What is NanoCell? Should I choose NanoCell or OLED TV?

Every year, it seems like there’s a new type of TV technology coming out. Two of the latest are LG’s OLED and NanoCell displays. These are two very different types of TVs that are often marketed as having similar features.

So, what are NanoCell and OLED TVs? How are they different?

In this live article, Quantrimang.com will explain what NanoCell and OLED displays are, how they work, and cover the pros and cons of each, so you know exactly what you're getting.

What is NanoCell?

NanoCell is LG's new display panel technology, featured on many of the company's new TVs. So, what's different about NanoCell?

LG NanoCell TVs are very similar to light-emitting diode (LED) and liquid crystal display (LCD) TVs, but they still have backlighting and offer the same resolution as other 4K TVs .

The difference is that NanoCell uses an additional layer of nanoparticles that act as a color filter, improving the vibrancy and accuracy of the displayed colors. In this way, they are actually more similar to QLED displays.

Pixels on a TV screen are red, green, and blue. The combination of these colors can create millions (or a billion in the case of NanoCell TVs) of different colors.

However, light can distort the colors displayed on a TV screen. Adjacent pixels can also “transfer” their colors to neighboring pixels, affecting color accuracy.

The color filter used in NanoCell TVs filters out “unwanted wavelengths of light.” In other words, it filters out light that causes false color to appear. This improves the reds, blues, and greens displayed on NanoCell TVs. It also improves the purity of the whites and blacks you see on screen.

Some NanoCell TVs also offer full-array local dimming (FALD). This technology dims the TV's backlight in dark areas, providing deeper blacks and shadows, improving the display's dynamic range. This gives a similar effect to OLED TVs , but at a much lower price point.

So, why would you choose a NanoCell TV over an OLED TV?

Advantages of NanoCell TV

Here are some of the key advantages associated with purchasing a NanoCell TV.

• NanoCell delivers better picture quality and dynamic range than other LED TVs with bright, vivid, accurate colors.
• NanoCell TV's precise color delivers sharp, detailed images.
• NanoCell is mid-range priced (about half the price of OLED TVs).
• NanoCell TVs do not dim like traditional LCD screens.
• Wide viewing angle: NanoCell TVs can be viewed from angles up to 178 degrees.
• NanoCell TVs do not suffer from “burn-in” if a static image is left on for too long.

Disadvantages of NanoCell TV

• NanoCell TVs are not perfect. Here are some limitations to keep in mind when purchasing a NanoCell TV.
• NanoCell TVs are still LCDs with backlighting, which means color accuracy and picture quality aren't quite as good as OLED.
• Blacks aren't as dark on NanoCell displays as they are on OLED TVs.
• NanoCell TVs have higher power consumption than OLEDs.

What is OLED?

OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode. It is a newer digital display technology that can display images without a backlight. Instead, each pixel is lit individually.

One benefit of this is that it can achieve “true black” where parts of the TV can be completely dark. This is possible because when the area of ​​the TV is black, the pixels are actually turned off. Additionally, the fact that each pixel is lit individually means that OLED TVs have a very high dynamic range – much better than standard LED and NanoCell TVs.

OLED technology produces incredibly detailed images. Because the colors are so vibrant and the images have a higher dynamic range, OLED TVs can produce much more detailed images than their competitors.

OLED TVs are highly regarded by TV experts and photographers alike for their excellent contrast, deep blacks, and dynamic range.

Advantages of OLED TVs

Here are some of the top reasons to buy an OLED TV.

• OLED TVs have true blacks and vibrant colors, giving much better picture quality than NanoCell TVs.
• Because OLED TVs don't require a constantly running backlight, they're often more energy efficient.
• OLED TVs can be thinner than other LED TVs because they don't require a backlight, which means they can be used in curved displays (and other types, like rollable TVs).
• Most OLED displays have fast response times and low input lag, which is great for anyone looking for a TV for gaming.
• OLED displays have faster response times than older LED and LCD displays , which means they're great for fast-moving video (like sports or gaming). Check out our list of the best gaming TVs for PS5 and Xbox Series X/S for specific recommendations.
• OLED TVs maintain brightness and accuracy with very wide viewing angles.

Disadvantages of OLED TVs

Despite the attention to detail that OLED TVs bring, you should also be aware that these devices do have a few shortcomings.

• OLED TVs are much more expensive than other LED TVs and are twice the price of LG's NanoCell TVs.
• OLED TVs are prone to “burn-in,” which is image retention on the screen. That said, burn-in typically takes thousands of hours to occur.

NanoCell or OLED is better?

LG's NanoCell TVs are IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD displays. These types of displays offer a very wide viewing angle. NanoCell TVs have a second feature, a layer of nanoparticles that filter out incoming light wavelengths that can negatively affect the color and brightness of the display.

The filter primarily handles red and green colors, meaning that color can't "bleed" into other parts of the screen. As a result, NanoCell TVs have very accurate colors compared to other LED displays. So when comparing NanoCell vs. LED, LG's panels have the edge.

OLED TVs, on the other hand, are a completely different type of display. OLEDs are self-illuminating, meaning they can have truly black sections of the screen and incredibly vibrant colors. Since they don’t need a backlight, OLED displays can be made very thin and can also be made into curved formats.

Because each pixel is lit independently, OLED displays have excellent picture quality, use less power, and have faster response times than older LED and LCD competitors.

Which TV is best for you?

In most cases, OLED outperforms LG's NanoCell TVs. OLED offers better picture quality, gaming performance, lower power consumption, deeper blacks, brighter whites, and overall stunning color.

However, NanoCell is better for use in bright rooms and doesn't come with the risk of burn-in like OLED. NanoCell TVs are also much cheaper than OLED TVs.

Keep in mind your budget and goals, then choose a TV that best suits your needs.