The screen is the component with which users interact most frequently on a phone, and its display quality directly impacts the user experience. Faced with a wide range of screen specifications, how do you choose the right one for you? Here's a condensed analysis.
Screen Materials: LCD vs. OLED
LCD Screens
As a traditional technology, LCD relies on a backlight layer to generate light, with liquid crystal molecules controlling the light to display color. Its advantages include natural colors, DC dimming for eye protection, and low screen burn-in, making it suitable for displaying static images for extended periods. However, they are thicker and more difficult to bend, have low contrast, produce imperfect blacks, and consume more energy. They are suitable for users with high eye protection requirements, long phone usage, and limited budgets, such as the elderly.
OLED Screens
Each pixel emits light independently, eliminating the need for a backlight layer. This allows for pure blacks, extremely high contrast, and vibrant colors. The thinner and flexible screens are suitable for innovative designs. However, organic materials are susceptible to aging, and long-term display of fixed images at high brightness may cause burn-in. Low brightness uses PWM dimming, which can cause eye fatigue for some people. Suitable for users who pursue the ultimate visual experience and prioritize a stylish and innovative design, such as young digital enthusiasts.
Screen Type: Choosing between Flat and Curved Screens
Flat Screens
The screen is flat, less prone to accidental touches, low repair costs, and easy to apply screen protectors. However, the appearance is ordinary and the grip is slightly inferior. Suitable for users who value practicality, operational accuracy, and low maintenance, such as business people.
Curved Screens
The curved edges provide a comfortable grip, strong visual impact, and wide viewing angles. However, accidental touches are prone to occur, making repairs difficult and costly. Suitable for users who pursue a stylish look and unique feel and don't mind accidental touches and high repair costs, such as young fashionistas.
Refresh Rate: The Key to a Smooth Experience
A 60Hz refresh rate
Refreshes 60 times per second, meeting basic daily needs, with low power consumption and good battery life. However, dynamic images may experience stuttering and artifacts. Suitable for users who don't demand high performance and prioritize battery life, such as middle-aged and elderly users with basic functional needs. 90Hz or higher refresh rates offer smoother graphics, allowing for more natural scrolling and switching between apps, offering a distinct advantage in gaming. However, this increases battery consumption and reduces battery life. Suitable for gamers and digital enthusiasts who demand high-quality performance.
Screen Size and Resolution: Balancing Visual Quality with Portability
Screen Size
Large screens 6.5 inches and above offer a superior visual experience and are suitable for watching videos, playing games, and multitasking, but they lack portability and are difficult to operate one-handed. Small screens 6.0 inches and below offer comfortable one-handed operation and portability, but offer a weaker visual experience. Large screens are suitable for users who prioritize visual quality over portability; small screens are suitable for those with smaller hands who prioritize portability.
Resolution
1080p is the mainstream resolution, offering a balance of display quality, performance, and battery life, meeting the needs of most users. 2K and above offer higher resolution and are suitable for professionals, but they require higher hardware and consume more power. Ordinary users should choose 1080p, while those with more demanding and powerful hardware can opt for 2K or above. There's no absolute good or bad when choosing a phone screen. You need to consider various factors based on your usage habits and needs to find the one you're satisfied with.