How (smartphone) displays are evolving?

Previously, we talked about the types of displays. Let's take a look at how these displays are evolving in a short brief.

 

Touchscreen

Former CEO Apple, Steve Jobs introducing iPhone

     When we were bored with the physical keypad to control our device. But 2007 changed it. The evolution began there. Apple introduced the first-ever iPhone with touch screen capability. But it isn't the first smartphone with touchscreen capability, the honor goes to LG KE850 (aka LG PRADA). LG announced this phone a month before Steve Jobs announced the iPhone on 9th January 2007. 

     The revolution began in this period. More companies started working on smartphones with touchscreen capability.

Curved

                          

Samsung Galaxy Round (how it started)

     When we think of display, often we will think of the flat one. But it doesn't end there. Our hands are curved, our face is curved, so companies got the idea to make curved kind of displays. Samsung was the first to introduce curved display smartphones. They also introduced smartphones with Stylus pen (S-pen) in 2011 in their note series, which is still popular (Samsung Note 20 Ultra is said to last one of note series, rumors suggest that they're gonna integrate S-Pen with Fold & S series, which makes more sense). 

     The first layer of OLED panels is made of glass substrates, so plastic substrates were used to have a more flexible form factor ( This display is being called POLED by LG). It is more cost-effective to plastic instead of using molded glass. This display which was curved on the edges felt extremely premium to the consumers ( It looked as if there are zero bezels on the edges). Once if we got used to it, it'll be tough to go back. Check out the differences between POLED vs AMOLED from AndroidAuthority, if you want a more detailed comparison.

     Even though the curved one found in the Galaxy S series uses POLED technology, the brand didn't mention it anywhere (maybe AMOLED sounds fancier than POLED). Almost every AMOLED display that we encounter today is made by Samsung. But they don't manufacture OLED TVs ( yes, mostly LG produces OLED TVs).

Foldable

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G (how it's going)

                          

     Companies started working with foldable displays. This is a very recent development in smartphone displays. The idea is that they actually make two individual displays and they combine them as a single piece. The reason to use it that you don't any more a tablet. Now your phone can act both as a phone as well as a tablet, also by taking less space. In the case of flip phones, we don't need to be convinced of the reason to buy them. It's small, it's cool (not definitely cheap). 

     We are at the beginning of the foldable era. We aren't sure, which foldable form factor will fit our daily driver. So the brands are releasing foldable phones with their own form factor (Of course, don't expect it'll be affordable as of now). Some of the popular foldable phones in the market right now is Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G (naming could be better), Samsung Galaxy Z flip, Motorola Razr 5G, Huawei Mate X. Microsoft Surface Duo, LG G8X, LG Wing are also should be honored here, they actually don't have the foldable display, but each of them has twin displays.

Rollable

OPPO X 2021

      So what's next. Foldables are interesting. But one major problem with them is their thickness. Rollable won't have that problem, at least in theory. We haven't seen any commercially. 

     Oppo on the Oppo INNO day which happened on 17th November 2020, they introduced their concept phone, Oppo X 2021, which is a Rollable phone. That's incredible. It solves every problem we had with foldable (The major problem with foldable is that they're always thick like a TV remote). 

Transparent

LG Transparent OLED Signage

     LG launched commercially transparent TVs recently. This is a huge innovation. This transparent property of OLED is useful for companies in building an in-display fingerprint scanner, under-display cameras. But the question is  Why do we need a transparent TV?  We feel that this particular system is not a smart idea.  It may appeal to be magical while showcasing, but in the real world usage when we keep this in our living room what it's gonna do is just remind us about what's present at the back of the TV (might even remind us noodle made of cables).  It's not at all useless. The thing is we should find the really useful benefits of that. Check out the video from Mrwhosetheboss about his views on a transparent display.

Dynamic Range and Refresh Rate

     Other areas where displays are evolving are in the Dynamic Range and Refresh Rate. HDR10 and HDR10+ displays are becoming quite popular. They offer more realistic picture quality by offering a wider range of colors and depth in contrast between lighter and darker shade. Apple announced the iPhone 12 series this year with an XDR standard display which takes brightness, contrast, and color to the next level. On the refresh rate side brands are implementing more higher and higher refresh rate displays so that they feel buttery smooth. Asus ROG Phone 3, launched this year,  had a 144 Hz refresh rate screen, which, as they would say, was worshipped by gamers.

     Okay, we've covered most of the display module. Comment your thoughts on the blog below, we will be happy to see your comments.

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