Which smartphones have the brightest faucet colors. Android engineering menu: settings, tests and functions

Useful tips

Regardless of how a smartphone is used—whether it’s endlessly updating social network feeds, playing mobile games, or reading books—the user is constantly looking at its screen. That is why it is extremely important that the picture on the device’s display is pleasing to the eye. In this case, we are talking not only about the brightness level, but also about other important parameters. Today we will look at applications that allow you to customize them. What programs are included in this list? Let's find out.

Perhaps each of us uses a smartphone before bed, right? This could be setting an alarm or texting with a loved one. Be that as it may, contact with gadgets is extremely undesirable. The fact is that thanks to artificial light, I am sure that it is day outside and it is too early to sleep.

Can this be fixed? Yes, and you don’t have to throw away your favorite smartphone to do this. It is much easier to try the SunFilter application, which can change the temperature of the image on the display.

Another auto brightness

Quite a strange name, isn't it? Despite this, the application is unlikely to be difficult to understand. Its purpose is to increase user control over the automatic brightness level.

According to our colleagues from phonearena, the brightness range in this application is much wider than that in the function built into the smartphone. Thanks to this, you can not only extend the operating time of the device, but also make using the smartphone more comfortable in poor lighting conditions.

It's hard to underestimate the usefulness of IntelliScreen. With its help, you can prevent the display from dimming in a particular application.

In addition, the application can turn on the display every time you take the device out of your pocket. Convenient, isn't it?

The operating principle of Twilight is somewhat similar to SunFilter. The program forces the screen to adapt to the time of day, protects the user from the blue spectrum and uses a nice red filter.

In addition, the use of material design is important.

Do you correct images on your smartphone? Share your answers in the comments.

Before the mass adoption of smartphones, when buying phones, we evaluated them mainly by design and only occasionally paid attention to functionality. Times have changed: now all smartphones have approximately the same capabilities, and when looking only at the front panel, one gadget can hardly be distinguished from another. The technical characteristics of devices have come to the fore, and the most important among them for many is the screen. We will tell you what lies behind the terms TFT, TN, IPS, PLS, and help you choose a smartphone with the desired screen characteristics.

Types of matrices

Modern smartphones mainly use three matrix production technologies: two are based on liquid crystals - TN+film and IPS, and the third - AMOLED - based on organic light-emitting diodes. But before we begin, it’s worth talking about the acronym TFT, which is the source of many misconceptions. TFT (thin-film transistor) are thin-film transistors that are used to control the operation of each subpixel of modern screens. TFT technology is used in all of the above types of screens, including AMOLED, therefore, if somewhere they talk about comparing TFT and IPS, then this is a fundamentally incorrect formulation of the question.

Most TFTs use amorphous silicon, but recently polycrystalline silicon TFTs (LTPS-TFTs) have been introduced into production. The main advantages of the new technology are reduction in power consumption and transistor sizes, which allows achieving high pixel densities (more than 500 ppi). One of the first smartphones with an IPS display and LTPS-TFT matrix was OnePlus One.

OnePlus One smartphone

Now that we have dealt with TFT, let's move directly to the types of matrices. Despite the wide variety of LCD varieties, they all have the same basic operating principle: the current applied to the liquid crystal molecules sets the polarization angle of the light (it affects the brightness of the subpixel). The polarized light then passes through the filter and is colored to match the color of the corresponding subpixel. The first to appear in smartphones were the simplest and cheapest TN+film matrices, the name of which is often abbreviated to TN. They have small viewing angles (no more than 60 degrees when deviating from the vertical), and even with slight tilts the image on screens with such matrices is inverted. Other disadvantages of TN matrices include low contrast and low color accuracy. Today, such screens are used only in the cheapest smartphones, and the vast majority of new gadgets already have more advanced displays.

The most common technology in mobile gadgets now is IPS technology, sometimes referred to as SFT. IPS matrices appeared 20 years ago and since then have been produced in various modifications, the number of which is approaching two dozen. However, it is worth highlighting among them those that are the most technologically advanced and are actively used at the moment: AH-IPS from LG and PLS from Samsung, which are very similar in their properties, which was even the reason for litigation between manufacturers . Modern modifications of IPS have wide viewing angles that are close to 180 degrees, realistic color reproduction and provide the ability to create displays with high pixel density. Unfortunately, gadget manufacturers almost never report the exact type of IPS matrix, although when using a smartphone, the differences will be visible to the naked eye. Cheaper IPS matrices are characterized by fading of the image when the screen is tilted, as well as low color accuracy: the image can be either too “acidic” or, on the contrary, “faded”.

