DisplayMate: iPhone X Has the 'Most Innovative and High Performance' Smartphone Display Ever Tested

[polbit]

And then you have those that suddenly will downplay DisplayMate's relevance now that iPhone X takes the top spot.

I think the point here is that nowadays Samsung and Apple are the only screen players at the top, and they keep trading places for "the best" with every new iteration. Apple has been known for accurate calibration, so it wasn't hard to imagine that if you combine the best OLED panel on the market, and add Apple calibration, it will be called the best.

 

[upandown]

Except not all the screens are calibrated properly. There unreal amounts of screens that have yellow hues to them and don’t show white at all. It’s like they failed to calibrate the white point properly. My screen constantly look like night shift is on the lowest setting. There’s no difference between night shift being on, and off. Either way it looks the same.

I saw that thread and it looks like a wild goose chase. I'll reserve some judgment that perhaps some units have an issue.

But what I really think is going on is that we have been conditioned to ultra blue screens from Apple and every where else over the past 10 years. What people don't realize is that does not make for a correct or high quality balance. In short, you learned it wrong. Your eyes are seeing what a white should be an it's warmer than youre used to.

Apple has been getting white better and better over the last few products and to my eyes (eyes that deal with professional screen calibration) the X has the best white I've seen on any product.

Side note. If you angle the X to the side for just a moment you'll see a blue shift. Once you go back to perfectly straight you see a slight yellow hue. It's not the screen. It's that your eyes transitioning from back to white from blue. Hence the yellow.

 

[gtg465x]

Samsung electronics is a single company. Its different divisions are not subsidiaries. Your comparison with CPU manufacturing is also incorrect. The foundry business (Samsung) develops the tech process (including devices - transistors etc.). The customer (Apple) designs the architecture, schematics and layout. With display panels, what exactly do you think did Apple develop?

I didn't say the divisions are subsidiaries. I said they operate like subsidiaries. And I don't think Samsung's foundry business and their display business are all that different. Samsung developed the tech process to produce OLED displays, but Apple told them what subpixel characteristics they wanted, what size and resolution they wanted, and Apple did the calibration. Sure, Samsung played a larger part in the production of the iPhone X display than Apple did, so it's not a perfect comparison to Samsung producing the A9 chip, but this nitpicking is getting away from my original point.

If you don't like that comparison, how about the comparison to LG producing the iPhone LCDs, yet never putting a display as good as the iPhone LCDs into their own phones? My original point was that it's possible for the display in the iPhone X to be better than the displays in the Galaxy S8 and Note 8 even though Samsung produced both. The role of calibration and the underlying operating system supporting things like subpixel anti-aliasing and color management shouldn't be underestimated. The best display hardware isn't worth a damn if it's poorly calibrated or the underlying operating system can't take full advantage of it.

 

[MrX8503]

I saw that thread and it looks like a wild goose chase. I'll reserve some judgment that perhaps some units have an issue.

But what I really think is going on is that we have been conditioned to ultra blue screens from Apple and every where else over the past 10 years. What people don't realize is that does not make for a correct or high quality balance. In short, you learned it wrong. Your eyes are seeing what a white should be an it's warmer than youre used to.

Apple has been getting white better and better over the last few products and to my eyes (eyes that deal with professional screen calibration) the X has the best white I've seen on any product.

Side note. If you angle the X to the side for just a moment you'll see a blue shift. Once you go back to perfectly straight you see a slight yellow hue. It's not the screen. It's that your eyes transitioning from back to white from blue. Hence the yellow.

I think there’s a big misunderstanding of how colors work. I agree with most of what you’re saying, but I wanted to clarify how TrueTone works.

If you place a white sheet of paper on a table, what color is it? It depends on the ambient lighting. This is what TrueTone is trying to achieve, its trying to match that real life white sheet of paper.

Now that we know that lighting can change how colors look, to get the most accurate representation of a color, that object has to be under white light. Which is why task lighting or makeup lighting is white.

If you’re doing photo/video editing on your iPhone, you want TrueTone OFF.

 

[upandown]

I think there’s a big misunderstanding of how colors work. I agree with most of what you’re saying, but I wanted to clarify how TrueTone works.

If you place a white sheet of paper on a table, what color is it? It depends on the ambient lighting. This is what TrueTone is trying to achieve, its trying to match that real life white sheet of paper.

Now that we know that lighting can change how colors look, to get the most accurate representation of a color, that object has to be under white light. Which is why task lighting or makeup lighting is white.

If you’re doing photo/video editing on your iPhone, you want TrueTone OFF.

I agree with you 100%. Just to be clear I wasn't talking about true tone at all.

