
Television’s popularity has declined in recent years, as more people turn to their smartphones and laptops for entertainment and similar purposes. However, this doesn’t mean that TV purchases are a thing of the past. After all, there’s still something special about watching content on a larger screen. But when it comes to TV shopping it can be confusing because they all look like the same piece with different sizes. But there are some differences of course!
At the heart of it all, there are two major categories: LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode). LCD is like a cup of regular coffee; consistent, affordable, and does the job for most people. On the other hand, OLED is like a shot of espresso; intense, vibrant, and delivers a punch in terms of color and contrast, but comes at a higher cost. Even though I portrayed OLED as a better display, this article will focus exclusively on explaining LCD screens, diving into their technology, features, and advantages.
LED vs NanoCell vs QLED
LED TVs
Starting off, LED TVs (Light Emitting Diode TVs) are flat-panel televisions that use LED backlighting to illuminate the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel. LED TVs are the most common and least expensive type of TV in the market today. It gives you a good level of saturation and contrast ratio. Moreover, they offer better picture quality, higher brightness, and improved contrast compared to older LCDs.
However, this falls behind the more expensive QLED and NanoCell technologies which I talk about later. That being said, if you are looking for a TV with better viewing and decent saturation LED TVs are a good choice for you.
But that does not mean you have to rush into getting an LED TV right now! Let’s look at the pros and cons of LED TV over the other two options.
Why should you get an LED TV?
- First of all, LED TVs are typically more affordable than QLED and NanoCell TVs, which makes them an attractive option if you are a budget-conscious consumer.
- Moreover, this technology is more energy-efficient than the quantum dots used in QLED and the additional backlighting used in NanoCell, leading to lower power consumption.
- Last but not least, LED TVs tend to be thinner and lighter, which makes them easier to mount and fit into various spaces.
LCD TVs have some disadvantages too.
Why should you not get an LED TV?
- While LED TVs offer decent image quality, they typically don’t match the colour accuracy, brightness, or contrast of QLED or NanoCell TVs.
- Moreover, LED TVs can have issues with colour and brightness when viewed from wide angles.
- They also lack the enhanced features of QLED (like quantum dots for vibrant colours) and NanoCell (with its colour-boosting nanotechnology), making their picture quality less vivid and immersive.
So it’s up to you if you are getting an LED TV or not. If yes, here are a few options for you.
Normal/Smart LED TVs
Size and Resolution
Price in Nepal
CG32VFL
32″ HD
Rs. 18,990
CG43N05S
43’’ FHD
Rs. 38,490
CG43C1
43″ FHD
Rs. 49,490
CG55G1
55″ 4K UHD
Rs. 88,390
Mini LED TVs
Mini LED TVs are an advanced version of traditional LED TVs that use significantly smaller LEDs for backlighting. These smaller LEDs allow for more precise control over dimming zones, offering better contrast and brightness control compared to regular LED TVs. While they still use an LCD panel for image production, the improved backlighting technology gives Mini LED TVs a significant edge in terms of picture quality, especially for contrast and HDR performance.
But just like with LED TVs, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons of Mini LED technology before making a purchase decision.
Why should you get a Mini LED TV?
- Thanks to the smaller LEDs, Mini LED TVs can have more dimming zones, which results in better control of contrast and brighter highlights.
- This makes them great for HDR content, giving you deeper blacks and brighter whites without the blooming effect that can be seen in traditional LED TVs.
- Mini LED TVs sit between standard LED and premium options like NanoCell or QLED in terms of performance and price.
- You get a noticeable upgrade in picture quality without paying the high premium that OLEDs typically command.
Why should you not get a Mini LED TV?
- While Mini LED TVs are more affordable than NanoCell and QLED TVs, they can still be more expensive than standard LED TVs, which could make them less appealing if you’re strictly on a budget.
- Mini LEDs do not use quantum dots or organic materials to enhance color reproduction, so while they offer better contrast, the colors can still fall short of more premium options.
- Like traditional LED TVs, Mini LED TVs tend to have poor viewing angles, meaning the picture quality degrades when viewed from the side or at an angle.
