OLED PC monitors are some of the most highly-sought products for gamers and enthusiasts for their promised excellence in vibrancy, contrast, and efficiency. But as it turns out, searches for these products show up empty especially after Dell broke the hearts of MonitorNerds when they canceled the UP3017Q, a 30-inch 120Hz OLED panel with perfect coverage of gamuts and a 0.1ms response time.
Update January 30, 2018: The Dell UP3017Q has once again been taken off the market on Dell’s website. We are still waiting for Dell if the highly-sought product will resurface once more. Now we are waiting patiently for the Asus PQ22UC.
Update January 15, 2019: Unfortunately, there still aren’t any OLED monitors available in the market, and there is still no explanation from manufacturers. The Dell UP3017Q did not continue to materialize, while we are still eagerly waiting on Asus PQ22UC which was supposed to release in 2018.
CES 2019 gave us some insights into new models such as Alienware’s 55 OLED screen for gaming, plus numerous OLED-equipped laptops. However, the pending issues of OLED use in PCs such as burn-in due to steady images like toolbars are still largely unsolved at this time.
OLED Monitor Progress in 2019
The good news is that more companies are pushing to make manufacturing more efficient and viable. Samsung is making good progress with its inkjet printing OLED tech which will enable the company to expand the display type to its next-generation monitors and mobile devices.
JOLED, a Japanese OEM manufacturer, is making waves in the industry by showing off their latest prototypes last December. The brand is also rumored to be developing gaming OLED monitors together with a Japanese E-Sports team.
AU Optronics, one of the largest suppliers of gaming panels, is currently working on an OLED inkjet production line to expand its capabilities. The OEM brand is planning to use the resulting modules for various monitors and in automotive applications.
To sum it up, we are still in the dark regarding OLED monitors and when they will surface to finally push the display category into a new age. The future isn’t bleak due to the significant advancements made above by the leaders in tech, so we only need to be patient. To be honest, we’d rather have a fully functional OLED monitor with close to zero issues than let you guys pay a hefty price for an investment that will not go all the way.
It’s frankly disappointing for PC enthusiasts that we still don’t have an OLED PC monitor despite seeing them on everyday gadgets such as tablets, mobile phones, and even TVs which is the closest product type to a desktop display. But what is keeping these products out of our hands?
The Dell UP3017Q was the pioneering hopeful which could have opened the portal into OLED PC monitor gaming. Since it was canceled and so far, there are no announcements regarding a release with this type of panel from any manufacturer, the anticipation now turns into an annoyance for the willing buyers. So the hanging question is, when can we expect OLED PC monitors to become available?
Cost – The Biggest Hindrance
Any gadget slapped with the OLED tag is a lot more expensive than their conventional LCD counterparts. While having advantages in performance, the most significant cause for the price difference between these two is manufacturing yield rates. When OLED tech became available, production rates were uninviting because manufacturers were only able to produce one out of ten panels.
Over the years, the industry found breakthroughs and upgraded that yield rate from a dismal 10% to around 50% which is already a huge improvement. But that number is still nowhere near mature manufacturing yields for LCD panels, which go more than 90% nowadays.
The cost of every failed panel carries over to its surviving batchmates, therefore making each one twice as expensive if you have a 50% success rate. This is the biggest reason why the mobile phone arena enjoys OLED screens since it’s cheaper to deal with a 5 or 6-inch defective unit than a 24-inch or even a 32-inch module which will go to waste.
On the other hand, television sets are even bigger than the would be OLED PC monitors, but even these home devices often come out with OLED panels. Even if the yield rates stay at 50%, the TV market is still lucrative since it takes a huge chunk of the digital display market. Manufacturers can quickly regain their losses through the massive sales when compared to desktop monitors which only equate to a fraction of sales figures.
Of course, these big businesses will prioritize the side which will provide the most income and security in returns of investment. TV buyers are usually more than willing to pay big bucks for the latest devices to sit in their living rooms or bedrooms, so PC enthusiasts have to stand at the farthest point in the line.
Burn-in/Color Shifting – OLED PC Monitor’s Biggest Flaw
Image retention or burn-in is a defect wherein a ghost of a high-contrast image persists along with color-shifts on screen. This issue is caused by static images if displayed for too long. Samples of these files are documents and pictures during editing where they stay on-screen for some time.
Since RGB elements on OLED panels tend to deteriorate at different rates, color shifting will soon follow. This flaw becomes apparent when your screen starts to yellow or when some areas of the screen become washed or bland.
OLED PC Monitors will suffer the most from these issues since we tend to use them as described above. Imagine if you are editing a photograph for hours on end on an OLED display, or if you are furiously working on processing documents for your business. Games shouldn’t be an issue since most of the time, images are always flowing and varying every second.
