don't need a soundbar, the LG C4 42-inch OLED TV could be a potential choice. However, it's worth noting that the QN80F lacks the brightness of some of Samsung's higher-end models, and an OLED like LG's B4 or B5 would be a better performer[8].
In summary, for the best viewing angles across diverse seating positions, an OLED TV is superior to LED TVs. This is because OLED screens have self-emissive pixels that individually light up, ensuring consistent color and brightness regardless of the viewer's position.
[1] https://www.rtings.com/tv/tests/viewing-angle [2] https://www.rtings.com/tv/learn/what-are-viewing-angles-and-why-do-they-matter [3] https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/best/by-usage/viewing-angle [4] https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/tcl/qm7-2024 [5] https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/tcl/qm6k-2025 [6] https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/samsung/qn80f-2021 [7] https://www.rtings.com/tv/learn/what-are-va-panels [8] https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/samsung/qn80f-2021
In the realm of home gadgets, smart-home devices are not only limited to lighting systems and thermostats. The advancement in technology has extended to smart televisions, with OLED TVs leading the way in providing superior viewing angles, outperforming many gadgets that use traditional LED screens. The technology behind OLED screens, featuring self-emissive pixels, ensures consistent color and brightness regardless of the gadget or user's position.
