Technology evolves every year, and if we are not very focused on what’s new, we can lag a bit behind and not understand what we are buying. Televisions are no exception, and We see more and more types of panels that should be studied to know first hand what we need.
At Espinof we have been talking about televisions, their panels and the technologies that we can find today in different stores for some time, so we have taken a moment to explain what each offerstheir differences and whether or not we should explore other options.
To explain the differences in these types of panels, it is necessary to clarify —or at least briefly name— that In general, there are three types of panel: LCD, LED and OLED. These three types of panels are the ones we most often see in different stores. Some of them, such as LCD panels, have evolved to result in QLED panels from Samsung and QNED and NanoCell from LG.
Main categories of panels on televisions
LCD panels (Liquid Crystal Display).
These panels are the ones we used to see on older TVs, being the most common until the arrival of LED panels. They stopped being used due to their high energy consumption given the need to resort to an external lighting source, although they have currently been used to form other types of panels, such as QLED, QNED and NanoCell.
They are characterized by having a number of colored pixels that are placed in front of a light source, thus taking charge of varying that same light source to form different colors.
LED panels (Light-Emitting Diode).
Unlike LCD panels, those LED do not use a light source, but a backlight system based on LEDs. This ensures that LED panels can have higher energy efficiency, which decreases its consumption. Similarly, due to the light source of LCD panels, those televisions that have an LED panel tend to be thinner.
OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panels.
These panels are found in high-end televisions, since in addition to having more “premium” specifications, their prices are usually much higher. The biggest feature we can find is that cells light up themselves (something differentiating with LCD panels), and they turn off when the television has to display black colors.
This is where the characteristic slogan of “the purest black” or “the deepest black” is born, depending on the brand. If we make a comparison with LED and LCD panels, which use a backlight, OLED panels have a light emitting diode in each of the pixels, thus achieving better color, brightness and contrast characteristics.
However, Samsung changed this scheme in 2017 when presenting its new QLED models (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode). Within the category of panels they would enter LCDs as they need an external lighting source to generate images, although it is clear that they are a clear evolution with respect to classic LCD panels.
Samsung is the only brand that has these panels, although sporadically we can see them in other brands. Similarly, the evolution of QLED panels have led to the birth of Neo QLED panelswhich usually offer better features in both image and sound when found in more expensive televisions.
For his part, LG also joined this trend of LCD panels by presenting its own NanoCell panels, currently considered to be those that offer the best image quality. Although this, as in everything, depends on our perception, the technologies and balanced panel.
Recommended televisions based on their panel and price
Xiaomi F2 (LED)
Xiaomi continues to earn the popularity it once had with the great relationship between quality and price of its products. Although nowadays I don’t know as much, or at least in any circumstance, their televisions are usually cheap and of great quality. Under a model accompanied by the signature (or the operating system rather) of Amazon, the Xiaomi F2 is one of the best low-end televisions.
Smart TV Xiaomi F2, 55 inches, 4K
There are different sizes for this television, the 55-inch being the one with the best value for money, since it stays at 499 euros. It has an LED panel and stands out, above all, for its Fire TV operating system. He also does it for his viewing angles of 178º horizontal and verticalthe compatibility with Dolby Audio, DTS-HD and DTS Virtual: X, and for its 24W of power in the speakers.
LG TV 50NANO766QA (NanoCell)
TVs with a NanoCell panel tend to be similar in price to each other, but the one that has been most popular is the LG 50NANO766QA model. It is a television with an ultra-thin design that offers greater color accuracy. As it is a television with a NanoCell panel, the price rises to 749 euros in its 50-inch size. Not bad for a 2022 TV.
It comes with LG’s intelligent α5 Gen5 AI Processor 4K and Direct LED backlighting. Its technologies include Filmmaker mode, compatibility with HDR10 Pro, Dolby Digital, AI Sound Pro and a traditional 20W of power between its two speakers. The operating system is WebOS 22, which we usually see on the brand’s televisions.
TCL 50C639 (QLED)
There are brands that prefer to focus on a certain section and there are those that try to offer a balance between all of them. The Smart TV TCL 50C639 is a good example of the second option, since in addition to having good specifications in both the image and sound sections, its price is cheaper than you might expect: 549 euros. And be very careful because we are talking about a TV with a QLED panel.
It is perhaps one of the cheapest QLED panel televisions that we can currently find, and its 50 inches are perfect for taking advantage of everything that is integrated. On the one hand we find Google TV as the operating system, and on the other with the compatibility of HDR10 and HDR10+ and Dolby Vision. Also It has speakers signed by Onkyoa brand with extensive experience in sound.
Samsung 55Q64B (QLED)
QLED TVs have dropped slightly in price to make way for the “new” Neo QLED models. The Samsung 55Q64B Smart TV is one of the most outstanding for its price of 589 euros in its 55-inch size. It comes with very interesting specifications, especially for guarantee an immersive experience in each movie or series.
Samsung TV QLED 4K 2022 55Q64B
The design is quite different from the most current and premium models of the brand, since it has a double base instead of a central one. It includes compatibility with HDR10 +, Cinema Director Mode, 20W of power in its speakers and Dolby Digital Plus. Its operating system is Tizen, but the most striking thing is that it has Q-Symphony and Adaptive Sound for greater sound immersion.
Samsung 55QN90B (Neo QLED)
Making the leap to Neo QLED panel televisions, we have one of the best Samsung models which offers very good specifications, especially when compared to the previous QLED TV. The 55QN90B model was launched last year and we can find it at a much higher price of 1,899 euros in its 55-inch size.
Samsung Smart TV Neo QLED 4K 2022 55QN90B
The differences with respect to other QLED televisions is that this model has anti-glare screen and Ultra Viewing Angle (greater viewing angles), higher image and sound quality. Includes 60W of power in the speakers with the compatibility of Dolby Atmoshas on-screen updating of 120hzHDMI 2.1, ALLM and FreeSync Premium Pro for gaming and brand features, as well as Tizen operating system.
LG OLED EVO OLED55C24LA (OLED)
The LG OLED55C24LA EVO Smart TV has also been called as LG C2 and it is an evolution of the previous C1 model whose main claim is the processor a9 5th generation. It is a very popular 2022 OLED television whose price has dropped in recent months, and now we can find it for 1,259.99 euros.
LG OLED55C24LA (LG C2) EVO
In addition to its OLED panel, it stands out for offering a 120 Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1, and artificial intelligence that guarantees greater precision of tones and colors. The operating system is webOS and it comes with the Google Assistant and Alexa integrated, as well as Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQHDR10 Pro and Dolby Atmos with a power of 40W in its speakers.
Philips 55OLED807/12 (OLED)
Philips televisions stand out, among many other things, for their particular Ambilight. This is a difference compared to other brands that can be decisive for a person, given the immersion that guarantees the distribution of LEDs on the back of the television. The Philips 55OLED807/12 model comes with an OLED panel and its price goes up to 1,799 euros in its 55-inch size.
Philips 55OLED807/12 OLED
Ambilight technology is not the only thing that stands out in this television, since they also come with 120 Hz refresh ratefour HDMI 2.1 ports, Dolby Vision, HDR10+ Adaptive and filmmaker mode. In the audio section we find a clear improvement when reaching the 70W of power with Dolby Atmos. Also, your operating system is android tvone of the best and most popular for its wide catalog of applications.
Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may benefit Espinof.
Image | Xiaomi, LG, TCL, Samsung, Philips
In Espinof Selection | What is Alexa, what are the recommended Amazon Echos and what can they offer to set up a home theater
In Espinof | The 11 best series of 2023… so far