It's easy to see that AMOLED phones are more expensive than their IPS counterparts. What is the reason for the higher cost? Can an AMOLED display be immediately distinguished from other types of screens? Why are such LCD panels rarely found outside of South Korean Samsung's products? The answers to all these questions are in this material.
AMOLED stands for Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode. This means that this matrix is \u200b\u200bbuilt on the basis of organic light-emitting diodes, while it is active. Each pixel here glows independently, so a separate backlit layer is not required - this reduces panel thickness and also reduces power consumption.
Almost any AMOLED screen has the following structure:
- Upper layer - cathode;
- Below is the organic layer with LEDs - there is no air gap;
- Placed even lower TFT arraydealing with diode control;
- Followed by anode layer;
- It all lies on a backing made of silicone, metal or some other material.
AMOLED screen structure
The order of the LED subpixels in AMOLED displays can be different. Samsung has long used PenTile - a checkerboard pattern (in the middle - blue, on the sides - two green ones, behind them - two red ones). It is this position of the subpixels that has the most positive effect on power consumption.
PenTile - the subpixel order used by Samsung
AMOLED vs Super AMOLED: which is better?
Samsung smartphones use screens made using Super AMOLED technology. What are the main differences between such displays? Initially, the "Super" prefix meant no air gap - it was the South Korean company that managed to get rid of it in 2010. But now ordinary AMOLED screens made by other companies can boast of this. Consequently, Super AMOLED is now a marketing feature of the South Korean manufacturer. That is, between AMOLED and Super AMOLED, you can put an equal sign.
It should be noted that it is Samsung that produces the largest number of AMOLED panels. South Koreans have already learned to bend their creations in every possible way (doing this without a separate backlit layer is much easier). Rest assured, all smartphones with AMOLED displays with curved edges are manufactured using South Korean matrices. Apple is about to open its own plant for the production of OLED screens, but this will not happen until 2020.
The main advantages of AMOLED panels
The physical properties of matrices consisting of OLEDs are such that the screen can have tiny thickness... In particular, this is especially important for smartwatches and fitness bracelets, the physical dimensions of which should not be large.
But the most important plus of any OLED screen (including its AMOLED variations) is low power consumption... Each pixel of such a display glows independently. It turns out that the greatest power consumption will be at the moment when the entire screen displays an even white color. And if some areas should display dark colors, then they glow noticeably dimmer, and therefore the battery consumption is reduced.
The darker the picture displayed on the display, the less power is consumed.
High contrast - one more undoubted advantage of such screens. This is explained by the same ability of pixels to glow independently. For example, under the IPS-panel there is a substrate made of LEDs that illuminate black colors as well. This does not happen here.
Contrast differences are immediately noticeable
Also, due to this, the picture on the AMOLED screen clearly visible even in bright sunlight... IPS technology allows you to see something on the display on a clear day only by turning down the brightness of the backlight, which leads to a sharp increase in power consumption.
AMOLED phones
As mentioned above, only Samsung is on the "you" side with OLEDs. But that doesn't mean that this manufacturer doesn't sell their screens to someone else. In particular, a 6-inch AMOLED panel is included in the popular smartphone OnePlus 5T ... This screen has a resolution of 2160 x 1080 pixels, and the width of the side bezels is kept to a minimum.
The OLED-based screen has and Meizu Pro 7 ... This device is much more compact - the diagonal of the display installed here is only 5.2 inches, and the resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels. A distinctive feature of the device is the presence of a second screen, located on the back, directly below the dual camera. AMOLED technology was also used in its creation.
As for South Korean smartphones, it makes no sense to single out specific models. For a long time, even relatively inexpensive Samsung devices have been getting AMOLED displays. The only exceptions are super-budget models that are sold for 4000-5000 rubles.
Conclusion
AMOLED screens are the future, it is beyond doubt. Such displays do not have serious drawbacks, producing an image with better color rendering and maximum viewing angles, while consuming very little power. The only problem is the higher cost of such panels. It leads to a percentage of yield, which is far from a record. You can also mention the not the highest rates of production - alas, but Samsung alone is extremely difficult to satisfy the demands of the smartphone market.
Which technology is better - IPS or Amoled? Let's talk about the advantages and disadvantages of screens. How to make the right choice?
There was a time when the Samsung company loudly declared its Amoled technology, calling it almost the pinnacle in the production of matrixes. Initially, Amoled screens were used in TVs, then the technology was inherited by the brand's smartphones.
