What types of phone screens are there? Which smartphone display is better? Which is better PLS or IPS? How to choose a good screen - guide

The display is the most important component of a smartphone. Obviously, when choosing a device, the buyer is often guided by this parameter. In our review today, we will try to select the top 10 smartphones of 2017, which will present both devices hi-end class, and mid-budget models.

In our review we will present two parameters that clearly characterize the display matrix. The first is solar clarity, which measures how clearly the image is visible in bright sunlight. The bigger it is, the better. The second is color deviation, which shows how far colors are from ideal color rendering. A lower value corresponds to better color rendering. The remaining parameters speak for themselves. Let us clarify that the smartphones are located in random order.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

• Sun Clarity: 4.15
• Color deviation: 3.1
• Diagonal: 6.3 inches
• Resolution: 1440p+
• Brightness: 647
• Contrast: infinite

Firstly, this is the most big screen on the market of top smartphones, which is very comfortable to work with. The smartphone also has excellent performance in direct sunlight and color accuracy, which is typical for Super AMOLED matrices. The S Pen stylus is unique and allows you to write and sketch. Its convenience is appreciated by many users. The smartphone can also be connected to a DeX station, which allows you to work with it like a regular desktop PC, which will appeal to some travelers. Of course, you also need a monitor, but it can easily be replaced by a TV in a hotel. The Always On option is another nice feature of the smartphone: with it you can view notifications without touching the device.

Apple iPhone X

• Sun Clarity: 5.01
• Color deviation: 1.9
• Diagonal: 5.8 inches
• Resolution: 1125p+
• Brightness: 679
• Contrast: infinite

OnePlus 5T

• Sun Clarity: 4.79
• Color deviation: 2.3
• Diagonal: 6.0 inches
• Resolution: 1080p+
• Brightness: 437
• Contrast: infinite

OnePlus captivated its customers with a reasonable price and excellent specifications. With OnePlus 5T, the company decided to move away from standard screen 5.5 inches and enlarged it, stretching it at the same time: the aspect ratio is now 18:9. The smartphone has become taller, but it has not increased in width. Despite its accessibility, the screen on this device is quite good. Its visibility in the sun is better than the Galaxy Note 8 and the same as the Galaxy S8. The screen is not as bright, but the low degree of light reflection does the job. OnePlus has also added support for DCI-P3, and now the color rendering of the smartphone is comparable to that of top-end devices from Samsung. It should be noted that the smartphone has a resolution of 1080p+, but despite this, there are no problems with sharpness.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro

• Sun Clarity: 3.99
• Color deviation: 1.4
• Diagonal: 5.5 inches
• Resolution: 1080p
• Brightness: 539
• Contrast: infinite

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro has a very good screen. The smartphone is our favorite in its price range. Its Super AMOLED matrix has excellent color reproduction - one of the best among all smartphones, not just on this list. Visibility in the sun is also one of the best. The J7 Pro is a regional model, but there is an alternative: the Galaxy J7 has similar visibility in the sun and slightly worse color reproduction.

Motorola Moto Z2 Force

• Sun Clarity: 3.88
• Color deviation: 3.8
• Diagonal: 5.5 inches
• Resolution: 1440p
• Brightness: 559
• Contrast: infinite

Most smartphones use screen protectors strained glass, but Motorola decided to use all the advantages of plastic - it will not crack if you drop your smartphone. Of course, the display is more susceptible to scratches, but this can easily be solved by installing the cheapest protective film or glass. The smartphone is also protected from splashes of water. You shouldn't submerge it, but it will withstand most water incidents (Motorola is known for being conservative with its ratings).

Razer Phone

• Sun Clarity: 2.328
• Color deviation: 2.0
• Diagonal: 5.7 inches
• Resolution: 1440p
• Brightness: 300
• Contrast: 1195:1

There is a popular genre of reaction games - any game in which success or failure depends on how quickly you react. Basically, these are third-person shooters and fighting games that are this moment most popular games. Most avid gamers will tell you that a 60Hz screen doesn't suit their needs. The Razer Phone has a unique 120Hz screen (unique if you don't take into account the iPad Pro tablet). The screen also supports a wide color gamut. Streaming mobile games is gaining popularity on Twitch, so this smartphone will be useful for those who cannot imagine their life without mobile gaming and broadcasting games online.

Meizu Pro 7 Plus

• Sun Clarity: 4.15
• Color deviation: 4.2
• Diagonal: 5.7 inches
• Resolution: 1440p
• Brightness: 453
• Contrast: infinite

We want to include something strange in our list, because our hero is equipped with a second screen. We're talking about the second screen on the back that comes with Meizu Pro 7Plus. This small AMOLED screen is under double rear camera can be used to take selfies with the main camera. Many smartphones have a good selfie camera, but none of them compares in quality to the main dual 12-megapixel camera of this device. This display can also be used as a notification screen, a display for music control buttons and a step counter.

Like out of variety modern smartphones choose what's right for you? Today the bad-android team has prepared material with useful tips on the topic of display selection.

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 large quantity shortcomings.

IPS matrix

At the moment, this type of matrix is ​​the most common. Also IPS matrices sometimes abbreviated 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 strengths IPS let’s take the best subtype (and therefore the most expensive), and for the cons we’ll mean 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 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 of such strict restrictions No.

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 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.

Very interesting characteristic, which 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.

When choosing a monitor, many users are faced with the question: which is better PLS or IPS.

