Galaxy S7's 'Best Smartphone Display' Makes Strong Case for Apple to Shift to OLED iPhones

[MacRumors]

DisplayMate Technologies has declared that Samsung's new Galaxy S7 has the "best smartphone display" it has ever tested, making a strong case for Apple's rumored shift to OLED displays within the next two to three years.

The in-depth display shoot-out found the Galaxy S7 display to be significantly better than the Galaxy S6, including increased brightness by up to 29 percent, improved screen visibility in bright environments, and more efficient power consumption.

The Galaxy S7's display now matches or exceeds the larger Galaxy Note 5's display in terms of brightness, color accuracy, and contrast rating in high ambient light. The results are impressive given the Galaxy S7's display area is scaled down by 20 percent.

The Galaxy S7 also uses sub-pixel rendering, which improves image sharpness by treating red, green, and blue sub-pixels as individual image elements. DisplayMate says the technology can make the screen appear to have up to 3 times the resolution of traditional pixel rendering.

The improvements are directly tied to Samsung's advancements in OLED display technologies, which have a number of significant advantages over LCD panels, including being thinner and lighter with thinner bezels, faster response times, better viewing angles, and always-on mode.

Many of the OLED performance advantages result from the fact that every single sub-pixel in an OLED display is individually directly powered, which results in better color accuracy, image contrast accuracy, and screen uniformity.

Because of their very flexible power management capabilities, OLEDs are not only more power efficient than LCDs for most image content, but they now deliver much higher peak Brightness than LCDs because of this. However, for mostly all white screen content LCDs are likely to remain brighter and more power efficient for a while.

Overall, OLED technology is becoming increasingly competitive with LCD technology. DisplayMate noted that LCDs remain more power efficient when displaying mostly white content, such as text on a white background, but OLEDs are more power efficient for more typical mixed image content.

iPhones have used various LCD display technologies since the original model launched in 2007, but multiple reports claim that the first OLED-based iPhone will be released by the end of 2018. By then, the display technology will likely have advanced even further, making it a suitable option for Apple.

Apple has reportedly been "consulting with display makers" about OLED technology to eliminate potential drawbacks, which currently range from shorter lifespans to higher manufacturing costs than LCD displays. Apple's only current OLED product is the Apple Watch, which has a much smaller 1.4" (38mm) to 1.7" (42mm) screen.

Read more about OLED displays in DisplayMate's Galaxy S7 shoot-out.

Article Link: Galaxy S7's 'Best Smartphone Display' Makes Strong Case for Apple to Shift to OLED iPhones

 

[Three141]

I think Samsung has done really well with the OLED screen technology but I still feel if Apple did not push for Retina we would have larger screens with so-so display qualities.

 

[Studioman]

DisplayMate Technologies has declared that Samsung's new Galaxy S7 has the "best smartphone display" it has ever tested, making a strong case for Apple's rumored shift to OLED displays within the next two to three years.

The in-depth display shoot-out found the Galaxy S7 display to be significantly better than the Galaxy S6, including increased brightness by up to 29 percent, improved screen visibility in bright environments, and more efficient power consumption.

The Galaxy S7's display now matches or exceeds the larger Galaxy Note 5's display in terms of brightness, color accuracy, and contrast rating in high ambient light. The results are impressive given the Galaxy S7's display area is scaled down by 20 percent.

The Galaxy S7 also uses sub-pixel rendering, which improves image sharpness by treating red, green, and blue sub-pixels as individual image elements. DisplayMate says the technology can make the screen appear to have up to 3 times the resolution of traditional pixel rendering.

The improvements are directly tied to Samsung's advancements in OLED display technologies, which have a number of significant advantages over LCD panels, including being thinner and lighter with thinner bezels, faster response times, better viewing angles, and always-on mode.Overall, OLED technology is becoming increasingly competitive with LCD technology. DisplayMate noted that LCDs remain more power efficient when displaying mostly white content, such as text on a white background, but OLEDs are more power efficient for more typical mixed image content.

iPhones have used various LCD display technologies since the original model launched in 2007, but multiple reports claim that the first OLED-based iPhone will be released by the end of 2018. By then, the display technology will likely have advanced even further, making it a suitable option for Apple.

Apple has reportedly been "consulting with display makers" about OLED technology to eliminate potential drawbacks, which currently range from shorter lifespans to higher manufacturing costs than LCD displays. Apple's only current OLED product is the Apple Watch, which has a much smaller 1.4" (38mm) to 1.7" (42mm) screen.

Read more about OLED displays in DisplayMate's Galaxy S7 shoot-out.

Article Link: Galaxy S7's 'Best Smartphone Display' Makes Strong Case for Apple to Shift to OLED iPhones

I hope Apple doesn't move to over boosting color saturation. It pops on the screen but pictures and video looks terrible on anything else.

