OLED Association Managing Director Barry Young criticized the quality of quantum dot (QD) displays compared to OLED displays.
Samsung for instance is developing QD LCD panels as its next-generation displays, as LG concentrates on OLED technologies. The two companies emphasized the superiority of their technologies.
"The claims that QD LCDs have a wider color range than OLEDs are just not true," said Young recently. Citing comparison data presented by U.S. display expert group DisplayMate on Samsung’s QD LCD with LG OLED he noted: “"The results showed that the color range are virtually the same, except that the OLEDs are a bit wider."
QD displays are a viable option for now and has strengths in quality and price.
He noted QDs are capable of improving color performance of blue LEDs used with yellow phosphors to make white light, additionally, the color sharpness gives the TV the appearance of higher contrast. Even though no measurements evidence to support the improvement was provided in the study, Yang concluded that QD LCDs are much more affordable and at a lower price than OLED TVs.
Young has criticized Samsung’s plan to mass produce QD-based LED displays in 2019, while pointing out Samsung has opted out of OLED TV production until costs nears LCD levels.
The OLED expert emphasized LG was the sole manufacturer of OLED TVs with a 50% yield rate for 55-inch and 65-inch panels, and noted the company has to further reduce OLED manufacturing costs.
"To reach cost parity with LCDs, LG must bring down the costs by at least 75%," he said.
In the high-end TV market, he gave a gloomy forecast on QD TVs in the high-end TV market, assuming that OLED panel manufacturers would cut production costs soon.
"If OLED costs come down, there would be no market for QD backlights in high-end TVs, where the profits are," he said.