These two technologies have existed for quite a long time and both show themselves quite well.

If you look at various articles on the Internet, they either write that everyone must decide for themselves what is better, or they do not give an answer to the question posed at all.

Actually, these articles make no sense at all. After all, they do not help users in any way.

Therefore, we will analyze in which cases it is better to choose PLS or IPS and give advice that will help you make the right choice. Let's start with the theory.

What is IPS

It’s worth saying right away that at the moment it is the two options under consideration that are the leaders in the technology market.

And not every specialist will be able to say which technology is better and what advantages each of them has.

So, the word IPS itself stands for In-Plane-Switching (literally “in-site switching”).

This abbreviation also stands for Super Fine TFT (“super thin TFT”). TFT, in turn, stands for Thin Film Transistor.

To put it simply, TFT is a technology for displaying images on a computer, which is based on an active matrix.

Hard enough.

Nothing. Let's figure it out now!

So, in TFT technology, the molecules of liquid crystals are controlled using thin-film transistors, this means “active matrix”.

IPS is exactly the same, only the electrodes in monitors with this technology are on the same plane with liquid crystal molecules, which are parallel to the plane.

All this can be clearly seen in Figure 1. There, in fact, displays with both technologies are shown.

First there is a vertical filter, then transparent electrodes, after them liquid crystal molecules (blue sticks, they interest us most), then a horizontal filter, a color filter and the screen itself.

Rice. No. 1. TFT and IPS screen s

The only difference between these technologies is that the LC molecules in TFT are not located in parallel, but in IPS they are in parallel.

Thanks to this, they can quickly change the viewing angle (specifically, here it is 178 degrees) and give a better picture (in IPS).

And also due to this solution, the brightness and contrast of the image on the screen has significantly increased.

Now it is clear?

If not, write your questions in the comments. We will definitely answer them.

IPS technology was created in 1996. Among its advantages, it is worth noting the absence of the so-called “excitement,” that is, an incorrect reaction to touch.

It also has excellent color rendition. Quite a lot of companies produce monitors using this technology, including NEC, Dell, Chimei and even.

What is PLS

For a very long time, the manufacturer did not say anything at all about its brainchild, and many experts put forward various assumptions regarding the characteristics of PLS.

Actually, even now this technology is shrouded in a lot of secrets. But we will still find the truth!

PLS was released in 2010 as an alternative to the aforementioned IPS.

This abbreviation stands for Plane To Line Switching (that is, “switching between lines”).

Let us remember that IPS is In-Plane-Switching, that is, “switching between lines.” This refers to switching in a plane.

And above we said that in this technology, liquid crystal molecules quickly become flat and due to this, a better viewing angle and other characteristics are achieved.

So, in PLS everything happens exactly the same, but faster. Figure 2 shows all this clearly.

Rice. No. 2. PLS and IPS work

In this figure, at the top there is the screen itself, then the crystals, that is, the same liquid crystal molecules that were indicated by blue sticks in figure No. 1.

The electrode is shown below. In both cases, their location is shown on the left in the off state (when the crystals do not move), and on the right - when they are on.

The principle of operation is the same - when the crystals begin to work, they begin to move, while initially they are located parallel to each other.

But, as we see in Figure No. 2, these crystals quickly acquire the desired shape - the one that is necessary for the maximum.

Over a certain period of time, the molecules in the IPS monitor do not become perpendicular, but in the PLS they do.

That is, in both technologies everything is the same, but in PLS everything happens faster.

Hence the intermediate conclusion - PLS works faster and, in theory, this particular technology could be considered the best in our comparison.

But it is too early to draw final conclusions.

This is interesting: Samsung filed a lawsuit against LG several years ago. It claimed that the AH-IPS technology used by LG is a modification of PLS ​​technology. From this we can conclude that PLS is a type of IPS, and the developer himself admitted this. Actually, this was confirmed and we are a little higher.

Which is better PLS or IPS? How to choose good screen- management

What if I don't understand anything?

In this case, the video at the end of this article will help you. It clearly shows a cross-section of TFT and IPS monitors.

You will be able to see how it all works and understand that in PLS everything happens exactly the same, but faster than in IPS.

Now we can move on to further comparison of technologies.

Expert opinions

On some sites you can find information about an independent study of PLS ​​and IPS.

Experts compared these technologies under a microscope. It is written that in the end they did not find any differences.

Other experts write that it is still better to buy PLS, but do not really explain why.

Among all the statements of experts, there are several main points that can be observed in almost all opinions.

These points are as follows:

• Monitors with PLS matrices are the most expensive on the market. The cheapest option is TN, but such monitors are inferior in all respects to both IPS and PLS. So, most experts agree that this is very justified, because the picture is better displayed on PLS;
• Monitors with a PLS matrix are best suited for performing all kinds of design and engineering tasks. This technique will also cope perfectly with the work of professional photographers. Again, from this we can conclude that PLS does a better job of rendering colors and providing sufficient image clarity;
• According to experts, PLS monitors are virtually free from problems such as glare and flicker. They came to this conclusion during testing;
• Ophthalmologists say that PLS will be much better perceived by the eyes. Moreover, your eyes will find it much easier to look at PLS all day than IPS.

In general, from all this we again draw the same conclusion that we already made earlier. PLS is a little better than IPS. And this opinion is confirmed by most experts.

Which is better PLS or IPS? How to choose a good screen - guide

Which is better PLS or IPS? How to choose a good screen - guide

Our comparison

Now let’s move on to the final comparison, which will answer the question posed at the very beginning.

