What is the tft tn matrix. IPS or VA - weighing all the pros and cons. Trends in recent years

Before the mass distribution of smartphones, when buying phones, we evaluated them mainly by design and only rarely 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. Came to the fore specifications devices, 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 required screen characteristics.

Matrix types

IN modern smartphones mainly three technologies are used for the production of matrices: two are based on liquid crystals - TN + film and IPS, and the third - AMOLED - on organic light-emitting diodes. But before you start, it's worth talking about the abbreviation 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 the types of screens listed above, including AMOLED, therefore, if somewhere it is said about comparing TFT and IPS, then this is fundamentally the wrong question.

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

OnePlus One Smartphone

Now that we have dealt with TFT, let's go directly to the types of matrices. Despite the wide variety of LCD types, they all have the same basic principle work: the current applied to the liquid crystal molecules sets the angle of polarization of the light (it affects the brightness of the subpixel). The polarized light is then passed through a light filter and tinted with the color of the corresponding subpixel. The simplest and cheapest TN + film matrices appeared in smartphones first, the name of which is often abbreviated to TN. They have small viewing angles (no more than 60 degrees with a deviation from the vertical), and even with small 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 have more advanced displays.

The most widespread technology in mobile gadgets 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. Nevertheless, among them it is worth highlighting 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 even was the reason for litigation between manufacturers ... Modern IPS modifications 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 matrices, although when using a smartphone, the differences will be visible to the naked eye. The cheaper IPS-matrices are characterized by fading of the picture 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 power consumption, in liquid crystal displays it is mostly determined by the power of the backlighting elements (smartphones use LEDs for these purposes), so the consumption of TN + film and IPS matrices can be considered approximately the same with the same brightness level.

Matrices based on organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) are completely different from LCDs. In them, the light source is the subpixels themselves, which are ultra-miniature organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs). Since there is no need for external illumination, such screens can be made thinner than LCD. Smartphones use a kind of OLED technology - AMOLED, which uses an active TFT matrix to drive subpixels. This is what allows AMOLED to display colors, whereas conventional OLED panels can only be monochrome. AMOLED-matrices provide the deepest blacks, since it is only necessary to completely turn off the LEDs to "display" it. Compared to LCD, such matrices have lower power consumption, especially when using dark themes, in which the black areas of the screen do not consume power at all. Another characteristic feature of AMOLED is too saturated colors. At the dawn of their appearance, such matrices really had an incredible color reproduction, and, although such "childhood sores" are long in the past, still most smartphones with such screens have a built-in saturation setting, which allows the image on AMOLED to be closer to IPS-screens in perception.

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 burnout of subpixels and an afterimage of some interface elements, primarily in the notification panel. But, as is the case with color reproduction, this problem is a thing of the past long ago, and modern organic LEDs are designed for at least three years of continuous operation.

Let's summarize. The best quality and brightest image at the moment is provided by AMOLED matrices: even Apple, according to rumors, will use such displays in one of the next iPhones. But it should be borne in mind that Samsung, as the main manufacturer of such panels, keeps all the latest developments for itself, and sells "last year" matrices to other manufacturers. Therefore, when choosing a smartphone not from Samsung, you should look towards high-quality IPS-screens. But gadgets with TN + film displays are by no means worth choosing - 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 subpixel pattern. However, with LCD everything is quite simple: in them, each RGB-pixel consists of three elongated subpixels, which, depending on the technology modification, can have the shape of a rectangle or a "checkmark".

Things get 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, the use of the same pattern in AMOLED as in IPS would degrade color rendering and make the picture unrealistic. An attempt to solve this problem was the first version of PenTile technology, in which two types of pixels were used: RG (red-green) and BG (blue-green), consisting of two subpixels of the corresponding colors. Moreover, if the red and blue subpixels had a shape close to squares, then the green ones were more reminiscent of strongly elongated rectangles. The disadvantages of this pattern were the "dirty" white color, jagged edges at the junction different colors, and at low ppi - a clearly visible grid of subpixel matting, which appears due to too large a 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 with, seemingly the same pixel density. The last flagship smartphone with such AMOLED matricesshe became Samsung Galaxy S III.

In smartpad Galaxy Note II, the South Korean company made an attempt to abandon PenTile: the device's screen had full RBG pixels, albeit with an unusual arrangement of subpixels. Nevertheless, for unclear reasons, in the future Samsung refused such a pattern - perhaps the manufacturer faced the problem of further increasing the ppi.

