A mobile phone’s display is definitely among its most expensive parts. With today’s continuously evolving mobile phone technology, our essential mobile devices have become so much more than just a portable phone. They are also on the go media devices where people spend a lot of time watching videos, surfing the web, playing game apps and reading emails.
This makes the technology used in mobile phone matter all the more. And companies like Apple are out to declare their rank in the market. Steve Jobs has declared that their Retina Display technology which is being used for their upcoming iPhone 4 is superior to Korean company Samsung, a leader in mobile phone displays.
“We think it is the most important single component of the hardware, [the Retina display is] the best window on the planet.”
Apple’s Retina Display for the iPhone 4G actually has a resolution of 960 by 640. That is about four times higher than the one used for the iPhone 3GS. The Super AMOLED technology used in the Samsung Galaxy S falls a little short by having only an 800 by 480 screen resolution.
The Korean mobile phone maker responded to the statement with conviction that their technology is much better, structurally speaking. Even if Apple’s Retina Display has an advantage, it is only by a small (3 to 5%) margin. It is a battery sink as well, needing 30% more energy than the AMOLED technology.
The AMOLED’s energy efficiency comes from the fact that it needs no backlight and relies on different factors to increase screen clarity such as an increase in color accuracy, unlimited number of viewing angles as well as an increased contrast on true black.
Reports say that Apple would have explored a joint venture with Samsung if not for the insufficient number of Super AMOLED displays produced versus the market demand.