The mobile device industry has grown rapidly in recent years. And customers purchase millions of smartphones, tablets, and mobile devices daily. One of their most critical components of them is the display.
There are 3 major popular display solutions in the mobile device industry: TFT display, IPS display, and AMOLED display. An IPS display is a super TFT display. The demand for mobile devices with high-quality displays is increasing day by day. It has led to an increase in the production of TFT displays and OLED displays.
With mobile devices, we can stay connected with friends, family, and colleagues through phone calls, text messages, and messaging apps. Furthermore, users can access many information and entertainment options, such as news, social media, video streaming services, and games. And they can work on-the-go, with features like email, calendars, and productivity apps.
Many mobile devices offer GPS and mapping services to navigate us to new places and find directions. Meanwhile, they are portable, so we can carry them wherever we go. Therefore, we can stay connected even away from our desks or homes.
Overall, mobile devices have become an integral part of modern life. We can stay connected, informed, and productive with them in a fast-paced, mobile world.
A report by ResearchAndMarkets.com shows that the global TFT-LCD market will reach $196.5 billion by 2026. And it will be growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period.
Thin Film Transistor display is the full form of TFT display. It is a type of LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with an active matrix design.
In contrast to other LCD types, a TFT display uses TFT technology. That can control each pixel with its own transistor.
TFT screens use a backlight to illuminate the liquid crystal display layer. The light is directed through a series of filters and polarizers to produce the final image on display.
TFT displays are known for their high resolution, color accuracy, wide viewing angles (IPS display), and fast response times. They are widely used in mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and handheld devices.
History of LCD in Mobile Devices
The first mobile LCD devices were early pocket calculators in the 1970s. They used simple segmented displays. In the 1990s, mobile phones began to use monochrome LCD displays. And these mono LCDs became the standard for mobile devices.
With the development of LCD technology, mobile phones began to use color LCDs to offer more features. The first color LCD used passive matrix technology. That was cheaper and easier to manufacture. However, it has slow response times and limited viewing angles.
In the early 2000s, active matrix TFT-LCD displays began to replace passive matrix LCDs in mobile devices. They can offer faster response times, wider viewing angles, and more accurate color reproduction. Furthermore, the touchscreen develops fast. Then, many larger sizes and higher-resolution TFT display mobile phones came out.
In recent years, OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) technology has led to mobile device displays. They can offer even better color reproduction and contrast compared to TFT displays. However, have their reliability and consume lower power and cost compared to OLED displays. So, they are still the most widely used display on mobile devices.
Advantages of TFT displays in mobile devices
High resolution and pixel density
TFT displays offer high resolution and pixel density. That can enhance the user experience of mobile devices and make various applications more enjoyable and useful. Then, you can see text, images, and videos with greater clarity and definition.
Furthermore, mobile device screens can show text in smaller fonts. More information can fit on the screen simultaneously. Thus, businessmen can read emails, articles, and other documents without zooming in. They will work more efficiently and effectively.
Additionally, users can see more detailed and realistic graphics. They will have more immersive and engaging experiences in gaming, watching movies, and other entertainment.
Accurate color reproduction
TFT displays can improve the overall contrast and clarity. Screens can display true-to-life and vibrant images or videos.
Furthermore, accurate color reproduction can maintain brand consistency across different marketing materials and digital platforms for companies and brands. And it can also enhance the visual experience for users. That’s why full-color displays have become more enjoyable and beneficial for mobile applications.
Wide viewing angles
A wide viewing angle is fantastic. Users can see the screen from different angles without experiencing color distortion or loss of image quality. They can get optimal viewing without adjusting the device’s position. Furthermore, they can share content with others without crowding around the screen or passing the device back and forth.
Suppose users are with mobility, vision, or hearing impairments. In that case, a wide viewing angle TFT display lets them see the content without moving the mobile devices.
Users can also have a more immersive experience. You will also love it when viewing videos, playing games, or engaging with other multimedia content on the mobile device.
Fast response times
Fast response times enhance the overall user experience. We can read text, view images, and watch videos without ghosting. Business people can scroll through long documents or spreadsheets without delays or interruptions. Gamers can enjoy smoother and more responsive gameplay.
Overall, users will have a more immersive experience when viewing videos, playing games, or engaging with other multimedia content on mobile devices.
Easy to Use
Mobile TFT displays typically use some standard interfaces. SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) is usually used in mini TFT displays. MIPI (Mobile Industry Processor Interface) supports high data transfer rates for high-resolution displays with fast refresh rates.
These interfaces are widely used and well-documented. Therefore, manufacturers can easily integrate TFT displays into their mobile devices without developing their own proprietary interface.
Additionally, these interfaces provide high bandwidth and low latency, enabling fast and reliable communication between the display and the device’s processor. Therefore, devices allow for smooth and responsive display performance. That is good for gaming, video playback, and other multimedia applications.
