Everything You Need to Know About AMOLED
The acronym AMOLED stands for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode. It is a type of display technology that is used in mobile phones, laptops, televisions and other consumer devices. This technology boasts an incredibly vibrant image quality and is noteworthy for its energy efficiency and low fringing. Understanding the benefits and limitations of this type of display is important if you want to purchase a device with an AMOLED display.
What is AMOLED?
AMOLED is a type of OLED displaying technology in which each pixel is independently addressable. In standard OLED displays, an electric current is continuously applied to the display’s layers of organic material causing them to emit light within a given color gamut. By applying additional voltage to certain areas of the display, AMOLED screens are able to display images at a higher level of brightness. As opposed to LCD screens, which require a backlight, AMOLED displays are capable of producing their own light and can produce deep, true blacks by turning off individual pixels.
Benefits of AMOLED
The primary advantage of AMOLED technology is its color vividness and contrast. Colors are vibrant and crisp while contrast is extraordinary. Additionally, since each pixel produces its own light, displaying blacks requires only turning off that single pixel as opposed to a dedicated backlight. This additional energy savings makes AMOLED devices more efficient and hence, they tend to have excellent battery life.
Moreover, due to its thinness and light weight construction, AMOLED is ideal for mobile applications where portability is an important factor. Conversely, size and brightness generally increase with AMOLED displays, making them suitable for large-format viewing in mobile applications such as tablets.
Drawbacks of AMOLED
While AMOLED displays are great for mobile devices, they are not ideal for high-definition televisions as their refresh rate of 60 Hz is far too slow for larger screens. Additionally, while their higher contrast and more vibrant colors make them great for actively viewing content, they are not the best choice for applications that require accurate color accuracy such as print or media production.
Moreover, AMOLED displays suffer from screen-burn in which images become permanently embedded if left on the same color for too long. Due to burn-in, manufacturers are forced to build image retention prevention features into their devices such as dimming the screen temporarily if a specific static image is displayed for too long.
FAQs
1. What does AMOLED stand for?
AMOLED stands for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode. It is a type of display technology that is used in mobile phones, laptops and other devices.
2. What are the benefits of AMOLED?
The primary advantage of AMOLED technology is its color vividness and contrast. Colors are vibrant and crisp while contrast is extraordinary. Additionally, since each pixel produces its own light, displaying blacks requires only turning off that single pixel as opposed to a dedicated backlight. This additional energy savings makes AMOLED devices more efficient and hence, they tend to have excellent battery life. Moreover, due to its thinness and light weight construction, AMOLED is ideal for mobile applications where portability is an important factor.
3. What are the drawbacks of AMOLED?
AMOLED displays suffer from screen-burn in which images become permanently embedded if left on the same color for too long. Additionally, while their higher contrast and more vibrant colors make them great for actively viewing content, they are not the best choice for applications that require accurate color accuracy such as print or media production. Furthermore, they are not the best choice for high-definition televisions due to their refresh rate of 60 Hz.
4. Is AMOLED better than LCD?
The decision between AMOLED and LCD depends on the device being used. For mobile devices, AMOLED displays offer excellent battery life, vibrant colors, and deep blacks. However, for applications that require accurate color accuracy, LCD screens may be preferable.
5. Can AMOLED displays be used for outdoor viewing?
Yes, AMOLED displays are suitable for outdoor viewing as long as the pollution and temperature conditions are taken into account. Since AMOLED displays are emissive displays, they are subject to degradation if the right amount of solar irradiance is not maintained, so devices should not be left outdoors for too long.
6. Does AMOLED use more energy than LCD?
No, since AMOLED displays can produce their own light, they tend to be more energy efficient than LCD displays, which require additional power to produce a backlight. This is one of the primary benefits of AMOLED technology.
Practical Tips
Since screen-burn can be an issue on AMOLED displays, here are a few tips to keep your device’s display looking as vibrant as the day you bought it:
1. Reduce the brightness of the screen as much as possible: A brighter screen is the enemy of AMOLED displays, as it puts more pressure on the pixels, thus increasing the risk of burn-in.
2. Dim or turn off the navigation bar: Most Android-based devices offer the ability to customize the navigation bar’s brightness levels and animations. By reducing these features, you can maximize your device’s performance and ensure its longevity.
3. Invest in a phone cover: Physical protection for your phone is an important part of preventing against burn-in. By investing in a good phone cover, you can help protect it from dirt, dust, and other elements that can damage the display.
4. Activate power saving options: Many devices offer power saving modes which automatically dim the brightness and reduce animation effects when the battery life reaches a certain level. By turning this mode on, you can help protect your display from burn-in.
5. Avoid charging your device while actively using it: This is a good rule of thumb for any device. To maximize battery life and protect your display, be sure to avoid actively using your phone while it is charging.
Myths vs. Facts
When it comes to AMOLED displays, there are many myths that need to be debunked. Here’s an overview of some of the most common misconceptions about AMOLED technology.
MYTH: AMOLED displays are only suitable for mobile devices.
FACT: Although AMOLED displays are ideal for mobile devices, they can also be used in televisions and other large-format applications. Furthermore, newer models of AMOLED displays are able to produce a refresh rate of at least 120Hz, making them suitable for larger formats.
MYTH: AMOLED displays consume more power than LCD displays.
FACT: AMOLED displays actually consume less power than LCD displays due to their ability to produce their own light rather than relying on a backlight. This makes them ideal for battery-powered devices where power efficiency is important.
MYTH: AMOLED displays are not suitable for outdoor viewing.
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