Samsung QLED TVs: Are They Worth the Premium?

Samsung QLED TVs: Are They Worth the Premium?

QLED TVs represent the pinnacle of display technology, combining quantum dots with advanced LED backlighting for unrivaled color performance. As the world's largest TV manufacturer, Samsung has led the charge in making QLED a household name. With heavy investments in R&D, Samsung aims to perfect QLED and bring it mainstream. But are the improvements worth the premium over regular LED TVs? In this article, we'll examine what makes QLED special, how Samsung QLED TVs stack up, and whether the price jump is justified for the average consumer. By the end, you'll know if moving to QLED is the right choice for upgrading your home entertainment.

What is QLED?

QLED stands for quantum dot LED TV. It's a relatively new TV technology developed by Samsung that aims to compete with OLED.

QLED TVs use LED backlighting like regular LED TVs. The key difference is they have a quantum dot film placed over the LED backlight. Quantum dots are tiny semiconductor particles that emit their own colored light when illuminated. The quantum dots enhance the color gamut, meaning QLED TVs can produce more vivid, accurate colors.

Compared to OLED TVs which use self-emitting pixels and can achieve perfect black levels, QLED TVs cannot match this level of contrast due to their backlight. However, QLED TVs can achieve higher peak brightness levels than OLED.

Samsung's QLED TVs

Samsung's QLED TVs are the company's premium line of 4K and 8K televisions. They use Samsung's proprietary QLED technology, which stands for "Quantum Dot LED". The key features of Samsung's QLED TVs include:

  • High brightness and vivid colors - QLED TVs can get very bright, reaching up to 2000 nits peak brightness on high-end models. This makes them exceptionally good at handling HDR content. The quantum dots also produce saturated and accurate colors.

  • 100% color volume - Samsung QLEDs can display colors at 100% of the DCI-P3 color space, even at peak brightness levels. This results in vibrant and lifelike colors that don't wash out.

  • Ultra viewing angles - The anti-reflective screen layer on QLED TVs allows for wider viewing angles of up to 60 degrees without color degradation, making them suitable for large rooms.

  • One Connect box - A single cable connects the TV to an external One Connect box, which houses inputs and outputs for a clean setup.

  • Smart TV platform - QLED TVs run Samsung's Tizen-based Smart TV platform, with access to popular streaming apps, screen mirroring, and smart home controls.

  • Gaming features - Low input lag, variable refresh rate support, and auto game mode make Samsung QLED TVs a good fit for gaming.

Picture Quality

When it comes to picture quality, QLED TVs stand out from traditional LED TVs but don't quite match up to OLED. The Quantum Dot technology in QLED TVs allows them to produce colors that are more vivid and accurate than regular LED TVs. The wider color gamut and HDR capabilities result in a more dynamic and lifelike viewing experience.

However, OLED TVs still have the edge when it comes to overall image quality. OLED pixels can turn off completely to produce true blacks, resulting in infinite contrast ratios. This leads to richer details in shadows and highlights. OLEDs also have wider viewing angles, with colors staying accurate even when viewed from the side.

QLED TVs can get very bright, with some models reaching up to 2,000 nits peak brightness. This makes highlights really pop and improves legibility in bright rooms. However, they cannot match the pixel-level control and contrast of OLED. In a dark room, OLED usually provides a more immersive viewing experience.

So while QLED TVs offer a noticeable jump in picture quality over regular LED TVs, OLED still delivers the best overall image quality, especially for movies and HDR content. But QLED TVs are no slouch either, providing excellent colors and brightness.

For those exploring new options in the QLED category, the Samsung UE43CU7110 is a noteworthy model. It features an advanced Quantum Dot display that enhances picture vibrancy and clarity, pushing the boundaries of color accuracy and brightness typical for QLED screens. With a peak brightness of 2,000 nits, the Samsung UE43CU7110 is particularly effective in well-lit environments, ensuring that you enjoy your favorite content without any compromise in picture quality, regardless of ambient lighting conditions. Additionally, its sleek design and smart functionality make it a versatile addition to any home entertainment setup.

Viewing Angles

One of the biggest differences between QLED and OLED is viewing angles. OLED screens can be viewed from almost any angle with no color shifting or loss of contrast and brightness. This is because each pixel emits its own light.

QLED screens rely on a backlight that passes through a quantum dot layer. This means if you're viewing from off-center, you may notice some brightness and color fading. The level of this fading depends on the quality of the QLED TV.

Samsung's QLED TVs use an anti-reflective layer and viewing angle compensation technology to help minimize color and contrast degradation at wider angles. But they still can't quite match the near 180-degree viewing freedom of OLED.

So if your seating arrangement is very off-center, or you tend to move around the room a lot while watching TV, an OLED may be the better choice. But for head-on viewing, a QLED will deliver a superb picture.

Brightness

One of the biggest advantages of QLED TVs is their incredible brightness levels. Samsung's high-end QLED models can reach peak brightness levels of 2000 nits or more. This makes them significantly brighter than OLED TVs, which typically max out around 800-900 nits.

