Why choose
an OLED monitor?
Table of Contents
What is an OLED monitor?
An OLED monitor is a type of display that uses Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) technology to produce images. Unlike traditional LCD monitors, which rely on a backlight to illuminate pixels, OLED displays use organic compounds that emit light on their own when electricity passes through them.
This self-emissive feature allows each pixel to turn on and off independently, resulting in deep blacks, vibrant colors and high contrast — all with wide viewing angles. And because OLED panels don't require a separate backlight layer, they can be made thin, allowing for sleek and modern monitor designs.
Thanks to these unique characteristics, OLED monitors offer stunning visuals and elegant designs that suit your everyday needs.
Are OLED monitors worth it?
Although whether OLED monitors are worth it depends on what you value most in a display, their vibrant and accurate colors, superior blacks and sharp contrast, and ultra-fast response times offer a viewing experience that's hard to match.
Vibrant and Accurate Color
Powered by self-emissive pixels that light up individually, OLED monitors deliver exceptional color accuracy that highlights details in your favorite movies and games and even in your creative work. So you can immerse yourself in scenes with brilliant colors.
Superior Black and Sharp Contrast
OLED monitors' ability to precisely control brightness and color intricately allows for true blacks, adding depth to dark scenes. These deep black levels also enhance contrast, providing true-to-life visuals for an engaging gaming or design experience.
Ultra-fast Response Times
OLED monitors offer near-instant response times optimized for fast-paced, competitive gaming, so you can enjoy smooth motion and gain an edge in intense action titles.
What makes OLED monitors better than LCD monitors?
OLED displays are known for their sharp contrast, ultra-low response times and wide viewing angles — all features that create immersive experiences across various types of content. These technical advantages give OLED monitors a clear edge over those using traditional display technologies like LCD.
Let's take a closer look at OLED monitors and see what makes them superior to others.
▶ OLED vs. IPS: Are OLED monitors better than IPS monitors?
- Contrast & Brightness
OLED monitors offer exceptional contrast, as individual pixels can produce deep blacks and infinite contrast. However, they generally have lower peak brightness than IPS panels.
- Color
While both OLED and IPS displays support a wide color gamut, OLED panels offer greater vibrancy and deeper contrast, resulting in more lifelike image quality.
- Response Time
OLED monitors deliver smoother motion than IPS panels, thanks to their ultra-fast response times that come from their ability to control pixels directly.
- Durability
Unlike IPS screens, OLED panels may degrade unevenly over time due to their organic materials and may experience burn-in. However, Samsung's OLED Safeguard features help protect the screen from burn-in, improving durability and supporting long-term use.
▶ OLED vs. VA: Are OLED monitors better than VA monitors?
- Color Accuracy
OLED displays control colors and brightness at the pixel level, resulting in true-to-life visuals, while VA monitors can experience light leakage from their backlight, lowering color accuracy, especially in dark scenes.
- Response Time
OLED displays help each frame flow smoothly to the next with near-instant response times. VA panels, however, have higher response times, which can lead to ghosting or smearing during fast-action scenes.
- Viewing Angle
OLED panels excel at maintaining consistent color and brightness throughout the screen, whereas VA monitors may deliver washed-out blacks or color shifts across the display due to inconsistent liquid crystal movement.
- Affordability
OLED monitors provide brilliant image quality and smooth performance, making them premium displays. VA monitors are budget-friendly alternatives that deliver stable performance with well-defined visuals.
Do OLED monitors still suffer from burn-in?
Burn-in — a form of permanent image retention caused by displaying static images for extended periods — is a potential issue in OLED monitors due to the organic nature of their pixels.
However, modern OLED displays are designed to minimize this risk through advanced technologies and updated software systems.Samsung OLED monitors, for instance, come with Samsung OLED Safeguard or OLED Safeguard+ features that help prevent burn-in and prolong the screen's lifespan.
