Samsung Display Unveils Five-Layer QD-OLED Penta Tandem

Samsung Display has given its latest QD-OLED upgrade a proper name to show it is more than a small tweak. The company unveiled QD-OLED Penta Tandem, a new technology brand based on its five-layer organic light-emitting structure for high-end monitors and TVs.

Samsung Display’s five-layer QD-OLED hits 4,500 nits peak brightness

As the name suggests, Penta refers to five layers. Samsung Display has moved from a four-layer blue-emitting stack to a five-layer structure and paired it with newer organic materials. In QD-OLED panels, the blue layer serves as the light source, while quantum dots convert that light into accurate colors.

By adding an extra layer and refining the materials, the company says it can distribute energy more evenly across the stack, which becomes increasingly important as pixel density rises and each pixel’s light-emitting area shrinks.

The numbers are where things get interesting

Compared to last year’s four-layer design, QD-OLED Penta Tandem improves luminous efficiency by 1.3 times and doubles panel lifespan, according to Samsung Display. It also enables peak brightness of up to 4,500 nits for TVs and 1,300 nits for monitors, measured at a 3 percent on-pixel ratio window. It also helps panels qualify for VESA DisplayHDR True Black 500 certification. Samsung Display notes that the only 31.5-inch UHD monitor currently certified at that level uses its panel.

Samsung Display says the five-layer structure is already used in its 27-inch UHD 160 PPI panel, as well as newer 31.5-inch 4K and 34-inch WQHD models, with a 49-inch Dual QHD panel on the way. The company plans to roll out QD-OLED Penta Tandem across its full lineup this year, including flagship TV panels.

In a statement, Brad Jung, head of the large display marketing team at Samsung Display, said:

“Multi-layer organic light-emitting structure is not simply about adding more layers. It requires deep expertise in selecting materials and optimizing their thickness and combinations. Penta Tandem, built on nearly five years of QD-OLED mass production experience since 2021, represents the ultimate choice for customers looking to demonstrate the premium value of QD-OLED.”