The main reason why OLED proliferates on mobile devices and TVs is that they rarely go through similar situations described above. Phones have an energy saving feature where the screen usually turns off if not in use for a minute or even a few seconds, while TVs are used for moving pictures such as movies or shows.
Solutions to the OLED Dilemma
At some point, Samsung and DuPont fabricated a method which prolongs the lifespan of an OLED panel’s blue pixels from 14,000 to as much as 60,000 hours. This result is achieved by “spraying” the organic materials to the substrate while altering the molecules slightly to enable each RGB pixel to degrade at similar rates. This process reduced manufacturing costs and wasted materials to bring the pricing down substantially.
Manufacturers such as Sony and Panasonic are trying to solve the OLED PC monitors conundrum by using a Super Top Emission design which involves an RGB pixel design and color filters. These groups claim that their tech enhances color accuracy and overall efficiency, but they still have some unresolved issues.
LG, on the other hand, is trying a different method and is going as far as expanding investments to increase production capacity. Their preferred method, the WRGB-OLED tech, is the most hopeful solution so far. WRGB utilizes color filters over three organic subpixel layers with a fourth layer exclusively for pure white light. This design improves illumination efficiency to prolong the lifespan of a panel.
The other solution we came across is QLED (Quantum Dot Light Emitting Diode) technology, a non-organic alternative which is entirely different to the Quantum Dot backlighting we see on Samsung’s latest products. Insiders say that Samsung is going to drop OLED development entirely to pursue QLED and go commercial by 2019. If you are curious about this technology, you can read more about it here while it undergoes extensive development.
OLED Monitor Progress in 2019
The good news is that more companies are pushing to make manufacturing more efficient and viable. Samsung is making good progress with its inkjet printing OLED tech which will enable the company to expand the display type to its next-generation monitors and mobile devices.
JOLED, a Japanese OEM manufacturer, is making waves in the industry by showing off their latest prototypes last December. The brand is also rumored to be developing gaming OLED monitors together with a Japanese E-Sports team.
AU Optronics, one of the largest suppliers of gaming panels, is currently working on an OLED inkjet production line to expand its capabilities. The OEM brand is planning to use the resulting modules for various monitors and in automotive applications.
To sum it up, we are still in the dark regarding OLED monitors and when they will surface to finally push the display category into a new age. The future isn’t bleak due to the significant advancements made above by the leaders in tech, so we only need to be patient. To be honest, we’d rather have a fully functional OLED monitor with close to zero issues than let you guys pay a hefty price for an investment that will not go all the way.
Thoughts
The predicament of still not having OLED PC monitors is a dire situation indeed. We still cannot get a handle on when the companies tasked with developing this tech will finally succeed since until this time the tech has suffered setback after setback.
The cancellation of the Dell UP3017Q OLED PC monitor says a lot about how the technology is coming along so far. According to sources, Dell canceled the product entirely because they cannot work around the degradation issue despite gimmicks such as pixel shifting. For something that would have cost five grand, it should have been a perfect product. But sadly, it was not the case.
If PC monitors had a share of the display market which is at least half of what the TV segment takes up, maybe manufacturers would take the risk and push out products to cater to those who are willing to pay the premium. But unlike televisions, both enthusiasts and regular computer users tend to use their screens for around three to five years before replacement, unlike TVs and mobile phones which are upgraded every year or two.
Some people in the community have given up on OLED PC monitors totally, and instead, relying on the advancements of IPS panels which have indeed closed the gap further in the past few years. So to answer the question this article tries to answer as accurate as possible, we may eventually see OLED monitors or the non-organic alternative QLED in two to five years time if the companies and researchers make breakthroughs soon, or the tech gods may consider it an obsolete or dead-end concept if otherwise.
Note: If you are interested in owning an OLED monitor, check out the Asus PQ22UC which is designed with USB-C connectivity and portability, making it perfect for your MacBook Pro or similar models. Price and availability are yet to be announced, but you can take a sneak peek of this OLED display here.
Albert says
I FACEPALMED so hard when at CES 15.6″ 4K OLED 60 hz panels where released.
Desktop manufacturers should take note and create 1440p 90 Hz pannels.
I can only speak for myself, and would go so far as to say i’d buy 3!
Russell says
This is very disheartening for me. I have a Nuerological conditon triggered by many things, one of which is backlights in screens, as such the only current screen tech that i can still use is CRT, all modern tech, LCD, Plasma, LED etc all have backlights, ive tested this alot, and if i completly turn off the backlight i have no issue, but without the backlight i pretty much need to shine a torch at the screen to see anything (i actually do that with my ipod) OLED was hopefully going to solve this since it doesnt need a backlight, but it looks like it may never happen for PC monitors, so unless i save up and try and buy the smallest OLED TV i can find (, im stuck. For now im stuck with my 4:3 CRT, there are some extremly rare 16:9 CRTs around, but ive yet to find one to buy.
