Since major manufacturers exited plasma TV production in the mid-2010s, flat-panel choices evolved into LED-backlit LCD variants (including quantum-dot "QLED"), OLED, and newer Mini-LED and MicroLED options. 4K and HDR are standard, OLED gives the best blacks but has some burn-in risk, and Mini-LED improves contrast for bright-room viewing. Choose by room, content, and budget.
Flat-panel TV technology has changed a lot since the mid-2000s. Where plasma and early LCD once competed, today's market is dominated by LED-backlit LCD variants and OLED, with newer options such as Mini-LED and MicroLED appearing for high-end sets.
What happened to plasma?
Plasma screens once offered deep blacks and wide viewing angles, but major manufacturers stopped producing plasma TVs in the mid-2010s as LCD-based panels improved and became cheaper. The result: plasma is effectively a legacy technology you'll only find used or in older inventory.
Main technologies in 2025
LED-LCD (including QLED)
Most TVs remain LCD panels lit from behind by LEDs. LED-LCD sets vary by backlight design: edge-lit for thinness, and full-array local dimming (FALD) for better contrast. "QLED" is a marketing name (popularized by Samsung) for LED-LCDs that add quantum-dot films to boost color and brightness.
OLED
OLED panels use self-emitting pixels. They deliver very deep blacks, wide viewing angles, and excellent contrast for dark-room viewing. OLED can be vulnerable to image retention or permanent burn-in if static content is shown for long periods, though modern sets include mitigation tools and manufacturers provide usage recommendations.
Mini-LED and MicroLED
Mini-LED is an evolution of LED-LCD that uses thousands of much smaller LEDs for finer local dimming and improved contrast approaching OLED levels. MicroLED is an emissive technology that promises OLED-like contrast without organic materials; it's emerging commercially in very large and expensive displays.
What to consider when choosing a TV
Resolution and HDR: 4K is now standard for most midrange and premium TVs; 8K exists but has limited practical content. Look for HDR support (HDR10 is common, Dolby Vision appears on many models) to improve dynamic range and color.
Viewing environment: For bright rooms, LED-LCD or QLED models with high peak brightness perform well. For dark-room, OLED or MicroLED give superior perceived contrast.
Burn-in risk: OLED offers the best blacks and angles but carries some burn-in risk for static UI elements and game HUDs. Use built-in pixel-shift, screen-saver routines, and avoid extended static images to reduce risk.
Smart features and connectivity: Most TVs are smart and include streaming apps, voice assistants, HDMI 2.1 features for gaming (variable refresh, ALLM) appear on many modern sets.
Budget and size: LCD-based options dominate the lower-cost segments and come in many sizes. OLED and MicroLED generally cost more per diagonal but often provide better contrast at comparable sizes.
Bottom line
Plasma is essentially gone. Choose based on your room and viewing habits: LED-LCD/QLED or Mini-LED for bright-room and high-brightness needs, OLED for dark-room cinematic use, and MicroLED when budget is less of a constraint and you want the latest emissive tech.
- Confirm the approximate year (mid-2010s) when major manufacturers ceased plasma TV production (exact year varies by manufacturer).
- Verify the commercial availability and market status of MicroLED displays as of 2025 (extent of consumer availability vs. limited/professional installations).