1. What is the difference between Mini LED and OLED?

The difference is that Mini LED, as used in Samsung Neo QLED TVs, is known for its brightness and ability to enhance HDR with small LED backlighting, whereas OLED, as used in Samsung OLED TVs, is known for creating deep blacks and stark contrast by lighting each pixel individually.

2. Which TV offers deeper blacks and better contrast, Mini LED or OLED?

Mini LED, with its precise backlight control, enhances contrast while offering high brightness for great HDR performance, as seen in Samsung Neo QLED TVs. OLED, used in Samsung OLED TVs, can turn each pixel on and off individually, providing deep contrast with dark black expression.

3. Which TV technology is better for bright environments, Mini LED or OLED?

Both Mini LED and OLED work well in bright environments. Samsung Neo QLED TVs offers high brightness and strong HDR performance, making it well-suited for bright environments. Samsung OLED TVs, on the other hand, use Brightness Booster for a bright display that delivers outstanding contrast and colour.

4. Is Mini LED or OLED better for gaming?

In terms of gaming, both Mini LED and OLED offer excellent experiences. Both Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED feature ultra-fast response times, minimal lag for super-smooth gameplay. Whichever you choose, Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED TVs include gaming-focused features, such as AI Auto Game* mode, FreeSync Premium, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). These features help reduce motion blur and enhance response times for a smooth, seamless experience. * AI Auto Game mode works for console games only.

5. Is Mini LED or OLED good for watching movies?

Both are good for watching movies. Mini LED, such as Samsung Neo QLED TVs, provides high brightness and vivid colour expression, making it ideal for HDR content. Samsung OLED TVs are a great choice for watching content with dark colours, thanks to its ability to showcase high contrast.

6. Does Samsung Neo QLED use Mini LED technology?

Yes, Samsung Neo QLED uses Mini LED technology, featuring precise backlighting that enables optimised brightness and contrast. It also incorporates Quantum Dot technology for vibrant colours and sharp details.

7. Which is better for eye comfort, Mini LED or OLED?

Since TVs are typically watched for extended periods, eye comfort is crucial. Both Mini LED and OLED (Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED) models, help reduce eye fatigue by adjusting the brightness levels through EyeComfort Mode.* * Compared to standard settings. Intended for general wellness purposes only. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis, treatment of any health or medical condition. Please consult a health or medical professional for advice.

8. Is Mini LED efficient?

Yes, TVs with Mini LED technology, such as Samsung Neo QLED, are energy efficient. In fact, both Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED use AI Energy Mode to enhance energy efficiency by detecting surrounding light levels and analysing usage behaviors to adjust the brightness, reducing overall energy consumption.* * The SmartThings app is required to utilise AI Energy Mode. Energy saving rate may vary according to regions, models, sizes, viewing conditions or types of content. Products shipped in Eco Mode have some AI Energy Mode functions enabled by default, so energy saving level by turning on AI Energy Mode may appear lower than actual. AI Energy Mode does not support Game Mode, Intelligent Mode, Art Mode, Screen Mirroring, Ambient Mode or Retail Mode. Energy savings are based on internal test results and may vary depending on content being displayed and surrounding brightness levels.

9. Should I choose Mini LED or OLED?

The choice depends on your preferences. If you're looking for brightness and contrast for vivid picture quality, a Mini LED, like Samsung Neo QLED TVs, is a great choice. If you prefer rich contrast and deep blacks, Samsung OLED would be a viable option.

Mini LED vs. OLED:
What's the difference and which TV is right for you?

* Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

In this article, we will examine the differences between Mini LED and OLED technologies, which are both featured in Samsung's TV lineup. If you're looking for a TV with excellent brightness and HDR performance, Mini LED TVs — Samsung Neo QLED — are a great place to start. If you're searching for OLED TVs with the ability to truly deliver deep blacks and optimised contrast, Samsung OLED lineup features self-emitting pixels that allow for high contrast in dark scenes. By the end of this guide, you'll have a better understanding of their distinct advantages, so you can find the right type of TV for your needs.

What is Mini LED?

Mini LED is a type of backlight technology that uses smaller LED lights compared to the ones used in standard LED* — hence the name Mini LED.

