LCD, TFT, IPS, AMOLED, P-OLED, QLED - the list of technologies used to manufacture smartphone matrices is constantly growing. And getting lost in these wilds is easy even for a geek, not to mention a simple user. Today we in plain language Let's explain what is the difference between them, as well as what advantages and disadvantages each of them has.

There are two basic technologies on the basis of which most displays of modern smartphones are created. These are LCD and OLED. All other types and names are just their derivatives. It remains for us to figure out which ones belong to the first type, and which ones to the second.

LCD

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) - liquid crystal screens that have become ubiquitous: they are used in TVs, monitors, smartphones, etc. Liquid crystals, which underlie the technology, have two important properties: fluidity and anisotropy.

Anisotropy is the ability of a crystal to change its properties depending on its location in space.

In screens, this feature is used to control light transmission. With the help of transistors, a current is supplied to the LCD matrix, which changes the orientation of the crystals. Then light falls on them, passing through several filters, and as a result, a pixel appears on the screen. desired color. Note that all LCD screens require a backlight source: external (for example, Sun rays) or built-in (e.g. LEDs).

LCD-matrices of smartphones include: TN, IPS, PLS, as well as their numerous modifications. This also includes VA/MVA/PVA technology, which is not widely used. However, before we move on to the types of matrices, it is necessary to understand the abbreviation TFT, which occurs both separately and in various combinations, for example, TFT LCD or TFT IPS.

TFT(thin-film transistor) is a type of LCD display that uses an active matrix to control liquid crystals: its design includes thin-film transistors. It should be said right away that absolutely all modern gadgets with LCD, as well as AMOLED displays, have an active matrix: the passive one is practically not used.

That is, if we are talking about IPS, TN or VA / MVA / PVA, then we mean that they all refer to TFT LCD displays.

TN+film

TN + film (Twisted Nematic + film) is one of the very first matrix manufacturing technologies. It got its name for the characteristic arrangement of crystals that twist into a spiral. Most often, such matrices are simply called TN.

Advantages:

  • short response time - 16 ms (at the dawn of technology, this was a record figure among all types of matrices);
  • low production cost.

Flaws:

  • small viewing angles;
  • low level of contrast;
  • low color rendering.

IPS

IPS (in-plane switching)- in such screens, when receiving an electrical impulse, the crystals do not twist into a spiral, but rotate perpendicular to their initial position. This feature allowed to increase the viewing angle almost to the maximum - 178 degrees. Thus, IPS displays have replaced TN, but they also have their drawbacks.

Advantages:

  • maximum viewing angles - up to 178 degrees;
  • natural color reproduction, including near-perfect black;
  • high level of contrast.

Flaws:

  • high cost compared to TN;
  • response time (in early IPS displays) was faster than TN.

Samsung's proprietary development, which is an improved version of IPS designed for the mass market, but for a number of reasons unsuitable for professional devices.

Advantages:

  • high pixel density;
  • wide viewing angle up to 178 degrees;
  • low response time;
  • low power consumption;
  • high contrast;
  • lower production cost (15% lower compared to IPS matrices).

Most of the shortcomings of IPS technology have now been eliminated. In the screenshots below, you can see the evolutionary path that she managed to go through.

Development of NEC's "super fine TFT" technology

Development of IPS technology by Hitachi

Development of IPS technology by LG

OLED

In OLED matrices (Organic light-emitting diode), instead of liquid crystals, organic light-emitting diodes are used, which do not require backlighting. When applying for them electrical impulses they start to glow.

In turn, OLED, according to the method of controlling diodes, is divided into PMOLED (Passive Matrix) and AMOLED (Active Matrix), and the former is practically not used in new smartphones.

AMOLED uses the aforementioned thin film resistors (TFT technology) to drive the diodes.

A variety of AMOLED matrices are SUPER AMOLED (Samsung's marketing "chip") - in such screens there is no air gap between the touch screen layer and the matrix. In the case of IPS matrices, this “airless” technology is called OGS (One Glass Solution). Although it is rather design feature and it is impossible to single out SUPER AMOLED matrices as a separate type.

Another subspecies of AMOLED is P-OLED matrices. They are distinguished by the presence of a plastic screen substrate (glass is used in AMOLED). Thanks to this, manufacturers have the opportunity to create curved screens.

Advantages:

  • smaller dimensions and weight compared to LCD displays;
  • low power consumption;
  • do not require backlighting;
  • high contrast;
  • instant response;
  • the ability to change the form factor of screens (flexible displays);
  • large viewing angles close to the maximum (180 degrees);
  • a wide range of operating temperatures (from -40 degrees to +70).

Flaws:

  • short service life compared to LCD displays;
  • high price;
  • sensitivity to moisture.

However, as technology advances, the cons of OLED displays are gradually disappearing.

The "unique" Retina and Super Retina displays that the iPhone is equipped with have nothing to do with the matrix production technology. This is just a marketing ploy of the company. In fact, Apple smartphones use the same IPS and OLED matrices.

Conclusion

At the moment, the difference (color reproduction, contrast, viewing angles, energy efficiency, etc.) between LCD and OLED screens is rapidly decreasing. However, the following trend is emerging: LCD screens are gradually becoming obsolete and inferior to OLED displays. And those, in turn, evolve into QLED displays. So far, these technologies are expensive to manufacture and are in their infancy, but it is possible that in the near future all electronics will be equipped with just such screens.

