Mobile Device Displays

At the end of this episode, I will be able to:

1. Identify mobile device display technologies.

Exam Objective: 1.2 - Compare and contrast the display components of mobile devices.

Description: In this episode, the we will be discuss the concepts surrounding modern mobile device displays such
as passive and active matrix, In-plane switching (IPS), Twisted nematic (TN), Vertical alignment (VA, organic light-
emitting diode (OLED), touchscreens, contrast ratio, inverters and more.

• Note - There is an error in the video that states a Twisted Nematic or TN screen is a type of LED screen.
This is an error.
• Correction:
o Twisted Nematic or TN panels are LCD screens and the older of the LCD-based screens when
compared to In-plane Switching (IPS) and Vertical Alignment panels
o Vertical Alignment or VA panels are LCD-based screens with greater color capabilities, compared
to VA panels
o In-plane Switching or IPS panels are LCD panels providing great response times, best color
performance

• Liquid crystal display (LCD)

o Passive matrix
♠ Slow changes
♠ Blurry images
o Active matrix
♠ Faster changes
♠ Brighter images
• In-plane switching (IPS) - These are TFT-based LCD screens
o Good - Faster
o Good - Wider angles
o Good - Higher color/contrast than many VA and TN panels
o Good - Color accuracy
o Bad - Motion blur
• Twisted nematic (TN) - These are older TFT-based LCD screens
o Good - Fastest response times
o Good - Reduction of motion blur
o Good - Lowest cost panel technology
o Bad - Reduced viewing angle
o Bad - Reduced color accuracy and contrast ratio
• Vertical alignment (VA) - These are TFT-based LCD screens
o Good - Highest contrast than TN panels
o Good - Wider viewing angles than TN panels
o Good - Color accuracy
o Good - High-end VA panels will rival IPS panels
o Bad - moderate contrast ratio
• Contrast ratio is the measured difference between the darkest blacks and the brightest whites a monitor
can produce. This measurement provides information about the amount of grayscale detail a monitor will
deliver. The higher the contrast ratio, the more visible detail.

• Organic light-emitting diode (OLED)

• Touch screens
• Replacement
o Digitizer
o Inverter
o Antenna placement

• Additional Reference Materials

o If applicable