It's good to hear someone else understands true tone. I was in another thread awhile ago trying to explain that. Yet they wanted to believe true tone makes the display more accurate. NOT TRUE.

Personally I love true tone. Except when viewing images and watching content.

 

[tooltalk]

They hold many more patents than just the powder within OLED displays, They own many of the manufacturing processes, sub-pixel patents, methods for reducing burn-in ETC. I am not saying Samsung doesn't hold a vast library of patents, however many of them rely on UDC patents, and their improvements associated to them. Similar to many of Apple's LCD patents relying on the underlying technology they based it on.

You should also take a look at UDC's financials, and what Samsung pays them in licensing before you pass judgement on who gains what. Stock for UDC jumped when it was reviewed that Apple was going to produce a device using OLED. While Samsung benefits from Apple paying licenses to their patent portfolio, in some ways, UDC does even more.

At the end of the day, I agree with something you indirectly touched on. Taking a stroll into the Legal information on an iPhone (and any Smartphone for that matter) will reveal a plethora of patents device makers like Apple, Samsung HTC, LG and others license to make our smartphones possible.

It is rare that any of the features / inventions we enjoy in our devices, actually came directly from an idea from that given manufacturer.


By the Way. People crediting Pentile as being a Samsung Invention, need to listen to this wonderful inventor, about some technology Samsung Purchased when they purchased her intellectual property. Without her, we wouldn't have the amazing displays we enjoy in many of our devices.

I couldn't help noticing how insecure your comment sounds like (*cough* *cough*)

Well, if you want to talk about patents, sure, UDC does own some of basic phosophorescent emitter patents that are crucial (and also set to expire soon) to Samsung's AMOLED, but now compare that to Samsung Display Co (SDC), a division of Samsung Electronics: UDC accumulated over 4000+ granted, pending, or purchased over its lifetime; SDC received 2000+ GRANTED alone last year (2016) -- in fact, SDC was #13 top US patent recipient, while its parent Samsung was #2.

Also as I noted earlier, even if you don't understand the patents owned by UDC, widely licensed to all willing licensees, the extraordinary fact that Samsung has been the only successful maker (and consumer) with whopping 95+% global market share for the past 10 years ought to tell you about the intricacy of other underlying material and manufacturing tech involved. UDC's patents covers only some, important aspect of OLED, but your comparison is akin to claiming that Apple iPhone is nothing more than a glorified Qualcomm modem.

As for payments made to UDC, did you look at the reported figure Apple is paying for Samsung's AMOLED? If Samsung can charge Apple ten to twenty times what Samsung pays in licensing fee and material costs, I don't see why Samsung can't share that loot with UDC?

Yes, Candice Elliot is widely credited for creating it and Samsung bought the company she founded along with all the IP, but I'm also old enough to remember how it was ridiculed as cheap, inferior -- see https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-s3-pentile-display-reliable-84716/. Now, imagine where Apple A processors would be today without Samsung and its former partner Intrinsity .... (duck).

 

[Wildhope]

This is definitely high praise. I can’t wait to get one eventually lol

 

[840quadra]

I couldn't help noticing how insecure your comment sounds like (*cough* *cough*)

I am not interested in turning a tech conversation, into ad hominem. I will fully admit I am not 100% versed on OLED patents, I never said I was.

One thing I do love about this site, is learning new things, especially when it comes to history, the inner workings of our devices, and, development. If you can contribute to the discussion without spinning it into something else, I am game to follow along.

You are correct that some of their patents expire in 2017, as does their current Agreement with Samsung. That said, they don’t all expire in 2017, with some fundamental patents extending past the next cliff in 2020. From what I read (I think it was Montley Fool) there are other Patents that UDC holds that Samsung’s manufacturing process relies on. It is entirely possible I misunderstand those past articles tough. That was part of an article discussing why Samsung was not likely to purchase UDC, due to the potential monopoly (at the time) could potentially risk further adoption of OLED technology.

I will fully admit that investor sources aren’t always the best source for tech facts though

One thing I like seeing is that companies like LG, and a few other firms are starting to get involved within the OLED market. I don’t think it is good for any of us to have only one source for any major piece of tech. It’s true that LG is having some teething issues with their OLED tech (LG V30, Pixel 2 XL), however I was still impressed with the examples of their displays that I had seen. I must have seen non-faulty examples!

FWIW, my linking that video to this thread wasn’t a direct response to anything you said, it was in regards to earlier comments on Apple copying Samsung’s Pentile invention. It wasn’t their invention, though they have made it work awesomely since the era from which your link originated.

