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Differences between AMOLED and Super AMOLED technology

It’s easy to notice that phones with AMOLED screens are more expensive than their IPS counterparts. What is the reason for the higher cost? Is it possible to immediately distinguish a display created using AMOLED technology from other types of screens? Why are such LCD panels rarely found outside of the products of the South Korean company Samsung? The answers to all these questions are in this material.

Under the abbreviation AMOLED lies the decoding of “Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode”. This means that this matrix is ​​built on the basis of organic light-emitting diodes, while it is active. Each pixel here lights up independently, as a result of which a separate backlit layer is not required - this reduces the thickness of the panel and also reduces power consumption.

Almost any AMOLED screen has the following structure:

  • Upper layer - cathode;
  • Below is organic layer with LEDs- there is no air gap;
  • Posted even lower matrix of thin film transistors those involved in diode control;
  • Followed by anode layer;
  • It all lies on a substrate made of silicone, metal or some other material.

Structure of an AMOLED screen

The order of LED subpixels in AMOLED displays can be different. Samsung has long used PenTile - a checkerboard pattern (blue in the middle, two green on the sides, two red behind them). It is this position of the subpixels that has the most positive effect on power consumption.

PenTile - subpixel order used by Samsung

AMOLED or Super AMOLED: which is better?

Samsung smartphones use screens made using Super AMOLED technology. What are the main differences between such displays? Initially, the prefix “Super” meant the absence of an air gap - it was the South Korean company that managed to get rid of it in 2010. But now ordinary AMOLED screens manufactured by other companies can boast of this. Consequently, Super AMOLED is now a marketing feature of the South Korean manufacturer. That is, you can put an “equal” sign between AMOLED and Super AMOLED.

It should be noted that Samsung produces the largest number of AMOLED panels. South Koreans have already learned how to bend their creations in every possible way (doing this without a separate backlit layer is much easier). Rest assured, all smartphones with an AMOLED display, the edges of which are curved, are manufactured using South Korean matrices. Apple is going to open its own plant for the production of organic LED screens, but this will not happen earlier than 2020.

Main advantages of AMOLED panels

The physical properties of matrices consisting of organic light-emitting diodes are such that the screen can have tiny thickness. In particular, this is especially important for smart watches and fitness bracelets, the physical dimensions of which should not be large.

But the most important advantage 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 energy consumption will be at the moment when the entire screen displays a flat white color. And if some areas need to display dark colors, they glow noticeably dimmer, which reduces battery consumption.

The darker the picture displayed on the display, the less energy is consumed.

High Contrast- another undoubted advantage of such screens. This is explained by the same ability of pixels to glow on their own. For example, under the IPS panel there is a substrate of LEDs that illuminate black colors as well. This doesn't happen here.

Differences in contrast are immediately noticeable

It is also due to this that the picture on the AMOLED screen clearly visible even under bright sunlight. IPS technology allows you to see something on the display on a clear day only by turning down the backlight brightness, which leads to a sharp increase in power consumption.

Phones with AMOLED display

As mentioned above, only Samsung is familiar with organic LEDs. But this does not mean that this manufacturer does not sell its screens to someone else. In particular, a 6-inch AMOLED panel is included in the popular smartphone OnePlus 5T. The resolution of this screen is 2160 x 1080 pixels, and the width of the side frames is kept to a minimum.

The screen, created on the basis of organic light-emitting diodes, has 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 rear panel, directly below the dual camera. AMOLED technology was also used in its creation.

As for South Korean smartphones, there is no point in singling out specific models. For quite some time now, even relatively inexpensive devices produced by Samsung have received an AMOLED display. The only exceptions are ultra-budget models, sold for 4000-5000 rubles.

Conclusion

AMOLED screens are the future, that's for sure. Such displays do not have serious drawbacks, producing images with better color rendition and maximum viewing angles, while consuming a very small amount of electricity. The only problem is the higher cost of such panels. This results in a percentage of yield of suitable products that is far from a record. We can also mention that production rates are not the highest - alas, it is extremely difficult for Samsung alone to satisfy the demands of the smartphone market.

