How to choose from the variety of modern smartphones what is right for you? Today the bad-android team has prepared material with useful tips on the topic of selecting displays.
How not to overpay for a device? How can you figure out what to expect from it based on the type of display?
Types of matrices
Modern smartphones use three basic types of matrices.
The first of them, called - is based on organic light-emitting diodes. The remaining two types are based on liquid crystals - IPS And TN+film.
It is impossible not to mention the frequently encountered abbreviation TFT.
TFT- these are thin-film transistors that control subpixels of displays (subpixels are responsible for the three primary colors, on the basis of which “full” “multicolor” pixels are formed, which we will talk about a little later).
Technology TFT applies in all three types of matrices listed above. That is why the often used comparison TFT And IPS is essentially absurd.
For many years, the main material for TFT matrices was amorphous silicon. At the moment, an improved production of TFT matrices has been launched, in which the main material is polycrystalline silicon, significantly increasing energy efficiency. The size of the transistors has also been reduced, which allows achieving the highest performance. ppi(pixel density).
So, we’ve sorted out the matrix base, it’s time to talk directly about the data types of matrices.
TN+film matrix
These matrices were the first to appear in smartphones. At the moment they remain the most primitive and, accordingly, cheap.
Advantages:
Affordable price
Flaws:
Small viewing angles (maximum 60 degrees)
Inverts images even at small angles
Low contrast level
Poor color rendering
Most manufacturers have practically abandoned the use of this type of matrix due to too many shortcomings.
IPS matrix
At the moment, this type of matrix is the most common. Also, IPS matrices are sometimes designated by the abbreviation S.F.T..
Story IPS-matrix originates several decades ago. During this period, many different modifications and improvements were developed IPS-displays.
When listing the advantages and disadvantages of IPS, it is necessary to take into account the specific subtype. To summarize, for the list of strengths of IPS we will take the best subtype (and therefore the most expensive), and for the disadvantages we will keep in mind the cheapest subtype.
Advantages:
Excellent viewing angles (maximum 180 degrees)
High-quality color rendition
Possibility of producing high ppi displays
Good energy efficiency
Flaws:
Picture fades when the display is tilted
Possible oversaturation or, conversely, insufficient color saturation
AMOLED matrix
The matrix provides the deepest black color, compared to the other two types of matrices. But it was not always so. The first AMOLED matrices had implausible color reproduction and insufficient color depth. There was some acidity in the picture, too intense brightness.
Until now, due to internal incorrect settings, some displays are almost identical in perception to IPS. But in super-AMOLED displays, all flaws were successfully fixed.
When listing the advantages and disadvantages, let’s take a regular AMOLED matrix.
Advantages:
The highest quality picture among all existing types of matrices
Low power consumption
Flaws:
Occasionally uneven lifespan of LEDs (different colors)
The need for careful customization of the AMOLED display
Let's sum up the intermediate results. Obviously, the matrices are leaders in image quality. It is AMOLED displays that are installed on the most top-end devices. In second place are IPS matrices, but you should be careful with them: manufacturers rarely indicate the subtype of the matrix, and this is what plays a key role in the final level of the image. An unambiguous and firm “no” should be said to devices with TN+film matrices.
Subpixels
The determining factor in the final quality of the display is often hidden display characteristics. Image perception is strongly influenced by subpixels.
In case of LCD the situation is quite simple: everyone is colored ( RGB) pixel consists of three subpixels. The shape of the subpixels depends on the modification of the technology - a subpixel can be shaped like a “check mark” or a rectangle.
In the implementation of displays in terms of subpixels, everything is somewhat more complicated. In this case, the light source is the subpixels themselves. As you know, the human eye is less sensitive to blue and red colors, in contrast to green. That is why repeating the IPS subpixel pattern would significantly affect the picture quality (of course, in the worst side). To preserve the realistic color rendering, technology was invented.
The essence of the technology is to use two pairs of pixels: RG (red-green) and BG (blue-green), which, in turn, consist of corresponding subpixels of the corresponding colors. A combination of subpixel shapes is used: green ones have an elongated shape, and red and blue ones are almost square.
The technology turned out to be not very successful: the white color was frankly “dirty”, and notches appeared at the junctions of different shades. At a low rate ppi a grid of subpixels became visible. Such matrices have been installed on a number of smartphones, including flagships. The last flagship that was “lucky” to get a PenTile matrix was Samsung Galaxy S III.