Samsung OLED Safeguard+
Dynamic Cooling System
Dynamic Cooling System's Pulsating Heat Pipe releases a coolant that disperses heat five times faster than a traditional graphite method.
Thermal Modulation System
Thermal Modulation System controls brightness and prevents overheating using algorithms in real time.3, 4
Logo & Taskbar Detection
Logo & Taskbar Detection automatically identifies static images like taskbars and logos and reduces their brightness.5
Screen Saver
Screen Saver dims the monitor after 10 minutes of inactivity.1
Are OLED monitors good for your eyes?
Yes, OLED monitors are designed to reduce eye fatigue during extended use. Their self-emissive OLED panels allow for precise control over brightness and contrast, which helps reduce eye strain while maintaining image clarity in various viewing conditions, especially in low-light environments.
Samsung OLED monitors further support visual comfort by incorporating features such as Eye Saver Mode, Flicker-free support and Glare-Free2 technology so you can stay comfortable during long work sessions or movie marathons. In essence, OLED monitors deliver both visual comfort and exceptional picture quality, making them an ideal choice for both your eyes and your viewing experience.
Do OLED monitors have HDR?
Yes, most OLED monitors enable HDR (High Dynamic Range), a technology that delivers a wider range of brightness and colors for more lifelike visuals.
Samsung OLED monitors — such as the Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SF) — support advanced HDR features like VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 5006, which offers ultra-deep blacks and 1000-nit peak brightness. This adds depth and realism to scenes, showing content as intended by creators. In this way, OLED monitors — with their ability to produce true blacks and rich contrast — are particularly well-suited for viewing HDR content.
Are OLED monitors good for gaming?
Yes, OLED monitors are a strong choice for gaming, offering stunning visuals with exceptional contrast and true blacks, along with ultra-fast response times that capture movement in real time. Samsung Odyssey OLED gaming monitors, for instance, take your gaming experience to the next level with breathtaking image quality and responsive performance.
OLED panels enhances image quality with deep blacks, sharp contrast and true-to-life colors, making game scenes more realistic and immersive. This makes OLED displays especially appealing to AAA gamers seeking cinematic visuals.
Moreover, OLED monitors also feature high refresh rates and near-instant response times, significantly reducing motion blur — ideal for competitive players who need fluid gameplay in fast-paced titles. Samsung Odyssey OLED monitors further stand out thanks to Samsung Safeguard technology, which protects your screen, allowing you to stay focused on the action without worrying about burn-in.
Are OLED monitors good for office work?
Yes, OLED monitors are well-suited for office tasks — particularly those involving color-critical work such as video editing, photo retouching and graphic design — thanks to their rich contrast and superior color accuracy. On top of that, they also offer wide viewing angles, which makes collaboration and multitasking easier even when viewed from different positions.
Certain models, like those from Samsung, are especially optimized for office use. For example, they include features like OLED Glare Free2 technology, which reduces reflections from external light sources — like sunlight or indoor lighting — and Eye Saver Mode, which keeps your eyes comfortable during long work sessions.
While burn-in is a common concern for OLEDs, many OLED monitors include technologies designed to reduce this risk. Samsung's latest OLED models incorporate advanced technologies like Samsung OLED Safeguard to prevent burn-in while preserving the display's exceptional image quality.
What is the best OLED monitor for me?
· Stream content easily with built-in apps
· Game seamlessly with a 0.03ms response time and a 165Hz refresh rate
· Work on creative tasks with cloud-based productivity apps
· Stay connected with a built-in camera for video calls
· Ideal for competitive games with a 500Hz ultra-high refresh rate for smooth, responsive gameplay
· Enjoy crisp visuals with sharp QHD resolution
- Ideal for open-world or racing games for immersion with a 32:9 ultrawide screen
- Streamlined multitasking — ideal for productivity and office work
FAQ
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What is an OLED monitor?An OLED monitor is a type of screen that uses organic compounds called Organic Light-Emitting Diodes (OLED), which illuminate on their own to produce lifelike images — without the need for a backlight. These self-lighting pixels deliver rich blacks, bold colors and sharp contrast with accurate image quality from wide viewing angles. OLED displays further enhance immersion in your content with smooth, sharp visuals thanks to their superior response times. These make OLED monitors well-suited for tasks that require visual precision — such as gaming, watching and creating content. Also, OLED panels do not have a backlight layer and are designed to be slim, adding a modern touch to your setup.
