Which Display Technology is Better for Smartphones?

When you look at a phone, the first thing that catches your eye is the display. We stare at this screen from the moment we wake up in the morning until we go to bed at night. Some people spend five to six hours a day, some even more. So, thinking about the display when buying a smartphone is not only reasonable, but also very important.

But the problem is, we hear so many display technologies in the market that our heads spin. LCD, AMOLED, Super AMOLED, IPS, OLED, Dynamic AMOLED – which one is actually better? The shopkeeper says to take AMOLED, a friend says IPS LCD is good for the eyes, and again on YouTube, we see someone praising OLED. It becomes difficult to make the right decision in this confusion. In today’s discussion, we will understand each technology in a simple way and see which one is actually suitable for whom.

LCD display

LCD or liquid crystal display is one of the early names of smartphone display technology. This technology is still used in budget phones. The main thing about LCD is that a backlight is lit from behind and the liquid crystal layer in front controls that light to create color. There are two main types of LCD – TFT and IPS. TFT is now almost obsolete, and is no longer seen except in very cheap phones. But IPS LCD is still relevant. Surprisingly, Apple has used IPS LCD up to their iPhone 11. This proves that good quality IPS LCD is not a bad thing.

The biggest strength of IPS LCD is color accuracy. IPS LCD is ideal for photographers or designers who want to see the true colors of the image. In addition, it reduces eye fatigue when studying or working for a long time. Another big advantage is that there is no screen burn-in problem. This means that even if the same image is on the screen for a long time, there is no fear of stains later. However, IPS LCD also has its limitations. Black color is not actually completely black, it looks a little gray. Because the backlight is not completely turned off. This reduces contrast, watching movies or playing games is not as immersive. Another problem is that battery consumption is high, because the backlight is always on the entire screen, even in the black parts.

AMOLED display

Now let’s come to AMOLED technology. Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode – As complicated as the name may sound, the work is very simple. Here, each pixel produces its own light. There is no need for a separate backlight. This is the only difference that makes AMOLED completely different from LCD, making Samsung the king of this technology. You must have heard of their names Super AMOLED, Dynamic AMOLED. Super AMOLED means that the touch sensor is integrated with the display layer, there is no separate layer. This makes the phone thinner, the touch response is faster and visibility in the sun increases.

The biggest advantage of AMOLED is deep black color. When it comes to showing black, the pixels are completely turned off. There is no light at all. The contrast ratio is also extraordinary – about one hundred thousand to one or more. The movie watching experience feels like a movie theater. The colors are alive, bright and vibrant. Another big advantage is Always-On Display. Even when your phone is locked, the time and notification icons can be seen, but the battery consumption is very low. Because only the necessary pixels are lit, the rest are turned off. Even using Dark Mode, the battery saving is much higher.

However, AMOLED also has some problems. First, the price is high. Whether you get AMOLED or IPS LCD for the same price is a big factor. Secondly, there is a risk of screen burn-in. Although this problem has been reduced a lot in modern AMOLED, a slight shadow of the navigation button or status bar can still be seen after prolonged use. Thirdly, the colors can sometimes seem oversaturated, although most phones now allow you to change the color mode.

LTPO AMOLED

Now a new technology is coming to the market – LTPO AMOLED. The specialty of Low Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide is the variable refresh rate. This means that the refresh rate automatically changes from one Hz to 120Hz as needed. You are watching or reading a static image. Then the refresh rate drops to one Hz. The battery consumption is minimal. Again, playing games or watching videos, the refresh rate goes to 120Hz. You get a smoother experience, and the battery also lasts longer. This is the magic of LTPO. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, iPhone 15 Pro – you will get LTPO AMOLED in these phones.

Refresh Rate

Along with display technology, refresh rate is also important. Refresh rate means how many times the screen refreshes per second. 60Hz means 60 times per second, 120Hz means 120 times. Now most phones are available with 90Hz or 120Hz. Once you use 120Hz, you will not want to go back to 60Hz. Scrolling will be as smooth as butter. Animation will be as smooth as silk. It doesn’t matter if you play games, every frame will be clear.

However, one problem with high refresh rate is that it consumes more battery. For this reason, many phones have adaptive refresh rates. If you are scrolling at 120Hz, static content at 60Hz. The phone balances it out on its own.

Brightness

In countries like Bangladesh where there is a lot of sunshine, brightness is very important. If you want to use the phone outdoors, you need high brightness. Modern AMOLED displays now provide 1000-2000 nits peak brightness. Samsung’s latest phones can go up to 2500+ nits.

Brightness

In countries like Bangladesh where there is a lot of sunshine, brightness is very important. If you want to use your phone outdoors, you need high brightness. Modern AMOLED displays now offer 1000-2000 nits peak brightness. Samsung’s latest phones can go up to 2500+ nits. IPS LCD is usually between 500-800 nits. However, even good quality IPS LCDs are not a problem to see in the sun. Apple’s IPS LCD had much better visibility in the sun than AMOLED.

So Which One Should You Get?

The answer to this question actually depends on your needs and budget. If your budget for smartphone price under 15000 taka, then you can get a good quality IPS LCD or basic AMOLED. In the mid-range, you should definitely look for AMOLED or Super AMOLED. It is better if it has a 120Hz refresh rate. If you are buying a flagship phone, then you can expect LTPO AMOLED, QHD+ resolution, high brightness – all these. If you consume a lot of media, watch movies, watch series, then feel free to get AMOLED. Deep blacks and bright colors will enhance your experience tenfold. If you are a gamer, AMOLED with a refresh rate of 120Hz or more is for you. Studying or working for long hours? IPS LCD may be a little more comfortable, or keep the Eye Comfort mode on with AMOLED.

Opinion

No solution in the world of technology is perfect for everyone. LCD has its own strengths, and AMOLED has its own advantages. The important thing is to understand your needs and decide accordingly. If possible, before buying a phone, go to the showroom and see the display yourself. Try playing different content. Take it out in the sun and see how it looks. Read reviews, watch videos. Remember, this is the display you will be looking at the most. So it is not a waste of time to think about it here.