Naturally, it was impossible to leave the situation with low-quality implementation of subpixels in the same state, so soon the upgrade above the described technology, which received the prefix Diamond.
By increasing ppi Diamond PenTile made it possible to get rid of the problem with jagged boundaries between colors, and white became much “cleaner” and more pleasing to the eye. And it is this development that is installed in all Samsung flagships, starting with the Galaxy S4.
And here IPS-matrices, although they are generally considered weaker than ’ov’s ones, however, have never encountered such problems.
What conclusion can be drawn? Be sure to pay attention to the quantity ppi in case of purchasing a smartphone with an -matrix. A high-quality picture is only possible with an indicator of 300 ppi. But with IPS matrices do not have such strict restrictions.
Innovative technologies
Time does not stand still; talented engineers continue to work painstakingly to improve all characteristics of smartphones, including matrices. One of the latest serious developments is technology O.G.S..
O.G.S. is an air gap between the screen itself and the projective-capacitive sensor. In this case, the technology met expectations 100%: color rendering quality, maximum brightness and viewing angles increased.
And over the past few years O.G.S. It has become so embedded in smartphones that you won’t find the implementation of a “hamburger” display filled with an air gap except on the simplest devices.
In their search for display optimization, designers came across another interesting opportunity to improve the picture on phones. In 2011, experiments began on shape glass Perhaps the most common form of glass among the unusual ones has become 2.5D- with the help of curved edges of the glass, the edges become smoother and the screen becomes more voluminous.
Company HTC released a smartphone Sensation, the glass of which was concave in the center of the display. According to HTC engineers, this increases protection from scratches and impacts. But glass concave to the center never received widespread use.
The concept of bending the display itself, and not just the glass, as was done in . One of the side edges of the display has a curved shape.
A very interesting characteristic that you should pay attention to when buying a smartphone is sensor sensitivity. Some smartphones are equipped with a sensor with increased sensitivity, which allows you to fully use the display even with regular gloves. Also, some devices are equipped with an inductive substrate to support styluses.
So for those who like to text in the cold or use a stylus, the sensitive sensor will definitely come in handy.
Known truths
It's no secret that screen resolution also greatly affects the final level of the image. Without further comment, we present to your attention a table of correspondence between display diagonal and resolution.
Conclusion
Each matrix has its own characteristics and hidden characteristics. You should be careful with -displays, or rather, with the ppi pixel density indicator: if the value less than 300 ppi, then the picture quality will tell you frankly will disappoint.
For IPS-matrix is important subtype, and depending on the subtype, the cost of the smartphone logically increases proportionally.
Curved glass 2.5D will significantly increase the attractiveness of the picture, as will technology O.G.S..
The issue of display size is a purely individual one, but with multi-inch “shovels” a high resolution would be appropriate.
We wish you pleasant shopping, friends!
Stay tuned, more to come a lot of interesting.
In 2016, they will grow to 1.95 billion units, which is 7% higher than the total volume of this market in 2015 in the amount of 1.82 billion units. The share of LCD displays with modern LTPS (IPS) and oxide TFT technologies in total sales is expected to grow to 34.6% against 29.8% last year, while the share of mobile AMOLED panels is expected to grow to 14 in 2016 % versus 12.1% in 2015, mainly due to the vigorous efforts of Samsung Display.
According to Boyce Fan, lead analyst at WitsView, the growth of LTPS products will occur due to the growing popularity of mid-price smartphones with Full HD screens, amid falling prices for such displays while simultaneously improving their characteristics. At the same time, the popularity of AMOLED panels in the premium smartphone segment is expected to increase. Against this background, according to the forecast, the production of displays using traditional a-Si technology will decrease the most.
The bulk of the global supply of LTPS displays, according to WitsView, will continue to be made up of Apple iPhone smartphones and provided by three current key suppliers: Japan Display (JDI), LG Display and Sharp. Additional demand for LTPS displays generated by other manufacturers of premium smartphones, including for the still growing domestic Chinese market, will also be covered primarily by first-tier display suppliers due to a head start in technology and production scale, however, a number of companies entering the mobile market More recently, IPS/LTPS displays such as AU Optronics (AUO), Innolux, Tianma and BOE are combining production ramp-ups with more aggressive pricing.