The extra brightness gives QLEDs some key advantages:

  • They can get much brighter in HDR content, allowing you to see all the details in the brightest parts of the image. This makes HDR really pop.

  • They avoid the risk of OLED burn-in caused by static bright elements. QLED TVs have no risk of permanent burn-in.

  • They can combat glare and reflections better in bright rooms. The high brightness levels cut through ambient light.

  • Colors appear richer and more vibrant thanks to the brighter, more intense light output.

So if you want a TV that can get extremely bright for HDR or well-lit rooms, QLED is the way to go. OLED still has some advantages in dark room viewing, but can't compete when it comes to brightness.

Price

When it comes to price, Samsung's QLED TVs tend to be more affordable than OLED TVs with comparable specs and sizes. A 55-inch Samsung QLED 4K TV generally costs around £1000-£1500, while a 55-inch LG OLED 4K TV is usually £1500-£2000.

For very large screen sizes, QLED becomes even more competitively priced. An 85-inch Samsung QLED 8K TV is priced around £3500-£5000, while an equivalent size LG OLED 8K TV will cost upwards of £7000.

The main reason for this price difference comes down to the underlying technologies. OLED production is more complex and expensive than LCD/QLED. There are also yield issues, with OLED suffering from more defects during manufacturing. This drives up costs.

In terms of value for money, QLED provides strong picture quality that is quite comparable to OLED but at a more budget-friendly price point. For buyers who want excellent 4K/8K performance without breaking the bank, Samsung's QLED TVs hit a nice sweet spot.

However, OLED still delivers the best overall image quality, especially with perfect blacks and pixel-level lighting control. For videophiles who want the ultimate home theater experience, the added cost of OLED may be justified. But for general consumers, QLED is likely the better bang for buck.

Exploring the Samsung QLED lineup, the Samsung CU8500 emerges as a prime example of QLED value. This 65-inch model delivers an impressive blend of performance and price, making it ideal for consumers looking to upgrade their viewing experience without the premium cost associated with OLED technology. Featuring Samsung's cutting-edge QLED display technology, the CU8500 offers vibrant colors and deep contrasts, along with a range of smart TV features that enhance usability and connectivity. Its pricing is competitive, reflecting the QLED market's advantage in offering high-quality visuals at a more accessible price point.

Longevity

When it comes to lifespan and burn-in issues, QLED TVs have a clear advantage over OLED TVs.

QLED TVs use LED backlighting which has a very long lifespan. The quantum dots themselves are inorganic, so they do not degrade over time like the organic materials used in OLED displays. This means that QLED TVs can reliably operate for many years without any significant deterioration in picture quality.

OLED TVs on the other hand can suffer from permanent image retention or burn-in issues. This happens when the same static image is continuously displayed, which can cause ghost images to remain visible. OLED displays use organic materials that slowly degrade over time, especially with heavy usage. Although manufacturers have implemented some protections, OLED burn-in remains a concern.

In real-world usage, a QLED TV should be able to operate reliably for a decade or longer without any burn-in problems. An OLED TV will likely show some degradation after 3-5 years, especially if used for gaming or displaying static content. For consumers wanting a TV to last many years without worry of burn-in, QLED is the safer choice.

So when it comes to longevity, QLED TVs have a clear advantage. Their inorganic quantum dots and LED backlights allow them to operate for many years without burn-in or significant picture degradation. OLED TVs remain more susceptible to permanent image retention and reduced lifespan of the organic materials. This gives QLED TVs the edge for longevity.

Features

Samsung's QLED TVs come with some unique features not found on many other TVs. One standout is Ambient Mode, which allows the TV to blend into your wall when not in use. It can display artwork, photos, or information when idle so the big black screen doesn't stick out.

QLED TVs also offer features tailored towards gaming. They have Auto Game Mode which automatically switches to Game Mode when it detects a console input. Input lag is very low, and variable refresh rate support allows for smooth gameplay. For streaming, there is an on-screen TV guide and universal search to easily find content.

The smart TV platform used is Samsung's own Tizen OS. It provides access to all the major streaming apps and services. Controlling the TV is easy with the minimalist remote or even your voice through built-in Bixby and Alexa support. Overall, QLED TVs have great smart features that enhance the viewing experience.

Conclusion

When looking at Samsung's QLED TVs, the premium pricing is a key consideration. While QLED does offer some advantages over OLED and standard LED TVs, the price difference is significant.

Ultimately, the value comes down to your priorities and budget. If having the absolute best picture quality and viewing angles are most important, even with the risk of burn-in, OLED may be worth it. If you want great quality but at a more affordable price, standard LED/LCD TVs are likely the better option.

For many, QLED offers a nice middle ground. You get premium features like quantum dot technology for good brightness, color accuracy and HDR. The wider viewing angles and lack of burn-in issues are also benefits over OLED. While not cheap, QLEDs cost less than the same-sized premium OLED.

If you want an excellent, future-proof TV with great picture, smart capabilities and more - and cost isn't as much of a concern - QLED delivers. For most buyers, however, OLED or LED/LCD TVs will likely provide better overall value. But for a high-end TV experience with less risk of permanent issues like burn-in, QLED TVs are a strong contender worth considering.