I vividly remember purchasing my first OLED TV, the LG E8 55-inch model back in 2019, just before the world went into lockdown. It turned out to be the perfect companion for isolation. Initially, I was only vaguely aware of OLED technology (organic light-emitting diode), knowing that it uses self-lit pixels instead of a backlight, offering infinite contrast. But after diving into games like Final Fantasy XV and experiencing The Last of Us Part II, I realized this was like reliving a nostalgic dream in real-time. Naturally, I didn't stop at the E8.

A few years later, I upgraded to the LG C2 65-inch TV. Since then, I've reviewed numerous devices with OLED displays and discovered that not all OLED screens are the same. In fact, the technology behind OLED displays varies. You might wonder, "How many types of OLED are there?" The answer is quite a few, but you should focus on three main types: WOLED, QD-OLED, and AMOLED.

WOLED, QD-OLED, and AMOLED: How They Work

OLED technology has been around for decades, with companies like Kodak and Mitsubishi experimenting with different versions. It wasn't until LG introduced its OLED TVs in the early 2010s that the technology gained widespread popularity.

LG's version of OLED is known as WOLED (White OLED). While LG doesn't use this term in its marketing—preferring to be known simply as "OLED"—WOLED uses a pure white OLED layer with an RGBW color filter. Unlike traditional OLEDs, which use separate red, green, and blue emitters that deteriorate at different rates, WOLED's approach helps mitigate burn-in issues. However, it introduces its own challenges, such as imbalanced brightness and reduced color volume due to the color filtering process. Higher-end WOLEDs attempt to address this with Micro Lens Array technology, which focuses light more effectively.

In 2022, Samsung introduced QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED), which replaces the white OLED layer with a blue one that interacts with quantum dot color converters. These quantum dots absorb and convert the blue light into red or green, maintaining the backlight's intensity and delivering vibrant colors without the loss associated with color filtering.

AMOLED, on the other hand, stands apart because it incorporates a thin-film transistor (TFT) layer. This allows for faster pixel activation but at the expense of OLED's signature infinite contrast.

WOLED, QD-OLED, and AMOLED: Which Is Better for Gaming?

Choosing the best OLED technology for gaming depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you're looking for a straightforward answer, QD-OLED is generally considered the best option. However, there are scenarios where WOLED or AMOLED might be more suitable.

Let's start with AMOLED, which is commonly found in smartphones and laptops rather than TVs due to its higher cost. AMOLED's flexibility makes it ideal for various screen sizes and it supports high refresh rates and excellent viewing angles. However, it struggles in direct sunlight due to lower peak brightness, which can be a drawback for mobile gaming.

For gaming monitors and TVs, you'll typically choose between WOLED (often simply labeled as OLED) and QD-OLED. WOLED can achieve high brightness with its white OLED layer, though this is primarily with whites. The RGBW filter can lead to reduced brightness across other colors. On the other hand, QD-OLED offers superior overall brightness and color vibrancy because quantum dots absorb rather than filter light.

In a brightly lit room, WOLED's ability to maintain deep blacks without glare can be advantageous. My OLED TV, positioned opposite windows, still displays true blacks despite the glare. In contrast, my QD-OLED monitor on my desk shows a purplish tint in similar conditions because Samsung removed the polarizing layer to boost brightness, which increases reflections.

While QD-OLED may offer better color and brightness, WOLED can be less distracting in reflective environments. Remember, the actual quality of these displays depends heavily on their specifications, and generally, you get what you pay for.

However, the future of OLED might soon include PHOLED.

The Future of OLED Is PHOLED

There are several types of OLED, including PHOLED (Phosphorescent OLED), which uses phosphorescent materials to convert energy into light. The main challenge with PHOLED has been the significantly shorter lifespan of its blue component compared to green and red, making early versions impractical.

Recently, LG announced a breakthrough in blue PHOLED technology, enabling mass production. LG markets PHOLED as "Dream OLED" due to its phosphorescence achieving 100% luminous efficiency, far surpassing the 25% efficiency of fluorescence. This means PHOLED TVs will be brighter and more energy-efficient.

Although PHOLED TVs won't hit the market immediately, we'll see this technology in smartphones and tablets sooner rather than later.