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Super AMOLED vs IPS LCD

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desura

Diamond Member
Basically, I'm considering either an ipad mini or a Samsung tablet which has a super AMOLED display.

A major use will be cinema.

How do the two display techs contrast?
 
They work on completely different technologies and thus have the "opposite problems."

LCD works via a screendoor effect you have a white backlight and then you the lcd subpixel crystals to make that white light into blue, green, red, etc. Thus all LCD can never get perfect black. Including IPS LCD.

AMOLED has better blacks

AMOLED work by having each individual subpixel create its own light. Thus you can have a complete black by turning all three or four subpixels off with AMOLED. The problem with AMOLED is that the subpixels have a limited lifespan measured around 5 years (it is getting better). Having a subpixel on for max brightness causes that subpixel to wear out faster, in addition keeping the brightness at maxium generates more heat and the screen can over heat.

IPS LCD has better colors/whites. People are going to try to argue this point for you can make AMOLED have very accurate colors, but in reality though all AMOLED currently in phones/tablets doesn't always keep the color constant for fear of damaging the subpixels.

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They are both good technologies but there is a trade off between each one. I currently have a SG4 which is AMOLED, while my computer monitor is a 2560x1440 ips display. I love both of them.

IPS LCD though is a mature technology and won't have much improvements in the future, AMOLED is a relatively brand new technology which will only get better as time goes by. In the end we are going to see more of AMOLED for AMOLED will allow you to make thinner devices (no need for blacklight), the display can be flexible, faster response times, the subpixels will improve and last longer, and cheaper prices (the process to make OLED panels is similar to an inkjet printer.)
 
Personally, I value the true blacks a lot and would go with AMOLED. It's so nice when you're watching a movie in the dark and can't see the black bars at all. AMOLED screens can have a black clipping problem where dark greys become black so that dark movies get really dark. That's getting better and better over time, and it's not a problem for me with the Galaxy S4, but do some research on the particular device you plan on buying.
 
Going from an S3 to an iPhone 5 was night and day...at night, blacks looked better on the S3. During the day, I could see my iPhone's screen.

AMOLED is AWFUL in sunlight. Don't even TRY to use it. As for color accuracy, even on AOSP with a calibrated screen the iphone looked way better. AMOLED is neat for black levels, but no more.
 
Think of it this way:

LCD = old display technology which has been improved over some time

AMOLED = new display technology

Advantages of AMOLED display technology
  • Much deeper black levels
  • Superior contrast levels (infinity)
  • Superior motion performance (faster response time)
  • Better color saturation and vividity
  • Eye-catching colors that punch you in the face
  • New technology

Advantages of LCD display technology
  • Old technology so may be more developed
  • Better brightness (translating to better white levels) - but give it a few years time and AMOLED will have equal or superior brightness.
  • More natural colors

Overall I prefer AMOLED over LCD.

A visual comparison:

super-amoled-plus-vs-super-lcd-1.jpg


Super AMOLED has much deeper black levels, superior contrast and more vibrant, saturated colors.

IPS LCD displays make blacks look greyish but has better brightness (which translates to better white levels), and less saturated colors (which some people would say look more natural).

The Samsung Galaxy S4's white levels are excellent for an OLED display. Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S4 to the Samsung Galaxy S3 is the difference between night and day. The Samsung Galaxy S4's Super AMOLED display is much superior over the Samsung Galaxy S3's display.

I've researched for the display industry and AMOLED/OLED definitely has the better color reproduction over LCD.

That's why future TV's will all be AMOLED and LCD will be phased out. In 2020, expect the best TVs to be based on AMOLED display technology.

LCD will be for poor people.
 
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AMOLED is my preference as it fits my usage habits better. I often sit in bed at night and turn the screen brightness down really low so I don't wake my wife, and IPS/VA panels don't do very well with extremely low brightness levels. IMO, AMOLED screens have a lot of advantages if used indoors. If I used my phone outdoors more often I'd strongly consider an LCD.

For watching movies I'm going to place a vote for AMOLED.
 