AMOLED displays are not liked for an unnatural picture, excessively high contrast, saturated colors.
At this moment, IPS screens with their clarity and natural picture appear on the market. Which is better - IPS or Amoled, as well as which display is right for you.
Advantages and disadvantages of IPS and AMOLED
Both technologies have many of them, this is a fact. Let's start with Amoled.
AMOLED – Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode... The technology provides maximum screen brightness and high image contrast, excellent glare suppression in bright daylight / sunlight / lamp light. At the same time, the screen itself consumes little energy, since the pixels are activated only at the right time, while in IPS, all the pixels are constantly active when the screen is turned on.
Disadvantages of Amoled:
- The high cost of production, which significantly increases the price of a smartphone;
- High vulnerability to mechanical damage;
- Fading of colors is observed over time.
What is IPS? Here, too, everything is very ambiguous. In-Plane Switching technology was created as an ideological successor of TFT - a frankly outdated technology that does not give any juicy picture, good responsiveness, or wide viewing angles.
Getting rid of these shortcomings, IPS has become a real godsend. The picture is clear, dynamic, deep and rich. But most importantly, the colors have become truly realistic. Amoled with its oversaturated color palette loses a lot in this regard. Although, this is also a matter of taste. The picture is clear, the viewing angles are excellent - everything is gorgeous.
Disadvantages of IPS:
- Active energy consumption;
- Smartphones with IPS screens are slightly thicker than their Amoled counterparts;
- IPS requires more powerful backlighting;
- Slow matrix response (only the most picky users will be able to tell the difference);
- Pixel grid visibility.
AMOLED or IPS - which to choose?
If you are faced with a choice - to buy a smartphone with an IPS or Amoled screen, start from how you will use it and what you generally expect from the screen. Want natural colors and generally good color reproduction? Choose IPS. Do you want the battery to last longer, and the picture to please with saturation and depth? Amoled for you.
At the same time, everyone should remember that you are not buying a TV, but a smartphone. The average user may not notice much of a difference between these technologies. And, perhaps, the best advice in choosing is to just look what you like best visually. Well, if you buy a phone for several years, then it's better to take it with an IPS matrix. The faded colors on Amoled are clearly not to your liking. Although, again, you may not even notice them.
Today, two types of matrices are used in the manufacture of screens for mobile phones: AMOLED and IPS. In this article, we will tell you what is the difference between screens built on these types of matrix and point out their difference.
Navigation
Main advantages of IPS technology
The first displays on technology IPS appeared in 1996. But, these were rather experimental devices. The mass production of such screens began just a few years ago. During the period from the first screens on such a matrix to modern displays, all the shortcomings were taken into account and errors were corrected. Today we can state the fact that IPS-screens have firmly entered our life.
The main advantages of IPS-matrices over competitive technologies are:
- Better color rendering... Unlike AMOLED screens at IPS colors are not artificially "enhanced". With such honest color reproduction, IPS displays are loved by everyone who works with photos. Photographers, photo editors and representatives of related professions. IPS screen gives a bright and saturated picture, if it is. If the picture is dim, then on the screen built on the matrix IPS it will be dim. Because of this, not everyone evaluates this advantage positively.
IMPORTANT: On AMOLED screens can also display "fair" colors. But, this is achieved through software settings that give pre-embellished pictures a more believable look.
- Real white. AMOLED screens simply cannot display white correctly. IPS the screens, on the other hand, produce true white. No blues or yellows like competing technology. Pure white affects the entire image. Therefore, applying a tint to it can distort the whole picture.
- No color distortion when viewing the screen from an angle... Someone might omit this IPS advantage. But, imagine that you are watching some interesting video from your smartphone with your friends. There will always be someone to whom the screen of your smartphone will not be fully deployed. And if your screen is not IPS, then it will be immediately visible when it is placed at an angle. This effect has long been felt by the owners. Sony Xperia Z.
IMPORTANT: When unfolding the AMOLED screen, the color rendition shifts to the cold spectrum, or the picture will begin to “turn red” or “turn green”.
High maximum brightness... This advantage is especially pronounced when using the smartphone screen in bright sunlight. If you have it built on an AMOLED matrix, then the bright rays of the scorching sun will make you look for a shadow to see what is happening on the screen. The thing is that IPSThe matrix uses an LCD screen with its powerful backlight. Have AMOLED screens, every pixel is highlighted. Which "physically" prevents the screen from being bright.
