Microcavity effect and pixel contrast ratio (PCR) are key issues for top-emitting organic light-emitting diode (TOLED). Si and Ag are two widely used reflective anodes for constructing effective TOLEDs. The mechanism contributing to microcavity effect and PCR has been clarified by using conventional optoelectronic theory. Consequently, the differences of microcavity effect and PCR between Si-based and Ag-based TOLEDs are discovered. Our results indicate that the Si-based TOLED possesses weak microcavity effect and improved PCR in comparison with Ag-based device. This is resulted from the low reflectivity and less reflective phase change of Si. The weak microcavity effect in Si-based TOLED also contributes to negligible variation of electroluminescent spectra with viewing angles and low device efficiency. Furthermore, Si-based TOLED shows rather high PCR which is about quintuple that of Ag-based device. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.