QLED TV or NanoCell? Understand how these technologies work

There are many questions that can arise when buying a Smart TV. They range from technical specifications, through the model and quality of the brand, to the look and design of the product, in addition to other factors. One of the features to consider when choosing a Mid-range Smart TV for the residency is whether it will be a QLED or NanoCell, two of the main technologies represented mainly by the brands Samsung e LG. But what does each of them mean? This is what we will explain next.

Evolution of TVs

Before moving on to the main topic of this article, let's understand a little about how TVs with technology before the popular ones work LED TVs and those that no longer use a backlight source to generate images. The history of televisions is old and started with the CRT TVs, with its characteristics and visual limitations, until reaching screens that display more and more resources and qualities, mainly with the use of the HDR and resolution up to 8K. Some images deliver such perfection that they seem to even surpass the quality seen in the real world by our eyes!

CRT

Let's start with CRT TVs (cathode ray tube, or Cathode Ray Tube, in Portuguese), the popular “tube TVs”. CRT TVs began commercially in the 1930s and dominated the television market until the 90s. Its operation was carried out through the electronic cannon - existing in three quantities (RGB) in color TVs -, a pair of coils and a screen, which It has an inner lining composed of phosphorus.

LCD

Already the first TVs LCD (Liquid Crystal Display, or Display of Liquid Crystals in Portuguese) came soon after and were characterized by having a thin screen composed of liquid crystals - which is located between two sheets of glass -, and is controlled through electrical impulses. They have their lighting done by a fluorescent lamp (CCFL) to ensure color reproduction on the panel.

LED

To replace the fluorescent lamps of LCD TVs, LED TVs came, which use LED light sources (a lighting of light diodes) located at the back (backlight), right behind the layer of LCD screen. In addition to improving the image quality of TVs with led light, they consume less energy and are therefore more economical.

However, the leakage of light on the sides and the lower contrast and sharpness (with shallow and faithful whites and blacks) of these TVs made it possible to create a new subcategory of LED TVs, that use the power of particles in your favor, represented by TVs QLED and NanoCell.

QLED or NanoCell, what's the difference?

And then we come to a Improved model of TVs with LED screens that use dots, or particles, to aid in the correction of images, which are the TVs QLED or NanoCell. Both have similar characteristics, such as the use of nanocrystals that can be turned on or off individually to generate even more accurate and pure colors, but still have the need for a backlight (the backlight).

The fact that these technologies control each pixel individually guarantees, compared to previous models, a depth and greater detail of colors, lights and shadows. The performance of these technologies is based on color filtering, allowing greater fidelity in the final result, in addition to helping to improve aspects such as brightness and contrast. Let us now see the main features of each of these models, QLED or NanoCell.

How does QLED TV work?

First, let's detail how a Smart TV that uses technology QLED. Samsung is the largest representative of this technology that started in 2017 and uses the technology of Quantum Dots (Quantum Dots), also available on branded TVs TCL. The Quantum Dots are crystals, made of ultra-fine and microscopic semiconductor materials (from 2 to 10 nanometers, 20.000 times smaller than hair strands), which can individually emit colors when illuminated, totaling, together, the generation of more than a billion colors.

These TVs, even though they use backlighting, have a layer in front of LCD panel that contain these quantum dots and act by reproducing each one a color, depending on its size. Therefore, TVs QLEDs act by offering a greater volume of visible color, helping to generate vibrant HDR content. Here, colored light is more accurate due to speed tuning that works at the quantum level. This increased luminance efficiency can significantly improve image quality. 

There is one factor to consider in QLED TVs, which are yours VA panel. The VA panels (Vertical Alignment) shorten the viewing angle, making it more limited (which can generate a gray haze when watching from a more extreme angle). However, they have greater contrast and make the black deeper. They are the most suitable TVs for darker rooms.

However, some models of TV QLED have features to increase the viewing angle and treat the reflection. Models like the NeoQLED (Which uses Mini-LED in the backlight — being able to cluster in greater numbers in the darkening zones, increasing the contrast even more — and increasing the viewing angle) and the QENG (from LG, which combines the Quantum Dots with technology Nanocell), are just some of the examples of improvements.

Advantages of QLED TV

Among the main advantages of a QLED TV are:

• Allows for higher brightnesses;
• Delivers better contrast and better black than NanoCell;
• Less likely to suffer from the Burn-in effect than OLEDs.