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OLED monitors vs. LCD monitors: How are they different?OLED monitors have pixels that light up independently, while LCD monitors rely on a constant backlight to produce images. This fundamental distinction in display technology lead to differences across several areas. - Contrast and Black Levels OLED displays deliver true blacks and exceptional contrast for lifelike visuals. LCD monitors, on the other hand, cannot achieve true black levels and produce lower contrast. - Color Accuracy OLED monitors support a wider color gamut, offering more vibrant colors that deliver true-to-life picture quality. LCD screens offer more neutral and natural-looking color reproduction. - Brightness While OLED pixels emit light individually, they generally struggle to match the overall peak brightness levels of LCDs — especially in well-lit environments. - Response Times OLED displays offer faster response times, reducing motion blur in fast-paced action scenes — ideal for competitive gaming. LCD screens, while generally slower to respond, may show some motion blur during rapid scenes. In short, OLED monitors offer superior picture quality and response times, making them a top choice for content creation, entertainment and gaming. LCDs still excel in peak brightness, which is beneficial in brightly lit environments or for general office use.
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Why choose Samsung OLED monitors?Along with benefits from OLED display technology, Samsung OLED monitors offer premium features that make them ideal for gaming, working and enjoying content for extended periods. Samsung OLED monitors support ultra-high refresh rates of up to 500Hz7 and near-instant response times as low as 0.03ms (GtG). This means you can enjoy realistic game scenes, smooth performance and responsive gameplay. Samsung OLED monitors also come equipped with Samsung OLED Safeguard — a burn-in prevention technology that helps lower the risk of uneven pixel wear and ensures long-term durability. Features like Thermal Modulation System, Logo and Taskbar Detection and Screen Saver work together to help prevent pixel overheating and burn-in. Additionally, to support comfortable use, Samsung OLED monitors provide Glare Free2 technology that minimizes reflections from sunlight or indoor lighting — so you can game, work or watch without eye strain, even in brightly lit rooms.
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Are OLED monitors better than 4K monitors?OLED and 4K monitors aren’t directly comparable, as OLED refers to display technology while 4K describes screen resolution. OLED monitors use self-emissive pixels that turn on and off individually, delivering true blacks, high contrast and vibrant color accuracy. Meanwhile, 4K monitors feature a 3840 × 2160 resolution, offering sharp, detailed visuals. While OLED monitors and 4K monitors cannot be compared directly, certain OLED monitors come in 4K resolution, combining the best of both worlds. For example, the Samsung Odyssey OLED G8 (G81SF) features a 4K OLED panel — merging crisp detail with rich contrast and deep blacks for stunning, lifelike image quality that enhances immersion in both content and games.
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Do OLED monitors come in 4K?Yes, some OLED monitors come in 4K resolution, offering exceptional visual clarity for games, content or documents. For instance, Samsung offers 4K QD-OLED displays in both the Odyssey OLED G8 (G81SF) and the Smart Monitor M9 (M90SF). These models deliver sharp details and true-to-life visuals, making them ideal for gaming, watching content or working on projects.
