Difference between Active Matrix LCD and Passive Matrix LCD :

Sr.No. Active Matrix LCD Passive Matrix LCD

It uses thin film transistors that are
It uses grid of vertical and horizontal
arranged in a matrix on a glass surface.
conductors such that the intersection of two of
1. To control the voltage tiny switching
those conductors allows for controlling a single
transistors and capacitors are used at
pixel.
each pixel location.
The primary constituent is silicon
The primary constituent is Indium Tin Oxide
2. (allows for assigning one transistor for
(referred to as ITO).
each pixel).
3. Cost is usually higher. They are less costly.
4. It has higher response time. It has low response time.
5. Used for Full Graphic Displays. Used for segmented digits or character displays.
They are best viewed head on. When the user to
It allows the viewer much more either side to view screen from an oblique
6
freedom to choose his/her angle. angle, it will cause color distortion, dimming
and other problems.
7. Refresh rates are high. Refresh rates are low.
They display lower resolution as compared to
8. They display higher resolution.
active matrix LCD.
They have the ability to create gray
9. scale. It also offers 256 levels of They don’t reproduce colors accurately.
brightness per pixel.
They are used in calculators display or a
Active matrix LCDs are used in full- digital wrist watch where the display
10. color LCD TVs monitors, cell contains a limited number of segment and
phones etc. does not require full color. They are often
created for custom applications.