WitsView analysts associate the expected growth in popularity of thin AMOLED displays with high color saturation and brightness with relatively low energy consumption to changes in the marketing strategy of Samsung Display, which was previously focused primarily on orders from Samsung Electronics. In the past year, Samsung Display has successfully supplied AMOLED displays to a number of Chinese smartphone manufacturers, thanks to which the production of smartphones with AMOLED displays not under the Samsung brand and Samsung Electronics customers has already reached 20%, according to WitsView estimates.
Let's start with the fact that the image consists of the smallest elements - dots or pixels, and, depending on the diagonal of the display (and its physical size), a pixel can have a different size. There are also various pixel shapes - rectangular, square and even octagonal (the latter, however, only occurs on plasma TVs). Well, screen resolution is essentially the length in pixels of each side.
In modern smartphones you can find a resolution of 320x240 pixels. (the most budget models for children and the older generation) up to 3840x2160 pixels. (usually flagships). The larger the screen and lower its resolution, the larger the pixels and the more blurred the image. For example, if you take a 6-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720 pixels. (HD) and 1920x1080 pixels. (Full HD), then in the first case the picture will have less clarity.
But is it worth pursuing higher smartphone screen resolutions up to 4K? Yes, there are cases when they are really required - for example, for immersion in virtual reality, where the display is almost close to the eyes and we can distinguish the smallest pixels (about smartphones for VR). But with the rest of the content, everything is not so clear.
Pixel Density
Here you cannot do without the concept of pixel density (PPI) - the resolution of the matrix, which is the main indicator of how clear the screen of the device is. PPI is calculated based on the diagonal resolution, its width and height, as well as the diagonal of the matrix in inches.
The more pixels you fit into an inch of space, the smaller they will be, and the image will be smoother and clearer; the richer the color rendition, the better the brightness and contrast. Moreover, at high PPI, fonts on the screen appear smoother, which improves text readability. For example, PPI with a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels and a diagonal of 5.5" will be 534, and if you take a slightly larger screen (5.7"), then with the same resolution PPI will drop to 515, and the picture will lose clarity.
The average user heard about this concept in 2010 with the release of the iPhone 4 with Retina display. Then Apple said that the maximum pixels per inch that the human eye can distinguish is about 300. Columbia University also calculated the pixel density limit for the human eye, and it turned out to be slightly higher - 350 PPI. And in 2014, LG demonstrated three screens - with HD resolution and a density of 269 PPI, with Full HD and 403 PPI, and with QuadHD (its then flagship LG G3) and 538 PPI. And the difference between them was noticeable, the picture on each subsequent screen looked clearer and of higher quality, and this was visible to the naked eye.
Raymond Soneira of DisplayMate claims that a person with perfect vision can “see” densities of up to 600 PPI, which makes the idea of releasing smartphones with 4K resolution and 800 PPI less crazy. Now the pixel density of modern flagships has already exceeded 500 PPI, but at some point, with the naked eye, users will no longer be able to discern the advantages of a small, essentially high-density smartphone screen.
Smartphones with the clearest screens
We didn’t take the manufacturers’ word for it and independently calculated the pixel density for each smartphone. As it turned out, here the vendors did not exaggerate their merits and indicated the correct values (with adjustments for rounding to the nearest whole number), although, for example, many went overboard with “frameless” (in our material).
Samsung Galaxy S9
Samsung Galaxy S9 has become the leader in screen clarity - its pixel density is 568 PPI. Due to the smaller diagonal (5.8"), it outperformed its “brother” S9+, which has the same resolution (2960x1440 pixels) but a larger diagonal (6.2"), and therefore received 531 PPI. The smartphone has a “frameless” design and, fortunately, without the now popular “bangs” - this is a plus for the manufacturer.
Users note that the display’s colors are really very rich (this is, after all, a proprietary SuperAMOLED matrix), the brightness and contrast are at a high level. It behaves well in the sun, does not glare and remains readable. By the way, the screen resolution can be reduced if desired, increasing battery life.