In their modern screens Samsung reverted to RG-BG pixels using a new type of pattern called the Diamond PenTile. New technology allowed to make the white color more natural, and as for the jagged edges (for example, individual red subpixels were clearly visible around a white object on a black background), this problem was solved even easier - 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 picture of AMOLED matrices - PenTile RGBW, which is obtained by adding a fourth, white, to the three main subpixels. Before the advent of Diamond PenTile, such a pattern was the only recipe for pure white, but it never became widespread - one of the last mobile gadgets with PenTile RGBW was galaxy tablet Note 10.1 2014. AMOLED matrices with RGBW pixels are now used in TVs, since they do not require a high ppi. For the sake of fairness, we also mention that RGBW pixels can be used in LCDs, but we are not aware of examples of using such matrices in smartphones.

Unlike AMOLED, high-quality IPS matrices have never experienced quality problems associated with the subpixel pattern. However, the Diamond PenTile technology, together with its high pixel density, has allowed AMOLED to catch up and overtake IPS. Therefore, if you are picky about gadgets, you should not buy a smartphone with an AMOLED screen, which has a pixel density of less than 300 ppi. At higher densities, no defects will be visible.

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 the OGS technology appeared, combining the sensor and the matrix into one glass bag in the form of a sandwich. This gave a significant leap in image quality: the maximum brightness and viewing angles were increased, and the color reproduction was improved. Of course, the thickness of the entire package has also been reduced, allowing for more thin smartphones... Alas, the technology also has drawbacks: now, if you broke the glass, changing it separately from the display is almost impossible. But the advantages in quality still turned out to be more important and now non-OGS screens can be found only in the cheapest devices.

Popular in recent times steel and experiments with the shape of glass. And they began not recently, but at least in 2011: HTC Sensation had a glass concave in the center, which, according to the manufacturer, was supposed to protect the screen from scratches. But qualitatively new level Such glasses came out with the advent of "2.5D screens" with curved glass at the edges, which creates the feeling of an "endless" screen and makes the edges of smartphones smoother. Such glasses are actively used by Apple in their gadgets, and lately they are becoming more and more popular.

A logical step in the same direction was the bending of not only 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 faces of the screen was curved.

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

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

The future of screens

Do not think that modern displays in smartphones have reached the highest point of their development: technologies still have room to grow. One of the most promising are quantum dot displays (QLED). A quantum dot is a microscopic piece of a semiconductor in which quantum effects begin to play a significant role. Simplified, the radiation process looks like this: the effect of weak electric current causes the electrons of the quantum dots to change energy, while emitting light. The frequency of the emitted light depends on the size and material of the dots, so that almost any color in the visible range can be achieved. Scientists promise that QLED matrices will have better color reproduction, contrast, higher brightness and lower power consumption. Partially the technology of screens on quantum dots is used in screens sony TVs, and prototypes are available from LG and Philips, but there is no talk of the mass use of such displays in TVs or smartphones.

It is highly likely that in the near future we will see in smartphones not only curved, but also completely flexible displays. Moreover, prototypes of such AMOLED matrices that are almost ready for mass production have existed for a couple of years. The limitation is the smartphone electronics, 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 just have to wait, because the development of technology is happening right before our eyes.

In-Plane Switching (also Super Fine TFT) is a technology for manufacturing liquid crystal displays.

IPS or SFT (Super Fine TFT) technology was developed by Hitachi and NEC in 1996 as an alternative to TN (Twisted Nematic) technology.

These companies use these two different names for the same technology - NEC uses "SFT" and Hitachi uses "IPS". The technology was intended to get rid of the shortcomings of TN + film. Although IPS was able to increase the viewing angle to 178 °, as well as high contrast and color reproduction, the response time remained low. TN-matrix generally has better response than IPS, but not always. So, when transitioning from gray to gray, the IPS matrix behaves better.

This matrix is \u200b\u200balso pressure-resistant. Touching a TN or VA matrix results in "excitement" or a certain reaction on the screen. The IPS matrix has no such effect.

In addition, ophthalmologists confirm that the IPS matrix is \u200b\u200bmore comfortable for the eyes.

Thus, the IPS-matrix gives a bright and clear picture regardless of viewing angles, optimal for working on the Internet, watching movies. But the most important thing is for image processing and photo viewing.

IN currently IPS matrices - the only LCD monitors to deliver full depth rGB colors - 24 bits, 8 bits per channel.