However, Mini LEDs are not available in Nepal for now.
NanoCell TVs
Moving on, NanoCell is a type of LED TV technology developed by Life’s Good (LG) company. It uses nano-sized particles to enhance colour accuracy and improve picture quality. These particles filter and refine the colours displayed on the screen, resulting in more vibrant, true-to-life colours and better overall image clarity. It also features wide viewing angles, making it great for group viewing.
Well, all in all, NanoCell TVs can be a good choice for an average Nepali customer. But let’s check out the pros and cons of this TV.
- Also, read:
Why should you get a NanoCell?
- NanoCell technology offers better color reproduction than standard LED TVs by using nano-particles to filter and enhance colors.
- Additionally, they provide more consistent colors and brightness even when viewed from an angle, unlike typical LED TVs which can look washed out.
- Not just that, the enhanced color accuracy and improved black levels result in a more vibrant and detailed image.
- In comparison to QLED, NanoCell TVs are generally less expensive, making them a more affordable option for high-quality displays.
Why should you not get a NanoCell TV?
- The first thing is the money as they tend to be more expensive than standard LED TVs due to the advanced technology.
- Also, while they have good overall picture quality, NanoCell TVs may not achieve the same peak brightness as QLED or OLED TVs.
- Although NanoCell offers good color accuracy, QLED TVs usually have more vibrant colors.
Check out this list of NanoCell TVs available in Nepal:
LG Nanocell TV
Size and Resolution
Price in Nepal
43NAN081
43”, 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Rs. 69,590
55NAN081
55” 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Rs. 1,06,290
65NAN081
65” 4K UHD (3840 x 2160 pixels)
Rs. 144,490
QLED TVs
Lastly, QLED (Quantum Dot LED) TVs use quantum dots to enhance brightness, colour accuracy, and overall picture quality. These quantum dots are tiny semiconductor particles that emit different colours when exposed to light. QLEDs still rely on an LED backlight, but the quantum dot layer helps produce more vivid and accurate colors, especially in bright rooms.
Why should you get a QLED TV?
- First thing first, QLEDs have enhanced colour reproduction thanks to quantum dots, producing richer, more vivid colors compared to standard LED TVs.
- Furthermore, QLEDs can achieve higher brightness levels, making them more suitable for well-lit rooms.
- With better local dimming and colour control, QLEDs provide more contrast and sharper details in dark scenes. But QLED TVs come with some drawbacks too.
Why should you not get the QLED TV?
- QLED TVs are typically more expensive than regular LED TVs. So, if you are looking for something under the budget, I’d suggest you reconsider your choice.
- Not just that, although improved over traditional LED, QLEDs still rely on an LED backlight, which can cause blooming and less perfect blacks compared to OLEDs or NanoCell.
- Despite some of the faulty sides, QLED TVs are still the preferable ones for a good budget.
Samsung is one of the leading manufacturers of QLED technology. Here is the list of some QLED TVs you can get in Nepal.
Samsung TV models
Size and Resolution
Price in Nepal
QA85Q60B
85-inches QLED UHD 4K
Rs. 6,20,990
QA75LS03B
75 inches QLED 4K
Rs 480,990
QA65QN85D
65 inches QLED 4K
Rs 277,800
QA65Q60D
65 inches QLED 4K
Rs 222,300
Final thought
Finding the right type of TV can be stressing. If you want a decent TV at an affordable price get an LED TV but if money is not the issue, you should definitely go for a QLED TV. But if you are one of the Nepali customers who prefers ‘‘sasto, balio, tikau” a TV with a NanoCell display can be a good choice.
TV type
Pros
Cons
Remark
LED TV
Good option for budget-conscious buyers looking for decent picture quality at an affordable price.
Mini LED TV
A solid choice for those who want improved picture quality without the premium price tag of QLED or OLED.
NanoCell TV
Ideal for those looking for better color accuracy at a mid-range price point, especially for group viewing.
QLED TV
Best choice for those who want enhanced color and brightness, but not willing to pay for OLED’s premium price.
- Meanwhile, watch our Authorized vs Third-Party Display Repair in Nepal video: