iPhone Unlikely to Adopt AMOLED Display in Foreseeable Future

[scaredpoet]

Strange. I've never heard people here comment on how the Apple Watch is, in your words, "an oversaturated mess, with a fake number of pixels."

I have an Apple Watch. While its graphical interface looks fine enough, all it takes is someone to text me a photo and for me to see it on the watch to see what an oversaturated, poor-pixel mess the display can be.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Apple Watch. And an OLED display for a watch is adequate given the tradeoffs that needed to be made (and the fact that there are way worse smartwatch displays out there). But OLED is not a display I want to look at photos on for very long, because the color reproduction is nauseatingly bad to me, particularly with skin tones. With my smartphone being the device where I take the most photos - and view them - OLED would be a huge step backward.

 

[John Mcgregor]

How great are the power savings of AMOLED vs traditional LCD; how much of an impact does it make?

Inconceivably small.

 

[Luis Mazza]

Well personal observations is what matters. Who gives a **** about some spec sheet number in page 7 of 23 (which is still debatable). If i go to a store and prefer IPS panel to ambled. Then it is all that matters.

Oh yes... That's why marketing departments work so hard... so you can have your personal observations.

 

[Mr Fusion]

Samsung displays always seem like they have a blue tinge to me.

I've noticed that too, and I believe it's because blue OLEDs dim out faster so they over-brighten them to compensate for dimming later on. Not sure if that's true anymore with current technology though.

Regardless, if Apple went OLED for the iPhone I'd presume they'd do a much better job of screen calibration than competitors, and the blue wouldn't be an issue.

Let's be honest, one of the main reasons for this is that they must shop from Samsung in order to use AMOLED. LG is ok for supplying a few million Apple Watch displays, but it would be a major risk to solely depend on them to supply 200+ million iPhone displays.

That doesn't make sense, this is supplier contracts not phone vs phone. If both can benefit from the business deal it would get done. Even if it did bite into Samsung's phone business, the profits would probably be made up for by selling so many displays.

 

[maflynn]

I can't say this is surprising and to be honest, I'm pretty happy with the display in my iPhone 6 plus, so why fix what isn't broken.

 

[John Mcgregor]

Oh yes... That's why marketing departments work so hard... so you can have your personal observations.

I tell you last time, I prefer IPS over amoled and no amount of test so far has convinced me otherwise. I look at both and i take the one i like more.

 

[nikicampos]

It's just a rumor so far. I care more about a 1080p display, anyway.

The iPhone 6/6s Plus has 1080p display.

 

[Luis Mazza]

I tell you last time, I prefer IPS over amoled and no amount of test so far has convinced me otherwise. I look at both and i take the one i like more.

I know that. No need to worry.

 

[Mascots]

I'm just saying, if you look at his predictions based solely on numbers - % of predictions correct vs % wrong, obvious predictions like the next iPhone retaining 3D Touch or the next iPhone having an A10 will pad those percentages in his favor.

I linked you to an article that allows you to sift through many of his claims over the last years and the majority of those have context that could otherwise be considered non-trivial; I would even consider the a10 to be a nontrivial prediction considering he released potential spec differences among models with it - If he is right, that is another justified notch of confidence for investors in his belt just as much of a loss if he is wrong.

I'm just saying, this isn't some guy spouting off things based on what he reads solely on forums online - he is being paid to do a lot of digging and his track record, even omitting things & details you find trivial predictions, is pretty spot on. In fact, based on his history, this kind of prediction is right up his alley.

 

[macnewbie91]

I've had all different types of phones including Samsung, Apple, HTC, and Nexus devices.

One characteristic I've noticed with AMOLED screens is how much easier on the eyes when viewing in a dark room. My eyes used to rest easy when laying on a bed and looking at my phone. With the iPhone, even if the brightness is turned all the way down, the phone's screen is still blinding to look at in the dark.

AMOLED screens are also capable of having more vivid colors, but they don't allow them to look as natural at the same time as an LCD screen would have.

I also like how the individual pixels on an AMOLED shut down when its black, saving battery life.

It's a personal decision, but I prefer AMOLED... I'd rather have a vivid screen and they're more relaxing to look at in the dark.

 

[AdonisSMU]

I've never seen an Apple Watch so I don't know how they look but you are saying they have horrible color reproduction and fake number of pixels? Glad I didn't buy on then.

The watch display is amazing. Its better than my iPhone display.

Samsung displays always seem like they have a blue tinge to me.

They do have the blue tint to them. My Apple Watch doesnt though. Its amazing honestly.

 

[69Mustang]

I prefer colours on IPS panels. Amoled looks fake to me.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with preferring the look of the IPS panels. But quoting old info to push a narrative is pretty bad form imo (not you; Futurix). AMOLED tech has evolved a long way from what it used to be.

 

[neuropsychguy]

He recently predicted Apple would carry 3D touch onto next year's models. Of course his record looks good when he's predicting things like that.

He misses on some things but has been very accurate overall: http://www.cultofmac.com/273923/ming-chi-kuo/

 

[ColdShadow]

Having both iPhone 6 ans Galaxy Note 5 and comparing them side by side,there is no argue,AMOELED wins hands down.

frankly there is no comparison really..AMOLED is instantly the winner.so much sharper,so much more colorful and just a much nicer,pleasant screen to look at.

LCD is so pale and so boring.

 

[kapp2]

I hope Apple change display tech. not that iphone 6/6 plus look bad, but amoled on galaxy/Note, best phone screen on the market right now imo. amazing displays !

