Did you know that most adults watch TV for about three hours every day? According to those statistics, the television you choose has a significant impact on your daily life.
When it comes to smart home appliances, shopping can get a little complicated. With technology being what it is, staying up to date with the latest and most intuitive products takes some study.
If you need some help with de-mystifying the TV buying process, keep reading. This article will give you some specific tips on comparing QLED vs UHD and some of the features you should look out for.
QLED or UHD – Which Is Better?
Nearly all new televisions currently on the market offer UHD. Actually, all QLED televisions are UHD, but not all UHD screens carry QLED technology. The important thing to remember is that QLED is considered cutting-edge innovative TV technology. Therefore, it’s in its own category which is not the same as Ultra HD.
QLED was developed by Samsung. You might stumble across a Hisense QLED TV, but that’s only because they have a manufacturing agreement and the panels are still produced by Samsung.
To confuse matters further OLED is another option you might be wondering about. While it seems like it could be similar, it has nothing to do with QLED. It’s a whole other thing with very different technology and it’s produced by LG.
What is QLED?
Let’s talk about what QLED is and how it works.
QLED stands for Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode. The quantum dot filters offer exceptional colour output because minute particles create richer, brighter colours for superior picture quality.
Additionally, it offers a better backlight colour tone, so the contrast is better too. While we’re talking about innovation, the backlight colour tone sets itself depending on what you’re watching. That’s pretty cool.
QLED technology was developed to enhance your TV screen’s colour profile. In other words, quantum dot technology takes colour accuracy up by a lot. And, it goes way beyond what you might expect from those good old LCD screens.
The brightness offered by QLED technology means it works just as well in daylight as it does in a darkened home theatre. So, if you need a TV screen in an office setting such as in a waiting room or boardroom, QLED is definitely the way to go.
What is UHD?
When it comes to Ultra High Definition (UHD), the images are displayed at around 4000 pixels wide (hence 4K). These screens are made of a 2160p panel of 3840 x 2160 pixels.
Ultra HD has become an industry standard for new TVs upwards of 40-inches (102cm). So, 4K has become the normal resolution for TV screens.
People tend to use the terms “4K” and “UHD” interchangeably. So, if you were ever wondering, yes, they are the same.
If you’re looking for a smart new TV with great resolution, but you also don’t want to break your bank account, you won’t go wrong with a UHD 4K television. However, if you’re looking for something a little extra, 8K is the next step up in UHD technology.
If you want something upmarket with superb resolution, then 8K is the way.
Choosing – QLED vs UHD
Choosing a new TV is always a tough call. Much will depend on the television size that will fit into your space, what you’ll use it for, and of course, your budget.
Are you upgrading your home theatre set-up? Or, do you like to follow along with cooking shows in the kitchen? In a home theatre, you can set up the perfect conditions for movie watching because you have control over glare and darkness. However, a kitchen is a much brighter space, not always ideal for TV watching.
You’ll want to take your viewing environment into consideration when you choose your new TV.
To help you decide, we’ve selected two of our favourite 75-inch (190cm) televisions. Below you’ll find a quick comparison of some of their features.
The Q60A QLED 4K Smart TV
Samsung’s amazing QLED 4K TV currently retails at R27,699.99.
Its features include:
- Quantum Processor Lite 4K
- Adaptive Sound
- Auto Low Latency Mode
Adaptive Sound provides audio scenic intelligence, so the sound is optimized based on real-time content analysis. The processor capabilities offer fantastic audio quality that matches whatever you’re watching. Plus, you get a 4K resolution. Not forgetting, if you’re wanting to compare QLED vs UHD for gaming, Auto Low Latency Mode reduces lag, offering you smoother control.
Samsung 190cm (75″) QLED 4K Smart TV – QA75Q60AAKXXA
Samsung Crystal AU8000 UHD Smart TV
Ultra HD means you get four times more pixels than previous Full HD versions. So, images appear more crisp and detailed. This beautiful Ultra HD television currently retails at R23,399.99.
Its features include:
- Motion Xcelerator
- 4K Crystal Processor
- 4K Resolution
Motion Xcelerator ensures a clear picture performance because it automatically measures source contents and corrects accordingly. Then, the processor provides lifelike colour mapping and 4K capabilities.
As you can see, the two examples above are very similar products. Both are 75-inch screens with 4K resolution. The QLED option is a little more expensive, but it comes with everything the UHD option offers, plus a little more.
Perhaps you’re wondering if the price tag of QLED is worth it over UHD? What we can say is that QLED really comes into its own with bigger screens. If you have the budget for a high-end cinematic screen, then QLED is definitely worth considering.
Not All QLEDs are Created Equal
If you’ve been doing some shopping around you may have come across the term “Neo QLED”. Samsung has further developed its quantum dot technology and the moniker neo is used to refer to newer QLED TVs.
Let’s take a closer look at the state of the art Samsung Neo QLED with a quick bonus example:
The QN85A Neo QLED
This Samsung Neo QLED TV retails at R52,999.99 and showcases the latest in 4K technology.
Features:
- Quantum Matrix Technology
- Neo Quantum Processor 4K
- Adaptive Picture
Quantum Matrix Technology means that mini LEDs are controlled with even finer precision. This means picture detail along with darker and brighter colour accuracy have been enhanced even more. The adaptive processing power improves the content of whatever you’re watching with AI upscaling.
One of the best features of this TV is its Adaptive Picture. Basically, it changes its own settings so the brightness and contrast of your display adjust automatically according to whatever you’re watching. You also get a wide viewing angle and anti-reflection so you can watch undisturbed from wherever you are comfortable, at any time of day.
Samsung 190cm (75″) Neo Qled TV – QA75QN85AAKXXA
Your Life Your TV
It doesn’t matter whether you need it for your man-cave, to keep you company while you cook, or to entertain your clients. Whatever you need a new TV for, knowing the difference between QLED vs UHD is pretty important.
Your TV choice does matter and you shouldn’t let anyone tell you otherwise!
Don’t sell yourself short, make your three hours (or more) a day worthwhile and find the best television for you! If you need help, chat with the friendly team at Hirsch’s.