Organic light-emitting displays (OLEDs) are on the rise. While still relatively new, you can now found in smartphones, tablets, computer monitors, televisions and more. OLEDs are display devices that use an advanced type of light-emitting diode (LED) technology. They feature organic pixels that are capable of producing their own illumination when exposed to an electric current. Below are some of the top pros and cons of OLEDs.
Pro: Contrast Ratio
When compared to other display technologies, OLED offers a higher contrast ratio. Contrast ratio, of course, is the difference between a display device’s light and dark colors. With a high contrast ratio, OLEDs produce sharp colors that manifest in the form of clearer and more detailed images.
Pro: Wider Viewing Angle
In addition to a higher contrast ratio, OLED offers a wider viewing angle than most other display technologies. This is due to the fact that the organic pixels inside of OLEDs produce their own illumination. Unlike light-crystal displays (LCDs), they don’t need a separate backlighting system. As long as there’s an electrical current flowing to an OLED, it will produce its own illumination. The self-illuminating properties of OLEDs allows for a wider viewing angle than that of other display devices.
Pro: Energy Efficiency
Another benefit of OLEDs is energy efficiency. All display devices consume energy. OLEDs, though, consume less energy than nearly all other types of display devices. If you’re looking to buy a new display device and are concerned about energy consumption, you may want to choose an OLED. OLEDs are energy-efficient display devices that require very little energy to run.
Con: Shorter Lifespan
One of the biggest drawbacks of OLEDs is their lifespan. They typically last for a shorter length of time than other display devices. OLEDs don’t necessarily die out. Since they don’t have a backlighting system, they don’t have bulbs that burn out and need to be replaced. Nonetheless, the colors produced by OLEDs can degrade. Over time, the blue, red and green colors produced by an OLED may become duller.
Con: Higher Cost
You can expect to pay more for an OLED than an LCD. OLEDs are newer and more advanced than LCDs. Therefore, they require more work to manufacture. While the cost of an OLED will vary depending on many factors, they are usually more expensive than LCDs.