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:

  1. TN+film
  2. AMOLED

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

Some of you are wondering: “Where is TFT?” Due to ignorance of some resources, this abbreviation is often used to designate the type of matrix, which is incorrect. The term TFT refers to thin film transistors used to organize the operation of subpixels. They are used in almost every type of matrix under consideration. Transistors also come in several varieties, one of which is LTPS (polycrystalline silicon). LTPS is a relatively new subtype, which is distinguished by lower 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 screen without frames: 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.

What 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.

A fairly established product on the IT technology market are flagships with amoled monitors.

Why is it interesting to the average person and is it worth spending their attention on?

AMOLED display

Amoled technology is the brainchild of the world famous company Samsung. The invention has won the love of consumers, thanks to which the manufacturer is constantly trying to improve it.

First, let's figure it out, amoled display, what is it? This is an abbreviation of capital letters, which when deciphered look like this: Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode.

A technique that allows you to create monitors for televisions, mobile phones and computers.

Its basis is the use of organic light-emitting diodes as parts that emit light, and an active matrix, which consists of thin-film transistors.

An interesting technology is the way to create black.

When it is necessary to generate it, the LEDs simply stop working, and this makes it possible to create a truly rich, deep black color. When it is present on the monitor, there is a decrease in energy consumption by the phone.

On the screen, all the pictures look much more attractive. Color rendition is bright and rich. Therefore, models hold the lead in the market along with IPS.

Phones with AMOLED display

Phones with amoled displays do not lose their relevance for quite a long time. They have gained their trust and now even practice installation in a budget model.

Users of such gadgets are satisfied with the color scheme provided by the developers and with the devices themselves as a whole.

Popular models with this screen include:

Pros of AMOLED

Of course, phones with such a display are very high-status. Among their advantages is the width of the screen, in which the corners are not bent and the picture is shown in full. Also, excellent contrast.

The monitor matrices are presented in very rich colors. Black looks ideal.

When you look at such a display, you get the feeling that the picture is not in it, but on the surface. According to consumer reviews, this increases the pleasure of using the gadget.

Disadvantages of AMOLED

Today, the quality of screens made using Amoled technology has improved so much that consumers simply do not find any negative aspects of the product.

One bad trend is still visible. The most negative thing is that health problems appear.

Even when viewing multimedia files for a short time, the eyes begin to tire, and over time, vision deteriorates. Eye strain causes loss of sharpness of vision.

The color pictures on the screen are very bright. Not every person can adapt to such eyeball tension. At first, I like the brightness, but it has a detrimental effect on vision.

There was no way for science to confirm such data. After all, you need to gather a certain number of people, conduct research and draw conclusions based on statistical data. We present information that only some users shared on the Internet.

Many of them wrote that after buying a phone with such a display, their eyes began to get very tired, and they had to buy special drops. Or one hundred percent vision has deteriorated greatly in a short time.

Among the disadvantages of this technology, we can also highlight:

1 You need to be very careful with your phone display. If you damage it somewhere and even the slightest air gets inside, the screen will instantly begin to fade. Within one or two days, your mobile device will become unusable due to the fact that the monitor will stop displaying altogether. From the point where the depressurization occurred, a black spot will appear and in a short time will grow to cover the entire surface.

1 The connections located under the screen are extremely unreliable. If there is the slightest mechanical damage, such as a crack, the monitor becomes unusable. He doesn't show.

Smartphones with AMOLED display

Smartphones with amoled displays have been present on the IT technology market for a long time. They are known to a large number of users and have managed to gain recognition for the brightness of their color reproduction.

Many manufacturers are increasingly turning to this method when creating smartphones.

Thus, Meizu Pro 6, Yota YotaPhone 2, Huawei Nexus 6P, Highscreen Bay, Lumia phones use Amoled screens in their models.