 

[AdonisSMU]

Having both iPhone 6 ans Galaxy Note 5 and comparing them side by side,there is no argue,AMOELED wins hands down.

frankly there is no comparison really..AMOLED is instantly the winner.so much sharper,so much more colorful and just a much nicer,pleasant screen to look at.

LCD is so pale and so boring.

Im going to disagree on the note thing. I like the vivid colors but the blue tint is a turn off.

 

[kapp2]

OLED phone screens downside though, Viewing angle :/

 

[sputnikv]

Great way to start a discussion, calling anyone who disagrees with you stupid. Yes, you can compare - and it's best that you actually DO compare...I have both right in front of me right now and absolutely prefer IPS. As for the reasons why, the fact that you think Samsung owns this technology is enough to make me realize you aren't worth discussing with.

"enough to make me realize you aren't worth discussing with."

Why are you responding to him then?

 

[ActionableMango]

I'm still waiting for plasma iPhone screens. Widest viewing angles, wonderful color accuracy, incredible contrast, deep inky blacks, and you can use it to keep your whole family warm if the car breaks down in a snowstorm.

Of course the battery will have to be a lot bigger.

 

[dk001]

I have an Apple Watch. While its graphical interface looks fine enough, all it takes is someone to text me a photo and for me to see it on the watch to see what an oversaturated, poor-pixel mess the display can be.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Apple Watch. And an OLED display for a watch is adequate given the tradeoffs that needed to be made (and the fact that there are way worse smartwatch displays out there). But OLED is not a display I want to look at photos on for very long, because the color reproduction is nauseatingly bad to me, particularly with skin tones. With my smartphone being the device where I take the most photos - and view them - OLED would be a huge step backward.

Wow. Just a bit biased? Maybe?
They both have good and bad aspects. Preferentially I'd rather have the super version of either.
Still, I do like the contrast ratios on the AMOLED screens and the higher definitions offered on Android devices.
Still, the iPhone isn't bad. I just feel their current choice is cost and wonder why they didn't go the Super LCD route.

 

[Futurix]

What the heck does "fake number of pixels" mean? Seriously, what does that mean.

LCD has 3 subpixels (1 red, 1 green, 1 blue) to display every pixel, and AMOLED has only 2 (1 green and 1 of either red or blue). Every software writing to the screen still expects normal LCD-style pixels, so AMOLED screens use various hackery to emulate normal colours - which doesn't always work correctly, and occasionally results in jagged text and misaligned straight lines.

Normal LCD-pixels are possible with AMOLED but are more expensive, so nobody uses them. Instead manufacturers try to compensate by cranking up red or blue levels on screens, which results in oversaturated images.

So basically with AMOLED screens you get only 2/3 of subpixels of LCD, despite normal image reproduction requiring the same number. It provides 100% of green subpixels, and only 50% of red and blue subpixels - all in the name of lower prices.

How great are the power savings of AMOLED vs traditional LCD; how much of an impact does it make?

It only matters on mostly black screens - where AMOLED has about 20% savings. For every other situation LCD is either same or better.

Let's be honest, one of the main reasons for this is that they must shop from Samsung in order to use AMOLED. LG is ok for supplying a few million Apple Watch displays, but it would be a major risk to solely depend on them to supply 200+ million iPhone displays.

I think the main reason is that Apple cares about truthful colour reproduction in their products - they always did.

 

[JM]

yellowgate continues woo hoo

Staring at a pissy brand new 5s right now. Woo-hoo indeed.

 

[kapp2]

I'm still waiting for plasma iPhone screens. Widest viewing angles, wonderful color accuracy, incredible contrast, deep inky blacks,

I prefer colours on IPS panels. Amoled looks fake to me.

IPS screen are actally being used in TVs today. they have great colours yup

 

[GFLPraxis]

Here comes the world class stupid fanboys who think this is the best move for consumers.
AMOLED is just perfect... You can't compare to LCD right now. We're are being forced to use inferior technology because Apple doesn't want to give Samsung more money.

I'm not sure I'm convinced of this, actually. And not from a fanboy perspective.

AMOLED uses the PenTile matrix. It basically skips certain sub-pixels. This allows them to get higher resolutions, cheaper, but in fact, at the same resolution, an IPS or TFT LCD looks sharper.

I've always theorized Apple is choosing to go with IPS over OLED because you get better color accuracy and image accuracy out of it. OLED is brighter, but not clearer or more accurate. There's an added bonus: If Apple with an LED display can be 1920x1080 (see: iPhone 6S) but have equal sharpness and better color accuracy to a 2560x1440 OLED display (see: Galaxy S6), Apple gets a performance advantage by rendering in lower resolution. That performance advantage also is a battery life advantage. The graphics card is pushing less pixels at any given time.

Here's a quote:
OLED displays have gotten a bad rap on mobile devices primarily because of a thing called PenTile. PenTile mimics how our eye works: 72% of the luminance we perceive is determined by the green wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum. The RGBG arrangement of sub-pixels lets a display get brighter without increasing the overall number of transistors needed. This, of course, keeps manufacturing costs down. Unfortunately this physical layout of the light emitters also makes colors grainy and text hard to read.

 

[MacAndMic]

I worried that once Apple introduced their lease plan that they would have very little change over the next few years as it obviously keeps costs down....rumored anyways.

If it is true, Apple is not doing themselves any favors and is going to find it difficult keeping up with the competition. Many iPhone users are not Mac users or brand loyal, moving on to the better display devices like they did with phablets will happen.