The same experts identify a number of characteristics by which different ones need to be compared.

We are talking about indicators such as light sensitivity, response speed (meaning the transition from gray to gray), quality (pixel density without losing other characteristics) and saturation.

We will use them to evaluate the two technologies.

Table 1. Comparison of IPS and PLS according to some characteristics

Other characteristics, including richness and quality, are subjective and vary from person to person.

But from the above indicators it is clear that PLS has slightly higher characteristics.

Thus, we again confirm the conclusion that this technology performs better than IPS.

Rice. No. 3. The first comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

There is a single “popular” criterion that allows you to accurately determine which is better – PLS or IPS.

This criterion is called “by eye”. In practice, this means that you just need to take and look at two adjacent monitors and visually determine where the picture is better.

Therefore, we will present several similar images, and everyone will be able to see for themselves where the image visually looks better.

Rice. No. 4. Second comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

Rice. No. 5. The third comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

Rice. No. 6. The fourth comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

Rice. No. 7. Fifth comparison of monitors with IPS (left) and PLS (right) matrices.

It is visually clear that on all PLS samples the picture looks much better, more saturated, brighter, and so on.

We mentioned above that TN is the most inexpensive technology today and monitors using it, accordingly, also cost less than others.

After them in price come IPS, and then PLS. But, as we see, all this is not at all surprising, because the picture really looks much better.

Other characteristics in this case are also higher. Many experts advise buying with PLS matrices and Full HD resolution.

Then the image will really look just great!

It is impossible to say for sure whether this combination is the best on the market today, but it is definitely one of the best.

By the way, for comparison you can see what IPS and TN look like from an acute viewing angle.

Rice. No. 8. Comparison of monitors with IPS (left) and TN (right) matrices.

It is worth saying that Samsung created two technologies at once that are used in monitors and in / and were able to significantly outperform IPS.

We are talking about Super AMOLED screens that are on mobile devices oh this company.

Interestingly, Super AMOLED resolution is usually lower than IPS, but the picture is more saturated and bright.

But in the case of PLS ​​above, almost everything that can be, including resolution.

The general conclusion can be drawn that PLS is better than IPS.

Among other things, PLS has the following advantages:

• the ability to convey a very wide range of shades (in addition to primary colors);
• ability to support the entire sRGB range;
• lower energy consumption;
• viewing angles allow several people to see the picture comfortably at once;
• all kinds of distortions are absolutely excluded.

In general, IPS monitors are perfect for solving common household tasks, for example, watching movies and working in office programs.

But if you want to see something really rich and high quality image, buy equipment with PLS.

This is especially true when you need to work with design/design programs.

Of course, their price will be higher, but it’s worth it!

Which is better PLS or IPS? How to choose a good screen - guide

What is amoled, super amoled, LCD, TFT, Tft ips? Do not you know? Look!

A few years ago, when choosing a smartphone, a rare user wondered what kind of matrix it had and what technologies were used in production. Basically, the size of the display was assessed, some wanted a large one, while others wanted a small one. Today, the matrix is ​​a powerful argument when choosing a device, so this text will talk about what smartphone screens exist and which one is better to choose.

Currently, the type of display is one of the first criteria for choosing a phone, so it makes sense to start the review with the types of smartphone screens and their differences. There are not many types, but a lot depends on what the matrix costs. Smartphone displays today are manufactured using two main technologies:

• liquid crystals (LCD), these include IPS and TN matrices;
• organic light-emitting diodes – AMOLED.

TFT matrix is ​​the basis for creating all other types of smartphone displays. TFT can be deciphered as thin-film transistor; this is a thin film of transistors that controls each individual subpixel. Its existence became the basis for the production of all of the above matrices, including AMOLED. This is especially true for TN and IPS matrices, which sometimes makes their comparison not the most correct. The difference between them is that amorphous silicon is used for TN matrices, while polycrystalline silicon is used for IPS. Its advantage is considered to be high pixel density and low energy consumption.

TN

TN matrix today considered the most inexpensive and easiest to produce. It has low viewing angles, low color accuracy, and poor contrast. Most often, this type of matrix is ​​installed in smartphones in the low-cost segment. The advantage of this type is the price, as well as low response time, which is important for playing games. Despite this, the disadvantages of TN displays outweigh the pros, so Today the technology is considered obsolete.

IPS

IPS matrices can be safely called the most common type of smartphone display. They have a wide viewing angle (can reach 180 degrees), realistic color reproduction, and high pixel density. In addition, they are quite inexpensive, which allows them to be installed in devices from the average price segment to the most expensive devices. IPS matrices have a division within the group:

• AH-IPS – created by LG;
• PLS – produced by the Samsung brand;
• Retina - Apple.

There is no particular point in comparing these matrices, since their characteristics are generally the same.

On a note! If we talk about cheap and expensive IPS matrices, the former can be distinguished by low color rendering (the picture fades at angles), as well as by fading as the device is used.

It is worth understanding that IPS matrices have many subtypes, each of which focuses on different aspects of work - energy efficiency, brightness, contrast. The most important advantage of an IPS display is natural color reproduction at the level of the matrix itself. Displays created using this technology do not require separate software settings or processor intervention in its operation. Everything is initially transferred as needed. These IPS matrices are better than AMOLED.

