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- Surface reflections are more apparent on the glossy panels, which means you have to be precise in controlling the light in your room.
- The glossy panels have more vibrant colours and deeper blacks, but most of the newer matte panels now offer comparable results.
- HDR is better in glossy, but they’re more prone to VRR flickers. Ultimately, your choice depends on your setup and your preference.
OLED displays have revolutionised the industry, with some coming in 3D and others being launched in 5K OLED. However, some of these OLEDS now come in a matte finish instead of a glossy one, which has sparked debates.
Matte Vs Glossy
These debates are made by people who haven’t used the panels and assume that the matte finish is like the one from standard IPS panels. However, brands use different finishes, and in this article, I’ll dive deeper to end this confusion.
Surface Finish & Reflections
One of the most common issues with glossy OLED displays, especially in TVs, is that they reflect so much light, making it difficult to focus on the objects on the screen. But that’s not entirely the case for glossy OLED panels for monitors.
See, glossy panels in OLED monitors are far less reflective than the panels found in OLED TVs. But this doesn’t diminish the fact that they are still reflective. This means it will reflect if you’re in a sunlit room or have a light source behind you.
In contrast, the newer matte finish panels differ from those of the brands manufactured years ago. Now, they’re slightly reflective and almost hybrid panels, offering the best of both worlds, while still being better for your eyes.
Deep Blacks
Despite the obvious downside, glossy panels do have a big advantage: better colour and contrast. They usually offer more vibrant colours, with deeper and darker blacks, which are apparent when you view them side by side.
Compare this with the matte panels and you see weird greyness instead of pitch black darks. This might not be completely visible in standard lighting, but it becomes apparent once you dim or switch off the lights in your room.
However, some glossy panels have a coating that turns these blacks into a purple hue, which defeats the purpose. So, you must check the reviews on YouTube, where they also show you the screen in low room light.
Color & Contrast
Apart from offering pure blacks, glossy OLED panels also offer infinite contrast, with sharper colors that appear more intense than most matte-finish panels. In contrast, the matte panels often dull the color pop that glossy panels are known for.
While some may argue that the latest OLED matte panels provide just as vibrant colors and sharp highlights as the glossy ones, technically, the glossy panels are designed to have better contrasts and colors.
So, the glossy panels are great for gaming and watching videos as they feel cinematic if used in controlled-light environments. It is also perfect for productivity users because you can see the raw image quality without hindrance.
VRR Flicker
One common issue present in most glossy panels is VRR Flicker. This can mostly be seen in loading screens and some darker scenes. The matte panels usually seem to perform better with VRR flicker; if not, it is less noticeable in these panels.
HDR
Both the matte and glossy panels have pretty decent HDR implementations. However, the brightness of the colors and saturation present in the glossy panels are slightly better in this regard.
Which One Is For You?
This is the biggest downside of having an OLED; you need to adjust the lighting so that no light reflects back. This is manageable for a few people, but most users simply can’t change their setup, which makes the matte finish superior.
Also, matte panels are best for people who’re easily distracted by the tiniest amount of distraction on their screen, which could be as simple as a slight glare reflecting from the monitor.
The newer matte panels are designed to be slightly reflective, so they appear more or less the same if you don’t care too much about having vibrant colour and contrast, even though there is a slight difference.
But if your eyes are prone to detecting the razor-sharp contrasts and deep blacks easily, and you can control your environment, then you should get a glossy one. Still, check out reviews of various models before making a decision.
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[Comparisons Expert]
Shehryar Khan, a seasoned PC hardware expert, brings over three years of extensive experience and a deep passion for the world of technology. With a love for building PCs and a genuine enthusiasm for exploring the latest advancements in components, his expertise shines through his work and dedication towards this field. Currently, Shehryar is rocking a custom loop setup for his built.
Get In Touch: shehryar@tech4gamers.com
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