It delivers higher peak brightness and better image control.**

In particular, Samsung Neo QLED premium lineup features Quantum Matrix Technology with Quantum Mini LEDs. This allows more LEDs to be placed within a smaller area*, enabling precise screen control for boosted brightness with accurate light management, so you can enjoy fine details in both the darkest and brightest scenes. In addition, the Quantum Dot Technology found in Neo QLED TVs offers colour expression for a dynamic viewing experience.

* When compared to LED models Crystal UHD TV (U8500F/U8000F).
** When compared to OLED models S95F.

What is OLED?

OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) is a display technology where each pixel is individually lit, allowing for deep black levels and well-balanced contrast. OLED excels at providing vibrant colours and rich blacks, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize deep contrast and colour accuracy.
Used in Samsung OLED TVs, OLED is a premium display technology due to its ability to produce dark blacks and high contrast ratios.

* Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

Mini LED vs. OLED

Mini LED vs. OLED: Picture Quality

Picture quality is a key factor that drastically affects your overall viewing experience in terms of how realistic and immersive the content appears, down to the finest details. Additionally, it determines the TV's ability to showcase accurate colour, contrast and motion.

Compared to traditional LED, Mini LED optimises picture quality in Samsung Neo QLED TVs by enhancing brightness with rich colour rendition, delivering better HDR quality.*

Meanwhile, OLED achieves outstanding image quality through its ability to produce excellent deep black levels and balanced whites, creating a striking combination of depth and clarity on Samsung OLED TVs.

* When compared to LED models Crystal UHD TV (U8500F/U8000F).

Mini LED vs. OLED: Brightness & Colour

Brightness is essential for visibility and overall viewing experience, especially in terms of colour expression.

Mini LED enhances brightness by illuminating specific zones as needed, creating a natural and balanced viewing experience in both bright and dark environments. Samsung Neo QLEDs feature QLED technology and Quantum Dot-based colour expression, delivering a richer range of colour across all brightness levels for bright, realistic hues.

Meanwhile, OLED technology is capable of vivid colour reproduction and has evolved with advancements like OLED HDR*, delivering powerful brightness and deeper contrast fully enabled by every pixel. This makes Samsung OLEDs ideal for deep, contrasting visuals, controlling pixels one by one.

* Source content must be HDR10+ format. The range of HDR luminance is based on internal testing standards and subject to change according to viewing environment or specific conditions.

Mini LED vs. OLED: Black Expression

Black expression is crucial for displaying depth and enhancing contrast, significantly impacting visual quality.

Mini LED technology — found in Samsung Neo QLED TVs — improves black expression through precise light control with local dimming technology, where independent backlight zones help to minimise light leakage and enhance contrast. This results in more detail in the darkest and brightest scenes, especially noticeable in HDR content.

In contrast, OLED achieves dark blacks thanks to self-emissive dimming pixels, which produce deep blacks and clean whites. This makes Samsung OLED TVs ideal for immersive experiences like watching movies in low-light settings.

* Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

Mini LED vs. OLED: Contrast

Contrast is important for image vibrancy and overall quality, as it amplifies the difference between dark and bright areas.

Mini LED can produce a wide range of brightness, resulting in both better HDR expression and detailed contrast, as seen in Samsung Neo QLED TVs.*

OLED delivers impressive depth and lifelike contrast by independently controlling each pixel, resulting in dark blacks and bright whites for a stunning visual experience on Samsung OLED TVs.

* When compared to LED models Crystal UHD TV (U8500F/U8000F).

Mini LED vs. OLED: Watching Movies

Mini LED vs. OLED: Gaming

In terms of gaming, both Mini LED and OLED offer excellent gaming experiences. Both Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED feature ultra-fast response times, allowing for super-smooth gameplay and reduced lag for a seamless gaming experience.

Regardless of your choice, both Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED TVs offer gaming-specific functions — AI Auto Game mode*, FreeSync Premium, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) — with ALLM and VRR designed to reduce motion blur and improve response times, giving you the ultimate TV gaming experience.

Learn more about Samsung Gaming TVs

* AI Auto Game Mode works for console games only.

* Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

Mini LED vs. OLED: Which TV should you choose?

Mini LED, such as Samsung Neo QLED TVs, and Samsung OLED TVs each offer unique benefits, catering to different viewing preferences. Mini LED is known for brightness and HDR performance, making it ideal for HDR content. OLED excels in producing deep blacks, resulting in vivid contrast and an imersive viewing experience. Your choice will depend on your personal entertainment needs. Whichever you choose, you can expect an unparalleled viewing experience.