As for energy consumption, in liquid crystal displays it is mostly determined by the power of the backlight elements (in smartphones LEDs are used for these purposes), so the consumption of TN+film and IPS matrices can be considered approximately the same at the same brightness level.

Matrixes created on the basis of organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) are completely different from LCDs. In them, the light source is the subpixels themselves, which are subminiature organic light-emitting diodes. Since there is no need for external backlighting, such screens can be made thinner than LCD ones. Smartphones use a type of OLED technology - AMOLED, which uses an active TFT matrix to control subpixels. This is what allows AMOLED to display colors, whereas regular OLED panels can only be monochrome. AMOLED matrices provide the deepest blacks, since to “display” them you only need to turn off the LEDs completely. Compared to LCDs, such matrices have lower power consumption, especially when using dark themes, in which the black areas of the screen do not consume energy at all. Another characteristic feature of AMOLED is that colors are too saturated. At the dawn of their appearance, such matrices really had implausible color rendering, and although such “childhood sores” are long in the past, most smartphones with such screens still have a built-in saturation adjustment, which allows the image on AMOLED to be closer in perception to IPS screens.

Another limitation of AMOLED screens used to be the uneven lifespan of LEDs of different colors. After a couple of years of using the smartphone, this could lead to subpixel burnout and residual images of some interface elements, primarily in the notification panel. But, as in the case of color rendering, this problem is a thing of the past, and modern organic LEDs are designed for at least three years of continuous operation.

Let's summarize briefly. The highest quality and brightest images at the moment are provided by AMOLED matrices: even Apple, according to rumors, will use such displays in one of the next iPhones. But it’s worth considering that Samsung, as the main manufacturer of such panels, keeps all the latest developments for itself, and sells “last year’s” matrices to other manufacturers. Therefore, when choosing a non-Samsung smartphone, you should look towards high-quality IPS screens. But under no circumstances should you choose gadgets with TN+film displays - today this technology is already considered outdated.

The perception of the image on the screen can be influenced not only by the matrix technology, but also by the pattern of subpixels. However, with LCDs everything is quite simple: each RGB pixel in them consists of three elongated subpixels, which, depending on the modification of the technology, can be shaped like a rectangle or a “tick”.

Everything is more interesting in AMOLED screens. Since in such matrices the light sources are the subpixels themselves, and the human eye is more sensitive to pure green light than to pure red or blue, using the same pattern in AMOLED as in IPS would degrade color reproduction and make the picture unrealistic. An attempt to solve this problem was the first version of PenTile technology, which used two types of pixels: RG (red-green) and BG (blue-green), consisting of two subpixels of corresponding colors. Moreover, if the red and blue subpixels had a shape close to squares, then the green ones looked more like highly elongated rectangles. The disadvantages of this design were the “dirty” white color, jagged edges at the junction of different colors, and at low ppi - a clearly visible grid of subpixels, appearing due to too much distance between them. In addition, the resolution indicated in the characteristics of such devices was “dishonest”: if the IPS HD matrix has 2,764,800 subpixels, then the AMOLED HD matrix has only 1,843,200, which led to a difference in the clarity of IPS and AMOLED matrices visible to the naked eye. seemingly the same pixel density. The last flagship smartphone with such an AMOLED matrix was the Samsung Galaxy S III.

In the Galaxy Note II smartpad, the South Korean company made an attempt to abandon PenTile: the device’s screen had full-fledged RBG pixels, albeit with an unusual arrangement of subpixels. However, for unclear reasons, Samsung subsequently abandoned such a design - perhaps the manufacturer was faced with the problem of further increasing ppi.

In its modern screens, Samsung has returned to RG-BG pixels using a new type of pattern called Diamond PenTile. The new technology made it possible to make the white color more natural, and as for jagged edges (for example, individual red subpixels were clearly visible around a white object on a black background), this problem was solved even more simply - by increasing the ppi to such an extent that the irregularities were no longer noticeable . Diamond PenTile is used in all Samsung flagships starting with the Galaxy S4.

At the end of this section, it is worth mentioning one more pattern of AMOLED matrices - PenTile RGBW, which is obtained by adding a fourth, white, subpixel to the three main subpixels. Before the advent of Diamond PenTile, such a pattern was the only recipe for pure white color, but it never became widespread - one of the last mobile gadgets with PenTile RGBW was the Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 tablet. Now AMOLED matrices with RGBW pixels are used in TVs, since they do not require a high ppi. To be fair, we also mention that RGBW pixels can also be used in LCDs, but we are not aware of examples of the use of such matrices in smartphones.

Unlike AMOLED, high-quality IPS matrices have never experienced quality problems associated with subpixel patterns. However, Diamond PenTile technology, coupled with high pixel density, has allowed AMOLED to catch up and overtake IPS. Therefore, if you choose gadgets pickily, you should not buy a smartphone with an AMOLED screen that has a pixel density of less than 300 ppi. At a higher density, no defects will be noticeable.

