The advancement of technology in the mobile phone sector This has led to an exponential improvement in the quality of devices, and especially their displays. These not only allow for essential interaction with smartphone apps and features, but have also evolved to become one of the key differentiators when choosing a new device. There is no single type of screen; the options have grown and innovated., allowing you to choose between different technologies with advantages and disadvantages tailored to different users and needs.
The key question that still remains is: Which type of display is better, AMOLED or IPS? Both technologies dominate the market, and while AMOLED is typically found in mid-range and high-end devices, IPS panels continue to hold a significant place in various segments, including some mid-range and low-end devices. This article delves into the technological differences, advantages, disadvantages, technical nuances, industry developments, and tips for choosing the most suitable option for each user.
Screen Types: Understanding the Technological Basis
In the world of mobile technology, Screens represent a fundamental component that determines the visual experience. The two most widely used technologies today are LCD (in their IPS and TFT variants) and AMOLED, although others exist, such as OLED and its derivatives. To understand them, it's key to understand how they work and what their main differences are.
LCD screens: IPS and TFT
LCD stands for Liquid Crystal DisplayThis type of panel uses a backlight to generate images, requiring light to pass through liquid crystals that open or close to form the colors and images visible on the screen. If you'd like to learn more about how to optimize your display settings, you can check out this article. article on resolving shadow effects on screens.
LCD panels are mainly divided into two branches:
- TFT LCDThin-film transistor. This is a step forward from standard LCDs. Each pixel is connected to a separate transistor and capacitor, providing higher contrast and faster response times, but with limited viewing angles and color reproduction.
- IPS LCD: «In-Plane Switching». It is an evolution of TFT panels, redesigning the orientation of the liquid crystals to achieve Better viewing angles, more accurate colors, and higher contrastIPS is especially appreciated by creative professionals, image editing enthusiasts, and users looking for more realistic and less saturated images.
The incorporation of IPS technology It has overcome many of the shortcomings of TFT panels, such as limited color reproduction and poor viewing angles, and has also reduced response time, making it ideal for multimedia consumption and gaming.
AMOLED displays: The self-illuminating revolution
AMOLED stands for “Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode.”Unlike LCD panels, each pixel in an AMOLED display emits its own light when powered, eliminating the need for a backlight. Instead of filtering light, pixels can be turned on and off individually, achieving purer blacks and spectacular contrast.
Active matrix (AM) uses transistors to manage each pixel, allowing precise control over luminance and color intensity. This enables highly accurate and vibrant color representation, flexibility in curved or bendable designs, and much thinner end devices.
Furthermore, The absence of backlighting means significant energy savings when displaying dark or black colors, as the pixels remain off. However, AMOLED panels are typically more expensive to produce than their LCD counterparts. If you're looking for optimal energy efficiency, you can also explore this Article about LTPO displays in smartphones.
How do IPS and AMOLED LCD panels work technically?
To choose between the two technologies, it is important to understand how they act on light, color, and energy.
- IPS LCD: It uses a constant backlight source that must pass through a matrix of liquid crystals and color filters. The pixels never turn off completely; even when displaying black, the backlight continues to operate, limiting black purity and energy efficiency.
- AMOLEDEach pixel is an independent organic light-emitting diode. If black is required, that pixel is not activated, so it's completely black and consumes no power. This also allows for lower battery demands on dark content and results in thinner, lighter devices.
This difference in structure directly impacts contrast, energy consumption, color fidelity, and user experience in different ambient lighting conditions. To understand how to properly calibrate your display and improve your viewing experience, we recommend this guide. screen calibration tutorial.
Advantages and disadvantages of IPS technology
Panels IPS LCDs are still present in the market Thanks to a combination of quality, cost, and durability factors, the following is a comprehensive breakdown of its main strengths and weaknesses based on the latest standards and information from leading experts and comparisons.
Main advantages of IPS LCD
- Superior viewing anglesIPS panels allow you to view images without loss of color or contrast from almost any angle, making them especially popular on tablets, laptops, or mobile phones used in groups. If you want to know the differences in screen quality, check out this one. comparison of foldable mobile phones.
- Accurate color reproduction: Color fidelity is one of its hallmarks. Colors are more natural and less saturated, ideal for image editing, realistic multimedia content consumption, and professional tasks.
