What is QD-OLED?
QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED) is a display technology developed by Samsung Display that combines blue OLED emitters with a quantum dot color-conversion layer. Instead of using white OLED with color filters (like LG WOLED), QD-OLED uses blue OLED light to excite quantum dots that produce pure red and green light.
This hybrid approach captures the strengths of both OLED and quantum dot technologies.
How QD-OLED works
The panel structure from back to front:
- Blue OLED emitter layer: A uniform layer of blue OLED material produces blue light across the entire panel.
- Quantum dot layer: Red and green quantum dots are patterned on top of the blue emitters. Blue sub-pixels have no quantum dots and pass the blue light directly.
- Color filter (minimal): A thin filter blocks stray light and refines color purity.
When the blue OLED emits light:
- Red sub-pixels: Quantum dots absorb blue and re-emit red.
- Green sub-pixels: Quantum dots absorb blue and re-emit green.
- Blue sub-pixels: Blue light passes through directly.
Why it matters
Better color volume
Quantum dots produce extremely pure, narrow-band red and green light. This gives QD-OLED a wider color gamut and higher color volume than WOLED. Most QD-OLED panels cover over 99% of DCI-P3 and a significant portion of BT.2020.
Use our Color Accuracy test to see how your display handles reference colors.
Higher brightness
Blue OLED emitters are inherently brighter than the white OLED stack used in WOLED. Combined with the efficient quantum dot conversion, QD-OLED achieves higher peak brightness, especially on saturated colors.
No WRGB compromise
WOLED panels use a white sub-pixel to boost brightness, which dilutes color saturation at high brightness levels. QD-OLED has no white sub-pixel, so colors remain vivid at all brightness levels.
Wider viewing angles
QD-OLED maintains color accuracy at extreme viewing angles better than both WOLED and LCD, because quantum dots emit light in all directions.
QD-OLED vs WOLED
| Feature | QD-OLED | WOLED |
|---|---|---|
| Color gamut | Wider (99%+ DCI-P3) | Wide (98% DCI-P3) |
| Peak brightness | Higher | Moderate |
| Color at angle | Excellent | Very good |
| Panel sizes | 34-77 inch | 42-97 inch |
| Sub-pixel layout | Triangle RGB | WRGB |
| Burn-in risk | Similar | Similar |
QD-OLED vs standard OLED
All QD-OLED is OLED. The term standard OLED usually refers to WOLED (LG) or RGB OLED (phones). QD-OLED is a specific implementation that uses quantum dots for color conversion.
Key improvements over WOLED:
- More saturated colors, especially reds
- Better color volume at high brightness
- No white sub-pixel dilution
The tradeoff is a triangular sub-pixel layout (common to Samsung Display panels) that can cause slight text fringing on desktop use. Most users adapt quickly, and many monitors include a sub-pixel rendering option.
Current QD-OLED products
Samsung Display supplies QD-OLED panels to multiple brands. Available form factors include:
- 34-inch ultrawide (3440x1440): Popular for gaming monitors with 175Hz refresh.
- 49-inch ultra-wide (5120x1440): Dual-monitor replacement.
- 55/65/77-inch TV: Samsung and Sony both offer QD-OLED TVs.
- 27-inch 4K (3840x2160): The newest addition, aimed at creative professionals.
Second and third-generation QD-OLED panels have improved brightness and reduced burn-in risk compared to the first generation, partly by adopting tandem emitter structures.
Burn-in considerations
QD-OLED carries the same burn-in risk as any OLED technology. The blue OLED emitters degrade over time, especially under sustained high-brightness static content.
Mitigations built into QD-OLED panels include pixel shifting, brightness limiters on static content detection, and periodic compensation cycles. For additional protection, use our OLED Screensaver and run the Burn-in Check periodically.