LG G6 () is only slightly behind the leader with a result of 565 PPI (diagonal - 5.7", resolution - 2880x1440 pixels). LG called its screen FullVision, indicating that the user will have more space to view videos, web pages and text. All data can be divided into two windows - a large number of applications support this function in LG smartphones. Although the IPS matrix is considered less bright than AMOLED, its quality was still positively rated by users. There is support for Dolby Vision and HDR 10.
By the way, the LG G7 ThinQ was recently introduced, which boasts a higher resolution - 3120x1440 pixels. But due to the increase in diagonal to 6.1”, the pixel density of its screen is slightly lower - 563 PPI.
Although many have questions about HMD Global’s strategy, it turned out to be quite successful and is in third place on the list with a result of 554 PPI. Although its screen has a lower resolution (2560x1440 pixels) than the smartphones that are in the top below, it benefits due to the small display diagonal - 5.3 inches.
The design, however, is not frameless at all - there are very noticeable stripes at the top and bottom of the display. But we liked the quality of the screen - it is bright, contrasty, with natural color reproduction and good viewing angles. And in the evening, you can activate the night mode so that your eyes don’t get tired.
Vivo Xplay 6
Vivo Xplay 6 is quite far behind the top three in terms of performance - it has 538 PPI. But for the fact that it got here, we should thank the medium screen diagonal (5.46”) and high resolution (2560x1440 pixels). In appearance, it immediately becomes clear from whom the designers drew inspiration - the curved display at the edges is similar to the Samsung Galaxy Note 7. And the AMOLED matrix itself is also from a South Korean manufacturer, so it is not surprising that the screen produces a high-quality picture.
The curved edges of the screen are made for a reason - there is a panel completely similar to Samsung's Edge. The display resolution can also be lowered to Full HD to increase battery life, but the settings do not allow color calibration.
Google Pixel 2 XL
Another “clear smartphone” is last year’s interesting, but not very popular flagship Google Pixel 2 XL. It has a large diagonal (6") and a high screen resolution (2880x1440 pixels), and a pixel density of 537 PPI. A POLED matrix manufactured by LG is installed, which in some places is inferior to SuperAMOLED from Samsung, but there is no “acidity” of shades inherent in the latter. However, , if you deviate from a right angle, the colors begin to invert and go blue.
Also, at the very beginning of sales, there were complaints about graininess and the appearance of artifacts, but the manufacturer assures that this should have been corrected by software updates. Many more users are unlucky, and their devices’ screens turn pink in places.
The second LG smartphone on our list, the LG V30+, has exactly the same pixel density (537 PPI). It, like the Google Pixel 2XL, has a 6" diagonal and a resolution of 2880x1440 pixels. The matrix type is again POLED (On-Cell touch). But, apparently, LG still makes better displays for its flagships.
The screen here is bright, with a high-quality anti-glare coating and balanced colors. There are separate color display profiles - for surfing the Internet, watching movies, reading books. HDR is also supported, and the Always-on-display function, which is present in all modern OLED screens, has different settings: shutdown time, brightness, content display, etc.
HTC U11 Plus
And the third smartphone in a row with a 6-inch screen, a resolution of 2880x1440 pixels and a pixel density of 537 PPI is the HTC U11 Plus. The proprietary Super LCD 6 matrix, according to the manufacturer, provides natural color reproduction. This screen is very popular with those for whom Samsung displays are too bright. And for lovers of rich colors, the screen will seem too faded, but the eyes will not get tired of it.
The smartphone has an analogue of the Always-on-display function, but... This is an LCD matrix, only the clock and information icons will be displayed, and the battery will run out much faster. The “With Gloves” mode with increased screen sensitivity is interesting, as well as the ability to select a color profile and change settings in it separately.
There is support for HDR10 dynamic range, but only at the hardware level. With new system updates it should appear in software.
Tonino Lamborghini Alpha one
Together with the next smartphone on the list, Tonino Lamborghini Alpha one, we are invited to the premium segment, offering, along with an impressive appearance (liquid metal body and genuine leather trim), also decent characteristics. A diagonal of 5.5 inches and a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels create a pixel density of 534 PPI.
The AMOLED matrix demonstrates good contrast and saves battery power; the brightness reserve is also decent. As with all AMOLED screens, colors do not invert at different viewing angles. You can play with the color temperature and saturation settings if you wish.