- Stability in white images and light intensity: The white is purer and brighter compared to AMOLED, allowing for better reading in direct sunlight and greater clarity in documents, websites, or e-books.
- Optimized response time: With the evolution of IPS, response time has been significantly reduced and, in quality models, can even be better than many AMOLED panels in gaming or demanding applications.
- increased longevity: IPS panels can reach up to 60,000 hours of use without significant degradation, far outperforming most AMOLED/OLED panels in this regard.
Disadvantages to consider in IPS
- High energy consumption: Since it requires constant backlighting, battery consumption is higher, especially when displaying dark images or in power saving mode.
- Less black depth: It's difficult to achieve truly deep blacks because the backlight is always active. In low-light conditions, this can result in lower contrast compared to AMOLED.
- Thicker and heavier devices: The need for backlighting adds thickness to the device, limiting the ability to produce ultra-thin smartphones and sometimes forcing other internal components to be sacrificed.
- Risk of light leaks: Layered design and backlighting can cause lateral light leakage, especially at edges, affecting uniformity in dark images and perceived quality.
Advantages and disadvantages of AMOLED technology
La The evolution of AMOLED panels has brought about a visual and design revolution. in the mobile and consumer industries. Although the trend is toward high-end devices, their presence in mid-range and low-end devices is increasing thanks to progressive cost reductions. These are the key points:
Main advantages of AMOLED
- Absolute blacks and infinite contrast: By completely turning off pixels, the black level is unsurpassed, resulting in a vibrant experience, ideal for movies, games and multimedia content.
- Lower power consumption in dark images: Energy efficiency is noticeable in dark environments or using night modes, increasing battery life.
- Ultra-thin and flexible design: The lack of backlighting allows for the manufacture of much thinner, lighter devices, and in some cases, with curved or bendable screens, expanding the design possibilities (example: foldable smartphones).
- Vibrant and saturated colors: The color spectrum is very wide with more vivid, striking and impressive images, although sometimes less natural than in IPS.
- High contrast and fast response: The ability to turn pixels on and off instantly enables minimal response time, reducing blurring in moving images and improving the experience in high-speed video and gaming.
Disadvantages and weaknesses of AMOLED
- High production cost: Manufacturing AMOLED panels involves more complex and expensive technology, increasing the final price of the device or making it difficult to integrate into budget ranges.
- Limited lifespan and degradation: Organic materials may degrade more quickly than IPS liquid crystals, especially in the blue subpixel. The estimated lifespan is around 14,000 hours compared to over 60,000 IPS panels, although more modern panels have achieved notable improvements in durability.
- Risk of burn-in and ghostingScreen burn-in is a known issue where static elements leave permanent marks or shadows set in by prolonged use. Ghosting, although less common on current panels, can appear as residual streaks when scrolling quickly.
- Lower maximum brightness: Although the gap has narrowed, AMOLED panels tend to offer lower maximum brightness (nits) than IPS panels, affecting visibility in direct sunlight or bright outdoor environments.
- Less realistic colors and tendency toward saturation: Despite its spectacular nature, excessive saturation can result in colors that are not true to life, with whites that tend toward yellow or warm tones.
- Environmental impactRecycling AMOLED panel components is more complex and expensive, representing an ecological challenge.
Visual comparison and user experience
When comparing two devices with IPS and AMOLED panels, the differences can be subtle or very noticeable depending on usage and lighting conditions. IPS panels display more neutral, sharper images with bright whitesWhile AMOLEDs stand out for the vividness of their colors and the depth of their blacks.The most relevant results are discussed below in different sections:
Viewing angles
- IPS: Offers superior visibility from any angle, maintaining stable color and brightness. It's the benchmark for professional monitors and collaborative devices.
- AMOLED: It has improved a lot in recent models, but at extreme angles it can show changes in hue or saturation.
Maximum brightness and performance under the sun
- IPS: It usually achieves higher nit levels, making it easier to read and view directly outdoors.
- AMOLED: Although brightness has been increased in modern models, it can still be insufficient in bright sunlight, with reflections or loss of detail being noticeable.
Colors and color temperature
- IPS: The whites are purer and the colors more faithful to the original, with a tendency toward cold (blueish) tones.