The Microsoft Lumia 950 Dual SIM models use a 5.2-inch diagonal display created using this development methodology. Customer reviews are the most positive.

Photos and videos can be viewed freely even in the strongest sunlight.

Highscreen Bay is known for the fact that, thanks to this screen manufacturing technology, it can convey even the smallest details in the image. This is due to the excellent quality of the AMOLED matrix.

The Meizu Pro 6 phone is also equipped with a Super AMOLED matrix. His pictures are bright and clear.

The Yota YotaPhone 2 model is equipped with a 5-inch screen and an AMOLED matrix.

Super AMOLED

The technology appeared in 2010. It is much better than its predecessor.

The benefits are noticeable:

  • Even more brightness. The color scheme has become twenty percent more saturated.
  • The viewing angle has changed. It turns 180 degrees and the advantage is that the image remains clear and high-quality, not only for the person looking at the screen located directly in front of him, but also for everyone else, at any distance.
  • Energy consumption has decreased by twenty percent.

Energy storage is a constant problem for smartphones. It’s good if the phone charge lasts until the evening, or even less. So here's a new technique slightly increased the operating time of the device.

  • The phone is now more durable. New models are manufactured without a built-in air cushion. This makes it possible to make devices much stronger, and accordingly their service life increases.

    • For example, when there is a lot of white color on the screen of a phone with the display in question, the energy consumed is twice as much. This doesn't happen in IPS phones..

    When working with a black screen, the energy consumption indicators are approximately the same. During normal operation of the device, IPS also predominates in the energy charge.

    For some it is more convenient, but when using a phone that has a built-in amoled display, the brightness goes through the roof. It's a little disturbing.

    And with prolonged use, the eyes hurt and dry out. In IPS, with a more gentle color gamut, there are no such problems.

    However, if you examine the phone's response speed to your manipulations, IPS phones respond much slower.

    Its positive side is that the screen conveys more natural colors. But when photographing on the sunny side, the device clearly lacks brightness.

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 TVs.

The technology was first used in the Samsung S8300 Ultra Touch mobile phone in 2009, but now it is being used by other manufacturers. So, last year, the Chinese brand OnePlus introduced its own Optic AMOLED development in the flagships OnePlus 3 and.

What is an AMOLED panel?

The abbreviation AMOLED stands for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diodes. 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 cathode layer comes first. Organic light-emitting diodes act as light-emitting elements, and an active matrix of thin-film transistors is used to control them. They determine the current that passes through each diode, hence the brightness and color of the pixel. Then the anode layer passes through. Next is the substrate, which can be made of various materials, such as silicone, metal, etc.

In AMOLED panels, subpixels are placed using the PenTile scheme developed by Candice Brown Elliott. Each pixel contains five subpixels, which are staggered by color: two red, two green and one blue in the center. This arrangement provides high display brightness without increasing power consumption. In 2008, the rights to the technology were transferred to Samsung Electronics, and it 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 made it possible to increase the brightness and clarity of the image, improve readability in bright sunlight and reduce the thickness of the display.

At the beginning of 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.

Advantages 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 because black pixels are not backlit at all. Samsung has used the same advantage in its Always On Display technology, which allows you to display the time, date and notifications on the lock screen without noticeable battery consumption.

Such displays provide a wider viewing angle (about 180 degrees) both vertically and horizontally. At the same time, brightness, contrast and color saturation are maintained.

AMOLED panels are thinner, allowing the device to fit into a slimmer, sleeker design. Also, the space freed up inside the case can be used for other important components, for example, a more capacious battery.

In addition, AMOLED screens have a wider color gamut, faster response time and high contrast.

Disadvantages of AMOLED

As mentioned earlier, in AMOLED panels, power consumption directly depends on the brightness of the picture. This means that displaying light colors will require more power.

