In 2021, LG unveiled its new Evo OLED displays. The company claims that this technology takes picture quality to a new level, but such statements mean little to the average viewer. In reality, Evo OLED is the result of combining advanced materials with meaningful technical improvements, creating a new generation of OLED displays that deliver genuinely better performance—and that is what Evo displays are really about.
Why Are LG’s OLED Evo Displays Better Than Standard OLED?
The key advantage of LG’s OLED Evo displays is higher brightness. Traditional OLED panels typically reach around 800 nits, while OLED Evo increases this by roughly 20%, pushing peak brightness close to 1000 nits. This makes images more readable in bright rooms and noticeably improves HDR performance, where highlights appear more vivid and impactful.
In theory, increasing brightness is straightforward: apply more voltage and the pixels shine brighter. In practice, OLED technology relies on organic materials that degrade faster under higher voltage. The real challenge, therefore, is boosting brightness without sacrificing panel lifespan.
LG addressed this by adopting new OLED materials developed by DuPont, replacing its previous supplier, the Japanese company Idemitsu. After extensive testing, LG determined that DuPont’s materials offered better performance and greater long-term stability. A crucial innovation here is the use of heavy hydrogen, or deuterium, instead of conventional hydrogen. Deuterium significantly improves the durability of blue OLED elements—the weakest link in OLED panels—allowing them to operate at higher voltages. This breakthrough made higher brightness levels possible in OLED Evo displays.
Another important improvement is the use of micromirror structures near the pixels. In conventional OLED panels, part of the generated light is lost inside the display due to scattering and absorption. Micromirrors redirect this otherwise wasted light toward the viewer, increasing perceived brightness without raising power consumption.
Earlier generations of OLED screens could also develop color shifts over time, often taking on a reddish hue. This effect was largely caused by the faster aging of blue OLED materials. The refined materials and optimized panel design used in OLED Evo displays significantly reduce this issue, helping maintain color accuracy for longer.
In short, OLED Evo is not just brighter—it is a more efficient and durable evolution of OLED technology, delivering improved picture quality while preserving long-term reliability.
LG TVs with OLED Evo Displays
LG first introduced its W and G series OLED Evo TVs in 2021, initially producing these panels in only three sizes: 55, 65, and 77 inches. By 2026, the range of panels had expanded significantly, with LG producing OLED Evo panels in sizes of 42, 48, 55, 65, 77, 83, and 97 inches.
Since then, several generations of Evo panels have been released. Most of the development has focused on improving the MLA (Micro Lens Array) layer and extending the panel’s lifespan. Another important milestone was the approach of OLED displays to the 100-inch mark. LG has released 97-inch panels, but their cost remains extremely high: such panels are several times more expensive than 83-inch panels. If an 83-inch TV costs about $70 per inch, a 97-inch TV can cost about $250 per inch. This means that when you buy a 97-inch TV, you are paying about $20,000 for 14 inches.