 

[farewelwilliams]

just give us deforming tactile screens already

 

[penajmz]

Hate to admit it but Apple has fallen behind when it comes to the screen. Hopefully when they do start using them they blow it out the water...

 

[Paradoxally]

just give us tactile screens already

They have been tactile since 2007.

 

[Cole Slaw]

Apple doesn't use this technology on it's smartphones(yet), so that makes OLED another Samsung "gimmick".

 

[Norbs12]

Hate to admit it but Apple has fallen behind when it comes to the screen. Hopefully when they do start using them they blow it out the water...

Yeah agreed OLED is pretty nice. Apple doesn't have much reason to not switch to it asap. I've been drooling over LG's OLED TV's lately.

 

[Four oF NINE]

Too bad the buyers are stuck with a clunky OS

 

[mbh1976]

I realize that nightshift will help this, but is there a reason iPhone screens can't be turned down further? In pitch black they are way too bright for my taste and I don't think I've ever even had my brightness higher than 50% during the day.

 

[\-V-/]

Apple doesn't use this technology on it's smartphones(yet), so that makes OLED another Samsung "gimmick".

I hope this comment is sarcastic.

Too bad the buyers are stuck with a clunky OS

Another person stuck in the past.

 

[AppleScruff1]

Apple users don't want the best display, we want a display that just works and allows Apple to maximize profits.

 

[ILikeAllOS]

I still say that Apple is probably going to roll out MicroLED instead of OLED.
That is why they bought that MicroLED startup a couple years ago, opened a secret display panel lab in China and have been taking their sweet time instead of just having Samsung make some Super AmoLED panels for them.

 

[\-V-/]

Apple users don't want the best display, we want a display that just works and allows Apple to maximize profits.

I can't tell anymore if people are being sarcastic or not.

 

[Berti10]

Am I the only one around here who thinks Amoled got better blacks and Colors, but IPS is still way more accurate at displaying a clear white? I mean, as a photographer you won't check the black-balance on your photo, do you?

 

[rp2011]

The display on the Note 5 is amazing. Great phone. Too bad it runs Android.

 

[Traverse]

Hate to admit it but Apple has fallen behind when it comes to the screen. Hopefully when they do start using them they blow it out the water...

I agree. I was using my fiends LG phone the other day and the resolution alone was a noticeable improvement over my iPhone 6's. I love the Apple Watch's display. I'd like that along with 400 PPI.

Pixels aren't everything, but none of Apple's devices are truly "Retina" to me except for my rMBP. I see pixels on my Watch, iPhone, and iPad, but maybe I use them too close to my face?

 

[69Mustang]

I hope Apple doesn't move to over boosting color saturation. It pops on the screen but pictures and video looks terrible on anything else.

Color saturation is only an option (or mode as they call it) on Samsung phones. The news about the S7 shouldn't surprise anyone here. The phones have take the "title" as best smartphone screen for a number of years in a row. The iPhone screens stand as the best LCD panels. Honestly, the visual difference is negligible when comparing Samsung's Basic Mode with an iPhone. Anyone with either phone is going to be pleased with their screen. Dynamic, Movie and Photo modes are where the differences will be more pronounced.

 

[Surf Donkey]

Too bad it runs Android.**

** Touchwiz. Go get a Nexus 6p or 5x and tell me the stock Android experience is a bad one.

 

[nottorp]

Oh, it appears sub-pixel rendering still means they have 2x as many green subpixels than red and blue... didn't that used to lead to unclear font rendering, while looking good in photos?

 

[FightTheFuture]

Having the best display is not a good user experience?

I work in a post-production environment and have access to a bunch of OLED displays. They are definitely a better technology, but I don't see the point of switching from an iPhone to a Galaxy just for having "the best display."

I mean what are you going to do with it besides post messages on a forum that I have a better display then the other guy.

 

[jmgregory1]

I think Apple will shift when they can prove out that OLED offers not only a visual benefit to the consumer, but it will also need to improve energy use, be available in huge volumes meeting tough quality and yield specs, and to some extent be cost competitive. I doubt it can happen this year, but I would bet the rumors of 2018 seem about right for the shift.

 

[LordVic]

I work in a post-production environment and have access to a bunch of OLED displays. They are definitely a better technology, but I don't see the point of switching from an iPhone to a Galaxy just for having "the best display."

I mean what are you going to do with it besides post messages on a forum that I have a better display then the other guy.

thats between me, and my sheets

 

[DUCKofD3ATH]

I think Samsung has done really well with the OLED screen technology but I still feel if Apple did not push for Retina we would have larger screens with so-so display qualities.

But the screens may have shorter lifespans. If Apple could get everyone to exchange their current iPhone for the latest model on a yearly basis, quick-dying screens wouldn't matter. Otherwise, I say pass on OLED until the tech is reliable.

 

[nottorp]

thats between me, and my sheets

Hey, there are 10 inch tablets available for porn...