How Long Do QLED TVs Last? (We Checked)

If you’ve been following the product lines of Samsung, you have probably heard of QLED TVs, or Quantum Dot LED TVs.

QLED TVs are Samsung’s premium TVs, offering crisper images than the typical LED TV on the market.

But how long do QLED TVs last? 

Here’s What You Need to Know about the Lifespan of QLED TVs.

QLED TVs are Samsung’s top-of-the-line TVs that feature sharper images and a better viewing experience. These TVs last up to 10 years, on average.

What’s the Average Lifespan of a QLED TV?

Samsung says that its QLED TVs can bring you a lot of mileage before image quality deteriorates.

According to the company, you can expect an average lifespan of 7 – 10 years with heavy use.

Note that the definition of heavy use has evolved, with more options for media being made available every day. In an era when people binge-watch and spend hours watching their favorite programs, what used to be considered heavy use is considered light to moderate by today’s standards.

What’s the First Thing that Breaks on QLED TVs?

Like most TVs, the first thing that breaks in a QLED TV is the LEDs.

The LEDs usually break because of overuse. And while TVs now are more durable, LEDs can still break.

But that does not mean the LEDs used in TVs are fragile! It just means that if something were to break, it will probably be the LEDs first, just because of the nature of the technology.

Do QLED TVs Last Longer than Average TVs?

With Samsung’s commitment to the quality of their QLED TVs, you can expect these TVs to last slightly longer than the average of 4.5 to 7 years of the standard LED TV.

Samsung says QLEDs can last from 7 – 10 years.

How Long Do New Smart TVs Typically Last?

Under heavy use, smart TVs can last anywhere from 4.5 – 7 years.

You can get more mileage when using the TV moderately, and with the right settings.

That means having the right backlight brightness and contrast settings.

You can check out our article Are Smart TVs Reliable? (Explained For Beginners) for more information. 

How Long is the Warranty on QLED TVs?

Samsung has committed to the durability of their QLED TVs, which is why they offer a 10-year warranty for their TVs.

That’s quite long, considering the typical warranty usually lasts 12 months.

And considering that QLED displays can last up to 10 years with heavy usage, that’s a pretty generous warranty!

What Are the Most Popular QLED TV Models?

Samsung has a few offerings when it comes to QLED TVs.

Samsung Q90T

The Q90T is currently one of Samsung’s best QLED TVs you can get.

• It features a 4k display and provides impressive pictures, regardless of content.
• When it comes to aesthetics, the Q90T looks quite slick and blends in with almost any room.
• The Q90T can adapt to different lighting conditions. You can enjoy consistent image quality, whether in dim setups or well-lit rooms.
• The response time of the Q90T is exceptional, which makes motion handling quite remarkable as well.
• If you are into gaming, the Q90T has low input lag and Black Frame Insertion.
• HDR content also works well on the Q90T. The colors are vivid, and there’s a wide color gamut on board.

Samsung Q900TS

For those wanting to try 8k resolutions with QLED, the Samsung Q900TS is one of the few 8k smart TVs you can try on the market.

• Although 8k resolutions are relatively new and not yet the standard, the Q900TS is a good way to get started with the technology, especially if you want to be an early adopter.
• The Q900TS handles different lighting conditions without much problem. You get deep blacks with the help of the remarkable local dimming.
• Expect a contrast ratio that meets the standards.
• There’s also a fast response time and Black Frame Insertion to enhance fast-paced scenes without motion blur.
• The Q900TS also features HDMI 2.1 and 4k support at a refresh rate of 120 Hz, or 8k-support at 60 Hz.
• Unfortunately, the Q900TS has narrow viewing angles, despite the presence of the Ultra Viewing Angles of Samsung.
• The Game mode on this TV also falls flat when playing games at 120 Hz at 4k or 60 Hz at 8k resolutions.

Are QLED TVs Better than OLED TVs?

QLED and OLED TVs both have their strengths and weaknesses.

• First of all, QLED TVs gain an edge over OLED TVs as the former does not have any risk of burn-in.
• Meanwhile, OLED TVs are known for their better and wider viewing angles when compared to QLED TVs.
• OLED TVs can turn off or dim individual pixels, while QLEDs still rely on a backlight for brightness control. But the backlight control is what makes QLED produce better image quality when it comes to HDR content.
• QLED TVs have screen sizes that start at 32 inches, while OLED TVs have limited screen sizes of 48, 55, 65, 77, and 88-inch models.

Some would say OLED is better, but it boils down to your preferences in a TV. For more information, you can check out our article How Long Do LED TVs Last? (Explained).

Can Video Games Destroy QLED TVs?

QLED TVs are more durable and can handle the intense requirements of video games, unlike their CRT predecessors.

One of the best TVs you can use for gaming is a QLED TV: the Samsung Q80T.

What Can I Do to Prolong the Lifespan of a QLED TV?

QLED TVs are not exactly the cheapest TVs available in the market, so you’ll want to take care of it to make sure it lasts as long as possible.

While they can last longer than the average LED TV, you can only get so much mileage if you don’t take care of the TV properly. The same holds for any other TV in the market, whether OLED or plain LED TVs.

Here are a few tips to get more mileage from your TV.

Make sure the TV is off when not in use.

This is pretty much self-explanatory.

Leaving the TV on when not in use only degrades the LEDs and other components of the TV. Take advantage of timers to shut down your TV after a set period, so that you save on electricity and prevent the slow degradation of the TV’s components.

Keep the TV in a safe place.

That means keeping away from the window so that it does not get hit by the rays of the sun or even rain.

Make sure there’s enough space for it to “breathe” and have decent air circulation.

If possible, mount your TV on the wall.

Wall-mounted TVs get better ventilation and there’s less chance of it getting knocked over.

Adjust Backlight levels accordingly.

QLED TVs rely on backlights to enhance picture quality.

But, sometimes, you don’t need high backlight levels when watching in a dark room.

Set your TV’s backlight levels based on the lighting condition, because if you set it too high, your backlight breaks down faster.

Some TVs come with presets for backlight levels. These can help you tweak the levels, based on the room condition.

Tame Contrast levels

Higher contrast levels mean the TV uses more power, which will degrade the lifespan of the backlights.

Set your contrast levels accordingly. 

Use an Automatic Voltage Regulator

Sometimes power surges happen that destroy your TV, whether QLED, OLED, or LED.

An AVR can mitigate the risk of sudden jolts of power that may enter your TV. The last thing you would want is a blown capacitor, which might be hard to replace when damaged.

Final Thoughts

For the most part, QLED TVs are quite durable, and not as risky to use when compared to OLED TVs, which pose a burn-in risk.

But it also comes with a hefty price tag, which might not be for everyone.

 

Sources:

What is QLED? Samsung’s quantum dot TV tech explained

QLED vs. OLED: Samsung and LG TV technologies explained

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