Huawei P10 Plus
The Huawei P10 Plus has the same screen characteristics as the Tonino Lamborghini (except that the matrix is IPS), and therefore demonstrates 534 PPI in the same way.
We had the smartphone, and we noted that the display has good brightness and a decent anti-glare coating - it can be used comfortably in the sun. The viewing angles are wide, and the color temperature can be adjusted independently or you can select a preset profile.
ASUS ZenFone AR ZS571KL
Well, the ASUS ZenFone AR ZS571KL smartphone is specially “tailored” for virtual and augmented reality, and therefore it has a large and clear screen with a diagonal of 5.7 inches and a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, and its pixel density is 515 PPI.
The screen is covered with 2.5-D Gorilla Glass 4 on top. You can turn the device into a VR helmet using its own packaging - it opens up, a smartphone is inserted there - and off you go, towards virtual adventures. True, the VR mode drains the battery very quickly - just like games.
| Estimated PPI | Stated PPI | Display | Price | |
| Samsung Galaxy S9 | 567,53 | 568 |
Super AMOLED 5.8" 2960x1440 pixels. |
i 59 990 |
| LG G6 | 564,90 | 565 |
2880x1440 pixels. |
from i 37 990 |
| Nokia 8 | 554,19 | 554 |
2560x1440 pixels. |
i 29,990 |
| Vivo Xplay 6 | 537,95 | 538 |
2560x1440 pixels. |
from i 35 990 |
| Google Pixel 2 XL | 536,66 | 537 |
2880x1440 pixels. |
from i 48 990 |
| LG V30+ | 536,66 | 537 |
2880x1440 pixels. |
i 59 990 |
| HTC U11 Plus | 536,66 | 537 |
2880x1440 pixels. |
i 49 990 |
|
Tonino Lamborghini Alpha one |
534,04 | 534 |
2560x1440 pixels. |
i 149,000 |
| Huawei P10 Plus | 534,04 | 534 |
2560x1440 pixels. |
from i 32 190 |
|
ASUS ZenFone AR |
515,3 | 515 |
2560x1440 pixels. |
i 59 990 |
We decided to devote the fifth lesson of the first step of our training course to one of the most important parts of a smartphone, which requires the closest attention - the screen. It is through the display that we get access to all the functions of a mobile gadget: calls, dialing SMS, accessing the Internet, viewing photos and videos, and so on.
But do you know what display resolution is, how IPS differs from AMOLED and how to choose the optimal diagonal for yourself? In our article, we will analyze in detail what a smartphone screen is and what display parameters you should pay attention to when buying a new smartphone.
The screen of a modern mobile device is a kind of “sandwich”: a combination of layers, each of which performs a specific function:
- Touchscreen or touchpad
- Matrix
- Light source
The touchscreen is located directly under the user's fingers. For a long time, two types of touch panels could be found on the mobile phone market: resistive and capacitive. The former responded to the force of pressing, the latter - to a change in the electrical impulse upon touch. Considering that a strong press could easily damage the fragile touchscreen, resistive screens became less and less popular, and now smartphones with this type of touch panel are practically not produced.
At the same time, capacitive touchscreens can withstand about 200 million clicks. True, the most noticeable drawback of this type is that the smartphone cannot be used with gloves, since the fabric does not transmit electrical impulses.
Some manufacturers solve this problem by equipping their top flagships with 3D touch displays. Such screens respond to both pressing and changes in capacity.
The display matrix changes the amount of light passing through each pixel from the source to the touchscreen, in other words, it adjusts the transparency of the pixels. In this case, the final image quality is significantly influenced by the presence or absence of an air gap between the sensor and the matrix.
If there is a layer, the light sequentially passes through three media: matrix glass, air, touchscreen glass. Accordingly, each medium has its own index of refraction and reflection of light. Therefore, smartphones with an air gap cannot always boast of a rich and bright picture.
Nowadays, smartphones are increasingly equipped with screens in which the sensor is glued to the matrix (OGS - one glass solution). In this case, the light from the source is refracted and reflected from only one external medium, therefore, the image quality becomes higher.
OGS screens have one significant drawback. If you drop a phone with such a screen, there is a high probability that the touch panel will be damaged along with the matrix, which significantly complicates further repairs. Whereas on a screen with an air gap, as a rule, only the touchscreen breaks, which can be replaced even at home.
