IPS Display distinction between the terms, specifically IPS (In-Plane Switching) displays and LED (Light Emitting Diode) displays needs to be made in order to establish that the two are not related to the same feature of display technology. Here’s a breakdown of their differences and how they overlap:
1. Technology:
• IPS Display
It’s worth to know that, IPS is a type of technology in LCD panels. They are famous for even better colors and a lot of AE.IPS panels influence the positioning of liquid crystals in the viewer that in turn allows the same consistency of colors and brightness regardless the angle of the viewer.
• LED (Light Emitting Diode)
LED is actually a backlight technology, but people seem to confuse it with the name of the panels. LED is an acronym for Liquid Crystal Display; LED displays are LCDs back-lit by LEDs as opposed to CCFLs; Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps. Generally today’s LCDs employing IPS panels are back-lit with LEDs Most modern LCDs employing IPS panels employ LED backlighting.
LED is used for enhancing the brightness, energy efficiency as well as the slimmer form factor.
Key Difference: IPS stands for the type of the panel while LED stands for the back lighting technology. You can have an IPS panel with LED back light.
2. Color Accuracy and Reproduction:
• IPS :
IPS panels are well known to have an accurate color reproduction in addition to retaining the same color reproduction regardless of the angle at which the display is viewed. If you need absolute color matching, then it’s perfect for professional uses, for instance, in photo or video editing.
• LED:
LED mounted TN (Twisted Nematicon) or VA (Vertical Alignment) panels as a rule have a lower level of color quality in comparison with the IPS panel. Yet, some of the LED displays use VA panel which gives better contrast and deeper black shade than what is provided by the IPS panel. Even though color reproduction can be high, non-IPS LED screens most of the time exhibit color changes when observed from behind.
Verdict: The untold story of IPS display is that it triumphs over rivals in color reproduction and, relatively, the viewing angle.
3. Viewing Angles:
• IPS:
IPS technology is characterized by high levels of variability in the horizontal angle, up to 178 degrees.
which means that other angles are accompanied by low levels of color distortion and brightness remain consistent even when viewed from the side angles.
• LED :
LED Display comes with TN or VA panels, most TN models have a limited viewing angle meaning that the images look completely different when viewed from an angle with effect as disturbing as the one can find.VA panels as compared to TN panels offer better viewing angles but still not as good as those offered by IPS.
Verdict: So from the above comparisons, it can be clearly noted that IPS display offers the better viewing angles.
4. Brightness and Contrast:
• IPS :
On the average, the IPS panels boast of high brightness but usually low contrast ratios and while displaying the darker shade, they render the black more as gray.
• LED :
Some LED displays uses VA panel or Advanced Dimming technologies which can have better contrast ratios & brighter display. They can obtain the inherently superior blacks because LEDs can be switched off, or dim differently in particular zones of the screen (particularly with full-array or local dimming).
Verdict: VA panel LED displays are known to have a better contrast and brightness than other types of LED displays.
5. Response Time and Refresh Rate:
• IPS :
However, response rates were not fast in the earlier versions of the IPS panels but now the scenario has been changed.Now, IPS is suitable for general usage such as gaming and media but when intensive gaming is to be done or where quick actions are required by the graphic card, there may be some lag.
• LED :
TN panels response time and the rate of refreshes is the fastest than any other panels making them ideal for use in gaming. Whereas, VA panels fall somewhere in between TN and IPS in race of response time .
Verdict: TN panels (LED displays) are the best for gaming or fast-motion content and followed by the IPS and VA one.
6. Power Efficiency:
• IPS :
LED-backlit IPS displays are more energy efficient than previous technologies, including CCFL-backlit displays.
• LED :
LED backlight is famous for energy-saving and since most LED display use VA or TN panels which are less energy consumptive than the IPS, LED display uses comparatively less energy.
Verdict: LED screens, especially the ones using TN or VA panels are commonly found to be more energy-efficient than IPS. Moreover, LED produce less heat as compared to older LCDs with CCFL backlighting
7. Cost:
• IPS :
IPS panels are costlier than both TN as well as VA panels owing to enhanced accuracy in color as well as viewing angles.
• LED :
LED displays especially in TN panels are usually affordable and readily available in the market.
Verdict: LED displays are cheaper than IPS especially when they came along with TN or VA panels.
8. Common Usage:
• IPS :
This technology of IPS is widely applicable in high end of monitors, smart phones, tablets and professional displays which require highly accurate color reproduction.
• LED :
LED backlight is used in more or less every TV, monitor and laptop out there in the market that is a part of the client-end electronic devices. Most TN or VA-paneled LED displays can be seen in low-commitment gaming monitors and mid-tier laptops.
Verdict: LED is more commonly used than IPS
Conclusion: Which One is Better?
• For Color Accuracy and Viewing Angles: To be more precise, the guidelines show that in terms of choice and flexibility, IPS displays are superior. If you’re creating content, doing photography or designing, go for IPS.
• For Brightness, Contrast, and Energy Efficiency: LED displays are brighter, especially those with VA panels, and so they are the winners. They are also cheaper and widespread in their application compare to other types of descriptions.
• For Gaming: The TN based LED displays might be optimal for competitive gaming in terms of refresh rates and response time, but IPS has come up with displays that have relatively better picture quality and performance.
However, if you are more particular about the image quality then choose IPS otherwise for performance or pocket friendly choosing LED TN/VA is enough. Ultimately the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences.
