In this article, we are going to see the differences between Mini LED and OLED technologies and what advantages and disadvantages each offers. In this 2021, Mini LED technology bursts into force, with a great proposal by the main manufacturers such as Samsung, LG, Sony and Philips.
Until now, OLED has been considered the best technology in image quality, but with the arrival of Mini LED technology, the following question arises: is OLED technology still the one that offers the best image quality?
We are going to answer this and other questions in this post on Mini LED vs OLED, which we certainly recommend you read so that you know in depth all the details of both technologies.
What is Mini LED?
Mini LED vs OLED – Which is better?
Mini LED first appeared on the market with TCL in its 8 series. But it is this year when this technology enters massively due to the fact that the main manufacturers such as LG, Samsung and Philips launch models that use this technology.
World’s First Mini LED TV Launched by TCL
Mini LED is really an evolution of the technology that we can find in Full Array LED televisions. LED bulbs of a much smaller size are integrated into Mini LED televisions, specifically around 40 times less, while light control is implemented with many more blocks independently.
Comparative conventional LED size vs. Mini-LEDs
It depends on each model, but we are talking, for example, of a total of 12,888 mini LEDs with 1024 dimming blocks in the new 75-inch Philips PUS9636 series.
As a result, by having more bulbs and having more zones of independent control, we avoid many of the problems of conventional LED screens.
Samsung is the brand that has the most models with this technology and in addition to increasing the number of LED bulbs, it has also replaced the typical LED encapsulation with a new sheet that helps the light to be distributed more precisely. This means that the light is going to be directed to a specific point, so that only the pixels that need it are illuminated. Based on this, a reduction in blooming and halos is noticeable when there is a dark background and bright objects.
An example of how this new technology has achieved this is the new Samsung Neo QLED series, especially the QN90A range onwards.
Advantages of Mini LED TVs
The advantages of Mini LED technology are several with respect to a conventional LED television and it also offers some with respect to OLED. Here we list some of them:
Black level
The contrast of a Mini LED TV is higher, as it can control the lighting much more precisely, achieving purer blacks.
Imagine a scene where there is a very bright object on a black background. An Edge LED LED television would have a very difficult time displaying that dark background and we would see it rather in a grayish tone if we viewed it in a dark room.
Edge LED TV contrast
This is due to the fact that since it does not control the light by blocks but rather globally, it cannot cut the light around the shiny object and it will let a lot of light through, so as we said, it will end up seeing gray. In addition, there is a lot of blooming around the bright object.
A Full Array television will be able to improve this, by locating the LEDs in the back instead of just below and by having a block dimming system, it will be able to adjust the light in more specific parts.
Full Array TV contrast
Here the background would be much darker, since it will greatly cut the light that it delivers in that part, where it is not needed.
However, some halo will still be produced around the light object depending on the number of dimming blocks it has. In general, the greater the number of blocks, the fewer halos will be produced, although it also depends on how efficient the algorithms that are in charge of controlling those blocks in real time are.
If the processor’s algorithms aren’t doing it right, it can also cause annoying transitions when trying to adjust the light in real time.
With the arrival of Mini LED televisions, as we have said by using many more LED bulbs, reducing the optical distance to the panel and using a greater number of dimming blocks, much purer blacks and a reduction in halos will be achieved. or blooming.
Mini LED TV contrast
Brightness
The brightness level is possibly the main claim of this technology and it is that in the new models, we are going to find really high figures.
In TCL and Samsung Mini LED TVs it has been confirmed that the optical distance is reduced. In the case of TCL’s MIni LED TVs from the OD Zero range, the optical distance is zero millimeters between the layer containing the Mini LED backlight and the layer that diffuses light on the LCD screen.
This figure is much lower than what LED televisions usually have, which is between 10 and 25 millimeters.
The top of the range from Samsung, the QN900A Neo QLED series, can deliver a maximum brightness peak of up to 4000 nits, something impressive and that allows you to enjoy HDR content to the fullest.
However, the ability to deliver the highest possible brightness is going to be limited in part, due to the laws in Europe regarding electricity consumption.
Compared to an OLED TV, the brightness that a Mini LED TV can deliver is also higher. Although in the last two years OLED televisions have improved in terms of maximum brightness, they do not reach the brightness that a Mini LED television can provide.