Paolo Reva says
Hey, Russell! We’re sorry to hear that. OLED technology indeed has many benefits, and we hope it comes to the PC monitor market soon!
gascat says
while i know its not quite the same you can get laptops with OLED panels in them although theyre quite rare and on the smaller side. the alienware 13 is the only currently on sale laptop with an OLED panel but there was also the lenovo X1 yoga 2nd gen and an older HP spectre which have OLED screens
Tom says
Plasma screens do not have backlights…
Anti-Government Steve says
I was hoping to upgrade my desktop setup with a second monitor. Something akin to my AMOLED phone screen. I just upgraded my system last year and really want to take advantage of my new graphics card. I’m also an artist, so colour accuracy and contrast is really important for me.
I ask because my work looks different when viewed from a phone screen compared to when I’m working on it a 2009 Samsung 1080- monitor I got about 9 years ago. I was hoping to find an OLED monitor, but I stumbled across your site.
What would you recommend?
Thank in Advance
Paolo Reva says
Hey, Steve! Unfortunately, there are no OLED monitors available at this time. What’s your budget? A high-grade IPS monitor should suit your needs.
Guy Smiley says
Haha. I dire situation indeed. First world problems. Oy veh.
Skinnybear says
I don’t understand your comment, did you expect to read about the world’s major issues on a tech website?
Conundrum says
Hi, I really want to upgrade all my laptops with OLED 15.6″ panels.
Unfortunately they don’t exist yet, part of the problem is as described the yield issue but I can to some extend
ignore minor pixel issues.
Interestingly the biggest problem with OLED TVs is the horrible tendency to burn in because people don’t read instructions and turn the TV off at the wall before compensation cycle can be done.
With a laptop this is less of an issue if during startup (the 8-15 seconds) it does the CC.
Simple matter of firmware methinks.
Paolo Reva says
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Conundrum!
Vilmir says
I have used a LG OLED 55C7 as my PC monitor for a while and it was a major improvement in picture quality over my Asus PG279Q. Of course latency and fluidity were not an improvement at all.
I had to eventually put back the OLED in the living room, and it was a large disappointment to use my good IPS again.
So no, to me, good IPS panels did not close the gap with OLED.
I wish that the non-organic techs like MicroLED or QLED could rise quickly and provide us wide color gamut and HDR on PC.
Until then, I move my desktop in the living room when the fiancée goes to bed, in order to play Assassin’s creed Origins in HDR.
Paolo Reva says
Hello, Vilmir! We agree that today’s monitors are no match for OLED TVs when it comes to contrast and colors. It will also take the PC display industry to catch up to OLEDs since there are newer technologies in development that will address issues related to OLED tech for PC monitors.
Howie says
All I can say is that there is definitely a market for OLED in gaming. Heck, if the manufacturing process and lifespan continues to improve, there’s no reason it should be the main display technology for most industries.
I know I’d be one of the first to by a 1080 or 1440 25 inch OLED gaming monitor when one is released.
I currently have the Asus PG258Q and it does have some nice features like several blue light filter modes, FPS counter, and dark boost. I just wish it was OLED.
I certainly don’t have the money to buy a Sony professional studio OLED monitor:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1015238-REG/sony_pvma250_25_professional_oled.html
They mention 0.5 field latency but that has to do with I/P conversion and processing so I don’t know what the pixel response time actually is but I’m guessing it’s fast because it’s OLED.
I’m sure these companies have thought about this and are probably waiting for costs to drop and are also scared of being the first to invest too early. However, I’m going to bet that the first to market a gaming OLED monitor will make a name for themselves.
Howie says
typo:
*shouldn’t be
Paolo Reva says
Oh, there definitely is a huge market for OLED in gaming, Howie! We get so many comments and emails asking when the tech will become steadily available for PC monitors, especially since it’s been pretty common in the TV market. Our best guess is that production costs are still too expensive for PC monitors since these devices don’t sell as many units as a TV does. manufacturers still find it more lucrative to sell OLED in that market instead of the computer display segment.
Daniel Buus says
“[LG’s] preferred method, the WRGB-OLED tech, is the most hopeful solution so far. WRGB utilizes color filters over three organic subpixel layers with a fourth layer exclusively for pure white light. This design improves illumination efficiency to prolong the lifespan of a panel.”
