What are the differences between LCD and OLED display technologies?

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display):

1. Backlighting: LCD displays require a separate backlight to illuminate the screen. The backlight is typically provided by LED (Light-Emitting Diode) backlighting, which can be either edge-lit or direct-lit.


2. Structure: In LCD displays, liquid crystal molecules are sandwiched between two layers of glass. When an electric current passes through the liquid crystals, they align to control the amount of light passing through the display.


3. Brightness: LCD displays tend to be brighter than OLED displays, especially in well-lit environments. This is because the backlight in LCDs can be adjusted to emit higher levels of brightness.


4. Power consumption: LCD displays can consume more power than OLED displays, particularly when displaying bright images or colors, as the backlight is always on.


5. Black levels: LCD displays have difficulty achieving true black levels because the backlight is always on, even when displaying dark images. This can result in less contrast and poorer image quality, especially in dark scenes.


6. Viewing angles: LCD displays may have limited viewing angles, with colors and brightness appearing to shift when viewed from off-center angles.

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode):

1. Self-emissive: OLED displays are self-emissive, meaning each pixel emits its own light when electric current passes through organic compounds. This allows for precise control of individual pixels and enables true blacks by turning off pixels completely when not in use.


2. Structure: OLED displays consist of organic materials that emit light when an electric current is applied. Unlike LCD displays, OLED displays do not require a separate backlight layer.


3. Brightness: OLED displays can achieve high levels of brightness and vivid colors, comparable to or even surpassing LCD displays. This is because each pixel emits its own light, allowing for greater control over brightness levels.


4. Power consumption: OLED displays are more energy-efficient than LCD displays, especially when displaying dark images or colors, as unused pixels can be turned off completely to conserve power.


5. Black levels: OLED displays excel at producing true blacks because individual pixels can be turned off completely when not in use. This results in higher contrast ratios and better image quality, especially in dark scenes.


6. Viewing angles: OLED displays typically have wider viewing angles compared to LCD displays, with colors and brightness remaining consistent even when viewed from off-center angles.