Whether you choose a smartphone, a TV, or a computer monitor, the quality of the screen is one of the most important criteria. Knowing the difference between technologies is the best way to make sure to select the best one according to one's needs and budget.
The technology of the Amoled screen
The AMOLED display (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode) or "Oled active-matrix" takes up the technical principle of the LCD display in terms of individual pixel control but eliminating backlighting. The liquid crystals are replaced by organic light-emitting diodes that produce their own light under the effect of an electric current. This type of screen is characterized by the intensity of its colors, the depth of its blacks (because the pixels are then turned off) and the high level of contrast.
In addition, the absence of backlighting reduces energy consumption compared to an LCD screen and makes it possible to manufacture tiles with a fineness of less than 5 millimeters. Because the response time is very short (less than 0.1 milliseconds), Amoled tiles do not produce a ghosting effect and offer ideal fluidity for video games.
These are the advantages, but there are also significant disadvantages. Amoled screens are much more expensive to produce because humidity must be avoided during the manufacturing process. In addition, the lifespan is still mainly big (40,000 hours) compared to LCD Displays, and to be precise, it's because of the degradation of some blue sub-pixels.
What is the difference between a TFT and an IPS LCD?
An LCD screen consists of cells filled with liquid crystals that are illuminated by a backlight while filters are used to define the colors. Each pixel of a screen is composed of three sub-pixels red, green, and blue. There are two classes of LCD screens:
- TFT or thin-film transistor.
- IPS or in-plane switching.
TFT technology is widely used in computer screens, TVs, and mobile terminals. It is based on a matrix of thin-film transistors and an indium-tin-oxide electrode that provides voltage control at each pixel, which helps improve response time and image stability. This is introduced as an "active" matrix display.
The IPS technology is an evolution of TFT that was introduced by the Japanese firm Hitachi in 1996. It uses liquid crystals with different orientations to block or let the light from the backlight pass through. This not only improves the viewing angle compared to a TFT display but also reduces power consumption. In addition, IPS LCDs offer brighter whites and more vivid colors than TFTs.
A display indicating only LCD uses TFT technology, while an IPS display will mention this technology in its description.
In the end, if Amoled technology is superior to LCD, it's still prohibitive cost is, for the moment, the main brake to its expansion. Some high-end smartphone and tablet models use Amoled displays. On the TV side, apart from LG, few manufacturers are resolutely committed to the Oled market. LCD technology furthermore has a bright future forward of it.
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