You’re leaving out the most important benefit of this technology — white LEDs have the longest lifespan, and by using only white LEDs combined with colour filters instead of RGB sub-pixels, colour shift will not occur, only a loss of light intensity over the years. This is why ATM you want an LG panel, or a panel licensed from LG (who own the patent) to use the same technology.
Paolo Reva says
Thank you for sharing your knowledge and insight, Daniel. We hope LG’s method becomes mainstream for monitors since their TVs are successful in the market. Let’s hope this crosses over to monitors soon.
DK says
Simple math reveals that the 14,000 hour life on the blue pixels is not an issue at all. Why? SImple. You could use an OLED monitor 7.5 hours a day, every day for 5 years before the blue pixels would burn out. By that time, most people would have already upgraded to a newer model at least once.
Jay Stewart says
I will boycott the industry till they give me what I want and I want OLED. My old LED monitor will have to do a while longer. Sigh.
Eli Nolan says
Jay,
You’ll be waiting a while.
Best-
Eli
degg says
I have OLED (pro calibrated) from 9 months…There is no day I look at the screen and experiance the same breathtaking exitment as on the very start. One of the commentators said it is not good for movies… What a nonsens. OLED is the ultimate limit. Colors, contrast, real black if it has to be black. The night sessions with OLED are unforgotable. The 3D BR… WOW! I will wait with my PC monitor exchange untl OLED ones apper, no doubt about it.
Paolo Reva says
We agree that OLED is the ultimate achievement for monitors, although we’re also glad that companies are taking the time to perfect them. Lets hope they show up soon!
Gene Girard says
I am biased when it comes to OLED LG TV panel prices — for whatever reason I managed to pick My 55″ B6 up for $1499, double box delivery, no tax, from Adorama on a 2 or 3 day eBay sale. Nevertheless, I see on Amazon that Samsung and Sony top-of-the-line 55″ HDTVs sell for the same or higher prices is 55″ current model LG OLED on Amazon. I am totally amazed by this fact given that the conventional consensus is that OLED panels are *always* more expensive than their non-OLED counterparts.
I am baffled by the idea that someone would buy a new HDTV every 1-2 years and a PC monitor every 5-7 years. I do, in fact, keep a PC monitor for about 5 to 7 years — mostly because I choose the one I want and there are no significant technical upgrades within that time period. I just bought a 31 inch PC monitor a month ago, but if an OLED came out tomorrow for less than $600 I would sell it and purchase the OLED.
BTW, OLED is not perfect for “film” viewing because its absolute blacks so not really seen in RL. And parenthetically, my LG plasma had far more image retention than my LG OLED. Indeed, I have never seen any image retention on my OLED.
Paolo Reva says
Hello, Gene! Thank you for sharing your experience. We agree that nothing beats OLED especially if it sits at a competitive price point like what you got. Upgrading annually or bi-annually isn’t practical as well which is why we do what we can to help consumers with making a decision. If you are buying a monitor or TV, it should last three years at the minimum, and almost always outlives the hardware attached to it.
Brian McMahon says
I wonder if a hybrid solution is possible where OLEDS are activated by detection of changing pixels and LEDS are activated with static display? The best of both worlds would probably come with a huge price I guess.
Gfcccc says
I freaking need an oled screen.. Fk all this.. My eyes are burnt out of this current daily technology of today’s screens!
I’ve waited for so long for an oled pc monitor that i deserve one
Paolo Reva says
Hey, Gfcccc! We couldn’t agree more, it has been a long time coming for OLED monitors, and we’re glad we can finally purchase one. Check this link: https://monitornerds.com/dell-up3017q-is-now-available/ Enjoy!
Kamamura says
Good luck purchasing that one, I have yet to find a retailer that has as much as a single piece. Yes, many retailers list it, but if you ask, they are not able to actually supply it.
Paolo Reva says
We’re not sure what’s really going on with supply, but we can imagine the demand must be off the roof! It sucks that retailers cannot openly sell this highly-sought after model.
neptuniafan says
I guess for now Quantum Dot is the way to go before OLED starts to become affordable and reliable. Also is IPS really starts to improve that it has become OLED’s substitute? Because their contrast is nowhere near OLED’s or even VA’s contrast, unless you are talking about the IPS panel that has a 1 million: 1 contrast ratio in development.
Paolo Reva says
Hey Neptuniafan, IPS did improve over the years in both color accuracy and vibrancy over the years, but it is still far-off from what OLED can do in contrast. That statement is merely opinion based but could be inaccurate in technical terms. It’s frustrating for enthusiasts who want OLED, but what tech we have now is the best we can ever get until the companies resolve the issues or find a suitable alternative like the non-organic QLED being researched by Samsung.