Previously, IPS technology was used exclusively for professional monitors, since the most adequate of all technologies for the production of LCD panels allows you to reproduce the color gamut. However, LG has taken a revolutionary step in bringing it to the mass market.

As of 2012, many monitors on IPS matrices (e-IPS produced by LG Displays) with 6 bits per channel have already been released. Older TN matrices have 6-bits per channel, just like the MVA part.

IPS has now been superseded by H-IPS technology, which inherits all the advantages of IPS technology while simultaneously improving response time and increasing contrast. Chromaticity best H-IPS panels are not inferior to conventional CRT monitors. H-IPS and the cheaper e-IPS are actively used in panels from 20 ". LG Display, Dell, NEC, Samsung, Chimei remain the only panel manufacturers using this technology.

Types of IPS matrices

IPS (Super TFT)... This is the basic level of technology. The advantage is wide viewing angles. Most panels also support realistic color reproduction (8-bit per channel).

S-IPS (Super-IPS)... This type of matrix inherits all the advantages of IPS technology while reducing response time.

AS-IPS (Advanced Super-IPS) - developed by Hitachi Corporation. The improvements were mainly related to the contrast level of conventional S-IPS panels, bringing it closer to that of S-PVA panels. In this type of matrix, it is mainly the contrast with the expanded colors traditional S-IPS panels to a level where they are second only to some S-PVA.

H-IPS (Horizontal IPS)... An even greater contrast ratio and a visually more uniform screen surface are achieved.

H-IPS A-TW (Horizontal IPS with Advanced True Wide Polarizer) - developed by LG Display for NEC Corporation. It is an H-IPS panel with a TW (True White) color filter for making the white color more realistic and increasing viewing angles without image distortion (eliminates the effect of the LCD panels glowing at an angle - the so-called "glouage") ... Advanced True Wide Polarizer technology is based on NEC polarizing film to achieve wider viewing angles and eliminate glare when viewed from an angle. This type of panel is used to create high quality professional monitors.

IPS-Pro (IPS-Provectus)... IPS Alpha panel technology with a wider color gamut and contrast comparable to that of PVA and ASV displays without cornering.

AFFS (Advanced Fringe Field Switching, unofficial name - S-IPS Pro)... The increased power of the electric field made it possible to achieve even greater viewing angles and brightness, as well as to reduce the inter-pixel distance. AFFS-based displays are mainly used in tablet PCs based on matrices manufactured by Hitachi Displays.

e-IPS (Enhanced IPS) uses cheaper backlight lamps in production, with lower power consumption. Improved diagonal viewing angle, response time reduced to 5ms.

P-IPS (Professional IPS) provides 1.07 billion colors (30-bit color depth). More possible orientations for the subpixel (1024 versus 256) and better true color depth.

AH-IPS (Advanced High Performance IPS)... Improved color reproduction, increased resolution and PPI, increased brightness and reduced power consumption.

PLS technology

PLS Matrix (Plane-to-Line Switching)was developed by Samsung as an alternative to IPS and was first demonstrated in December 2010.
Advantages:

higher pixel density compared to IPS (and similar to * VA / TN);
high brightness and good color rendering;
large viewing angles;
full coverage of the sRGB range;
low power consumption comparable to TN.

Disadvantages:

response time (5–10 ms) comparable to S-IPS, better than * VA, but worse than TN;

PLS and IPS

Samsung did not provide a description of the PLS technology. Comparative microscopic examinations of the IPS and PLS matrices made by independent observers did not reveal any differences. The fact that PLS is a kind of IPS was implicitly acknowledged by Samsung itself in its lawsuit against LG: the lawsuit alleged that the AH-IPS technology used by LG is a modification of PLS \u200b\u200btechnology.

In-Plane Switching (also Super Fine TFT) is a technology for manufacturing liquid crystal displays.

IPS or SFT (Super Fine TFT) technology was developed by Hitachi and NEC in 1996 as an alternative to TN (Twisted Nematic) technology.

This matrix is \u200b\u200balso pressure-resistant. Touching a TN or VA matrix results in "excitement" or a certain reaction on the screen. The IPS matrix has no such effect.

In addition, ophthalmologists confirm that the IPS matrix is \u200b\u200bmore comfortable for the eyes.

At the moment, matrices made using IPS technology are the only LCD monitors that transmit the full RGB color depth - 24 bits, 8 bits per channel.

As of 2012, many monitors on IPS matrices (e-IPS produced by LG Displays) with 6 bits per channel have already been released. Older TN matrices have 6-bits per channel, just like the MVA part.

