Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have attracted considerable attention due to their potential in applications such as color-saturated displays and white light with high color-rendering index. However, cadmium-based QD-LEDs are strictly regulated in industrial applications because of the high toxicity of cadmium. As an alternative, InP-based cadmium-free QDs are recommended owing to their wide emission range that is comparable to that of CdSe, and their environmentally friendly properties when applied to QD-LEDs and white QD-LEDs. This feature article provides an overview of QDs' merits in display and light-emitting applications as well as a discussion of their color tunability, photo-stability, and high luminescence efficiency. We will include optical down-conversion devices using various QDs, electroluminescent devices based on organic and inorganic charge-transporting layers, and printing methods using cadmium based and cadmium free QDs.