Mini LED (Samsung Neo QLED) is ideal if you want…

• High brightness and HDR expression

• Vivid colour expression across the colour spectrum at all brightness levels

• Detailed visuals in various lighting conditions

Samsung Neo QLED TV with Mini LED Technology with a blue abstract picture on a screen

* Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

Samsung OLED is ideal if you want…

• Dark blacks and bright whites

• An extensive range of contrast and vivid colours

• A deeply immersive experience

• A TV optimised for dark-room viewing

Samsung OLED TV with a blue and yellow abstract picture on a screen

* Image simulated for illustrative purposes.

Mini LED vs. OLED: FAQs

1. What is the difference between Mini LED and OLED?

The difference is that Mini LED, as used in Samsung Neo QLED TVs, is known for its brightness and ability to enhance HDR with small LED backlighting, whereas OLED, as used in Samsung OLED TVs, is known for creating deep blacks and stark contrast by lighting each pixel individually.
2. Which TV offers deeper blacks and better contrast, Mini LED or OLED?

Mini LED, with its precise backlight control, enhances contrast while offering high brightness for great HDR performance, as seen in Samsung Neo QLED TVs.

OLED, used in Samsung OLED TVs, can turn each pixel on and off individually, providing deep contrast with dark black expression.
3. Which TV technology is better for bright environments, Mini LED or OLED?

Both Mini LED and OLED work well in bright environments. Samsung Neo QLED TVs offers high brightness and strong HDR performance, making it well-suited for bright environments. Samsung OLED TVs, on the other hand, use Brightness Booster for a bright display that delivers outstanding contrast and colour.
4. Is Mini LED or OLED better for gaming?

In terms of gaming, both Mini LED and OLED offer excellent experiences. Both Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED feature ultra-fast response times, minimal lag for super-smooth gameplay.

Whichever you choose, Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED TVs include gaming-focused features, such as AI Auto Game* mode, FreeSync Premium, Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). These features help reduce motion blur and enhance response times for a smooth, seamless experience.

* AI Auto Game mode works for console games only.
5. Is Mini LED or OLED good for watching movies?

Both are good for watching movies. Mini LED, such as Samsung Neo QLED TVs, provides high brightness and vivid colour expression, making it ideal for HDR content. Samsung OLED TVs are a great choice for watching content with dark colours, thanks to its ability to showcase high contrast.
6. Does Samsung Neo QLED use Mini LED technology?

Yes, Samsung Neo QLED uses Mini LED technology, featuring precise backlighting that enables optimised brightness and contrast. It also incorporates Quantum Dot technology for vibrant colours and sharp details.
7. Which is better for eye comfort, Mini LED or OLED?

Since TVs are typically watched for extended periods, eye comfort is crucial. Both Mini LED and OLED (Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED) models, help reduce eye fatigue by adjusting the brightness levels through EyeComfort Mode.*

* Compared to standard settings. Intended for general wellness purposes only. Not intended for use in detection, diagnosis, treatment of any health or medical condition. Please consult a health or medical professional for advice.
8. Is Mini LED efficient?

Yes, TVs with Mini LED technology, such as Samsung Neo QLED, are energy efficient. In fact, both Samsung Neo QLED and Samsung OLED use AI Energy Mode to enhance energy efficiency by detecting surrounding light levels and analysing usage behaviors to adjust the brightness, reducing overall energy consumption.*

* The SmartThings app is required to utilise AI Energy Mode. Energy saving rate may vary according to regions, models, sizes, viewing conditions or types of content. Products shipped in Eco Mode have some AI Energy Mode functions enabled by default, so energy saving level by turning on AI Energy Mode may appear lower than actual. AI Energy Mode does not support Game Mode, Intelligent Mode, Art Mode, Screen Mirroring, Ambient Mode or Retail Mode. Energy savings are based on internal test results and may vary depending on content being displayed and surrounding brightness levels.
9. Should I choose Mini LED or OLED?

The choice depends on your preferences. If you're looking for brightness and contrast for vivid picture quality, a Mini LED, like Samsung Neo QLED TVs, is a great choice. If you prefer rich contrast and deep blacks, Samsung OLED would be a viable option.