QDEL technology set to become the premium display replacement to OLEDs by 2026

[Cal Jeffrey]

The bleeding edge: Currently, the highest quality pictures come from displays with OLED screens. The blackest blacks and the bright, vibrant colors it produces are unmatched. The technology comes at a premium, but a stroll through the local department store shows that prices are beginning to come down. As prices start dipping for the latest electronics, we begin wondering about the next generation.

Micro-LEDs are in line to replace OLEDs but need another half decade or so of development before commercialization. Noctiluca notes that micro-LED tech will be ideal for transparent screens and displays viewed outdoors in sunlight, like cell phones and digital billboards. However, there is another display tech called QDEL that is much closer.

Ars Technica opines that QDEL, or quantum dot electroluminescent, might be the next bleeding-edge tech for high-end televisions, monitors, and gadgets with screens. Also known as NanoLED, QDEL is an emissive technology that does not require a backlight – electroluminescent quantum dots emit light directly. These Q-dots are the same as those in high-end QD-OLEDs but are brighter, cheaper, and more resistant to burn-in.

Furthermore, QDEL technology should be available within the next few years, whereas micro-LED won't be ready for consumers until around 2030. Quantum dot supplier Nanosys has been working on the tech for several years. Its potential brand name is NanoLED, but it has gone by other names during development, including QD-EL, QD-LED, EL-QD, and QLED, although Samsung trademarked the latter in 2016, the year before launching its QLED branded TVs.

Nanosys has tentatively targeted 2026 as its window for taking the technology commercial, but as a supplier, it is up to manufacturers like Sharp, Sony, and LG to take advantage of it. So we may not see comsumer sets until later.

"When it comes to consumer gadgets, [I expect] QDEL will most impact TVs, PC displays, and the automotive industry," Omdia Senior Research Director David Hsieh told Ars Tecnica. "If commercialized and mass-produced, QDEL can have a cost-to-performance ratio better than that of OLED, but it would still struggle to compete with LCD-LED on a cost basis."

As an OEM supplier, Nanosys doesn't produce displays, so prototypes that utilize QDEL are scarce, making the company's 2026 timeframe somewhat ambitious. However, it has released some beta-level QDEL tech to allow a handful of companies to experiment.

Digital Trends went to CES 2024 in January, specifically looking for QDEL prototypes. It took a while, and DT correspondent Caleb Denison was about to leave Las Vegas before getting a call from Sharp Display reps. They had heard he was looking for QDEL displays and invited him to view two "secret" prototypes in their CES "backroom" (video above).

Viewing any display in a video is not ideal for getting a good idea of the quality, and QDEL is no exception. However, Denison was impressed and excited by Sharp's small 12.3-inch prototype (shown) and its top-secret 30-inch QDEL display (hidden). He also said that Sharp may have some advancements to show off later this year.

Image credit: PlasmaChem

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QDEL technology set to become the premium display replacement to OLEDs by 2026

 

[Endymio]

quantum dots emit light directly. These Q-dots are the same as those in high-end QD-OLEDs but are brighter, cheaper, and more resistant to burn-in.

Article correction. Quantum dots can be optically-stimulated or electrically-stimulated. Current OLEDs use the optical kind -- which do NOT emit light directly, but merely convert the wavelength (color) emitted by the underlying OLED layer.

The electro-emissive quantum dots in these new displays, however, function as actual LEDs -- they emit light directly, and are a different beast entirely from those found in current QD-OLED displays.

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

Article correction. Quantum dots can be optically-stimulated or electrically-stimulated. Current OLEDs use the optical kind -- which do NOT emit light directly, but merely convert the wavelength (color) emitted by the underlying OLED layer.

The electro-emissive quantum dots in these new displays, however, function as actual LEDs -- they emit light directly, and are a different beast entirely from those found in current QD-OLED displays.

Thanks for the catch there. I had meant to use the the qualifying word "electroluminescent" there, but slipped. Fixed it and added a diagram (which I had also meant to add, whoops) to make the differences more clear.

 

[Uncle Al]

Of course the real test is performance AND cost. If they are too expensive they won't be rapidly accepted. If they are cheaper the products will fly off the shelves ..... we will just have to wait and see which approach the makers take.

 

[TomSEA]

I have a 65 inch LG OLED. The picture is nothing short of remarkable. I can't imagine a better picture technology, but I'm looking forward to checking it out.

 

[kiwigraeme]

No way we are getting this in say big TVs in 2026, I saying 2028.
It probably really good tech, but looks like someone's pushing for funding, So much to overcome to go past a small screen prototype, that had no wow factor
Given LG etc are still going full steam. if really close they wouldn't be increasing facilities.