IPS has now been superseded by H-IPS technology, which inherits all the advantages of IPS technology while simultaneously improving response time and increasing contrast. The color of the best H-IPS panels is not inferior to conventional CRT monitors. H-IPS and cheaper e-IPS are actively used in panels starting from 20 ". LG Display, Dell, NEC, Samsung, Chimei remain the only panel manufacturers using this technology.

Types of IPS matrices

IPS (Super TFT)... This is the basic level of technology. The advantage is wide viewing angles. Most panels also support realistic color reproduction (8-bit per channel).

S-IPS (Super-IPS)... This type of matrix inherits all the advantages of IPS technology while reducing response time.

AS-IPS (Advanced Super-IPS) - developed by Hitachi Corporation. The improvements were mainly related to the contrast level of conventional S-IPS panels, bringing it closer to that of S-PVA panels. This type of matrix improves mainly the contrast with the extended color gamut of traditional S-IPS panels to a level at which they have become second after some S-PVA panels.

H-IPS (Horizontal IPS)... An even greater contrast ratio and a visually more uniform screen surface are achieved.

IPS-Pro (IPS-Provectus)... IPS Alpha panel technology with a wider color gamut and contrast comparable to that of PVA and ASV displays without cornering.

e-IPS (Enhanced IPS) uses cheaper backlight lamps in production, with lower power consumption. Improved diagonal viewing angle, response time reduced to 5ms.

P-IPS (Professional IPS) provides 1.07 billion colors (30-bit color depth). More possible orientations for the subpixel (1024 versus 256) and better true color depth.

AH-IPS (Advanced High Performance IPS)... Improved color reproduction, increased resolution and PPI, increased brightness and reduced power consumption.

PLS technology

PLS Matrix (Plane-to-Line Switching)was developed by Samsung as an alternative to IPS and was first demonstrated in December 2010.
Advantages:

higher pixel density compared to IPS (and similar to * VA / TN);
high brightness and good color rendering;
large viewing angles;
full coverage of the sRGB range;
low power consumption comparable to TN.

Disadvantages:

response time (5-10 ms) comparable to S-IPS, better than * VA, but worse than TN;

PLS and IPS

TN(twisted —nematic )— matrices - a kind of production technology LCDpanels, mainly budgetary... Some manufacturers refer to them as TN + film, though all modern matrices are TN + film, just no designation.

Is the most cheap to manufacture (and most old) and has the most low price... It has no sub-pixels and the crystal structure is very simple.

The crystal structure is of a spiral type. In the absence of voltage on the electrodes, the crystals line up helicalbut not clearly structured and pass the light through light filters (white). When the maximum voltage is applied to the electrodes, the crystals line up perpendicular light filters, the pixel does not transmit light (black). Crystals act as conductors of a beam of light. The "broken" pixel is characteristically white, and the subpixels are red, blue, green.

Achieve precise crystal positioning on TNmatrix impossible, each pixel is unique in its own way. Naturally, they are not suitable for accurate professional monitors due to possible differences in the tones of each pixel.

It is also worth noting the very “ weak» viewing angles due to the peculiarities of the filter, which is located mainly horizontally... Horizontal angles are acceptable, but vertical angles are much worse. Additional film in technology TN + film, partially solved this problem by widening the viewing angles and "bulging" the color flow outward. But viewing angles does not matter weak comparedwith others LCDmatrices. Subpixels across the entire matrix identical in structure, but each has one of three colors. This is achieved by applying a special layer of red, green or of blue color... This is practically the last layer on the matrix, then there are only additional polarization layers and protective film matrices.

The main advantage of TNmatrices is an high response speed BtW... Such matrices are often called “ gaming". But here you have to sacrifice something.

In this case, color accuracy with each increase in the speed of the matrix, it decreases slightly, as does the contrast of the matrix. After all for fast switching matrices from position ON into position OFF, had to sacrifice the number of possible intermediate values. They were not stable when using two electrodes directed at an angle of 210 degrees to each other ( Super twisted nematic ).

Twisted nematic, differs from matrices in the location of the electrodes, crystal positioning methods and polarization layers. In another, matrices are similar in structure. " LCD still is LCD". Only the common components are similar, but their implementation is very different. And the accuracy of shading is also radically different.

Technology pros TN versusVA, IPS:

· High speed response BtW.
· Low price.
· Cheapness in production.
· Ability to use any type of backlight (or).

