OLED with true RGB: LG and Samsung make monitors more Windows-friendly

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The two most important suppliers of OLED panels for PC monitors are significantly improving their technology. Samsung Display and LG Display are arranging the subpixels in their next generation of OLEDs in a classic vertical red, green, and blue stripe (RGB) pattern. New models are expected from all major monitor manufacturers in 2026, including Asus, Gigabyte, and MSI.

RGB stripes have proven to be optimal for PC monitors. Windows operating systems, in particular, handle them best: Microsoft's so-called Cleartype subpixel rendering exclusively recognizes RGB. It enhances text by controlling each subpixel individually, thereby rounding off curves.

Step forward for Samsung

This technological advancement is particularly significant for Samsung's Quantum Dot Organic Light Emitting Diodes (QD-OLED). Previously, the manufacturer arranged the subpixels in a triangular pattern, which led to color fringing at all high-contrast edges. Text, in particular, appeared frayed due to violet-red color fringing.

In the triangular arrangement, the three colors only overlap in the center, creating white there. The top always remains a green edge, the left a red, and the right a blue. With thin horizontal stripes, only thin color stripes remain on the left and right. However, in modern panels, they are so thin that they are hardly, if at all, perceptible.

Samsung calls its new arrangement "V-Stripe." The V refers to the size of the subpixels, although the character > is better for illustration: the red stripe on the left is the tallest, the green in the middle is slightly smaller, and the blue on the right is the smallest.

The manufacturer is thus compensating for the different luminosity of the three colors: the underlying organic layer itself glows blue, which is why no conversion is necessary here, which would cost brightness. The red and green colors, on the other hand, are produced using quantum dots.

Brighter colors at LG

LG already uses vertical subpixel stripes, but previously included a pure white subpixel to increase brightness (RGWB). This is also the origin of the name WOLED. On the downside, WOLED has not yet achieved as saturated colors as QD-OLED. Yellow areas also create narrow vertical color fringes. The new generation is expected to fix both drawbacks.

To compensate for the brightness loss without the white subpixel, LG is increasing the light-emitting pixel area, according to its announcement. The black borders around the pixels should therefore be smaller in the future.

First monitors at CES

LG is leading the way with a 27-inch panel with 4K resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels, Ultra HD) and 240 Hertz. However, the manufacturer also wants to tap into new market segments. LG could, for example, challenge Samsung's dominance in smartphone displays.

Samsung's first V-Stripe panel comes with a 34-inch diagonal in a 21:9 aspect ratio and 360 Hertz. The resolution is unknown; 3440 x 1440 pixels would be conceivable.

According to its statement, Samsung has been supplying the panel since December 2025 to Asus, MSI, and Gigabyte, among others. Therefore, monitors are likely to be showcased at the CES electronics show next week. They should be available at the latest by summer.

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