Design features

The variety of displays on modern mobile gadgets does not end with imaging technologies alone. One of the first things that manufacturers took on was the air gap between the projected capacitive sensor and the display itself. This is how OGS technology was born, combining the sensor and matrix into one glass package in the form of a sandwich. This gave a significant leap in image quality: the maximum brightness and viewing angles increased, and color rendition was improved. Of course, the thickness of the entire package has also been reduced, allowing for thinner smartphones. Alas, the technology also has disadvantages: now, if you break the glass, it is almost impossible to change it separately from the display. But the quality advantages turned out to be more important, and now non-OGS screens can only be found in the cheapest devices.

Experiments with glass shapes have also become popular recently. And they started not recently, but at least in 2011: HTC Sensation had a concave glass in the center, which, according to the manufacturer, was supposed to protect the screen from scratches. But such glass reached a qualitatively new level with the advent of “2.5D screens” with glass curved at the edges, which creates the feeling of an “infinite” screen and makes the edges of smartphones smoother. Apple actively uses such glass in its gadgets, and recently they have become more and more popular.

A logical step in the same direction was the bending of not only the glass, but also the display itself, which became possible when using polymer substrates instead of glass. Here the palm, of course, belongs to Samsung with its Galaxy Note Edge smartphone, in which one of the side edges of the screen was curved.

Another method was proposed by LG, which managed to bend not only the display, but also the entire smartphone along its short side. However, the LG G Flex and its successor did not gain popularity, after which the manufacturer abandoned further production of such devices.

Also, some companies are trying to improve human interaction with the screen by working on its touch part. For example, some devices are equipped with highly sensitive sensors that allow you to operate them even with gloves, while other screens receive an inductive substrate to support styluses. The first technology is actively used by Samsung and Microsoft (formerly Nokia), and the second by Samsung, Microsoft and Apple.

The future of screens

Don’t think that modern displays in smartphones have reached the highest point of their development: technology still has room to grow. One of the most promising are quantum dot displays (QLEDs). A quantum dot is a microscopic piece of semiconductor in which quantum effects begin to play a significant role. In a simplified way, the radiation process looks like this: exposure to a weak electric current causes the electrons of quantum dots to change energy, emitting light. The frequency of the emitted light depends on the size and material of the dots, making it possible to achieve almost any color in the visible range. Scientists promise that QLED matrices will have better color rendering, contrast, higher brightness and low power consumption. Quantum dot screen technology is partially used in Sony TV screens, and LG and Philips have prototypes, but there is no talk of mass use of such displays in TVs or smartphones yet.

It is also highly likely that in the near future we will see not just curved, but also completely flexible displays in smartphones. Moreover, prototypes of such AMOLED matrices almost ready for mass production have existed for a couple of years. The limitation is the electronics of the smartphone, which cannot yet be made flexible. On the other hand, large companies can change the very concept of a smartphone by releasing something like the gadget shown in the photo below - we can only wait, because the development of technology is happening right before our eyes.

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. If you make the 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:

TN+film
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 power consumption and more compact transistor sizes, which is also reflected in 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 the two largest companies in 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

An even more modern type, which today is common, as a rule, among high-end smartphones. 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 an 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 in order to extend their service life. In addition, power consumption is significantly affected by the brightness of the colors on the screen. If a bright picture is displayed in light colors, then AMOLED consumes more energy 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. There are a whole bunch of other features that affect the final picture quality and user experience. 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 flagship Galaxy 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. Additional functions are placed here, and notifications can 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 of touch screens: 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, have better sensitivity, and 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 with 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 a large number of 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 to choose the diagonal is to 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 the largest percentage belonged to 5 inches; today solutions with 5.5 inches are capturing the market.

With resolution the situation is simpler.

Resolution reflects the number of pixels per unit area. The higher the 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 have a resolution of 2560x1440 pixels, which provides high pixel density and clear images. 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 of protective glass 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 a small screen that 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. Nevertheless, such smartphones find their user, 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.

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 feature both hi-end devices 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 largest screen on the top smartphone market, 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. In OnePlus 5T, the company decided to move away from the standard 5.5-inch screen 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 tempered glass as screen protection, but Motorola decided to use all the advantages of plastic - it will not crack if the smartphone is dropped. 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. These are mainly third-person shooters and fighting games, which are the most popular games at the moment. 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 on Twitch is gaining popularity, 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 are talking about the second screen on the back that the Meizu Pro 7 Plus is equipped with. This small AMOLED screen under the dual rear cameras 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.

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