Another weakness is the unreliability of connections inside the screen. Even the slightest damage or crack can cause the display to fail completely. With a slight depressurization, the screen begins to gradually fade and stops showing after about two days.

With constant use in bright colors, the service life of such a panel is noticeably reduced. Moreover, subpixels of different colors burn out at different rates, as a result of which color rendition is disrupted. In addition, the maximum brightness of AMOLED displays remains lower compared to LCD.

For a long time, one of the disadvantages was the high cost of production, which means that repairs, if necessary, were more expensive for users. However, with the development of technology, the production of AMOLED panels is becoming 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 starting to switch to the new standard, invest in its development, or even release 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 the main screen and interface. This will reduce the energy consumed by the screen and extend the life of the display. Be careful when doing this and remember that even with minor damage the screen can fail completely.

AMOLED– active matrix on organic light-emitting diodes ( Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode). The essence of the technology comes down to the use of organic LEDs as a source for constructing a picture on the surface of the active matrix, and TFT thin-film transistors that control these LEDs.To simplify it as much as possible, then AMOLED technology is a layer cake, the bottom layer of which is an active matrix, followed by a layer of organic LEDs and a layer of control transistors. The interesting thing is that for each LED there is a personal transistor, which, by changing the electrical potential, causes the LED to change color and saturation. This principle of operation allows you to achieve high clarity and contrast of the picture.

Advantages of AMOLED displays over LCD displays

  • Relative energy saving, energy consumption depends on the brightness of the picture; the darker the picture, the less energy the AMOLED display consumes.
  • Wider color gamut (32%) than Super IPS LCD display.
  • The matrix response rate is 0.01 ms. For comparison, a matrix made using TN technology has a response rate of 2 ms.
  • The viewing angles horizontally and vertically are 180 degrees, with full preservation of brightness, clarity and contrast.
  • Thinner display
  • Maximum contrast level.

Advantages of AMOLED displays over plasma panels

  • Compact size
  • Low power consumption
  • High brightness

Disadvantages of AMOLED Displays over LCD Displays

  • The service life of organic LEDs decreases with frequent viewing of bright pictures, due to the fragility of one of the phosphors, in particular blue. It is worth noting that developers are constantly looking for new sources of this product, and already now blue phosphor is able to work up to 17,000 hours without loss of signal quality.
  • The high cost of producing AMOLED displays.
  • Inverse relationship between time and brightness indicators. The average service life of such displays is 7-8 years.

Disadvantages of AMOLED Displays over Plasma Displays

  • AMOLED technology does not allow you to create large displays at a reasonable price.
  • Color imbalance, due to the fact that each LED has its own brightness, it is necessary to create matrices with an uneven arrangement of subpixel LEDs to achieve color balance.
  • Sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.
  • Unreliability of connections inside the screen (the slightest break or crack is enough and the screen does not show completely).
  • The slightest depressurization between the layers of the display is enough - and the display begins to fade from this point. (one or two days are enough for the display to stop showing completely).

Comparison of AMOLED and Super AMOLED technology

Super AMOLED (Super Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) – improved technology for the production of touchscreens based on AMOLED technology. Unlike its predecessors, the touch layer is glued to the screen itself, which allows you to get rid of the layer of air in between. This increases clarity, readability in sunlight, color saturation, and allows for a smaller display thickness.

  • - 20% brighter than its predecessor
  • - 80% less reflective of sunlight
  • - energy consumption reduced by 20%
  • - dust cannot get into the gap between the screen and the touchscreen

Super AMOLED display design

The top layer is the touchscreen. It is glued to the second layer - a transparent protective layer, on which the wiring is also located (Wire network for transmitting low voltage current). The wiring goes to the layer with LEDs - they form the image. Below the LEDs is a layer of thin film transistors (TFTs). Beneath them is a substrate, which can be made of a variety of materials, including flexible ones.

Video showing the difference in picture quality of displays made using various technologies, including AMOLED and Super AMOLED.