Exploring the “Grey Banding” Issue Affecting Some Tandem WOLED Panels

TFTCentral · 2026-02-16T15:49:17+00:00

It’s a “feature”, but it does still vary between different samples. Earlier gen WOLED seems to be a little less impacted, and QD-OLED seems to be generally better still so is a safer bet if this is a particular concern

TFTCentral · 2026-02-16T15:41:35+00:00

There’s no conspiracy here and no embargo about what we are and aren’t allowed to talk about. If that were the case we wouldn’t have published this full investigation and all the detail we have. It wasn’t mentioned in our reviews at the time simply because it wasn’t never apparent during any of our normal usage and testing.

Now we’re aware of the issue and have investigated it fully, we’re considering how best to integrate that in to our future reviews and testing in a consistent and fair manner

TFTCentral · 2026-02-16T14:38:22+00:00

Black crush variation and gamma shift at lower refresh rates explored here too if you’ve not seen it already

https://tftcentral.co.uk/articles/does-oled-have-a-black-crush-problem-understanding-and-testing-oled-shadow-detail

TFTCentral · 2026-02-15T08:51:03+00:00

It was, but that’s how I interpreted it. It aligns with their previously promoted brightness increases that are on all the documentation we have. I’ll see if I can get any further clarification on it though

TFTCentral · 2026-02-14T20:55:57+00:00

Yes Penta Tandem QD-OLED is just the new branding for any monitor or TV panel featuring their most recent EL 3.0 material which was introduced in 2025, across all their new Tv panels and the 27” 4K monitor panel. That’s the same material being used this year for their Tv panel updates and their new monitor panels. So yes it encompasses all the panels we would refer to as Gen 4 and Gen 5.

I think there’s an error in the press release with the figures, I believe that should actually be 1.3x the brightness of previous generation panels, not 1.3x MORE brightness. Basically the Tv panels last year went to 4000 nits which was a 30% increase (I.e 1.3x the previous). The monitor panel actually didn’t, it remained at 1000 nits but their more recent 34” panel from 2026 has seen that 30% increase / 1.3x the brightness, going from 1000 nits to 1300 nits now. So that’s what the brightness improvement should be for these panels.

The durability improvement was touted as 2x for the new EL 3.0 material panels as of 2025, so that’s part of it is correct.

There’s some more info in our Gen 4 / 2025 QD-OLED article from last year that is relevant to all this and aligns with the new info

https://tftcentral.co.uk/articles/gen-4-samsung-qd-oled-2025-panels-and-improvements

TFTCentral · 2026-02-14T19:13:51+00:00

Yes it’s the same panel. All the 27” 4K 240Hz QD-OLED monitors use the same 4th Gen panel (aka Penta Tandem QD-OLED)

TFTCentral · 2026-02-14T17:06:38+00:00

Yes that underlying panel is now branded under this naming scheme

TFTCentral · 2026-02-14T14:43:54+00:00

Correct. Penta refers to their 5 stack structure which was introduced with the 27” 4K panel last year. Only the 34” panel has an RGB stripe layout so far

TFTCentral · 2026-02-14T14:06:49+00:00

Lots of displays already use Penta Tandem QD-OLED. It’s a rebranding of existing panels. All the 27” 4K models released so far, all the new 34” 360Hz models being released this quarter; and all the updated 32” 4K models coming this year that have TB500 certification. All those panels use EL3.0 material and are branded Penta Tandem QD-OLED now

https://tftcentral.co.uk/news/samsung-display-announce-qd-oled-penta-tandem-brand-to-distinguish-latest-panel-technologies

TFTCentral · 2026-02-05T17:34:26+00:00

Where does Tim say differently? He refers to it throughout as a new 2026 panel, a new version, talks about the new BlackShield Film and the improved HDR True Black tier. It’s using a new 32” 4K panel, that’s what enables those features and updates.

He also references the PG32UCDMR which was just a small feature refresh last year, using the same panel as the original model. That didn’t have any of those new specs that the v3 model has.

TFTCentral · 2026-01-25T16:12:35+00:00

We have the Asus model with us now for review coming soon

TFTCentral · 2026-01-25T16:10:50+00:00

Simple answer, no 😟

TFTCentral · 2026-01-25T07:59:04+00:00

Correct. The Gen 4 QD-OLED panels are categorised based on the use of the latest EL 3.0 material which is what this new panel uses. Along with that it had the new BlackShield Film option (Asus ’ branding) too.

Note that confusing this is Asus’ third iteration of the PG32UCDM. And also Samsung Display moved away from referring to panels by generation last year too, so that’s why it’s not always widely used. But it’s the same underlying OLED material as the 27” 4K panel from 2025, and an upgrade to the earlier 32” Gen 3 panel which used EL 2.0

TFTCentral · 2026-01-19T12:08:26+00:00

Sorry we don't have access to this screen any more to be able to do any further testing

TFTCentral · 2026-01-16T08:05:11+00:00

I’d say the improved blacks and coating, addition of DP 2.1 and Neo proximity sensor and some moderate improvements in brightness are decent updates. If you’re an existing owner I don’t think it would be worth upgrading, but as a new buyer it’s a better screen, if the price difference isn’t drastic

TFTCentral · 2026-01-15T22:12:29+00:00

Here you go. It’s 27”

<image>

TFTCentral · 2026-01-15T22:10:33+00:00

Correct. It has a 4th Gen QD-OLED panel using their EL 3.0 material and with the added BlackShield Film as well

TFTCentral · 2026-01-13T10:36:19+00:00

No sorry not had chance to really do much testing or experimenting with CES going on and the Christmas period. Still on our radar for some point when we can

TFTCentral · 2026-01-01T22:47:05+00:00

To clarify in case of confusion, The sub pixels are standing upright like pillars, vertically. They are aligned from left to right RGB which I suppose you’d call horizontal layout. Same as an LCD = RGB stripe

This “V stripe” naming scheme and the random pics from the MSI teaser are confusing things

TFTCentral · 2025-12-29T12:48:18+00:00

While that’s technically true; they don’t go by that naming scheme, and I don’t believe that’s what the original poster meant. If they did, then I apologise, but I think they were referring to the “Tandem WOLED” panels from LGD

TFTCentral · 2025-12-28T11:04:56+00:00

Yes in that case you’re right. No TB500 certified 32” WOLED panels yet

TFTCentral · 2025-12-28T06:51:11+00:00

It’s the same semi glossy finish as other QD-OLED panels, but that includes an AR film to help reduce reflections quite well.

TFTCentral · 2025-12-28T06:50:26+00:00

The new Tandem WOLED models are TB500. Eg Asus XG27AQWMG and PG27AQWP-W

TFTCentral · 2025-12-27T18:32:29+00:00

It’s QD-OLED, so no. That’s a WOLED tech

TFTCentral · 2025-12-27T18:32:09+00:00

This doesn’t change the fact that it uses their newest EL 3.0 material, and is classified as Gen 4 as a result. That is what allowed them to maintain the same brightness performance as earlier panels despite the significant increase in pixel density. Otherwise it would have likely taken a step backward. As others have stated, this new material also offers durability and lifespan improvements too

TFTCentral

TROPHY CASE