 

[Iconoclysm]

I agree with you on the second part... however when I compared the iPhone X to my Galaxy S6 edge+, it was immediately apparent that the iPhone had a warmer tone to it that didn't look quite as natural as my phone. Also, the clarity (pixel density) didn't look as sharp on the iPhone. Again, I am not trolling and am not an Android fanboy. I want Apple to have the best display so I can have a reason to switch back. But time and time again, my eyes prefer the screens on Samsung devices.

I don't care about justifying my purchase–my phone is already 2 years old. It's about being neutral, and that was my impression. I would be happy to compare again next time I'm in the store. Yes, Apple has some innovative tech in the screen that they required from Samsung. But just wait until they release the foldable tablet-phone...

You just described TrueTone with your warmer comment. About the screen, this is the best screen Samsung has made. You have a preference for saturated colors, I'm guessing. Nothing wrong with that, but if you read DisplayMate's findings, the iPhone X has the most accurate color representation of any screen ever made and gave it a score of "Perfect". This is a combination of the screen and Apple's tuning of the screen.

 

[paradox00]

You may have missed it, but Samsung simply produced in mass quantities the display that Apple developed. Apple designed and developed it, provided the specifications to Samsung, and Samsung used their equipment to produce it. That's all. That's like me making a recipe for an award winning chili, but me giving you the chili to make in your kitchen since my kitchen was under renovation. I made the recipe, you simply cooked it for me.

You seem to misunderstand my post, although I must first point out that you're wrong that Apple "designed and developed" the screen... Apple doesn't design screens like they do chips. They did, however, establish the specs as you say, and Samsung did build to that spec. No one else can build to that spec in quantity right now, hence my comment about Samsung making the best OLED displays.

What you're missing in my post is the context (hint read quotes, and click through conversations if you want to jump in). In a nutshell I'm saying Samsung phones can't have the screen that the iPhone has, despite making the best OLED displays because of the driver side optimizations Apple made.

 

[bt311]

So Samsung is using lower quality displays in Galaxy 8 phones, and supplying better displays to Apple ?

That is the essence of it. Apple is simply willing to pay for the lower yields.

 

[mib1800]

That is the essence of it. Apple is simply willing to pay for the lower yields.

It is unlikely apple uses the screen of s8/N8 quality level in IPX. IPX has lower resolution and subpixels count (5.5mil vs 8.5mil in S8). S8 screen also supports a much wider native color gamut and much higher peak brightness with a user adjustable color/white balance. And native AOD support which is not present in IPX. S8 screen got better viewing angle and lesser color shift.
S8 screen employs dual light sensors and has dynamic brightness control (i.e. brightness level can vary across different sections of the screen and not just a single level over entire screen - adaptive mode). These are all hardware (or hardware enabled) specs.

For DisplayMate evaluation two of the main point scoring parameters below can be tuned/adjusted. Above hardware capabilities cannot be changed by software.

e.g.

color accuracy - apple forced on users its muted/yellowish accurate color tone. Samsung gives users 4 screen modes to cater to various tastes.

brightness - s8 screen is capable of much higher brightness but due to power consumption consideration, the peak brightness is internal software control

 

[FFR]

It is unlikely apple uses the screen of s8/N8 quality level in IPX. IPX has lower resolution and subpixels count (5.5mil vs 8.5mil in S8). S8 screen also supports a much wider native color gamut and much higher peak brightness with a user adjustable color/white balance. And native AOD support which is not present in IPX. S8 screen got better viewing angle and lesser color shift.
S8 screen employs dual light sensors and has dynamic brightness control (i.e. brightness level can vary across different sections of the screen and not just a single level over entire screen - adaptive mode). These are all hardware (or hardware enabled) specs.

For DisplayMate evaluation two of the main point scoring parameters below can be tuned/adjusted. Above hardware capabilities cannot be changed by software.

e.g.

color accuracy - apple forced on users its muted/yellowish accurate color tone. Samsung gives users 4 screen modes to cater to various tastes.

brightness - s8 screen is capable of much higher brightness but due to power consumption consideration, the peak brightness is internal software control

You’re equating a lower resolution panel to lower quality. You that’s not the case here.

At the subpixel level the note 8 s8 displays look different to the iphones.

They are not the same display.

In fact the s6 looks closer to the note 8/s8 display then the iPhone X

 

[mib1800]

You’re equating a lower resolution panel to lower quality. You that’s not the case here.

At the subpixel level the note 8 s8 displays look different to the iphones.

They are not the same display.

In fact the s6 looks closer to the note 8/s8 display then the iPhone X

Yeah... why I am not surprised.. that you would say a full HD TV is gonna be better than 4k TV.

 

[FFR]

Yeah... why I am not surprised.. that you would say a full HD TV is gonna be better than 4k TV.