The last layer of the screen is a complex lamp, which is the light source for the liquid crystals. On the other hand, LED screens, which do not require a light source, since they glow themselves, are becoming increasingly popular every year.
Types of smartphone screens
By 2017, two main types of screens had emerged: LCD or LCD, and OLED. As mentioned above, the former are based on liquid crystals, the latter on LEDs. In turn, LCD displays are divided into three main groups:
TN is the simplest and most affordable technology for manufacturing LCD screens. Such displays are characterized by instant response and low cost. On the other hand, TN screens do not have the greatest viewing angles (about 120-130 degrees). As a rule, such displays are installed in affordable budget smartphones.
For example, perhaps the most affordable smartphone from the British company Fly, Nimbus 14, which can be purchased for only 3,290 rubles, is equipped with a 4.5-inch TN display. This gadget will be an excellent solution if you need an entry-level smartphone for the simplest tasks: checking email, working with simple applications, communicating in chats and instant messengers.
One of the most common types of screens is IPS. Such displays are distinguished by high-quality color reproduction (especially if there is no air gap between the sensor and the matrix), as well as wide viewing angles of up to 178 degrees. A few years ago, IPS was a fairly expensive technology, but now this type can be found everywhere even in budget devices.
Among the new products of the Fly brand, one of the most notable smartphones with an IPS display is the model, which is now available for only 8,990 rubles. The 5.2-inch IPS display with pleasant rounding at the edges is made using Full Lamination technology - the air gap between the touchscreen and the matrix is removed, due to which it was possible to achieve a realistic, rich and contrasting picture.
By the way, this smartphone managed to solve the problem of increased vulnerability of such an airless connection. The Fly Selfie 1 screen is protected by durable Panda Glass, which is resistant to minor bumps and falls.
PLS technology was developed by Samsung. Essentially, this is the same IPS, only modified to reduce the cost of production. True, this technology never gained much popularity.
OLED
OLED displays are divided into three main types:
- AMOLED
- SuperAMOLED
- FOLED
OLED technology is based on miniature LEDs that emit light themselves. Due to the absence of an external light source, LED displays in smartphones are thin, thus reducing the size of the gadget itself. Also, the advantages of LEDs include low power consumption, high contrast and fast response.
On the other hand, one should take into account the unpleasant disadvantages of this technology:
- OLED displays are more expensive to produce
- Over time, the LEDs begin to fade, causing the image to become distorted.
- In bright light, OLED displays overexpose more than LCD displays.
The operation of AMOLED displays is based on an active matrix of thin-film transistors. Such screens are distinguished by deep black color, since during the image formation process some of the LEDs are turned off, which also reduces the load on the battery.
SuperAMOLED displays remove the air layer to improve image brightness and clarity. And FOLED displays are now increasingly called the screens of the future. This technology makes it possible to create flexible screens based on organic light-emitting diodes.
Smartphone screen sizes. Permission
This parameter directly determines the purpose for which the smartphone is purchased. Conventionally, all smartphones can be divided into two large groups based on screen size:
- Up to 5.2 inches
- 5 to 7 inches
A screen of up to 5.5 inches allows you to make your smartphone compact and lightweight. This gadget can be conveniently controlled with one hand, even while moving. Small smartphones are often bought as a child’s first mobile phone - holding, for example, a 4-inch smartphone in a child’s hand is much more convenient than a large, “adult” gadget.
If the diagonal of a smartphone screen reaches 6-7 inches, such a gadget is called a phablet, or tablet phone. The large screen is especially convenient for watching videos, processing and viewing photos, playing games with rich graphics, creating and editing text files and much more.
When choosing a smartphone by size, it is important to pay special attention to the screen resolution, which is determined by the number of pixels per unit area. So, if your smartphone has a large screen but low resolution, the image will be blurry and grainy. In smartphones, screen resolution is indicated by the dpi parameter - the number of dots per inch.
Today, there are 4 most common display resolutions:
- 320x480 pixels (HVGA) is rare, but found in the cheapest smartphones. The picture on such a screen comes out quite grainy.
- 480x800, 480x854 (WVGA) – the image looks good on small screens with a diagonal of up to 4 inches.
- 854 x 480 (FWVGA) – quite comfortable quality on displays up to 4.5 inches.