Disadvantages of QLED TV

As for the disadvantages of a QLED TV, they are: 

• More limited viewing angle than NanoCell TVs.

Top QLED Smart TVs to buy

• Samsung Smart TV 65 inch QLED 4K 65Q65B (2022): BRL 5,545,06
• Samsung Smart TV 43 inch QLED The Frame 43LS03B (2022): R$ 4.999,00
• Samsung Smart TV 65″ QLED 4K 65Q70A (2021): R$ 5.469,00

How does the NanoCell TV work?

With Samsung's QLED launched and its superiority over conventional LED TVs, the LG also embarked on the system of using particles to assist in the reproduction of images and brought its TVs to the market Nanocell, using the nanocrystals — 1 nanometer particles that, when put together, create a uniform, high-quality, accurate image that adjusts to different viewing angles.

It is a more recent technology that, placed ahead of a LCD panel, allows the filtering of inappropriate colors to make them purer and deliver the pure RGB. The nano particles use a light absorption filter (light blocking technology) to remove shadows and dull and unwanted colors, enhancing colors and leaving them purer, vivid, natural and with greater clarity.

Another quality is in IPS panel (In-Plane Switch) present in the NanoCell TVs, able to widen the viewing angle. Also, TVs with IPS help to reduce glare from windows or lamps and are therefore better for bright rooms, unlike competitor Samsung and its QLED. On the other hand, TVs Nanocell they deliver a shallow and vibrant black and, due to the backlight, the black or gray point ends up being visible in dark environments.

It is important to point out that some features are present in these NanoCell TVs in order to improve previously damaged points. Among them is technology Full Array Local Dimming that increases the contrast and acts on the brightness of the scenes in an intelligent way, also improving the blacks.

Advantages of NanoCell TV

Among the main advantages of a NanoCell TV are:

• Wider viewing angle with IPS panel;
• Best for bright rooms.

Disadvantages of NanoCell TV

As for the disadvantages of a NanoCell TV, they are: 

• Delivers a shallow black;
• Lower contrast quality than QLED.

Top NanoCell Smart TVs to Buy

• Smart TV LG 55” 4K NanoCell 55NANO80SQA (2022): BRL 3.299,99
• Smart TV LG 50” 4K NanoCell 50NANO75SQA (2022): BRL 2.729,00
• Smart TV LG 65″ 4K NanoCell 65NANO75SPA (2021): R$ 5.294,00

Which to choose: QLED or NanoCell?

The question then remains as to which SmartTV choose, QLED or NanoCell. Despite the differences and advantages described above, not all of them are the same. Some have additional features that drive lower features — such as differences in backlighting — and use of certain technologies, making them compatible with their competitors. 

In the end, both TVs, QLED or NanoCell, rely on the most faithful reproduction of colors. Some differences are visible or more preferable for some users than for others and, therefore, it is up to them to choose the most optimal technology, according to their use and preferences. A test with one of the TVs in the most used applications can also be a good request to make the final choice. 

What about OLED and MicroLED? Are better?

Yes, but more expensive, TVs OLED e MicroLED, larger representatives in the LG and Samsung brands, respectively, add even more quality to the operation of TVs. This would be a comparative subject for another article, but for now, let's look at some of the main features of each of these TVs.

OLED

The technology OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode, ie Organic Light Emitting Diode) uses organic pixels/diodes (smaller than LEDs) that emit their own light individually, no longer needing backlighting panels. Which is why TVs with this technology feature an ultra-thin design.

OLED TVs convey more vivid contrast and also have the ability to allow viewing at more angles around the screen. It is also able to deliver true black — because light does not escape to the edges and each pixel lights up separately — but, on the other hand, they are very more expensive and have a shorter lifespan than LCD and LED TVs. 

In addition, OLED TVs end up being more likely to generate the infamous effect burn-in (smudge mark), which happens when an image stays for a long time at a certain point, something typical in video games.

MicroLED

On the other hand, TVs that have the technology MicroLED have OLED-like features, bringing the true black and infinite contrast. Unlike OLEDs, they use inorganic material for light production (gallium nitride – GaN), which guarantees them a longer lifespan e thinner screens than OLED, in addition to still generating a lower energy consumption. These are, therefore, technologies more expensive on the market.

Learn more:

Find out more about the next technologies in TVs that will dominate the market. 

Sources: TVhifipro, foot search, BuyYour_TV, Office of the Net, ReviewTV, PC, tvfindr, VSS Monitoring, muo, Smart Energy, world education, Core Hardware