OLED Versus IPS Display Technologies: Which One Should You Choose?

‍When it comes to buying a new TV or monitor, the choice between OLED and IPS panels can be a challenging one. Both technologies offer unique advantages and disadvantages. This detailed guide will help you understand the differences between OLED and IPS displays, which will enable you to make an informed decision based on your specific needs.

Understanding the Basics: OLED Vs. IPS

What is an OLED Display?

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diodes) displays have gained popularity over the years due to their superior color accuracy and contrast. Unlike traditional LCD LED panels such as VA, TN, and IPS, OLED displays operate individually, emitting their own light. This results in an infinite contrast ratio, producing stunning image quality with true blacks, and doing away with issues like backlight bleeding, glowing, blooming, or other visual artifacts.

Read more about OLED technology.

What is an IPS Display?

IPS (In-Plane Switching) monitors are known for their wide viewing angles and color consistency. They use liquid crystals aligned in parallel to produce rich colors, overcoming the limitations of TN panels. The liquid crystals in IPS monitors shift horizontally, ensuring better viewing angles and accurate colors.

OLED and IPS: A Comparative Analysis

Image Retention/Burn-In

One of the primary concerns with OLED displays is the risk of image burn-in. If a static image is displayed on an OLED screen for long durations, it may burn into the screen and become permanently visible in the background.

On the other hand, IPS panels are immune to image burn-in. They may not offer the same level of contrast as OLEDs, but they provide a reliable and consistent viewing experience without the risk of burn-in.

Response Time and Gaming

In the context of gaming, OLED panels have an edge over IPS due to their instantaneous pixel response time speed. This ensures minimal ghosting or overshoot behind fast-moving objects, regardless of the refresh rate.

IPS panels, however, tend to have a slower response time. Even though the fastest IPS panels can’t match OLED’s speed, they can still provide a smooth gaming experience if their pixel transitions can keep up with the refresh rate.

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

When it comes to HDR, both technologies have their pros and cons. OLED displays can offer over 8 million dimming zones on a 4K panel, resulting in superior image quality without any blooming. However, their brightness levels may appear underwhelming in a bright room compared to mini LED LCDs.

This video showcases the difference:

On the contrary, IPS panels can reach higher brightness levels, especially when enhanced with a mini LED backlight. They require a full-array local dimming (FALD) system to compensate for their lower native contrast ratio.

What’s the Best Choice For Competitive Gaming?

For competitive gaming, the choice between a 1440p 240 Hz OLED and a 1440p 360 Hz IPS depends on the specific needs of the gamer. OLED displays offer superior image quality, but IPS panels can provide a higher refresh rate, which may be more critical for competitive and professional gamers.

Samsung’s QD-OLED: The Best of Both Worlds?

Samsung’s QD-OLED technology (not to be confused with QLED) is an improvement over other OLED panels, offering higher brightness, wider color gamut, and better burn-in resistance. This technology could potentially provide a middle ground between the advantages of OLED and IPS panels.

Longevity, Power Consumption, and Design

While OLED panels should theoretically last as long as LED ones, this hasn’t been confirmed due to the relative newness of OLED TVs on the market. In terms of power consumption, OLED and LED panels are roughly equivalent, depending on the brightness setting. Both panel technologies allow for thin displays, but OLED displays can be significantly thinner than LED LCDs.

Price Considerations

Both OLED and mini-LED displays have become more affordable over the years but are still more expensive than the average IPS or VA panel. A premium OLED display is often twice as expensive as its IPS counterpart.

The Final Verdict

The choice between OLED and IPS displays depends on your specific needs and budget. If you’re a graphic designer or video editor who values color accuracy and contrast, an OLED display would be the best choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a monitor for general use or business applications that offer excellent brightness and energy efficiency, an IPS monitor would be a better option.

Remember, no one-size-fits-all solution exists when it comes to choosing the right display technology. Always consider your specific needs and how each technology can meet them before making a purchasing decision.