AMOLED

A separate segment includes matrices based on organic light-emitting diodes. This technology is called OLED; among phones, it is produced by the Samsung brand, which gave its development the name AMOLED. The difference between these matrices is low energy consumption, black depth and rich colors. Many people believe that AMOLED matrices are sometimes too saturated, so when making a smartphone, how the matrix is ​​configured is of great importance.

It may happen that the device will be too contrasty, and it will be extremely inconvenient to use. It was said above that the IPS display does not need adjustment, the same cannot be said about the AMOLED screen. Often, expensive phones have the best display in the world, but due to incorrect settings, it does not allow you to fully enjoy the image. A simple example The new 2017 iPhone X may serve. Apple bought displays from Samsung, but was unable to properly configure them to get a good image. In 2018, in the XS and XS Max models, the situation changed, the matrix remained the same, but correct setting Made the picture much better. Otherwise, AMOLED matrices can be called the best smartphone screen in 2018, and it is not surprising that the most expensive devices use these matrices as a screen.

Important! It’s worth knowing about AMOLEDs that they have a limited lifespan - about 3 years of continuous operation. Considering that the smartphone display is not always on, this is quite enough.

QLED

Separately, it is worth mentioning the technology for producing the matrix - QLED. She is currently active used in the production of televisions, but developments are underway to introduce these displays into the smartphone industry. In this case, the technology is based on quantum dots, which glow on their own. The advantage of a QLED matrix over AMOLED is better contrast, color accuracy, brightness, and lower energy consumption. In addition, they do not need to be fine-tuned like Amoled.

Bottom line

At the end of the conversation about matrix types, we can highlight the following: best matrices V given time AMOLED, followed by IPS displays, which may differ in production technology. Sometimes a high-quality IPS screen may be slightly inferior to an AMOLED display, and this will only be noticeable in specialized tests, but not during normal use of the device. TN matrices are outdated, and there is no point in dwelling on them, since for the same price you can buy a simple IPS display, which will be better in comparison.

Design features of the screen

When choosing the best display, you should pay attention to other features of its manufacture - the presence of an air gap, curved edges, lack of frames, the number of simultaneous touches, pressing force.

Some technologies created by developers find their application in production, while others fade into oblivion over time, as not promising. The so-called OGS technology belongs to the first type, and at one time it created a real sensation. For a long time, the device of a smartphone screen was a kind of sandwich, which consisted of several layers - protective glass, an air gap, and the matrix itself. The essence of OGS is that engineers have learned to remove a layer of air, and thus the matrix becomes directly part of the protective glass. That is, the picture is on the glass, and not under it.

The difference in this case is noticeable even to the naked eye - The viewing angle becomes higher, and the picture is more accurate and rich in colors. Today, types of screens without an air gap have secretly become the main ones and are used in almost every device, regardless of price.

Important! The technology has its drawback - previously, in case of glass damage, it was necessary to replace only the top layer, that is, the glass; today the entire matrix requires replacement.

A fairly new trend that Samsung introduced to smartphones is a curved display. The first phone with a curved screen was Samsung Galaxy Edge . The curved edges of the matrix not only make the device visually more interesting, but also allow functions useful for the user to be placed on these edges. Moreover, visually the picture becomes more voluminous.

Samsung is an adept of the technology, and its phones have similar matrices. However, a few years ago you could find in store windows smartphones from LG Flex series, which had a bend in the center of the device in such a way that the device fit perfectly in the hand.

On a note! Another useful feature of the development from LG is the protection of the device in case of a fall. When the phone fell face down, it hit the upper edges, but not the entire surface of the matrix, which saved it from having to be replaced.

LG's curved phones were not widely used, so the company has abandoned them today.

Another interesting trend associated with curved screens – 2.5D displays. Here it is not the matrix that is curved, but the surface of the screen in such a way that all the edges smoothly flow into each other. From the point of view of displaying information, there is no difference, but in terms of ergonomics, phones have become more comfortable, and similar glasses are found in many devices in the mid-price segment from a variety of manufacturers.

Frameless display

Another fashionable trend, but far from new in terms of its occurrence, is the absence of frames on the display. Sharp began producing similar matrices in 2014, but the world saw the first such smartphone in 2016, and it became Mi Mix from the Chinese brand Xiaomi. In fact, calling the devices frameless is not entirely correct, since there are still frames here, they just have a minimal size. IN currently There are several variations of this design - matrices extended upward, when there are no frames on the sides, devices with a bottom edge, as well as screens that have almost no frames at all, and all the elements of the front panel are placed on a small patch on top.

The latest type of smartphones appeared in 2017 with the phone from Apple - iPhone X. Models released after of this device, the majority are made with just such displays. By reducing the frames, manufacturers managed to fit a large diagonal into a relatively small body. In addition, it has become possible to increase the aspect ratio of the usable display area. If previously 16:9 screens were considered the standard, today you can increasingly see phone with 18:9, 19:9 matrix.

On a note! It is important to understand that this technology does not carry any real benefits or advantages, so there is no answer to the question of which screen is better for a smartphone; it all depends on the preferences of the owner.

Pressure force

Pressure sensing technology originally appeared Apple's iPhone 6s smartphone. Its essence is that the display understands the force of pressing the screen, and depending on this it performs one or another action. At first glance, it seems that this is not very useful or convenient, but those users who have learned to use the function note an increase in the level of comfort.

In fact 3D Touch has three options– quick press, medium and long. The sensitivity of the matrix can be adjusted in the settings. What happens when you press one or another:

• a quick tap opens an application (image, file);
• the middle one opens a preview;
• prolonged causes context menu, which offers different options for action.