This could be a microLED killer, if great BT2020, bright, cheap to manufacturer.
Leaving that for huge commercial displays

 

[daffy duck]

No way we are getting this in say big TVs in 2026, I saying 2028.
It probably really good tech, but looks like someone's pushing for funding, So much to overcome to go past a small screen prototype, that had no wow factor
Given LG etc are still going full steam. if really close they wouldn't be increasing facilities.

This could be a microLED killer, if great BT2020, bright, cheap to manufacturer.
Leaving that for huge commercial displays

And no way we are getting big TV's with microled by 2030 either. That's fanciful. Apple spent billions on microled for ipad and watches and abandoned the whole effort recently. Microleds require lithography and making a panel with 25 million for a 4K TV is very difficult, they still haven't come up with a reliable or cost effective approach.

 

[Endymio]

Apple spent billions on microled for ipad and watches and abandoned the whole effort recently.

Oops!

Mar 4, 2024: "Apple remains committed to microLED, despite suggestions that its project to bring the technology to Apple Watch has been ditched, according to reports.... DigiTimes and ETNews report that Apple still has multiple internal teams dedicated to microLED projects and is actively seeking alternative suppliers."

 

[toooooot]

They say it is less prone to burn in. But how much?
Are we talking 30% or even 50% less?
You see, if it allows to make display lasting twice the time of those made with oled tech, it would be enough for most people to say goodbye to oled. But what if it is something liek 20% difference?
I am suspicious because the difference wax not mentioned.

 

[toooooot]

Oops!

Mar 4, 2024: "Apple remains committed to microLED, despite suggestions that its project to bring the technology to Apple Watch has been ditched, according to reports.... DigiTimes and ETNews report that Apple still has multiple internal teams dedicated to microLED projects and is actively seeking alternative suppliers."

Look, if The industry gives up on microled, Apple will follow too. But if microled indeed needs the next 5 years before wide adoption, then it is too early to bury it.

 

[Abaidor]

Look, if The industry gives up on microled, Apple will follow too. But if microled indeed needs the next 5 years before wide adoption, then it is too early to bury it.

The industry "giants" could not produce blue leds for almost 30 years (and no white leds as a consequence) then Shuji Nakamura did it...........something/someone will come up with a solution and things will move forward........the question is when!

 

[Starfals]

They say it is less prone to burn in. But how much?
Are we talking 30% or even 50% less?
You see, if it allows to make display lasting twice the time of those made with oled tech, it would be enough for most people to say goodbye to oled. But what if it is something liek 20% difference?
I am suspicious because the difference wax not mentioned.

If it makes the TV last from 4 years to 5-6, that's not bad at all. Ive seen OLED TVs full of burn in within 2 years, yes under 2 years.. not even after 2 years. Iv also seen some that last at least 5. So even a 20-30% would be a nice increase. Better than 0 I'd say. Of course, if it costs too much... then it's probably not worth it. It all comes down to price. That's also the main reason why so many people still don't buy an OLED anything. Monitors for example... my god, they can be very pricy in comparison to the old tech.

 

[kiwigraeme]

And no way we are getting big TV's with microled by 2030 either. That's fanciful. Apple spent billions on microled for ipad and watches and abandoned the whole effort recently. Microleds require lithography and making a panel with 25 million for a 4K TV is very difficult, they still haven't come up with a reliable or cost effective approach.

6 Years is a long time,. As 98" and 100" now hitting market, think a 100" monster for $10000 to $15000 is only 3 to 4 years away.

Think is TVs today are good enough for most content, do we really need the gleam of a car hitting 10000 Nits For gaming with explosions , neon lights , puddles it would look great

I like watching 70s movies for example for that grainy , noir look, so more about processing, dark viewing, grey levels and graduations in brightness . Tvs can do that pretty fine now .
Yeah a Pixar cartoon , maybe great to have a wow factor , or certain types of movies.

But day in day out you want a natural picture, not hyper realism . Even in photography when cameras made it easy to combine 10 different exposures to give this wow super high contrast photo , upon seeing a sample I knew I didn't want endless photos that look like that.

Plus mini-LEDs will get pretty good . The Sony 85'" Bravia 9 is meant to be a step up. TCL will copy that tech or match it .

Most people just want as big as TV they get that's a decent picture for $1000 in 2030 the el cheapo 85" TVs will be just fine for most people . End of the day is just a TV , most people have TV for the sound , or a sound bar at most , kids throwing toys.

Add in, if you buy say that Sony 85" or a LG G4 83" ,if it keeps working do you really need an upgrade

 

[Endymio]

They say it is less prone to burn in. But how much?

At present, it is actually more prone to burn in than OLED, not less -- the best pure blue QD leds have lifespans of about 15K hours, while the reds can last over 2M hours.

However, the industry is progressing at an extraordinarily rapid rate here. Just five years ago, a blue QD-LED had a lifespan of just 20 hours, and even the lifespan of reds was only a few thousand hours.

