Types of smartphone displays: Their pros and cons

The quality of a smartphone's display plays a key role in how comfortable it is to use. It affects how readable text is in sunlight, how vivid and rich the images appear, and how well the screen performs at various viewing angles. This article breaks down the main types of displays used in modern smartphones and outlines their advantages and disadvantages.

LCD Displays

Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD) are one of the most widely used types of smartphone screens. They rely on a matrix of liquid crystals illuminated by a backlight to display images.

IPS Displays

IPS (In-Plane Switching) is the most popular variety of LCD. Its layered structure consists of LED backlighting, filters, and a matrix. The liquid crystals are aligned parallel to the panel surface, enabling vibrant, accurate colors and wide viewing angles. The image remains sharp and saturated even when viewed from the side.

However, IPS has some drawbacks. It can't produce deep blacks because the backlight is always on, causing blacks to appear slightly grayish. Also, backlight uniformity can be uneven, leading to visible bright spots—especially in dark environments.

Pros:

• Accurate and natural color reproduction
• Relatively low cost
• High durability

Cons:

• Lack of deep black tones
• Uneven backlighting

TN Displays

TN (Twisted Nematic) is an older type of LCD, found mostly in low-budget models. The liquid crystals in TN panels are oriented perpendicular to the screen surface and change light transmission based on electric current. The main benefits are fast response times and low cost. However, they lag in color quality, viewing angles, and contrast, making them rare in modern smartphones.

Pros:

• Fast response time
• Low cost

Cons:

• Poor color reproduction
• Limited viewing angles
• Low contrast

OLED Displays

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) is an advanced technology used in most flagship smartphones. Unlike LCD, OLED does not need a backlight—each pixel emits its own light. This allows for deep blacks, infinite contrast, and features like Always On Display, which shows clocks and notifications with minimal power usage.

However, OLED also has its issues. High cost makes both OLED displays and the phones that use them more expensive, and screen repairs are costly. Another issue is flickering (caused by PWM, or Pulse-Width Modulation) at low brightness levels, which can be uncomfortable for sensitive users. Modern OLEDs reduce this with high-frequency PWM (over 3000 Hz). Pixel burn-in, once common, has largely been solved using software techniques like subtle image shifting.

The term AMOLED is now a marketing name for OLED with an active matrix, which is standard in all modern OLED displays.

Pros:

• Excellent color reproduction
• Deep blacks and infinite contrast
• Wide viewing angles
• Low response time

Cons:

• Screen flickering at low brightness
• Higher cost

E-Ink and Other Technologies

Technologies like E-Ink, QLED, MicroLED, and Plasma are more commonly found in TVs, monitors, or e-readers than in smartphones. One exception is E-Ink, which is used in niche phone models. These displays reflect ambient light rather than emit their own and consume energy only when the image changes. This makes them extremely power-efficient but limits their usability in mainstream smartphones.

Which Display is Best?

Currently, OLED (AMOLED) is the top choice for most users thanks to its brightness, energy efficiency, and support for advanced features like Always On Display. However, IPS displays may be a better option for those sensitive to OLED flickering or for children's smartphones where repairability is more important. Modern OLED screens with high-frequency PWM and eye protection have significantly reduced discomfort, so it's recommended to test the display in-store before buying.

In Conclusion

The best screen type depends on your priorities:

• IPS is ideal for those who value durability and affordability.
• OLED suits users who want vibrant colors and deep blacks.

Review the specs and try the screen before purchasing to find the best match for your needs.