What are the differences between LED and LCD screens?

LED and LCD screens are two common display technologies, and they differ significantly in several aspects. The following is a detailed comparison of these two screen technologies:

• LCD Screen: LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) works by controlling the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules to change the propagation and refraction of light, thereby displaying images. Liquid crystal itself does not emit light and requires a backlight layer (such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or LED backlight) for illumination.
• LED Screen: LED (Light Emitting Diode) screen can directly use light-emitting diodes as pixels to emit light (such as OLED screens), or as a backlight source (such as LED-LCD). In LED-LCD, the LED backlight provides the light source for the liquid crystal layer.

• LCD screens have relatively low color saturation, but accurate color reproduction results in a more natural display.
• LED screens (especially OLED technology) offer more vibrant and saturated colors, displaying richer color gradations. However, in some situations, the colors may appear unrealistic due to excessive vibrancy.

• LCD screens have relatively low contrast ratios, especially when displaying blacks, which may result in light leakage and impure blacks.
• LED screens typically have higher contrast ratios, better presenting images with strong contrasts between light and dark areas, making blacks deeper and whites whiter, resulting in more vivid and realistic images.

• LCD screens may experience glare and difficulty seeing in strong light, and their viewing angles are relatively narrow. However, modern LCD technology (such as IPS panels) has significantly improved viewing angles.
• LED screens (especially high-end OLED screens) offer higher brightness, making them suitable for use in strong light. Furthermore, LED screens provide wider viewing angles, typically reaching 160° or even greater, maintaining good display quality from various viewing angles.

• LCD screens consume relatively high power because they require a continuous backlight.
• LED screens, on the other hand, have each pixel that operates independently, allowing some pixels to be lit individually, resulting in lower power consumption and greater energy efficiency. OLED screens, in particular, have pixels that are completely off when displaying black, consuming extremely little power.

• LCD screens use inorganic materials, which age slowly and have a relatively long lifespan.
• LED screens (especially OLED technology) use organic materials, and their lifespan is generally shorter than that of LCD screens. However, with continuous technological advancements, the lifespan of LED screens is gradually improving. Meanwhile, OLED screens may experience "burn-in" (image retention after prolonged display of static images) or blue light pixel degradation, but high-quality screens generally have optimization measures in place.

• LCD Screens: Due to the presence of a backlight layer and a liquid crystal layer, LCD screens are relatively thick. However, with technological advancements, modern LCD screens have become increasingly thinner and lighter.
• LED Screens: LED screens, especially OLED screens, are very easy to make devices thinner, as they do not require an additional backlight module, enabling ultra-thin designs. This also paves the way for the emergence of flexible and foldable screens in the future.

• LCD screens are relatively inexpensive, making them suitable for price-sensitive consumers. LCD screens remain the mainstream choice in some mid-to-low-end electronic products.
• LED screens are relatively expensive, especially for large sizes and high resolutions. This is because LED technology is more expensive and the manufacturing process is more complex. However, with technological advancements and increased production volume, the price of LED screens is gradually decreasing.

• LCD screens are widely used in various fields, including televisions, computer monitors, mobile devices, advertising screens, medical equipment, and industrial displays.
• LED screens are more often used in scenarios requiring high color and contrast, such as flagship mobile phones, tablets, televisions, and high-end displays. LED screens are also commonly used in outdoor billboards, displays, and other applications requiring high brightness and wide viewing angles.