- Detail and sharpness... There are people among us whose eye structure allows us to see pixelation, even at the best. Full HD screen. These people definitely don't need to buy a smartphone with a screen. AMOLED... Otherwise, using it will lead to great disappointment. Modern screens AMOLED gradually "cure" this childhood disease. But, it is still present on most budget devices.
- Burnout LEDs... Have AMOLED OLEDs may burn out. Which is reflected in the different brightness of individual parts of the screen. According to the developers of such screens, the service life of the LED is 6-10 years. But, in practice, they can burn out faster. Have IPS there is no such problem.
Cheaper production technology... A banal but important advantage IPS... The cost of a smartphone is made up of various modules and components. The screen is an important and expensive part of a smartphone. The cheaper the screen, the cheaper the smartphone will be.
Pros of AMOLED technology
- High contrast... When comparing IPS from AMOLED the second screen will appear more colorful and saturated. Organic light-emitting diodes allow you to make the picture as high contrast as possible. That is what causes the effect of "embellishment" in color rendering.
IMPORTANT: Special tests show that the contrast level AMOLED screens reach the ratio 30000:1 ... Whereas in IPS this indicator is 1500:1 ... The difference is significant.
- Absolute black... If one of the benefits IPS was "real" white, then AMOLED the screen displays absolute black. This is achieved due to the fact that AMOLED individual pixels are highlighted on the screen. Whereas in IPS the backlight occurs the entire screen. Which negatively affects black.
- Less energy consumption... Everything is simple here. Separately illuminated pixels use less battery than full-screen backlighting like IPS... On paper, this advantage seems very important, and for many a turning point. But, in practice, this is not entirely true. The resource consumption of your gadget is influenced by many other factors. From the style of using the device to the energy saving technologies used by the developer.
- Faster response times. AMOLED the matrix allows you to make screens with a shorter response time compared to IPS screens. Which allows the picture to change faster. But, this advantage in the speed of changing the picture is so insignificant that in fact it is simply not visible.
- Less thickness... IN AMOLED screens do not need backlighting. How space is saved. It is thanks to this advantage that there are ultra-thin smartphones on the market today. If this indicator is important for you, then choose smartphones with a screen AMOLED.
Which screen is better for a smartphone: IPS or AMOLED to choose?
To summarize, it can be noted that both popular screen technologies for smartphones have their pros and cons. Of course, it may seem that IPS more list of advantages, which means this technology is better. And in some cases it is.
But more important is how the manufacturer implements these benefits in practice. In most cases, this fails. Although there are already IPS screens that actually outperform an even more advanced matrix Super AMOLED.
High-quality screens on IPS-matrix boasts Asus ZenFone 3 Max, LG G5 SE, Apple iPhone 5s and some other models. But is it really worth discounting Samsung smartphones with their improved screens? Super AMOLED?
Video. AMOLED or IPS? Comparison
In this article, we will find details about the structure of AMOLED screens, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the differences between Super AMOLED and Super AMOLED Plus technologies.
AMOLED panels have become the new standard in the world of screen technology. Increasingly, such displays are used in flagship smartphones, other mobile devices, monitors and even televisions.
The technology was first used in the Samsung S8300 Ultra Touch mobile phone in 2009, but now it is being used by other manufacturers as well. So, last year, the Chinese brand OnePlus introduced its own development Optic AMOLED in the flagships OnePlus 3 and.
What is an AMOLED panel?
AMOLED stands for Active Matrix OLED. The peculiarity of this type of display is that each pixel is illuminated by a separate diode, so no additional backlight or liquid crystals are required.
The first is the cathode layer. Organic LEDs act as light-emitting elements, and an active matrix of thin-film transistors is used to control them. They determine the strength of the current that passes through each diode, hence the brightness and color of the pixel. Then the anode layer passes. Next is the substrate, which can be made of various materials such as silicone, metal, etc.
In AMOLED panels, the subpixels are arranged according to the PenTile scheme developed by Candice Brown Elliott. Each pixel contains five subpixels, which are staggered in color: two red, two green, and one blue in the center. This arrangement provides a high brightness display without increasing power consumption. In 2008, Samsung Electronics took over the technology and began using it in its products.
Super AMOLED
In 2010, Samsung introduced an improved version of the panel called Super AMOLED. Its main difference was the absence of an air gap between the sensor and the screen itself. This increased the brightness and clarity of the image, improved readability in bright sunlight and reduced the thickness of the display.
In early 2011, another improved version was released - Super AMOLED Plus. Unlike its predecessor, it uses the RGB color model instead of PenTile, which provides increased picture clarity.