Just want to throw in that AMOLED screens can be visible in sunlight - take a look at any Nokia device with an AMOLED display. Refresh rate isn't inherent to either technology, either. Nokia have both IPS LCD and AMOLED screens that run at a constant 60hz with 9ms response time.
 
I prefer deep blacks and high contrast ratios, so it's AMOLED for me.

In fact, I prefer the same thing in my home theater as well. Which is why I'll hold out as long as possible before buying an LCD HDTV; I'll stick to my Panasonic plasma.
 
With that said if you calibrate an IPS panel like the LG Nexus 4, it can look damn good. I'd say I prefer the look of my Nexus 4 over my gf's SGS3 or my SGS2. So take that SAMOLED. However, uncalibrated, the Nexus 4 looks like crap.
 
RampantAndroid said:
And you verified this with a colorimeter, yes?

The S3 was horribly inaccurate and over saturated.
Click to expand...
You've been sleeping under a rock the past 2-3 months?
SGS4 movie mode is just as accurate(if not more accurate as Anantech review shows) as the iPhone 5 screen.
http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_S4_ShootOut_1.htm
http://www.anandtech.com/show/6914/samsung-galaxy-s-4-review/8
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-6452_7-57587774/screens-test-htc-one-vs-samsung-galaxy-s4/
 
First of all, what tablet does Samsung currently make that has an OLED screen? Second, the problem is not AMOLED screens. It's Samsung's AMOLED screens. They're garbage. I've heard rumors and rumors of rumors that you can calibrate the color to make it as good as, if not better than, LCD. But I've never seen these fabled calibrated OLED screens. But many have "proven" this with diagrams and what not but, again, it's never been seen.
 
I've found them to be pretty similar, but I give AMOLED the nod because of the better blacks. That provides a better video viewing experience as well as an additional option for battery saving (black backgrounds).
 
lothar said:
You've been sleeping under a rock the past 2-3 months?
SGS4 movie mode is just as accurate(if not more accurate as Anantech review shows) as the iPhone 5 screen.
Click to expand...
Those same reviewers in the anandtech podcast also stated how much the screen was hairpulling for it does not give the user end control and how it shifts and changes similar to dynamic contrast and thus it was a pita to review.

That said I love my screen and anandtech stated the screen is vastily better than the old gs2 and gs3
 
i owned a galaxy s2 which had an amoled screen
now i use a lg optimus G with super Lcd screen


WOW, this optimus lcd screen is amazing . i can use the phone perfectly in bright daylight,and the colors /sharpness and brightness are superb.]
so to my eyes, i prefer LCD to Amoled. my sis uses a galaxy nexus and her amoled screen also sucks. so perhaps the newer amoled in the s4 is better, i dont know.
 
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Seems like to me the S4 screen was over saturated a bit. I didn't tweak any of the settings and I was not in natural light while viewing it next to the HTC One. It seemed almost too bright, to the point where very bright pictures or images might hurt my eyes a bit (like neons, bright pinks/OJ).
 
AMOLED's strengths(true blacks, better viewing angles, better response time, better contrast, more vibrant colors) are far more noticeable than its weaknesses when comparing it to LCD. The linked image above is extremely accurate in showing the difference between the two screen technologies.

Simplest way to put it is AMOLED is better for literally anything that isn't text: photos, video, games, any kind of media you can think of while LCD is better for text.
 
desura said:
Basically, I'm considering either an ipad mini or a Samsung tablet which has a super AMOLED display.

A major use will be cinema.

How do the two display techs contrast?
Click to expand...

I think your question is irrelevant given the dramatic differences in quality among displays within each type.

Exactly which tablet are you looking at?
 
While I prefer an LCD over an AMOLED screen there's so many other considerations if you're torn between a iPad Mini and something like a Tab 2. Screen type probably wouldn't even be in my top 10 of things I'd be considering.

If this is your make or break feature and you're looking at an iPad Mini or a Samsung tablet at or under the price range of a iPad Mini (ie: under $300) I'd pick the iPad Mini no question, but I'd probably be waiting until September at this point for an internally updated one.
 
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