QLED vs Mini LED vs OLED: TV Technologies Explained

Shopping for a TV means wading through acronyms. Here is what they mean and how much they matter in a Kenyan home.

LED: the baseline

A standard LED TV uses an LCD panel lit by LEDs. It is affordable and fine for everyday viewing. Black levels and contrast are limited compared with more advanced panels.

QLED: better colour

QLED uses quantum dots to produce more vivid colour and strong brightness. TCL, Hisense, Samsung and Skyworth all have QLED ranges. Quality differs a lot between models, and a QLED label alone does not guarantee better contrast.

Mini LED: better contrast

Mini LED TVs use thousands of smaller LEDs, grouped into dimming zones. The screen can darken some areas and brighten others, so highlights pop and dark scenes look better.

TCL's C6K, C7L, C8L and P8L ranges are examples of this approach. More dimming zones usually give better control. Brightness and contrast are excellent for rooms with lots of daylight.

OLED: pixels make their own light

OLED pixels each produce their own light and can turn off completely. That creates true black and excellent contrast. The LG A2 OLED is an example in our range. OLEDs are particularly good for movies in dimmer rooms. Peak brightness is generally lower than the brightest Mini LED TVs, so very bright rooms may not suit them as well.

Burn-in is possible if the same bright image stays on screen for very long periods, but it is less of a concern for normal mixed viewing.

QNED

LG's QNED is its brand for LCD TVs that use quantum dot and NanoCell technologies. The LG QNED80 sits in this category.

How to choose

• Tight budget: a good LED or entry-level QLED.
• Bright living room: Mini LED or a bright QLED.
• Dark movie room: OLED.
• Sports: look for good motion handling and strong brightness.
• Gaming: low input lag, HDMI 2.1, and 120Hz support where relevant.

Ignore these marketing claims

Very high refresh numbers may be enhanced with processing and do not represent a true panel rate. Contrast ratios and brightness claims are difficult to compare between brands. Whenever possible, look at the TV in person using familiar content.

Don't overlook the smart platform

Google TV, VIDAA, Tizen and webOS all differ. Check for the apps you use, such as Netflix and YouTube, along with Showmax and other local services. If an app is missing, a streaming stick can often solve the problem.

Compare brands in our Samsung and LG TV guide and budget TV guide, and read what size to buy to pick the right fit for your room.