Nano cell vs. LED: Which is the Best TV Screen?

FACTS CHECKED BY  Bob Smith

TV technology is one area that gets constant advancements to ease pressure on the human eyes. These technologies are OLED and LG’s Nano cell. OLED holds a position as one of the best display technologies. But now, the more recent Nano cell offers its line of benefits that make it a great contender. Don’t worry if you don’t know much about these technologies. In this article, we’ll traverse the world of Nano cell vs. LED technologies, comparing them to find the better one.

What is Nano Cell?

Nano cell TVs work like every other LED TV. But the way it handles colors sets them apart. Usually, they have a layer that enhances how we view colors on the green and red wavelength. 

Also, the display technology features an exceptional black performance because of its “Full Array Local Dimming” (FALD). This feature allows Nano cell TVs to dim the LED backlights in specific zones to produce darker scenes. As a result, it offers better HDR performance and contrast ratios than standard LED TVs.

Advantages and drawbacks of Nano Cell

Pros

  • Nano cell TVs offer enhanced color reproduction compared to standard IPS LCD TVs.
  • It’s more affordable than OLED but more expensive than LCD technology.
  • It’s perfect for HDR content because of its higher peak brightness.

Cons

  • Nano cell TVs are still backlit, which affects image quality and color accuracy.
  • It’s a bit heavier and thicker than OLED technology.

What is OLED?

OLED TV

OLED TV

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) is pretty different from its backlit counterparts. Though it has LED in its name, it doesn’t blast light through layers to create realistic colors. Instead, it lights and controls all OLED pixels individually.

As a result, OLED boasts better color reproduction, including black (which seems to be a problem with most technologies). OLED technology turns off the section required for darker scenes.

Advantages and Disadvantages of OLED

Pros

  • You can get impressive black levels with OLED.
  • OLED TVs have wide viewing angles
  • OLED TVs offer the thinnest screen available.

Cons

  • It can be pretty expensive.
  • You can experience burn-in problems.
  • Its peak brightness is lower than Nano cell TVs.

OLED vs. Nano Cell: Differences

Let’s compare these technologies and see which offers the most benefits.

Image Quality

OLED 8K Quality

OLED TVs have better image quality than Nano cell TVs. Why? OLEDs use self-emitting pixels that make up their emissive display type. Hence, OLEDs reproduce image qualities closer to reality than their transmissive display (LED backlighting) counterparts.

Though Nano cell’s image quality is better than the standard LED TVs, it’s not as great as the OLED.

Color Accuracy

OLED TV

OLED TV

Source: Wikimedia Commons

OLED and Nano cell TVs both have impressive color accuracy. But OLEDs offer more black levels.

Nano Cell TVs need FALD to produce black or darker scenes since they can’t reproduce the same black as OLEDs. And it’s not the same because the FALD only dims the lights to produce a greyish black for darker scenes.

In contrast, OLEDs switch off some of their self-lit pixels to create a more realistic black. As a result, OLEDs have higher contrast ratios than Nano cell TVs. Additionally, OLEDs use individual pixel dimming.

Burn-in Problem

OLED TVs are susceptible to burn-in. A burn-in happens when the display shows one image at one location, like a logo, and remains static for an extended period. However, most OLED TVs counter this problem with screen shifter technologies. Contrarily, Nano cell TVs don’t have this problem.

Cost

Multiple OLED TVs

OLED TVs are significantly more expensive than Nano cell TVs. OLEDs are premium products that are pretty hard to manufacture. For instance, the device needs several resources to ensure that the self-lit pixels are perfect. 

On the other hand, Nano cell TVs are not as expensive. But they offer an experience close to OLEDs. For example, a 77-inch OLED TV can cost as much as $11,399, depending on the type/brand, while an 86-inch Nano cell TV can cost up to $7439. In short, Nano cell TVs are over 30% cheaper than OLED TVs.

Screen Thickness

Ultra-thin and curved OLED TV

As earlier mentioned, OLEDs offer the thinnest TV technology available. Why? Since OLEDs don’t need backlight systems, manufacturers make them as slim as possible. In truth, some brands offer super thin TVs with a few millimeters thick displays.

Contrarily, Nano cell TVs need a backlight system, so they usually have thicker sizes.

Viewing Angles

Wide-angled OLED TV

OLED and Nano Cell TVs have great viewing angles. Hence, they don’t look weird from the sides. However, OLED takes it further with more color accuracy, thanks to their self-emitting pixels.

Response Time

Response time is crucial if you prefer playing games on your TV. It refers to the time it takes to switch from one color to another. Typically, TVs should have a response rate of less than 6ms for the best experience. 

The OLEDs have a response time of about 1ms, which is excellent for gamers. On the other hand, Nano Cell TVs have a decent response time of about 5ms to 10ms.

Nano Cell vs. OLED: Which is Better?

Although OLED outperforms Nano Cell, the better one depends on your application. OLEDs have different screen types with some shortcomings. However, if image quality is your primary concern, OLED is your go-to.

OLED is also better if you want more realistic colors. Nano cell TVs won’t offer terrible color depths, but they don’t give great black colors.

But, if you aim to get a wide viewing angle with more accurate colors than LED screens, the Nano cell TV is ideal. Also, Nano cell TVs are great if you don’t want the risk of a burn-in. 

In Addition, if budget is your concern, then Nano cell technology is your best bet. They use in-plane switching (IPS) and LCD screens, offering performance almost as good as OLED TVs. Also, they feature a nanoparticle layer that filters light to prevent adverse effects on the screen brightness and color.

In short, Nano cell is better if you’re on a tight budget but still want solid performance. But, the OLED is a fantastic choice if you don’t mind spending the extra cash for a slimmer TV.

FAQs

Are Nano Cell TVs Worth it?

Considering the image quality and price, Nano Cell TVs are worth it as mid-range TVs. After all, it offers something close to OLED’s performance at a lower price.

How does LG Nano Cell Technology Work?

Nano Cell is pretty similar to other LED TV technologies. They use backlights with a nanoparticle layer, which helps to reproduce more vibrant colors and accurate images.

Which is better: QLED, OLED, or Nano Cell TVs?

Overall, OLED takes this one. But when it comes down to QLED and Nano cell TVs, both offer similar benefits. However, the Nano cell takes the crown with its enhanced image and color features.

Rounding Up

OLED offers the ultimate picture quality with beautiful black levels. Also, its vibrant colors, lesser power consumption, fast response time, and individual pixel control are worth mentioning.

However, an OLED TV is quite expensive. And it may have a burn-in issue, though newer versions tackle this problem, which reduces the risks.

Nano Cell TVs also offer impressive color accuracy and wide viewing angles. They serve as a more affordable option for OLEDs. Also, they have remarkable peak brightness and are great for watching HDR content.

Do you have more questions on OLED and Nano cell TVs? Don’t hesitate to contact us.

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