From simple monochrome screens to LTPO AMOLED panels, smartphone displays have evolved dramatically over the years. Today, mobile screens have become more vibrant, energy-efficient and immersive than ever. Whether it’s a budget phone or a high-end flagship, phones these days include stunning displays that heavily influence color accuracy, brightness, battery life, gaming performance and overall user experience.
If you want to know different types of smartphone screens available out there, then this post is for you. Here, we have outlined a list of the top 10 mobile display types to help users select the best type according to their needs. So, without any further ado, let’s get started…
Why Are Mobile Displays Important?
A display is one of the most important parts of a smartphone. It influences the overall experience of the user or we can say that it is the one thing that determines how user interact with their devices. The better the quality of the display, the better the overall experience when you read messages, view photos, watch videos and navigate applications. A high-quality display ensures accurate colors, sharp visuals and smooth motion.
With technological advancements the quality of displays is also improving. There are now several types of displays available to allow users have the best everyday experience.
10 Best & Most Popular Smartphone Screens
Here is our rundown of the 10 best and most popularly used smartphone screens that you can consider opting for according to your needs. Take a look…
1. Thin Film Transistor LCD
Thin Film Transistor LCD, also known as TFT LCD is a largely used mobile display. It is one of the earliest and most affordable mobile displays. This technology uses millions of tiny transistors to control each pixel on the screen.
These transistors are arranged in a grid just behind the LCD panel to offer decent brightness and color reproduction. TFT LCDs are often used in budget phones to offer basic calling, texting and occasional browsing.
2. In-Plane Switching LCD
In-Plane Switching LCD, or IPS LCD, is yet another most popularly used mobile display. IPS LCDs are typically designed to resolve the issues common with traditional TFT LCD panels. When compared with traditional screens, IPS LCDs offer improved color accuracy, better viewing angles and excellent overall image quality.
These screens offer wide viewing angles, more accurate and natural colors. They even ensure better visibility under sunlight. IPS LCDs were often used in mid-range and premium smartphones before OLED screens came into existence.
3. Low Temperature PolySilicon Liquid Crystal Display
Another popularly used display is Low Temperature PolySilicon Liquid Crystal Display, also known as LTPS LCD. It is basically a modified version of IPS technology, widespread for high performance, improved pixel density and responsiveness. LTPS displays use thin-film transistors built directly on the glass, allowing electrons to move faster and letting more components be integrated right onto the screen.
These displays ensure better energy efficiency than standard IPS and faster response times and are mainly used in mid-range. Even some older flagship phones integrate this technology.
4. Organic Light Emitting Diode Displays
Organic Light Emitting Diode, popularly known as OLED displays have become one of the most popular screen technologies in modern smartphones. OLED displays are the ones in which each pixel emits its own light using organic (carbon-based) materials. The best thing about OLED displays is that each pixel in these OLED light up individually when an electric current passes through them, giving the screen deep blacks, vibrant colors and excellent contrast.
This significantly eliminates the need for a backlight, allowing users to enjoy incredible contrast. Advanced smartphones typically include this technology are specifically for the ones that are used for gaming and entertainment.
5. Active Matrix OLED
Active Matrix OLED, commonly known as AMOLED, is one of the most advanced display technology available. AMOLED takes OLED to the next level. In this technology, each pixel is individually controlled through an active matrix. It uses an active matrix of thin-film transistors (TFTs) to control each individual pixel, significantly improving motion clarity, brightness control and power efficiency.
AMOLED screens offer superior responsiveness, better power efficiency and more vibrant visuals compared to standard OLED panels. AMOLED displays are often used in mid-range to premium devices to offer excellent color reproduction, deep blacks and fast response times, required for immersive user experience.
6. Super AMOLED
Here is another widespread mobile display that if found in Samsung phones pretty frequently. Yes, Super AMOLED is Samsung’s enhanced version of AMOLED. It integrates the touch panel directly into the screen layer, instead of placing it on top as a separate layer. The integration of touch panel directly into the screen layer makes the display slimmer, more responsive and easier to view even under sunlight.
Additionally, it improves color visibility and viewing angles. These displays are known to offer higher outdoor visibility and excellent energy efficiency. Super AMOLED are Samsung’s advanced displays used in top-tier Samsung devices for improved multimedia experience.
7. Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Dynamic AMOLED 2X is yet another popular display technology developed by Samsung. AMOLED 2X provides superior visual performance as it combines a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. This latest generation of Samsung’s AMOLED technology ensures smoother motion, more vibrant colors along with doubled refresh rate.
These displays are known for exceptional brightness along with HDR10+ support for immersive video and excellent color calibration. Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays are typically used in Samsung’s latest flagship devices, specifically developed for content creators and power users.
8. Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide AMOLED Display
Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide AMOLED, popularly known as LTPO AMOLED is one of the most advanced display technologies available for smartphones. This technology combines the high electron mobility of Low Temperature PolySilicon Liquid Crystal along with the energy efficiency of Oxide TFTs, resulting in excellent refresh rate.
It is known to offer outstanding visuals with extended battery life and great contrast and color accuracy. Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide AMOLED Displays are only used in Flagship devices, specifically designed for gamers and professionals who seek top-tier smoothness and battery efficiency.
9. High-Pixel Density Displays
High-Pixel Density Displays, often referred to as “Retina Displays” by Apple, are the most advanced display technologies available out there. Retina Displays are the ones that are tightly packed so that images and text appear incredibly sharp and crisp.
These displays can use either LCD, OLED or even LTPO OLED technology depending on the device. Ideal for those who seek extremely crisp visuals with accurate color calibration. This technology is typically used in Apple devices to provide users with excellent calibration, clarity and long-term stability.
10. MicroLED Displays
Micro LED, also known as mLED, is a future-ready display technology that offer experience beyond traditional screens. mLED displays integrate microSolar technology for on-device power generation. Also, it includes microSensors for unmatched flexibility, reliability and functionality for next-generation smartphones. These screens are often considered ideal for unparalleled responsiveness and high energy efficiency. Micro LED display are as of now limited to larger screens, such as TVs.
However, reports suggest that the next-gen flagship smartphones devices are expected to integrate this newest technology in near future.
The Bottom Line
So, these are the top 10 mobile display types that come with smartphones. Presumably, you know that a smartphone’s display is one of the most critical components. It significantly influences how users interact with their devices. Everything, from reading text to making video calls, watching videos to playing games is directly impacted by the phone’s display. The better the display, the better the experience.
Of course, a good display can help you have outstanding user experience. If you are looking for a device that offer both energy efficiency and excellent color reproduction, then make sure to invest in a device that integrates the most advanced mobile display.