Depends on the tv and the technology.
Remember kuro.
Some flat 6 engines demolishes some v8 ans v12.
Depends on the engine.

And according to displaymate the iPhone X has a better display than the note 8 even though it has less pixels per inch.

In fact display mate would argue that the quality of the iPhone X display is greater than the quality of the note 8 display.

 

[mib1800]

Depends on the tv and the technology.
Remember kuro.
Some flat 6 engines demolishes some v8 ans v12.
Depends on the engine.

And according to displaymate the iPhone X has a better display than the note 8 even though it has less pixels per inch.

In fact display mate would argue that the quality of the iPhone X display is greater than the quality of the note 8 display.

In that case displaymate would have given iPhone X screen a A++ rating and not the same A+ rating as note8/S8.

 

[FFR]

In that case displaymate would have given iPhone X screen a A++ rating and not the same A+ rating as note8/S8.

Would you like them to?
Your not making very much sense.

 

[mib1800]

Would you like them to?
Your not making very much sense.

You are just trying to make excuses.

 

[FFR]

You are just trying to make excuses.

I think that’s what your doing.
I think you don’t like the results of the displaymates test and are trying desperately to latch on to an argument to invalidate it.

 

[upandown]

Displaymate's results are not up for debate. Something as objective and scientific as taking measurements on a screen can not be twisted like the internet likes to do.

With regards to resolution or more importantly, pixel density, displaymate has for a long time argued that higher pixel densities above 400-450 (on a smartphone) does not add anything. I tend to agree with them.

With regards to brightness, please re-read the article. It clearly explains that the iPhone is actually the brighter phone in every instance except, when you light up a very small portion of the screen. Ie a few words of text. Again, not up for debate.

 

[vladi]

Dare I say OLEDs are still crap. But it depends how trained of an eye you have.

Way back people didn't have a problem starring at the 60Mhz CRTs while I could notice the flickering all the way up to 85Hz while everyone tried to tell me that human eye cant' distinguish flickering above 72Hz. Due to my "condition" I had to go with the 120Hz Trinitrons which cost a lot dough back in the day.

Same thing with cheap mobile OLEDs, I can see the hue shifts and white flickering from the very long distance and it's driving me nuts. I didn't look at X yet but the latest Samsungs who are supposed to be best OLEDs on the mobile are driving me crazy with yellow hue shifts and flicker.

TV is a different story but then we are talking about serious dough once again.

 

[Truefan31]

Yeah... why I am not surprised.. that you would say a full HD TV is gonna be better than 4k TV.

There are plenty of full HD TVs that are better than 4k tvs.
[doublepost=1510170804][/doublepost]

It is unlikely apple uses the screen of s8/N8 quality level in IPX. IPX has lower resolution and subpixels count (5.5mil vs 8.5mil in S8). S8 screen also supports a much wider native color gamut and much higher peak brightness with a user adjustable color/white balance. And native AOD support which is not present in IPX. S8 screen got better viewing angle and lesser color shift.
S8 screen employs dual light sensors and has dynamic brightness control (i.e. brightness level can vary across different sections of the screen and not just a single level over entire screen - adaptive mode). These are all hardware (or hardware enabled) specs.

For DisplayMate evaluation two of the main point scoring parameters below can be tuned/adjusted. Above hardware capabilities cannot be changed by software.

e.g.

color accuracy - apple forced on users its muted/yellowish accurate color tone. Samsung gives users 4 screen modes to cater to various tastes.

brightness - s8 screen is capable of much higher brightness but due to power consumption consideration, the peak brightness is internal software control

Displaymate has stated that the X display is the best they've tested. Not sure what's so hard to acknowledge that. I'm sure when the note was tested, it also garnered the praise. I'm sure the s9 will have an even improved display as well. Lots of deflection here instead of just acknowledging that Apple seemingly did an impressive job with its first foray into OLED.

 

[FFR]

There are plenty of full HD TVs that are better than 4k tvs.
[doublepost=1510170804][/doublepost]

Displaymate has stated that the X display is the best they've tested. Not sure what's so hard to acknowledge that. I'm sure when the note was tested, it also garnered the praise. I'm sure the s9 will have an even improved display as well. Lots of deflection here instead of just acknowledging that Apple seemingly did an impressive job with its first foray into OLED.

That’s the guy that went around telling everyone that the iPhone X had an of the shelf display from a galaxy s6.

Don’t waste your time.

 

[Truefan31]

That’s the guy that went around telling everyone that the iPhone X had an of the shelf display from a galaxy s6.

Don’t waste your time.

So the display on the s6 is better than the note 8? Lol

 

[FFR]

So the display on the s6 is better than the note 8? Lol

Accrording to him, sure.