- AMOLED: Whites with a tendency towards yellow or warm, more vivid but less realistic colours, with possible manufacturer calibration.
Blacks and contrast
- IPS: The blacks are actually dark grey tones as the backlight remains on.
- AMOLED: Black is absolute when individual pixels are turned off, providing virtually infinite contrast.
Response times and gaming
- Both technologies have evolved toward low response times, but in quality panels, IPS can offer advantages in image stability and ghosting reduction.
- AMOLED excels in dark scenes and fast-paced animations, although burn-in and ghosting remain challenges, especially in video games or apps with fixed elements.
Other factors to consider: cost, durability and maintenance
Beyond visual quality, The choice of a screen type also affects maintenance, durability and budget. of the user. There are several technical and economic issues to consider:
- Cost of repair or replacementAMOLED displays are more expensive to manufacture and repair, increasing the cost if a break occurs. IPS LCDs are less expensive to repair and replace, which can be a deciding factor for those who value affordability over showiness.
- Longevity and degradationIPS LCDs are more resistant to aging and intensive use. AMOLEDs, although they have advanced significantly, can show burn-in, color degradation (especially blue), or ghosting over the years.
- Environmental impactAMOLED panels require more complex and expensive recycling processes, which should be considered by users concerned with sustainability and the environment.
- Updates and calibrationBoth technologies allow for adjustments and calibrations to optimize color, brightness, and contrast. IPS panels typically maintain their original calibration for longer, while some AMOLED panels allow for adaptive or custom color modes.
What about the variants? OLED, Super AMOLED, LTPO, and P-OLED
Technological evolution does not stop at IPS and AMOLEDThere are derivations and improvements that add important nuances to the user experience:
- OLED: Similar to AMOLED, but without an active matrix. It features pure blacks and efficient power consumption, but is usually reserved for smaller panels or special devices.
- Super AMOLED: An improved variant, specially developed by Samsung, which integrates the touch layer into the screen itself, reducing thickness and improving brightness, viewing angles, and reducing glare.
- P-OLED: OLED manufactured with plastic substrates, allowing for even more flexible and resistant displays.
- LTPO AMOLED: Low-power technology based on "Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide," which enables variable refresh rates and improved energy efficiency. For more details on power efficiency, check out this article. article on effects on the brain and screens.
Which is the best option, AMOLED or IPS?
The decision between an AMOLED display and an IPS LCD is not universal., but it depends directly on the user's tastes, needs, and budget. Below are some recommendations based on the user's profile:
- For video and multimedia entertainment enthusiasts: AMOLED is the preferred choice thanks to its absolute blacks, vibrant colors, and unmatched contrast, ideal for movies, series, and games with high levels of visual detail. You can also check out this article about indie mobile games.
- For imaging professionals and users seeking color fidelity: IPS LCD offers more natural colors and less saturation, in addition to greater long-term stability and lower risk of deterioration due to continued use.
- For users who prioritize autonomy and thinness: AMOLED offers key advantages in ultra-thin, foldable, or dark mode devices, maximizing battery life.
- For those looking for durability, resistance and affordable cost: IPS LCD is cheaper to repair, withstands the test of time better, and is less susceptible to permanent marks or burn-in.
There is no objective and definitive option for everyone. AMOLED and IPS displays have reached a technological maturity that provides exceptional visual experiences., but they differ in nuances such as contrast, saturation, energy consumption, longevity and cost. Hence the importance of Evaluate the user experience, visual preferences, and available budget before making a decision.
Advances in both technologies continue at a rapid pace: IPS panels incorporate continuous improvements in viewing angles, response time, and energy efficiency, while AMOLED panels evolve toward higher brightness, greater durability, and burn-in resistance. The future points to a long coexistence of both technologies, adapting to different needs and audiences.
Choosing an AMOLED or IPS LCD display is a matter of personal priorities.If you're looking for a stunning visual experience with vibrant colors and an ultra-thin design, AMOLED is your ally. If you prefer more realistic colors, a longer lifespan, and lower maintenance costs, IPS may be your best option. Analyze your needs, try both if possible, and choose the type of display that best suits your daily use and what you enjoy most about your mobile device.