Mid-range TVs equipped with mini-LED and OLED technologies face off, yet it's OLED that excels in a crucial aspect, despite the closeness of their performance.
In the realm of television screen technology, OLED and mini-LED have emerged as two frontrunners, offering enhanced picture quality compared to standard LED TVs. Many top-tier TV models employ these advanced display technologies, but selecting the most suitable one hinges on several factors.
Historically, OLED stood out due to its superior black levels and contrast, whereas mini-LED excelled in brightness. However, these distinctions have become less pronounced as both technologies have evolved. For instance, premium OLED models such as the LG G5 can now achieve over 2,000 nits of peak brightness, a figure previously associated with mini-LED TVs. Conversely, high-end mini-LED models now offer significant improvements in local dimming, allowing for deeper blacks more akin to those found in OLED screens.
To delve deeper into the differences, I conducted a side-by-side comparison of the TCL C7K mini-LED TV – TCL’s mid-range offering in their 2025 UK lineup – and the Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV (from 2023). It's essential to note that these models are exclusive to the UK market; however, their closest US equivalents would be the TCL QM7K mini-LED and either the Panasonic Z85A OLED from 2024 or the LG C5 OLED from 2025.
Color Comparison
Both OLED and mini-LED boast advantages regarding color reproduction. Mini-LED screens tend to exhibit brighter, punchier colors, while OLED screens boast more saturated hues with greater depth due to their inherent high contrast. During my comparison, the C7K mini-LED displayed surprising depth for its colors while still showcasing the punchiness typical of mini-LED TVs.
Watching a 4K Blu-ray of Wicked with both TVs in their respective Dolby Vision Dark picture modes, colors on the TCL C7K held both depth and vibrancy. The pink flowers adorning Elphaba during the 'Wizard & I' scene shimmered brightly on both screens, yet the C7K captivated my attention.
The MZ1500 OLED displayed the advantages of OLED’s self-emitting pixels, such as Elphaba’s green skin and the blue details in a design on the wall, offering better contrast than the C7K. However, the C7K maintained a strong showing in this aspect as well.
In terms of HDR10 demo footage shown on the Spears & Munsil UHD Benchmark 4K Blu-ray, both TVs were set to Filmmaker Mode. The C7K's yellows and greens in a butterfly's wings appeared brighter and more natural, while the MZ1500 displayed bolder, deeper colors.
Black Levels, Contrast, and Detail
Upon comparing the two TVs, the black levels of the C7K pleasantly surprised me. Its deep and rich black levels in various dark scenarios throughout Alien: Romulus demonstrated the mini-LED’s local dimming capabilities effectively. Even though the MZ1500 offered superior black levels, the C7K still stood tall.
Similarly, watching The Batman revealed superior shadow detail on both screens, with the C7K showcasing significantly improved black levels compared to previous mini-LED TVs I've tested. Contrast between light and dark tones remained balanced in both screens, with the C7K holding its own against the MZ1500.
OLED TVs such as the MZ1500 deliver a 3D-like quality due to their self-emitting pixels, providing textures with a sense of depth and detail. Yet, the C7K offered a lifelike quality in the same aspects when compared side by side.
Screen Uniformity
In the area of screen uniformity, the Panasonic OLED prevailed. Screen uniformity refers to a TV's ability to evenly display large areas of the same color. Since OLED panels use self-emitting pixels instead of a backlight, they're capable of producing uniform tones across the entire screen. The C7K, on the other hand, exhibited minor streaks of brown under black letterbox bars in widescreen scenes, indicating subpar screen uniformity – a quality still unmatched by mini-LED TVs in many cases.
In Summary
Though the MZ1500 OLED ultimately prevailed in my comparison due to its self-emitting pixels, price remained a deciding factor. A 65-inch C7K is priced at £1,399 (approximately $1,499 for the TCL QM7K in the US), while the 65-inch MZ1500 in 2023 launched for £2,900 (approximately $3,700 / AU$5,400). The hefty price gap between OLED and mini-LED TVs remains particularly noteworthy, as a mid-range OLED like the LG C5 still costs $2,699.99 / £2,699.99 / AU$4,299.
Though the MZ1500 takes the lead in terms of overall picture quality, the C7K’s performance showcases the high-value proposition of mini-LED TVs. High-end mini-LED models are well on their way to narrowing the gap with OLED, offering compelling picture quality at a relatively more affordable price point.
In the sphere of advanced gadgets, the comparison between the TCL C7K mini-LED TV and the Panasonic MZ1500 OLED TV reveals that both technologies, OLED and mini-LED, excel in color reproduction, though with distinct differences. While the MZ1500 offers more saturated hues due to its high contrast, the C7K exhibits brighter, punchier colors that still showcase depth.
Moreover, in the realm of smart-home-devices, the C7K's performance in terms of black levels, contrast, and detail demonstrates its ability to rival premium OLED TVs such as the MZ1500, offering a lifelike quality at a relatively more affordable price point. This comparison underscores the progress and potential of mini-LED technology in the wider context of technology and gadgets.