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Are 1440p OLED monitors better than 4K OLED monitors?Whether 1440p OLED monitors are better than 4K OLED displays depends on several factors, such as resolution, refresh rate and GPU performance. 4K OLED monitors offer higher resolution because they have a higher pixel count than 1440p OLED monitors. This means 4K OLED displays deliver clearer visuals and sharper details, which is ideal for watching content. 1440p OLED screens, on the other hand, often have higher refresh rates than 4K OLED displays, making them better suited for playing games. They can also provide a smoother and more responsive gaming experience with lower GPU requirements than 4K OLED screens. In short, while 1440p OLED displays excel in gaming performance, 4K OLED displays are the better choice if your GPU can handle 4K resolution, as they combine stunning, true-to-life image quality with ultra-smooth gameplay.
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How can I tell if a monitor is OLED?To check if a monitor has an OLED panel, refer to the official product specifications located in the user manual or on the brand's website using the model code. Here is how to find your model information on Windows. 1. Right-click on the desktop and select [Display Settings]. 2. Click [Advanced Display Settings]. 3. Press the [Choose display] dropdown menu to select the monitor you want to check (if you have multiple connected displays). 4. Look for the monitor's model code under the [Display information] section. Once you find the model code, visit the manufacturer's website and paste the code to check the specifications. If you are using a Samsung monitor, you can check for the OLED availability on Samsung.com.
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Are OLED monitors good for FPS games?Yes, OLED monitors are excellent for FPS games, thanks to their ultra-high refresh rates, near-instant response times and ability to produce deep blacks and vibrant colors. These features help players react faster and see more detail in motion — crucial advantages in FPS games where precision and timing are key. The Samsung Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SF) 27" QHD monitor is particularly suited for FPS games because of its superior 500Hz refresh rate4 and ultra-low 0.03ms response time.8, 9 It also supports G-Sync10 and FreeSync11 Premium Pro, which reduces screen tearing and stuttering. Combining these features with QHD resolution, the Odyssey OLED G6 (G60SF) delivers smoother gameplay, heightened responsiveness to enemy movement and improved aiming precision.
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Are OLED monitors good for productivity?Yes, OLED monitors are good for productivity because they offer a wide color gamut, deep blacks and high contrast that deliver vibrant, lifelike visuals — valuable for detail-oriented tasks like photo editing and graphic design. Additionally, OLED displays support wide viewing angles that provide consistent visuals across the screen, making it easy to collaborate regardless of where you're sitting. Samsung OLED monitors take productivity a step further with Samsung OLED Safeguard, which prevents burn-in and pixel overheating. Features like Logo and Taskbar Detection automatically lower the brightness of static images to protect OLED's organic pixels, helping extend the monitor’s lifespan — even with extended daily use. They are also equipped with Glare Free2 technology, which reduces reflections from external light sources, allowing you to focus with less eye fatigue.
Got questions about monitors? Check out our quick-tip articles below for answers:
- 1. Screen images simulated for illustrative purposes.
- 2. Verified as Glare-Free by UL based on the verification methods used by UL. For more information on the verification methods used, please visithttps://verify.ul.com/verifications/732. "Glare Free" terminology comes from the UL standards for certification and may not accurately describe the feature's performance. Comparison based on internal test results.
- 3. When "Adjust Logo Brightness" setting is on "Off" or "Low," Thermal Modulation is active in pre-set picture modes only.
- 4. When "Adjust Logo Brightness" setting is on "High," Thermal Modulation is always active.
- 5. Logo detection is not available in PC mode.
- 6. VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 500 certification is based on 10% Average Picture Level (APL). Peak brightness: typically 1000 nits, minimum 800 nits (measured at 3% APL with HDR enabled and peak brightness set to “High”).
- 7. Refresh rate may vary based on the performance of the input source.
- 8. Based on GtG measured under internal test conditions. Results may vary by content and monitor settings.
- 9. GtG (Gray to Gray) measures the time taken for a monitor pixel to change from one gray value to another.
- 10. NVIDIA® G-SYNC® Compatible requires a-G-SYNC compatible NVIDIA graphics card.
- 11. AMD Freesync™ is available only when a compatible AMD graphics card is used.
