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Series 5 vs Series 6 screen color temperature

klky

klky

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 30, 2015
508
949
Has anyone with both an S5 and S6 noticed a difference between the screen color temperatures? My S5 has more of a green tint and the S6 has more of a red tint. Its not to the point where either one looks incorrect, but its very noticeable when placed side by side. I tried taking a photo but its difficult to show. I took screen shots on both watches and they're exactly the same on my Mac. Incidentally, my S5 is Space Black Titanium (Sapphire Crystal) and my S6 is Blue Aluminum (Ion-X Glass). I wonder if this has to do with the screen material or a different calibration between the S5 and S6. Does the color shift over time?
 
The two screen materials have different transmissivity, so I wouldn't be surprised if they also affected color temperature.

I can say that I noticed no difference between my S5 and S6, but both were the sapphire crystal.
 
My S4SS was also more green and warmer than my S6SS. And the S6 has more of a red/pink hue in some angles. I prefer the cooler tone of the S6 when they’re side to side but didn’t notice the difference in the few years of S4
 
klky said:
Has anyone with both an S5 and S6 noticed a difference between the screen color temperatures? My S5 has more of a green tint and the S6 has more of a red tint. Its not to the point where either one looks incorrect, but its very noticeable when placed side by side. I tried taking a photo but its difficult to show. I took screen shots on both watches and they're exactly the same on my Mac. Incidentally, my S5 is Space Black Titanium (Sapphire Crystal) and my S6 is Blue Aluminum (Ion-X Glass). I wonder if this has to do with the screen material or a different calibration between the S5 and S6. Does the color shift over time?
Click to expand...

OLED does not generally have a break in period Like LCD can exhibit. The screen material has nothing to do with it, it could be just a slight difference in calibration or maybe your eyes are more sensitive to changes where others may not notice the color temperature, saturation point, etc.
 
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klky said:
.... I wonder if this has to do with the screen material or a different calibration between the S5 and S6. Does the color shift over time?
Click to expand...
As stated glass and Sapphire refract light differently. Sapphire tends to be yellow and glass tends to be green. For proof take a white towel and in natural sunlight hold it next to a mirror and you will clearly see the difference in color/tint in the reflection. It will be almost shocking how green tinted the reflection is.
 

Video is kinda lengthy but if you go to minute 7:23 you can see the difference between the series 4 and series 6. Both are stainless steel with sapphire so not a difference in light refraction.

My guess is there is some panel variance and also that apple may have tuned or gone with a difference batch of OLED etc.
 
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Lotuskid said:

Video is kinda lengthy but if you go to minute 7:23 you can see the difference between the series 4 and series 6. Both are stainless steel with sapphire so not a difference in light refraction.

My guess is there is some panel variance and also that apple may have tuned or gone with a difference batch of OLED etc.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Thanks for that! I also prefer the tone of the S6 over S4/S5.
 
Not directly related but for reference I find the series 6 to be a colder temperature when compared to the series 3 and 4. What is more annoying is the blue tint on my series 6 when viewed at an angle, the series 4 I tried had this also whereas my series 3 watches are almost faultless in that regard, disappointing for me but not unexpected. The tint is not an OLED issue since the series 3 did not suffer this and to my knowledge they also used OLED.
 
Relentless Power said:
Apple Watch displays have only used LG and JDI OLED panels exclusively since 2015.
Click to expand...
Innnnnteresting. I had screen issues with the SE and after hours of online research I concluded that the SE is using the same screen tech as the 4, which had blotchy "light bleed" issues.

I returned the SE and ordered a 6. Hoping I get a good screen.
 
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