To determine whether a computer monitor is OLED or a regular LED (LCD + LED backlight), you can use the following methods, ranked from most reliable to least reliable:
I. The Most Accurate Method (Highly Recommended)
1️⃣ Check Model Specifications (Most Reliable)
Check the label on the back of the monitor or the packaging box.
Find the brand and complete model number.
Check the screen type on the official website or e-commerce product page.
Keyword Judgment:
If it says OLED / QD-OLED / AMOLED → It must be OLED.
If it says IPS / VA / TN / LCD / LED → It's a regular LED monitor.
⚠️ Note:
“LED monitor ≠ OLED” 90% of the “LED monitors” on the market are actually LCD + LED backlight.
2️⃣ Check in the system (auxiliary)
Windows:
Right-click on the desktop → Display settings
Advanced display → Display information
Note the model number, then check on the official website.
macOS:
About this computer → Displays
OLED will be clearly labeled (e.g., MacBook Pro OLED)
⚠️ The system usually won't directly state OLED, but the model number can be verified.
II. Visual Judgment Method (without disassembling the device)
3️⃣ Test to display a "pure black screen" (very effective)
Procedure:
Open a completely black image
Turn off the room lights
Increase the screen brightness
Observe the results:
Black as if the device is off, no light emission: indicates ✅ OLED
Black that appears grayish, backlight visible: indicates ❌ ordinary LED
OLED's black is "as black as a hole"
4️⃣ Check for "halo"
White text + Black background
Observe the area around the text
No halo, very clean edges: Indicates OLED
Slight luminescence, grayish tinge: Indicates ordinary LED
III. User Experience Characteristics (Empirical Method)
5️⃣ Response Speed & Contrast Ratio
Common OLED characteristics:
Near-infinite contrast ratio
Extremely fast black-to-white transition
Extremely clear details in dark scenes of movies
Ordinary LED:
Blacks tend to be grayish
Details in dark scenes are blurred
6️⃣ Screen Thickness
OLED displays are usually very thin
Ordinary LED displays are thicker on the back (due to the backlight module)
⚠️ For reference only, not absolute
IV. Common Misconceptions (Very Important)
❌ Writing "LED display" does not mean it is OLED
✔️ OLED will always be clearly labeled OLED
❌ Mini-LED ≠ OLED
Mini-LED is still LCD, just with a more advanced backlight
V. Quick Self-Check Summary
Check the model on the official website: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
→ Most accurate, directly confirm whether it's labeled OLED / QD-OLED
Black screen test: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
→ Whether pure black is "like turning off the screen," very intuitive.
Keyword parameter check: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
→ Information such as OLED / IPS / VA is easily identifiable.
User experience assessment: ⭐⭐⭐
→ Relies on personal experience, contrast ratio, dark scene performance.
Screen thickness check: ⭐⭐
→ Only for supplementary reference, not decisive.