For example, by quickly clicking on the mail icon, the user will immediately be taken to the application, and if he clicks on the icon, a menu will appear with different actions– write a letter, read your inbox, etc.

At present technology is actively used by Apple, although official information from the brand states that it will not be available in new devices in 2019. In addition, some Chinese brands are making attempts to use the development in their devices, but have not achieved much success in this field.

Number of touches

A fairly important parameter that many do not pay attention to is the number of simultaneous touches. It determines which tasks can be performed on the device and which cannot. Modern screen can recognize 2,3,5,10 touches. Every user uses this every day, but doesn’t even think about it.

On a note! The first phone that began to understand 2 touches was created by Apple. For him, two taps made it possible to zoom the image by swiping two fingers in different sides display. Today any phone can do this.

The second model for using the device, which requires several touches, is games. Most often the user Uses at least 2 fingers when playing to control the character and perform other actions - running, hitting, shooting, acceleration. It's rare that a modern phone doesn't understand gestures. The ability to work with them again requires support for multiple touches. Many musicians put it on their devices musical programms, where necessary press different keys at the same time, and this also requires the device to support multiple touches. The vast majority of expensive smartphones have a maximum number of touches - 10. In cheaper models, the number can be 5. A smaller number is practically never found.

Screen Cover Types

In the first generations of smartphones, and for some years after that, it was used as a display coating. thin plastic plate. It had a lot of disadvantages - it scratched quickly, broke, and had unpleasant tactile sensations. Over time, manufacturers began to work in this direction.

In many high-quality smartphones recent years You can see glass from Corning as a matrix protection, which is called Gorilla Glass. This is a scratch-resistant coating that is difficult to scratch or break. It does not distort colors, unlike the plastic layer. There are several generations, and the highest quality at the moment is the fifth, which can be found in premium phones. Previous generations are common among less expensive models.

The display glass constantly interacts with your fingers. Due to this, fingerprints appear on the screen, greasy spots and other unpleasant traces. To protect against their appearance, it was created grease-repellent layer, which is commonly called oleophobic. It not only resists fingerprints, but allows them to be easily removed. Another important point: with such coverage Sliding your finger across the screen becomes more enjoyable and easier.

Advice! Checking for the presence of an oleophobic layer is very simple - just drop a drop of water on the screen. The better the drop is preserved, that is, it does not spread, the higher the quality of the layer.

Anti-glare coating

Any smartphone owner has encountered a situation where in the summer, under direct sunlight, it is impossible to see anything on the display. There are two ways to deal with this:

• set the backlight brightness to maximum, which drains the battery faster and does not always help;
• use an anti-reflective layer.

Relatively recently, before the appearance of a special layer on matrices in the store, sellers offered to buy matte film, which has anti-glare properties. Its essence is that it scatters the sun's rays and increases visibility on the screen. The downside of such films is that color rendition is reduced, and you have to choose between losing color or getting the opportunity to get rid of glare.

Today, display manufacturers have created a similar layer that is applied directly to the screen. Its advantage is that the device does not glare in the sun, allowing you to see the image. In addition, this layer does not deteriorate like film, meaning it does not need to be replaced. But the most important difference from film - the layer does not affect the quality of color display, the screen remains bright and beautiful. The function is useful, so when choosing a smartphone, you should check with the seller whether it is on the matrix, but it’s best to find out in advance this information in reviews of the device, this is often not indicated in the technical specifications.

Selecting diagonal and resolution

Screen diagonal and resolution are important, and these two parameters always stand side by side. It can be argued that to some extent the other depends on one.

Diagonal selection

The diagonal is measured in inches. One inch equals 2.54 cm, that is, a five-inch screen equals 12.7 cm. It is correct to measure the diagonal of the screen solely along the matrix from one corner to the opposite without capturing the frame. The frame does not affect the diagonal, which is why in the description you can see the parameter - physical size, and it is measured in centimeters. Accordingly, to find out the diagonal of the screen, it is enough to measure the distance in cm from one corner to the other, and then divide this number by 2.54.

It's difficult to answer the question what is the optimal screen size. Modern smartphones offer users options from 3.5 to 7 inches. It is impossible to choose the best one here; it all depends on the preferences of the owner, as well as the model of use.

1. A buyer who does physical labor and uses a smartphone exclusively for calls will be more suitable small device, since the likelihood of damage is minimal.
2. For work and constant use of the Internet, it is more convenient to take the middle option from 5 to 5.7 inches. It is convenient for one-handed operation and fits perfectly in your pocket.
3. For those who use their device to draw, play, watch movies, read, or give presentations, a device of 5.7 inches or larger would be an excellent option. Such phones are inconvenient to carry in your pocket and operate with one hand, but the size of the display will allow you to see the smallest details in the image.

In other words, when choosing a device, you need to understand what tasks it will perform, and also try the device for ergonomics.

This is interesting! The fashion for diagonals is changing: manufacturers once sought to reduce the display, and everyone wanted to buy small device, then so-called phablets came into fashion - a transitional option from a smartphone to a tablet. Today, users want to get a phone that is small in size, but with a large matrix. This is facilitated by the emergence of new aspect ratios, as well as frameless devices.