By 2018, the rivalry between screen technologies was reduced to the fact that there were only two worthy options left on the market. TN matrices were pushed out, VA was not used in mobile devices, and something new has not yet been invented. Therefore, competition has unfolded between IPS and AMOLED. Here it is worth recalling that IPS, LCD LTPS, PLS, SFT are the same as OLED, Super AMOLED, P-OLED, etc. are just varieties of LED technology.

A lot has already been said on the topic of which is better, IPS or AMOLED. But technology does not stand still, so in 2018 it will not be superfluous to make adjustments and analyze it taking into account today's realities. After all, both types of matrices are constantly being improved, some shortcomings are being eliminated, or these disadvantages are becoming less significant.

What is better for a smartphone, IPS or AMOLED, now let's try to find out. To do this, we will weigh all the pros and cons of each of the technologies in order to identify the absolute leader by the preponderance of strengths or, taking into account the specifics, decide what is best in specific conditions.

Pros and cons of IPS displays

The development and improvement of IPS displays has been going on for two decades, and during this time the technology has managed to acquire a number of advantages.

IPS matrix layers

Benefits of IPS panels

IPS matrices are the best among all types of LCD panels due to a number of advantages:

  • Availability. Over the years of development, many companies have massively mastered the technology, making the mass production of IPS screens inexpensive. The cost of a screen for a smartphone with FullHD resolution now starts at around $10. Due to the low price, such screens make smartphones more affordable.
  • Color rendition. A well-calibrated IPS screen renders colors with maximum fidelity. That is why professional monitors for designers, graphic artists, photographers, etc. are produced on IPS matrices. They have the largest coverage of shades, which allows you to get realistic colors of objects on the screen.
  • Fixed power consumption. Liquid crystals that form an image on an IPS screen consume almost no current, the backlight diodes are the main consumer. Therefore, the power consumption does not depend on the image on the display and is determined by the backlight level. Thanks to a fixed power consumption, IPS screens provide approximately the same autonomy when watching movies, surfing the web, writing, etc.
  • Durability. Liquid crystals are almost not subject to the process of aging and wear, therefore, in terms of reliability, IPS is better than AMOLED. Backlight LEDs can degrade, but the service life of such LEDs is very long (tens of thousands of hours), so even in 5 years the screen almost does not lose brightness.

Disadvantages of IPS matrices

Despite significant advantages, IPS also has disadvantages. These shortcomings are fundamental, therefore, by improving the technology, they are not eliminated.

  • Black purity problem. Liquid crystals that display black do not block light from the backlight 100%. But since the backlight of the IPS screen is common to the entire matrix, its brightness does not decrease, the panel remains illuminated, as a result, the black color is not very deep.

In the dark, you can see that black reflects gray.
  • Low contrast. The contrast level of LCD matrices (about 1:1000) is acceptable for comfortable image perception, but AMOLED is better than IPS in this indicator. Due to the fact that blacks are not very deep, the difference between the brightest and darkest pixel in such screens is noticeably smaller than in LED matrices.
  • Great response time. The pixel response speed of IPS panels is low, on the order of ten milliseconds. This is enough for normal image perception when reading or watching a video, but not enough for VR content and other demanding tasks.

Pros and cons of AMOLED displays

OLED technology is based on the use of an array of miniature LEDs located on a matrix. They are independent, so they offer a number of advantages over IPS, but are not without disadvantages.


AMOLED matrix layers

Advantages of AMOLED matrices

AMOLED technology is newer than IPS, and its creators have taken care to eliminate the disadvantages that are characteristic of LCD displays.

  • Separate glow of pixels. In AMOLED screens, each pixel itself is a light source and is controlled by the system independently of the others. When displaying black, it does not glow, and when showing mixed shades, it can produce increased brightness. Due to this, AMOLED screens show better contrast and black depth.

Black pixels do not glow at all
  • Almost instant reaction. The pixel response speed on the LED matrix is ​​orders of magnitude higher than that of IPS. Such panels are able to display a dynamic picture with a high frame rate, making it smoother. This feature is a plus in games and when interacting with VR.
  • Reduced power consumption when displaying dark tones. Each pixel of the AMOLED matrix glows independently. The lighter its color, the brighter the pixel, so when displaying dark tones, such screens consume less energy than IPS. But in the process of displaying white AMOLED panels show a similar, or even greater than that of IPS, battery consumption.
  • Small thickness. Since AMOLED matrices do not have a layer that scatters light from the backlight onto liquid crystals, such displays have a smaller thickness. This allows you to reduce the size of the smartphone, while maintaining its reliability and without sacrificing battery capacity. In addition, in the future, it is possible to create flexible (and not just curved) AMOLED matrices. For IPS, this is not possible.

Disadvantages of AMOLED matrices

AMOLED matrices also have disadvantages, and the culprit of most troubles is one. These are blue LEDs. Mastering their production is more difficult, and they are inferior in quality to green and red ones.

  • Blue or PWM. Choosing a smartphone with an AMOLED screen, you have to choose between pulse-width brightness control and blue light tones. All due to the fact that with a continuous glow, blue subpixels are perceived more strongly than red and green ones. You can fix this by using PWM dimming, but then another drawback pops up. At maximum screen brightness, there is no PWM or the adjustment frequency reaches about 250 Hz. This indicator is on the border of perception and almost does not affect the eyes. But with a decrease in the backlight level, the PWM frequency also decreases, as a result, at low flicker levels with a frequency of about 60 Hz, it can lead to eye fatigue.

  • Blue burnout. There is also a problem in the blue diodes. Their service life is shorter than green and red ones, so color distortion is possible over time. The screen goes yellow, the white balance shifts towards warm tones, and the overall color reproduction deteriorates.

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