Virtually no risk of screen marking
By using inorganic material, just like any LED TV, the probability of screen marking effect is practically zero with normal use.
Screen marking occurs when a still image is left on for a very long time. After many hours with that same image without having changed it, it can happen that they appear as a kind of shadows in the shape of that image and that means that even if the image is changed, it is always visible.
Here you can see more clearly what is meant by screen markup on a TV.
Screen marking effect on a TV
Recommended Mini LED TVs
Quantum HDR 24x, 6 speaker Object Tracking Sound - 60W, 2.2.2CH
Mini LED Quantum HDR 24x Smart TV with Alexa Built-in
8K UHD Quantum Matrix Technology Pro Quantum HDR 48x
Mini LED Quantum HDR 32x Smart TV with Alexa Built-in
What is OLED?
Mini LED vs OLED – Panel Layers
OLED, stands for ‘organic light emitting diode’, or organic light emitting diode and is a self-emissive technology, in which each pixel lights up individually.
This makes it possible to eliminate the need to use a backlight as is the case with LED and Mini LED televisions. OLED TVs use fewer layers compared to LED and Mini LED TVs.
Current manufactured panels use four sub-pixels, the usual red, green and blue (RGB) plus one white (W).
This white sub-pixel is added to provide more brightness due to the longevity issue of the blue sub-pixel at high brightness levels.
OLED Advantages
Now we explain what advantages OLED technology offers.
Even better black level than Mini LED
The black level of OLED technology is unbeatable at this time, since we are talking about a self-emissive technology that is capable of turning each pixel on and off independently.
Thanks to this, in addition to pure blacks, there is no blooming, clouding or light leaks, which are more common in LED televisions. This however, in Mini LED is reduced almost to a minimum as well.
Viewing angle
OLED panels provide an excellent viewing angle that makes them viewable from anywhere with little loss of contrast and color saturation.
Although it is true that there are models of the Samsung and Sony premium LED range that have a filter to improve angles, the rest of LED televisions are much inferior in this aspect, especially those with a VA panel.
Recommended OLED TVs
120Hz Refresh Rate, AI-Powered 4K, Dolby Cinema, WiSA Ready, Gaming Mode
Acoustic Surface, Dolby Vision HDR and Alexa Compatibility
Acoustic Surface, Dolby Vision HDR and Alexa Compatibility
120Hz Refresh Rate, AI-Powered 4K, Dolby Cinema, WiSA Ready, Cloud Gaming
), 60Hz Refresh Rate, AI-Powered 4K, Dolby Cinema, WiSA Ready, Gaming Mode
Acoustic Surface, Dolby Vision HDR and Alexa Compatibility
Conclusion Mini LED vs OLED – Which one is better?
Both technologies now offer the best possible image quality thanks to their high contrast, but choosing between one and the other will depend on several factors, such as the environment in which you watch the television.
If you see it most of the time in the dark, possibly the best option is OLED, since it achieves infinite black by being able to control the light of each pixel independently.
With an OLED television, you will not see light leaks or the appearance of blooming, which although this problem is almost completely reduced in Mini LED, it can still occur.
In addition, OLED has a faster response time, so each pixel changes state more quickly and the management of the moving image is usually better and leaves less trail.
If instead you see it in a very bright room where there is a lot of light, the advantage of Mini LED televisions is that they can deliver a higher brightness, which is interesting especially in HDR content.
Although with the new generation of OLED panels and the implementation of the new heat sink, there are some models like the Sony A90J that reaches a peak brightness of 1300 nits, a figure that is not far from those offered by the new Mini LED televisions.
In any case, the contrast and brightness is only part of the image quality and also has to take into account the image processing that each model uses.
For example, this year Sony does not launch any Mini LED model and continues with the Full Array system in its LED range, but it has superior image processing than other brands, which makes the image sharper and scales the content better. below 4K.
Here below we leave you with our list of the best OLED televisions that you can buy right now in relation to value for money if you finally opt for this technology.
We hope this article has helped you understand the differences between Mini LED and OLED. If you have any questions, you can leave a comment below or write to us on our social networks.
I’m thinking about getting the new Samsung S95B QD-OLED, but I’m doubting due to is a first-gen tech. Do you think is it too early to buy or not? The price is similar to the LG C2, but everyone is saying that the Samsung is much better.