If choosing a diagonal is quite difficult, then with resolution everything is a little simpler. The concept of permission is ratio of number of pixels per unit area. The higher this ratio, the clearer and more accurate the picture. It is worth understanding that the same resolution will look different on smartphone screens of different sizes. After all, the sheer number of pixels on a larger diagonal makes their density smaller, which means the picture becomes grainy. When selecting and comparing devices, this point must be taken into account. You can generally take the following dependence as a rule: large diagonal – high resolution.

Important! Pixel density is abbreviated as PPI. In fact, you don’t have to think about how many inches the screen is and what number of pixels it has, but compare it by density. For example, one phone has a PPI of 443, and another 403, which means that the first model will have a less grainy image.

Today there are no specific rules for phone resolution depending on the diagonal, but the most popular ones can be identified:

• 840*480 pixels – up to 4.5 inches;
• 1280*720 (HD) – from 4.5 to 5 inches;
• 1920*1080 (FHD) – from 5 inches and above.

In addition, in expensive devices with large diagonals, higher resolutions are also found, for example, QHD – 1440*2560 pixels. This is one of the highest pixel-to-area ratios, and today for an expensive smartphone, having a lower resolution is considered a disadvantage. At the same time, you should not overpay for such a resolution on a small matrix; the difference on a 5.5-inch diagonal between FHD and QHD resolutions will not be visible.

Smartphones with two screens

To conclude the topic of displays, we should recall another interesting trend that is not widespread, but is periodically encountered in smartphones. We are talking about devices with two screens.

Usually the second display is small in size and serves for output additional information, for example, notifications or control of certain functions. This is a rather unique feature that not every user needs, so smartphones with 2 screens are not very common.

The second display can be created using one of the technologies listed above - IPS or AMOLED, or it can be completely different - for example, with electronic ink technology. Initially, it was created for electronic books, since the peculiarity of the production of such matrices allows them to be optimal for reading (they do not flicker, the eyes do not get tired), and in addition, they have such minimal energy consumption that they practically do not drain the battery. An example of a phone with such a display is Russian YotaPhone, everything is here back panel is an E-ink (electronic ink) matrix. It displays notifications, displays a clock and other useful functions.

One of prominent representatives modern devices with an auxiliary display – Meizu Pro 7. The additional screen is created using AMOLED technology, its diagonal is 1.9 inches and the resolution is 240*536 pixels. Serves to display a notification, take selfies with the main camera, and also perform a limited set of functions.

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We continue the section devoted to how to choose the right smartphone that will delight the user. We have already talked about what they are, what is better, pros and cons. Today we will talk about choosing a smartphone screen. The topic is quite complex and extensive, since by now there are many technologies for the production of displays, their protection, in addition, they are presented in a variety of diagonals, with different ratios, and so on. It is the screen that often becomes a stumbling block when choosing a smartphone. It's not surprising. The display is exactly the part of the device with which we have to work more. When wrong choice there is a high probability that the screen will cause a lot of inconvenience: poor-quality picture, low brightness, poor sensitivity. But don’t worry, today we will touch on each aspect, telling you about all the intricacies of choosing a smartphone screen.

Smartphone matrix type

It’s worth starting with the type of matrix. The quality will largely depend on the choice of screen matrix type. So, today it is customary to distinguish three varieties:

1. TN+film
2. AMOLED

The first two are based on liquid crystals, the second on organic light-emitting diodes. Each type is represented by several subtypes (in the case of IPS there are more than 20 different ones), which are one way or another found in the production of panels.

Some of you are wondering: “Where is TFT?” Due to ignorance of some resources, this abbreviation is often used to designate the type of matrix, which is incorrect. The term TFT refers to thin film transistors used to organize the operation of subpixels. They are used in almost every type of matrix under consideration. Transistors also come in several varieties, one of which is LTPS (polycrystalline silicon). LTPS is a relatively new subtype, which is distinguished by lower energy consumption and more compact size transistors, which is reflected in the pixel sizes. The result: higher pixel density, higher quality and clearer picture.

TN+film

Let's return to matrices. Most of the matrices familiar to us, as already noted, are liquid crystal, that is, LCD. The principle is to polarize the light that passes through the filter, turning it into the appropriate colors. The first of the types of liquid crystal matrices is TN+film. With the spread of "film" was dropped, shortening the name to "TN". The simplest type, which is now quite outdated and is used only in the cheapest smartphones (and even then, we still need to find it). TN cannot boast of good viewing angles or contrast, and has poor color rendering.

In general, avoid TN when choosing a smartphone screen - the type is outdated.

IPS

Next comes IPS. This technology is also not young - its age has already exceeded 20 years. Meanwhile, IPS matrices are most widespread in the smartphone market. Open any online store, choose the first smartphone you come across and see my words. This type of matrix is ​​presented both in the budget segment and in the flagship segment. In addition to improved characteristics, when compared with TN, IPS have received a large number of varieties. However, you don’t need to understand everything – the smartphone market is dominated by two types: AH-IPS and PLS. Their creators are two largest companies South Korea and the whole world: LG and Samsung, respectively. What is the difference? It's practically non-existent. The two types of matrices are like twin brothers, so you can choose a smartphone with any of them without fear. Identity has even become the basis for litigation between companies.

IPS boasts wider viewing angles than TN, good color reproduction and high pixel density, which provides a gorgeous picture. But the power consumption is approximately the same - in any case, LEDs are used for illumination. Since there are quite a few types of IPS matrices, they also differ in their characteristics. This difference can be seen even by eye. Cheaper IPS may be too faded, or, on the contrary, have an oversaturated color. What makes choosing a smartphone screen more difficult is that manufacturers are often silent about the type of matrix.

