Is it worth buying an OLED TV? What is better to choose? A larger, but weaker model, or a smaller, but higher-class one?

Choosing an OLED TV is truly a minefield today. On one hand, marketers bombard us with numbers, and on the other hand, the differences in prices between series can be staggering. You probably often wonder: does this more expensive model actually shine better, or are you just paying for a logo and a nicer design? In this text, we won't be giving academic lectures on pixel structure. We will focus on what your eyes can see: the actual image quality, features, and how the screen will perform in your living room.

Why is it worth buying an OLED TV?

Before we move on to specific dilemmas, it’s worth recalling why OLED has become the standard for those seeking the highest quality. Unlike LCD screens (including Mini-LED), where the image requires backlighting, in OLED technology, each of the millions of pixels lights up independently. In practice, this means for you perfect blacks, infinite contrast, and natural images that look best during evening screenings.

The second key aspect is motion fluidity. Keep in mind that the key here is not just the number of hertz (Hz), but the response time of the panel, which is how quickly the pixels change color. As a result, a 120Hz OLED often provides a sharper image in motion than a 165Hz LCD TV, which is crucial in sports and gaming. The additional values like 144 or 165Hz are aimed solely at advanced PC gamers.

Classification by Series: Brightness as the Main Criterion

To make it easier for you to navigate the market, we can categorize the latest models into three main segments, primarily differentiated by brightness (measured in nits):

When does a premium model upgrade make real sense?

Since mid-range models already offer nearly reference levels of brightness for movie content, why even consider purchasing top series like LG G, Samsung S95, or Philips from the 900 series? There are several reasons, and they usually go beyond just watching series on streaming. First of all, it is important to distinguish between maximum brightness in HDR and brightness in SDR content, which includes typical television, sports, or news programs. It is in these scenarios that top series gain the greatest advantage. Where cheaper OLEDs start to look too dark in sunlight, more expensive models can maintain a clear and contrasting image even in difficult, sunlit conditions. Additionally, there are better anti-reflective coatings that effectively reduce reflections on the screen.

The topic looks completely different in video games. HDR in games can produce bright effects much more intensely, even reaching values around 10,000 nits. This is where top TVs have the space to showcase their full technical capabilities. Additionally, there are unique solutions from manufacturers: LG in the G series offers a five-year warranty on the panel and a special mount that allows for a perfectly flat installation against the wall. Samsung in the S95 series uses a unique matte display that dramatically improves comfort in bright rooms, as well as the One Connect module that makes it easier to aesthetically hide cables. Sony, on the other hand, focuses on unparalleled image processing algorithms and access to the Bravia Core platform with movies at the highest bitrate. There are many such details, but you already know what it's roughly all about.

Go for size, because you already have high quality

The basic strategy we recommend is: first, choose the largest size you can afford while maintaining decent image quality. In the case of OLED technology, the condition of "decent quality" is met by virtually every model, regardless of price or series, because we essentially have perfect motion fluidity and infinite contrast here. Since you get image quality pretty much "automatically," it makes more sense to focus on these three elements:

• distance from the screen,

• brightness of the room,

• available budget.

To make your choice easier, we have some scenarios for you that frequently appear on the internet:

Scenario 1: medium budget, distance 2.5 m, watching movies and series

If you watch television mainly in the evening, you're faced with the dilemma: a 55-inch premium flagship or a 65-inch mid-range, choose the latter (e.g., 65" from the S90 series). At 2.5 meters, those extra 10 inches will make a bigger difference and provide a better cinematic experience than additional nit brightness, which you won't fully utilize in the evening anyway.

Scenario 2: Large living room, distance 3.5 m, high budget

If you have a large living room and a budget around 10,000 PLN, the choice becomes more complex and depends on the characteristics of your room. Here you can go in one of three directions to best spend your money.

Bright living room = 65 premium

The first option, ideal for those with very bright living rooms with a large number of windows, is to choose technology that truly beats the sun's rays. In this case, the best choice will be high-end models like the Samsung from the S95 series, which has a unique matte panel and is also very bright. This solution drastically improves viewing comfort during the day.

Dark living room = as big a size as possible

If your living room is darker or you have the option to completely cover the windows, you should go for maximum immersion. In these conditions, an 83-inch OLED, even from a slightly lower series, will be a home run. With a distance of over 3.5 meters, the enormous screen size will make a colossal impression that no additional features of a smaller TV can replace. Evening screenings on such a powerful display are a completely different level of cinematic experience.

Universal Application = Mid-range TV

The third option is the golden mean. Mid-range models in the size of 77 inches offer nearly reference-quality image for movie content. By choosing such a TV, you get a device that will perform well in most scenarios. This is the most rational choice that allows you to maintain a great balance between size and price.

Scenario 3: Low-Medium Budget, Distance 4–5 m

In this situation, we advise against purchasing an OLED. At such a large distance, you won't notice the subtle differences in image quality, and a 55-inch screen will simply be too small. It’s better to choose at least a 75-inch mini-LED television, which will provide a significantly better viewing experience without straining your eyes.

Three Myths About OLED TVs

There are many misunderstandings surrounding this technology that are worth clarifying:

1. "OLED is not suitable for bright rooms": This is false. Today's models, especially the premium ones, perform quite well in sunlight. We can even say they do better than some mini-LEDs.

2. "OLED will suffer from burn-in": With normal usage (movies, games), modern protections almost entirely eliminate this problem. The topic is definitely less scary than descriptions found online from a few years ago. Of course, if you push your TV to the limits, ignoring the manufacturer's recommendations, such an effect may occur.

3. "OLED is always the best choice": Not always. When it comes to image quality, yes, OLED will give you the best picture quality on the market. BUT ... if you sit very far away and have a low budget, you'll have more fun with a larger LCD screen with mini-LED backlighting than a small OLED.