What is LED?

LED, or Light Emitting Diode, has a core component made up of a chip consisting of P-type and N-type semiconductors. Between these two semiconductors lies the PN junction. When an electric current passes through the PN junction, electrons from the N-type material recombine with holes from the P-type material, and this process releases energy in the form of light.

What is OLED?

OLED, or Organic Light Emitting Diode, is a device that uses organic materials to produce light. Compared to traditional LEDs, its most distinctive feature is that its emissive layer is composed of organic compounds, which can emit light when an electric current is applied. In an OLED display, each pixel is capable of emitting its own light because the light emission process occurs independently within the organic material of each pixel. When an appropriate electric field is applied to a pixel, it lights up. By adjusting the intensity of light emitted by each pixel, OLED displays can present a wide range of colors and brightness levels. Different organic materials exhibit unique light-emitting properties, which are closely tied to the display performance of an OLED screen.

Comparing LED and OLED Displays

Display Performance:
When it comes to brightness, the performance of OLED screens depends on the efficiency of the organic materials used, with the maximum brightness of each pixel being inherently limited. In contrast, LED technology is more mature, achieving higher brightness levels through stable current control. This enables LED displays to provide clear visibility even under direct sunlight. Currently, LED screens can reach brightness levels of up to 10,000 nits, while OLED screens can achieve up to approximately 2,000 nits. As a result, for scenarios requiring high brightness—particularly in outdoor displays—LED screens are the superior choice, offering sharper and brighter visuals. Moreover, when displaying HDR effects, higher brightness levels further enhance contrast and color performance, delivering an even more vivid and immersive viewing experience.

Screen Size:
Due to differences in technological principles, there are notable distinctions between LED screens and OLED screens in terms of size. LED screens offer flexible size adjustments that can be tailored to actual needs and spatial considerations, ranging from compact areas of just a few dozen square meters to expansive displays covering thousands of square meters or more. On the other hand, the size of OLED screens is constrained by material properties and manufacturing processes, making large sizes more challenging and expensive. As a result, OLED screens are primarily used in medium and small-sized products such as smartphones and computers. For larger applications, OLED technology is mainly seen in high-end television products.

Durability:
‍LED displays have a longer lifespan, currently reaching up to 100,000 hours. This is due to the stability and maturity of LED technology, which is suitable for a wide range of environments, including high temperatures and bright conditions. OLED displays, however, depend on the organic materials used, which can degrade over time, potentially affecting display quality. With advancements in technology, the lifespan of OLED displays has significantly increased.

Another issue associated with OLED is screen burn-in, which occurs when static images are displayed for extended periods. In such cases, the organic materials in certain areas of the pixels degrade as they emit light. With prolonged use, the aging process accelerates, resulting in permanent marks or shadows of the image on the screen. However, with advancements in technology, the burn-in problem has been further addressed through material optimization and enhanced screen protection features. During use, avoiding the display of static content for long periods and adjusting the brightness are also effective ways to prevent burn-in.

Applications: LED vs. OLED

LED and OLED each have their advantages in different fields. LED technology is mature and reliable, widely used in televisions, computer monitors, large LED displays, and outdoor billboards. For businesses, LED screens are an ideal choice that balances cost and performance, delivering excellent performance under various conditions. Whether indoors or outdoors, RGB offers cutting-edge LED display solutions with reliable performance. On the other hand, OLED benefits from its self-emissive technology, eliminating the need for backlighting and allowing for a thinner structure. It offers higher contrast and exceptional color performance, making it the perfect choice for high-end TVs, smartphones, ultra-thin devices, and premium electronics. For consumers seeking superior display quality, a slim design, and with a sufficient budget, OLED is an excellent option.