Definitely, when choosing between a TN and IPS screen, preference is given to the latter.

AMOLED

Even more modern type, which today is common, as a rule, among smartphones upper class. AMOLED are represented by organic light-emitting diodes, which do not require external illumination, as is the case with IPS or TN - they glow themselves. Already at this moment one can highlight their first advantage - smaller sizes. Next – AMOLED is presented with more saturated colors. Black looks especially good, during which the LED simply goes out. AMOLED displays have higher contrast, boast wider viewing angles and lower power consumption (there are some nuances). It's just a fairy tale, isn't it? But before choosing a smartphone with AMOLED screen, you should know about its disadvantages.

The most important disadvantage is considered to be a shorter service life compared to IPS. After a certain period of time (as a rule, changes in color are observed after three years), on average after 6-10 years, the pixels begin to “burn out.” Moreover, bright colors are especially susceptible to fading, so users often use dark themes design in order to extend service life. In addition, power consumption is significantly affected by the brightness of the colors on the screen. If displayed bright picture in light colors, AMOLED consumes more power than IPS. Finally, matrices based on organic light-emitting diodes are more expensive to produce.

Be that as it may, this does not negate the technology and quality of AMOLED. Sores in the form of “burning out pixels” are gradually cured, and subtypes of matrices appear that become better. For example, Super AMOLED. This variety appeared seven years ago, bringing a lot of improvements. Power consumption has been reduced and brightness increased. In addition, the air gap between the touchscreen and the matrix has disappeared, which increased the sensitivity of the screen and also eliminated the ingress of dust.

AMOLED today is considered the most technologically advanced matrices that are actively developing. If until recently they were used mainly in Samsung smartphones, today they are chosen by a huge number of smartphone manufacturers (almost every major brand has presented a solution with an AMOLED screen.

Design features of smartphone screens

But you should not only consider the type of matrix when choosing a smartphone screen. Is there some more a whole bunch features that determine the final quality of the picture and the feeling of use. We will focus on the most important points.

Air gap

Until recently, the screens of all smartphones were represented by two components: the touch layer and the matrix itself. There was an air gap between them, the thickness of which depended directly on the manufacturer. Naturally, the thinner the layer, the better. Companies regularly reduced the air layer, making the picture quality higher and viewing angles wider. Relatively recently, it was possible to completely get rid of the air gap thanks to OGS technology. Now the sensor layer and matrix are connected together. Despite the significant improvement in quality, there is an obvious drawback. If the OGG screen is damaged, it will have to be completely replaced, while in displays with an air layer, only the glass takes the hit.

Be that as it may, more and more manufacturers are choosing OGS screens. And we advise you to give preference to this technology. Believe me, there is no need to worry about complex repairs for the feelings that you will experience when using such a display.

A relatively recent thread that Samsung brought to the market with its Galaxy flagship S6 Edge (there was also a Galaxy Note, but only one edge was bent). The South Korean manufacturer will continue to develop the idea in subsequent smartphones, but other companies did not share the idea too much. The company bends the right and left edges of the devices - the screen seems to float onto the ends. This is done not only for the sake of a spectacular appearance, but also for the convenience of the user. They are brought here additional functions, notifications may also be displayed here. A fascinating feature, but not for everyone.

Samsung was the most successful in implementing a curved display, so if you are interested in such a design, we recommend considering the solutions of the South Korean brand.

An even more recent trend is screens without frames. The progenitor is the Sharp company, which showed the first frameless smartphone back in 2014, but users were attracted by the frameless Mi Mix, shown in 2016. By the summer of 2017, a number of companies announced plans to release similar gadgets. Today the market is rapidly filling up, with the newest models costing less than $100.

To date, there are several variations of the frameless screen: elongated displays, which have reduced frames at the top and bottom; familiar displays without frames on three sides (except for the bottom). The first type includes the Samsung Galaxy S8 and a couple of smartphones from LG (G6 and ). To the second - Doogee Mix, Xiaomi Mi Mix and many others, whose ranks are constantly replenished.

Frameless smartphones look really cool, and their low cost gives everyone the opportunity to try out modern technology.

The well-known company Apple introduced a new technology at the time of release in the iPhone 6S - 3D Touch. With it, the screen began to respond not only to touches, but also to the force of pressing. Technology began to be used, as a rule, to perform some quick actions. Also, 3D Touch made it possible to work with text, draw with greater comfort (the brush reacts to the force of pressure) and so on. The function did not become something completely unusual, but it found its user. Later, a similar technology appeared 6 and was also announced in.

Type of touch screens

Not a particularly important criterion when choosing a smartphone screen, but, nevertheless, let’s dwell on it a little. There are several types touch displays: matrix (very, very rare) resistive and capacitive. Until recently, resistive screens were widespread everywhere, but today they are presented only in very rare and cheap smartphones. This type is different in that it responds to any touch: with a finger, a pen, or even control another phone. It only supports one touch and does not always work accurately. In general, an outdated type.

Capacitive screens are significantly superior to their predecessors. They already support more than one simultaneous touch, different better sensitivity, work much more accurately. However, their production is more expensive.

Whatever one may say, the vast majority of companies have abandoned resistive screens in smartphones. And this is for the better. In addition, the cost of capacitive ones is constantly decreasing, which allows manufacturers to install them in the cheapest smartphones.