- 720x1280 (HD) – smartphones with this resolution are perhaps the most common. The HD resolution screen provides a high level of detail, even if the display is 5.5 inches diagonal.
- 1080x1920 (FullHD) – this resolution provides the highest image quality, which is especially noticeable on smartphones with 5-inch screens.
A striking example of the latter is the Fly Cirrus 13 model. Powerful, impressive and affordable for only 8,490 rubles, the smartphone is equipped with a bright and contrasting 5-inch IPS display with FullHD resolution, which also has no air gap between the layers. So the user is able to experience every detail of the image. To avoid damaging the vulnerable connection between the matrix and the touchscreen, the Fly Cirrus 13 screen is protected by impact-resistant Dragontrail glass, which is 6 times stronger than the popular Gorilla Glass.
Now you know what smartphone screens are like and what you should pay attention to when choosing a new gadget. Next time we will tell you everything about mobile device processors. You will learn why you should not confuse the terms “processor” and “chipset,” how a 4-core processor can overpower an 8-core processor, and also what the processor’s RAM affects.
Competition in the smartphone market is increasing every day. Due to great competition, the assortment remains of phones with only 2 types of screen technologies: IPS matrices and AMOLED. Next, we will analyze in detail which type of screen is better for a smartphone.
Each screen manufacturing technology has its own significant advantages and disadvantages. We figured out what kind of screens smartphones have, as well as which users will be satisfied with the IPS matrix and which ones are AMOLED.
To find out which screen technology is best for smartphones, you need to understand how they work.
"IPS" technology is based on liquid crystals, which are displayed on the phone's display. The formation of the image occurs due to the fact that polarized light passes through a special light filter.
If the user wants to reduce or increase the brightness of the display, then filters located in the vertical and horizontal directions will come into play. Liquid crystals are focused on every pixel, working at any time, regardless of the position of the gadget.
Advantages of LCD display:
- The best smartphone screens of 2020 provide high color reproduction. Liquid crystals process a large number of shades, due to which the user receives the most realistic picture on his display. The arrangement of the crystals allows you to view the screen from any angle without distorting the picture. Due to the richness of colors, smartphones with an IPS matrix are used by photographers, designers, and company managers.
- Lifetime. The liquid crystal display does not change over time. The service life of an IPS screen, in the absence of mechanical damage, can reach several decades. Also, the colors of the pictures do not change over time. This is due to the composition of liquid crystals. Only the diodes inside the display can fail. They provide uniform illumination of the pixels. However, their service life is 5 years or more.
- Even battery consumption. The IPS matrix does not have certain functions that quickly drain the battery. The arrangement of crystals over the entire surface ensures uniform energy consumption, regardless of what goals the user sets when working with the gadget.
Interesting fact. If a user with an IPS matrix quickly runs out of battery, it is recommended to check the processor load. Also, battery depletion occurs due to the working backlight.
- Price of technology and large selection of models. IPS technology refers to budget types of matrices, so most companies produce their gadgets with an LCD screen. The price for a phone that supports FullHD resolution starts at $10.
Despite the advantages of the IPS matrix, it also has its disadvantages that cannot be eliminated with the improvement of new technologies:
- Color rendition of black tones. The crystals responsible for transmitting black color will not be able to completely absorb the backlight. The backlight for the IPS matrix covers the entire screen, so when the brightness is reduced, the black crystals are still illuminated. Because of this, the color rendition of black tones becomes softer.
- Contrast level. Due to the fact that black shades become less deep, the contrast of the picture decreases sharply. The difference between the darkest and lightest pixels is barely noticeable to the human eye. Because of this, the picture loses its natural color and a gray background appears.
- Slow response. This drawback will also not be noticeable to all users. Pixels respond within milliseconds. The human eye cannot notice this. However, in demanding applications or virtual reality glasses, the user is able to discern slowness and stuttering of the picture. This phenomenon is due to the low frame rate.
Advantages and disadvantages of Amoled screens
Amoled displays have a matrix that works using diodes that emit light. The operating principle is very similar to LCD screens.
The main difference between Amoled and IPS is that in the first displays the pixels burn independently of each other, without the need for additional backlighting.