Cons of technology TN versusVA, IPS:

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

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

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

Actually, there is no point in these articles 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 those tips that will help you do right choice... Let's start with theory.

What is IPS

It should be said 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 "intra-site switching").

And also this abbreviation stands for Super Fine TFT ("super thin TFT"). TFT, in turn, stands for Thin Film Transistor ("Thin Film Transistor").

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

Hard enough.

Nothing. Let's figure it out now!

So, in TFT technology, the control of liquid crystal molecules in occurs with the help of thin-film transistors, which means "active matrix".

IPS is exactly the same, only the electrodes in monitors with this technology are on the same plane with the 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, we are most interested in them), then a horizontal filter, a color filter and the screen itself.

Figure: # 1. TFT and IPS screens

The difference between these technologies lies only in the fact that the LCD molecules in the TFT are located not in parallel, but in the IPS - 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 picture on the screen have 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, the wrong reaction to touch.

It also has excellent color reproduction. 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 his brainchild, and many experts put forward various assumptions regarding the characteristics of the PLS.

Actually, even now this technology is covered with 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").

Recall that IPS is In-Plane-Switching, that is, "switching between lines". This refers to switching in the 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 the same way, but faster. Figure 2 shows all this clearly.

Figure: # 2. PLS and IPS work

In this figure, at the top is the screen itself, then crystals, that is, the same LCD molecules that in figure 1 were indicated by blue sticks.

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

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

But, as we see in Figure 2, these crystals quickly acquire the desired shape - the one that is necessary for the maximum.

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

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.

Interesting: Samsung filed a lawsuit against LG a few years ago. It argued that the AH-IPS technology used by LG is a modification of the PLS technology. From this we can conclude that PLS is a kind of IPS and the developer himself recognized this. Actually, this was confirmed and we are a little higher.

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

What if I don't understand anything?

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

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

Now we can proceed to further comparison of technologies.

Expert opinions

On some sites you can find information about an independent study by 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 better to buy PLS, but they do not really explain why.

Among all the experts' statements, several main points can be distinguished that can be observed in almost all opinions.

These moments 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 characteristics to both IPS and PLS. So, most experts agree that this is very justified, because the picture is better displayed on PLS;
PLS monitors are best suited for all kinds of design and engineering tasks. And also this technique will perfectly cope with the work of professional photographers. Again, it can be inferred from this that the 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 flickering. They came to this conclusion during the tests;
Ophthalmologists say the PLS will be much better perceived by the eyes. Moreover, it will be much easier for the eyes to look at PLS all day than at IPS.

In general, from all this, we again draw the conclusion that we have already drawn earlier. PLS is slightly better than IPS. And this opinion is confirmed by the majority of experts.

Which is better PLS or IPS? How to Pick a Good Screen - Guide

Our comparison

And now let's move on to the final comparison, which will give an answer to 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 such indicators 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 two technologies.

Table 1. IPS comparison and pls for some characteristics

Other characteristics, including saturation and quality, are subjective and depend on each individual.

But even from the above indicators, it can be seen that PLS has slightly higher characteristics.

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

Figure: No. 3. First comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

There is a single "popular" criterion, which 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 give several similar images, and everyone will be able to see for himself where the image visually looks better.

Figure: No. 4. The second comparison of monitors with IPS and PLS matrices.

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

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

Figure: No. 7. The fifth comparison of monitors with IPS (left) and PLS (right) matrices.

You can visually see that on all PLS samples the picture looks much better, richer, brighter, and so on.

We mentioned above that TN is the most inexpensive technology today and monitors using it, respectively, are also cheaper than others.

After them, the price is followed by IPS, and then PLS. But, as you can see, all this is not at all surprising, because the picture really looks much better.

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

Then the image will really look just fine!

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

By the way, for comparison, you can see how IPS and TN look at a sharp viewing angle.

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

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

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

Interestingly, Super AMOLED resolution is usually lower than IPS, but the picture is richer and brighter.

But in the case of PLS \u200b\u200babove, practically everything that can be, including the resolution.

The general conclusion is that PLS is better than IPS.

Among other things, PLS has the following advantages:

the ability to transmit a very wide range of shades (in addition to primary colors);
the ability to support the entire range of sRGB;
lower energy consumption;
viewing angles allow several people to comfortably see the picture 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 a really rich and high-quality image, buy equipment with PLS.

This is especially true in cases where you will need to work with and design / engineering programs.

Their price, of course, will be higher, but it's worth it!