Another important aspect when choosing a smartphone screen is the number of simultaneous touches. This parameter determines what operations you can perform on the display. The first smartphones equipped resistive screens, were limited to one simultaneous touch, which was not always enough. The screens of modern smartphones often support 2, 3, 5 or 10 simultaneous touches. What gives big number simultaneous touches:

• Scaling and zooming. One of the first features that appeared on the iPhone, the first smartphone to support two simultaneous touches. So, you can reduce or enlarge images by pinching or spreading your fingers on the screen.
• Gesture control. Multiple fingers make it possible to use different gestures.
• Game controls. Most modern games require the use of several fingers at the same time.

You shouldn't chase support for 10 simultaneous touches if you don't play on a smartphone. For the vast majority of users, 5 touches are enough, and even less demanding users will not experience discomfort with 2.

Significant parameters when choosing a smartphone screen go hand in hand. The display diagonal reflects its dimensions in inches.

An inch corresponds to 2.54 centimeters. For example, the screen diagonal of a 5-inch smartphone in centimeters is 12.7 centimeters. note: The diagonal is measured from corner to corner of the screen, without affecting the frame.

Which screen diagonal should I choose? You will have to answer this question yourself. The modern smartphone market offers a variety of diagonals, starting from about 3.5-4 inches, ending with almost 7 inches. There are also more compact options, but you can ignore them - working with miniature icons is not very convenient. The best way choose the diagonal - personally hold the smartphone in your hands. If you are comfortable using one hand, then the diagonal is “yours”.

It is also impossible to recommend specific numbers because each person has a different hand size and finger length. For one, 6 inches is comfortable to use, for others, even 5 inches is too much. It is also worth considering that smartphones with the same diagonal can be of different sizes in general. A simple example: a 5.5-inch is comparable to a 5-inch model with regular frames. Therefore, when choosing a smartphone screen, it is advisable to also take into account the thickness of the frames.

Be that as it may, there is a trend towards increasing screen diagonals. If in 2011 the vast majority of users were limited to 4 inches, then in 2014 largest percentage belonged to 5 inches, today the market is being captured by solutions with 5.5 inches.

With resolution the situation is simpler.

Resolution reflects the number of pixels per unit area. How higher resolution– the better the quality of the picture. Again, the same resolution looks different on two different diagonals. Here it is worth mentioning the pixel density per inch, which is denoted by the abbreviation PPI. The same rule applies here as in the case of resolution: the higher the density, the better. True, experts do not agree on the exact figure: some claim that a comfortable value starts at 350 PPI, others cite larger numbers, and still others – smaller ones. It is worth remembering that human vision is very individual: someone will not see a pixel even at 300 PPI, while another will find something to complain about even at 500 PPI.

• with a diagonal of up to 4-4.5 inches, most smartphones receive a resolution of 840x480 pixels (approximately 250 PPI);
• from 4.5 to 5 inches, HD resolution (1280x720 pixels) is a good choice (density ranges from 326 to 294 PPI)
• more than 5 inches – you should look towards FullHD (1920x1080 pixels) or even higher resolutions

The latest Samsung smartphones and a number of models from other companies receive a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, which provides high density pixels and a clear picture. The recent flagship from Sony was presented with a 4K screen resolution, which at 5.5 inches guarantees a record 801 PPI.

Screen coating

Until recently, the screens of mobile devices were covered with ordinary plastic, which quickly scratched, distorted color reproduction, and did not have a very tactile feel. It was replaced by glass, which doesn’t care about keys lying in your pocket. Nowadays there is not a single type of glass on the market that differs in strength and, accordingly, in price. 2.5D glass with curved edges has gained particular popularity today. They not only guarantee high reliability, but also give the smartphone a more stylish look.

In addition, the screens of modern smartphones have a special grease-repellent coating (oleophobic layer), which ensures good finger gliding and also prevents stains. To determine the presence of an oleophobic layer, just place a drop of water on the screen. The better the drop retains its shape (does not spread), the better the quality of the layer.

Naturally, the quality of the oleophobic layer and glass affect the cost of the smartphone. You are unlikely to find a budget model that can boast the same durable glass as the flagship solution. Today the most popular manufacturer protective glasses is Corning, whose line ends with Gorilla Glass 5.

Additional screen

If one display is not enough for you, then a number of companies offer smartphones with additional screens. They are usually small and serve to display notifications. And YotaPhone 2, known to many, offers a second E-link display that occupies the entire back side, which is convenient to read. LG's lineup includes solutions with small screen, which displays notifications. Recently, Meizu also launched a similar smartphone with an additional screen with its flagship.

The second screen is a rather unique feature that not everyone needs. However, its user similar smartphones they find, and more than one.

Conclusion

Well, it seems like we talked about all the intricacies of choosing a smartphone screen. The material turned out to be quite extensive, we hope everyone will find answers to their questions. You shouldn’t chase the most expensive screen, but saving too much is also contraindicated - we’re looking for that golden mean. Although the current mobile electronics market itself will direct you in the right direction, pointing out what is popular and in demand. Today, the risk of stumbling upon a low-quality display that will be dull when pressed is much lower; manufacturers have significantly raised the quality bar. Even third-tier companies use quite high-quality matrices in their ultra-budget smartphones. Well, all we can do is wish you good luck in your choice.

By the way, the line of articles about the criteria for the right choice does not end. We have already talked about it, check it out. Materials on choosing a processor and cameras will appear soon, so subscribe to notifications and the VKontakte group.