The built-in diodes have only 3 colors: red, green and blue. They are responsible for changing brightness, which is why a large number of saturated colors appear. If the pixel does not light up in a certain shade, then black appears on the screen. And if the pixel uses all 3 colors at the same time, then the gadget’s display turns white.
Due to the fact that the pixels work independently of each other, the picture is not distorted when the smartphone is rotated at a certain angle. However, the autonomous operation of pixels leads to the fact that the vision of users of phones with an Amoled display sharply narrows over time. The phenomenon appears after eye fatigue during prolonged use of the gadget.
Recently, smartphones with Super Amoled technology have appeared on the market. They are equipped with an air gap between the pixels, due to which the brightness of color reproduction has increased several times. The phone is convenient to use in sunlight.
Compared to an IPS matrix, Amoled has significant advantages:
- No backlight. In displays with Amoled technology, a pixel is illuminated by its own source, working independently of others. Because of this, pictures have increased brightness and contrast. The level of contrast is increased due to the natural black color, which is created due to the extinguishing of light from a single pixel.
- Fast response. This indicator seriously affects the question: “which smartphone screen is better: IPS or AMOLED.” The response speed of the Amoled matrix is much faster than that of its competitor. Using gadgets with this technology, you can watch movies using virtual reality glasses. A smooth picture will ensure complete immersion in the atmosphere. Also, due to the high frame rate, watching movies becomes much more enjoyable. Required applications run without delays or lag.
- The best smartphone displays of 2020 consume little battery capacity when displaying black images. Since each pixel in an Amoled screen works independently of the others, the brighter it glows, the more battery power it consumes. Black color is achieved by completely turning off the pixel, so it does not waste battery power. But with white pictures, consumption increases more than for IPS displays.
- Thin display. The Amoled matrix does not have a layer responsible for scattering the light coming from the backlight. Therefore, the thickness of the matrix is much smaller than that of Android smartphones equipped with an IPS matrix. The absence of a distribution layer helps reduce the size of gadgets without sacrificing internal characteristics or battery capacity. The Amoled structure allows you to create gadgets of any shape (not only with rounded edges, but also with a flexible body). This is impossible to do with an IPS matrix.
Despite the large number of advantages, these displays have significant disadvantages.
They are associated with defective pixels that turn blue.
The production of such diodes is more difficult than red or green ones, and in terms of quality they are clearly inferior to their “colleagues”.
- Predominance of blue color. When using a smartphone with an Amoled screen, you notice a blue tint to the picture when adjusting the brightness. This is due to the fact that blue pixels are perceived by the eyes more strongly than other colors. PWM adjustment helps correct color rendition, but it greatly affects eye fatigue, which subsequently leads to a decrease in vision sharpness.
- Lack of blue color. The cause of blue burnout is a problem in the diodes. Their service life is shorter than that of red and green ones. After the phone burns out, color distortion occurs. The main display contains yellow tints, and the white becomes similar to beige.
- Residual pixels after burnout. Many functions in gadgets require full pixel illumination. Therefore, after burnout, it is possible to retain a residual image that was displayed at full brightness of the smartphone. These silhouettes are saved in memory and shown in all applications.
- Amoled screen structure. The display of this technology is equipped with a PenTile structure. It contains a different number of pixels of all colors. For example, new Samsung models have 2 times fewer blue diodes than other representatives. LG's display, on the other hand, is dominated by blue pixels. This structure allows you to equalize the color balance on the user’s smartphone, losing the clarity and smoothness of the picture. The degradation becomes noticeable in demanding games and virtual reality glasses.
Which display is better - IPS or Amoled
Smartphone manufacturers more often promote models with Amoled screens, forgetting about the IPS matrix. It is impossible to say unequivocally which type of display is better for a smartphone. Each of them has its own pros and cons that compensate for each other.
After studying the characteristics, the user must make a conclusion for himself: which type of display is better for a smartphone.
If he needs a bright screen and is willing to waste battery power, then Amoled technology is suitable for him. If you need to save your budget, it is recommended to purchase an IPS matrix, which also reproduces colors well, but has a weak level of contrast.
Conclusion
As a result of competition, the best smartphone screens are equipped with only two technologies: IPS and Amoled. They both deserve attention, as they were able to squeeze out such old displays as: TFT, TN, VA. They, in turn, harmed human health.