 

[toooooot]

At present, it is actually more prone to burn in than OLED, not less -- the best pure blue QD leds have lifespans of about 15K hours, while the reds can last over 2M hours.

However, the industry is progressing at an extraordinarily rapid rate here. Just five years ago, a blue QD-LED had a lifespan of just 20 hours, and even the lifespan of reds was only a few thousand hours.

Are we talking about the same thing? I meant Qdel and not the Samsung's trademarked QD oled. The article states it is more resistant to burn in, not to mention cheaper.

 

[Endymio]

Are we talking about the same thing? I meant Qdel and not the Samsung's trademarked QD oled. The article states it is more resistant to burn in, not to mention cheaper.

QDEL displays use quantum-dot LEDs: OLEDs are "quantum dot enhanced". But since the acronyms QD-LED and QD-OLED are so similar, the industry appears have settled on "quantum-dot electroluminescent".

QDEL is cheaper (fewer layers), has higher brightness and higher efficiency, and is expected to be more resistant to burn-in once actually released. At current rates of progress, these displays are expected to surpass OLED lifespans in less than 2 years.

You can read about the rapid rate of progress by comparing research published in Nature, one from 5 years ago to one from January this year:

On the degradation mechanisms of quantum-dot light-emitting diodes - Nature Communications

Wide application of quantum dot light emitting diodes (QLED) in display technology is hindered by the poor lifetime of the blue QLEDs. Here, the degradation mechanism is shown to originate from space charge accumulation in the electron-transporting layer enabling improvements in blue QLED lifetimes.

www.nature.com

Stable and efficient pure blue quantum-dot LEDs enabled by inserting an anti-oxidation layer - Nature Communications

Blue QD-LEDs suffer from poor operational stability due to the carrier accumulation at transport layers. Here, the authors propose a strategy to mitigate the hole accumulation driven oxidation in hole transport layer, effectively elongating the operational lifetime of blue QD-LEDs.

www.nature.com

 

[comnut]

Are we talking about the same thing? I meant Qdel and not the Samsung's trademarked QD oled. The article states it is more resistant to burn in, not to mention cheaper.

well here is some 'big science' stuff!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0022231381901897
if you are UGH! TLDR!... a vital quote..
"Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are essentially small scale, low voltage, relatively high current density devices, whereas the electroluminescent (EL) cells available at present require relatively large operating voltages but are readily suited to large area formats. The second table involves the mechanisms. It is shown that an essential difference between all commercially available LEDs and the EL cells is the fact that light emission occurs for the former in a region of low electric field, unlike the latter."

 

[Endymio]

well here is some 'big science' stuff!
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0022231381901897
if you are UGH! TLDR!... a vital quote..
"Light emitting diodes (LEDs) are essentially small scale, low voltage, relatively high current density devices, whereas the electroluminescent (EL) cells available at present require relatively large operating voltages but are readily suited to large area formats....

FYI, your quote refers to current high-field EL displays, which use (organic or inorganic) phosphors; an entirely different mechanism from quantum dot electroluminescence which is based on II-VI semiconductors. See this intro to the subject:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/electroluminescence#:~:text=On%20the%20other%20hand%2C%20high-field%20EL%20occurs%20in,undergo%20relaxation%20to%20give%20out%20an%20EL%20emission.

 

[daffy duck]

Oops!

Mar 4, 2024: "Apple remains committed to microLED, despite suggestions that its project to bring the technology to Apple Watch has been ditched, according to reports.... DigiTimes and ETNews report that Apple still has multiple internal teams dedicated to microLED projects and is actively seeking alternative suppliers."

LOL, PR BS at it's finest.

 

[BadThad]

The industry "giants" could not produce blue leds for almost 30 years (and no white leds as a consequence) then Shuji Nakamura did it...........something/someone will come up with a solution and things will move forward........the question is when!

This is an interesting story in itself!

 

[FaTaL]

Cheaper = more likely to NOT WORK

 

[dalpilot]

When Mini LED LCD TVs give you 65' displays that are 90% of OLED for half the price that is the key. In addition, when you can get large Mini LEDs (Think 85" and up) for less than $2K that have a good (not great by geek standards) then people will buy the TCLs and Hisense TVs for mass market and the "superb" OLEDs will still be niche for upper middle class and above. The same for sound - if you can get good 5.1 sound from a $300 sound bar and you need $1500 for the Samsung 9.1.4 (or whatever configuration) or the receiver amp multi sub woofer wired with speakers in the ceiling that takes a professional installer and $3-5K to install then those will be niche also. Bottom line is Mini LEDs with Quantum Dots (by whatever trademark you want) gets you 65" for under $1,000 and large (85" and up) for under $2k that is the benchmark for any newer technology to hit. Look at the price of the latest Hisense (think U8K/N) and TCL (QM8) as the targets.