When we are in the market for the latest TV, laptop, tablet, or smartphone, we will encounter some of the latest in digital display technology. Flat screen technology, first introduced in the 1990s, makes it possible for devices to be smaller, lighter, and more energy efficient. Technological advances allow for stunning visuals through higher resolution and faster refresh rates. Now, consumers can even shop for devices with bendable and foldable displays.
The original flat panel displays depended on LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), Digital Light Processing (DLP), or Plasma. While you may still find LCD panels in some lower-end electronics, all of these have been replaced with newer technology that continues to help improve everything from TVs to smartphones.
Today’s devices are powered by five main advanced display technologies, each with advantages making them suitable for common electronics applications.
LED (Light Emitting Diode) – These are, essentially, LCD panels that use modern LED backlighting. This gives them improved brightness and color accuracy. They are often found on computer monitors and TV screens.
QLED (Quantum Dot LED) – QLED technology uses nano-scale crystals to enhance LED displays. These “quantum dots” emit their own light when hit by the backlight and improve the brightness and range of color. QLEDs are currently found mostly in high-end TVs and are especially suited to bright settings.
OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) – OLED is a breakthrough in that each pixel emits its own light. Because of this, no backlight is required, which leads to truer blacks and more vibrant colors. This display type is popular in high-end smartphones and premium TVs.
AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) – This technology adds a layer of semiconductors that provide faster response times. Their superior performance makes them popular for premium smartphones and tablets. They can also be manufactured to be flexible, which means you will find them in new foldable devices.