Benefits of AMOLED displays
One of the main advantages of AMOLED is that the power consumption of the display directly depends on the brightness of the image. Thus, the screen requires less power to display dark tones. This results in deeper blacks as the black pixels are not illuminated at all. This is the same advantage Samsung has used with Always On Display, which allows you to display the time, date and notifications on the lock screen without noticeable battery drain.
These displays provide a wider viewing angle (about 180 degrees) both vertically and horizontally. At the same time, brightness, contrast and color saturation are preserved.
AMOLED panels are thinner to fit into a slimmer and more elegant body. Also, the freed up space inside the case can be used for other important components, for example, a larger battery.
In addition, AMOLED screens have a wider color gamut, faster response times and higher contrast.
Disadvantages of AMOLED
As mentioned earlier, power consumption in AMOLED panels directly depends on the brightness of the picture. This means that more energy is required to display light tones.
Another weakness is the unreliable connections inside the shield. Even with the slightest damage or crack, the display can completely fail. With a slight depressurization, the screen begins to fade gradually and stops showing after about two days.
With constant use in bright colors, the lifespan of such a panel will be noticeably reduced. Moreover, subpixels of different colors burn out at different rates, as a result of which color reproduction is disturbed. In addition, the maximum brightness of AMOLED displays remains lower compared to LCDs.
For a long time, one of the drawbacks was the high cost of production, which means that repairs, if necessary, cost users more. However, with the advancement of technology, making AMOLED panels becomes cheaper.
Conclusion
The advantages and disadvantages of AMOLED panels are constantly debated. But it cannot be denied that such displays are the technology of the future, as more and more mobile manufacturers are beginning to move to a new standard, invest in its development, or even produce their own versions of OLED screens.
If you are lucky enough to own a smartphone or other mobile device with an AMOLED display, we can advise you to stick to a dark design for your home screen and interface. This will reduce the power consumption of the screen and extend the life of the display. In doing so, be careful and remember that even with minor damage, the screen may fail completely.
In this article, I will not go into the technical details of creating IPS and AMOLED matrices, they are not so interesting in this case. Much more important is what an ordinary consumer gets by choosing one or another matrix. Therefore, in the material I will talk about the practical advantages and disadvantages of these two types of matrices.
IPS advantages
IPS matrices are an evolutionary development of TFT displays, but with a number of specific advantages. Firstly, they have much better color rendering, the picture on IPS is much brighter and more juicy. Secondly, they have much higher viewing angles, the picture does not fade when deflected. The overall brightness level of IPS-matrices also outperforms conventional TN-displays. The last advantage is a natural white color, which is quite problematic to achieve on the same AMOLED.
AMOLED benefits
AMOLED matrices are manufactured by Samsung and were originally used only by it, but later other manufacturers also gained access to such displays.
The first advantage of AMOLED matrices is the natural black color, and on IPS and TN matrices, the black color looks more like gray, especially at maximum brightness. In the case of AMOLED, you get perfect black, and the added bonus is the reduced power consumption when displaying it.
The second plus is the high contrast of the picture. Many users love AMOLED displays for their vibrant and vibrant colors. Any picture looks very cool on such screens.
The third advantage is a high level of maximum brightness. In direct comparison on a bright sunny day, the AMOLED matrix will outperform IPS.
The fourth advantage is low power consumption. Smartphones equipped with IPS screens will discharge much faster with an active screen than AMOLED counterparts
Disadvantages of IPS
Perhaps the only drawback of IPS-matrices is their imperfect black display. Otherwise, these are excellent displays with natural color reproduction, maximum viewing angles and a good level of brightness.
Disadvantages of AMOLED
AMOLED displays have a special pixel structure that uses more green subpixels, this solution has one significant drawback called PenTile. When reading small text, you may notice red halos around letters, which are annoying to some people.
The second drawback is PWM (Pulse Width Modulation). Its essence is that individual pixels are turned on / off at a very high speed, visually invisible to the human eye. This is done to reduce power consumption, but in fact the eyes from such displays get tired faster. This may cause such displays to flicker on the camera.
Conclusion
And yet, despite the disadvantages listed above, it is AMOLED displays that are installed in the flagships of most large companies. The thing is that, all other things being equal, they show a brighter and more juicy picture, as well as better behavior in the sun.
IPS matrices are also good displays, so the same Meizu installs them in most mid-range smartphones, and leaves AMOLED for flagships.