Types of TFT displays in mobile devices
TN-TFT displays
TN-TFT display is the oldest TFT display technology. And it is the cheapest full-color display solution. However, it can still provide good color reproduction and fast response times.
Suppose your mobile products desire to have full-color displays at affordable prices. In that case, the TN-based TFT-LCD is one of the most popular solutions.
IPS displays
IPS (In-Plane Switching) display is another popular display solution in the mobile device industry. It is also called “super TFT display”. However, it allows for wider viewing angles and better color accuracy than TN-TFT displays.
IPS displays have become the most popular TFT displays in recent years. The main advantages of IPS displays are their excellent color accuracy and wide viewing angles. This is due to how it arranges the liquid crystals in the display.
That allows for better control of light transmission and color reproduction. As a result, images and videos displayed on IPS display appear more vibrant and lifelike.
An IPS display has a wider viewing angle. Then, users can view the screen from almost any angle without experiencing color distortion or loss of brightness. They can view the screen from different angles depending on the device’s orientation or posture.
The current use of IPS displays in the mobile device industry is quite positive. A report by Mordor Intelligence shows the global IPS display market size is growing at a CAGR of 8.2% during 2021-2026.
AMOLED displays
AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) displays offer several advantages over other display technologies. Those are better contrast, lower power consumption, and faster response times.
An AMOLED display has the best contrast ratios. Unlike LCDs, they can turn off individual pixels completely to show deeper blacks and higher contrast. That is good for displaying content such as photos, videos, and games with high contrast ratios.
Another advantage of AMOLED displays is their lower power consumption. AMOLED screens only light up the displayed pixels. Therefore, they consume less power than LCD displays, lighting up the entire backlight.
Moreover, AMOLED can be made thinner and more flexible than other display technologies. Manufacturers can create curved or foldable OLED displays that are impossible with other technologies.
In conclusion, AMOLED displays are another popular display solution in the mobile device industry. They can display true blacks, lower power consumption, faster response times, and flexibility. Those are important for high-end smartphones and tablets.
They are becoming increasingly popular in high-end mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. A report by MarketsandMarkets shows that the global AMOLED display market size is expected to reach $68.1 billion by 2028. And it will be growing at a CAGR of 15.2% during the forecast period.
Comparison of each type
| TN-TFT Diplay | IPS Display | AMOLED | |
| Price | Cheap | Low | High |
| Contrast Ratio | Good | Good | Best |
| Color Reproduction | Good | Good | Best |
| Viewing Angles | Not Good | Good | Good |
| Flexible | Hard | Hard | Yes |
| Good For | Mobile Industrial Products whose display is not the most impartant part; Low-End Mobile Divices | High-Quality Mobile Devices | High-End Smartphones, Tablets |
Mobile Applications With TFT displays
Besides smartphones, tablets, and wearable devices, many mobile applications use TFT displays, including:
- Portable media players
- Handheld gaming consoles
- Portable GPS devices
- Handheld scanners
- Digital cameras
- and more.
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see new and innovative mobile applications in the future.
Considerations for choosing a TFT display for mobile devices
Screen size and resolution
TFT display technology is mature in the display industry.
Manufacturers can customize it to meet the requirements of different mobile devices. They may be intelligent products, portable devices, and many handheld applications.
TFT displays can have different sizes, resolutions, and contrast ratios. So you can create devices with unique designs and specifications for different customer segments.
Viewing angles
The viewing angle requirements for a TFT display will depend on the uses of an application. For example, suppose the display is used for gaming or watching videos. In that case, wider viewing angles may be more important than only displaying simple content.
If the viewing angle is essential for your products, an IPS display solution may be your better choice.
Durability and scratch resistance
To have high-quality mobile products, you can check the material and hardness rating of the display, consider a screen protector and check the device’s construction. By taking these factors into account, you can choose a TFT display that is durable and scratch-resistant enough to meet their needs.
Conclusion
The TFT display is a good type of screen used in many mobile devices. It has many benefits, such as showing things clearly and being fast. Many uses will love it when playing games and watching videos. And manufacturers can make them in different sizes and shapes at affordable price.
Overall, TFT displays are a great choice for mobile devices because they work well and are not too expensive.
Choosing the correct display is vital for a high-quality mobile application. The display is what we use to see and interact. So different tasks should use different displays.
For example, a gaming laptop needs a display with a fast refresh rate to display graphics smoothly. And an e-reader needs a display that is easy on the eyes for reading for long periods.
Choosing the right display can improve the user experience and make tasks easier and more enjoyable. It is important to consider the specific needs of an application when choosing a display.
Display technology is constantly evolving. And there are several future developments and trends will shape the future of TFT displays in mobile devices.
- Higher resolution displays. 4K and even 8K displays will become more common.
- Flexible and Foldable displays. These displays can fit different device shapes and sizes.
- Integration of Advanced Features. With augmented reality and virtual reality, TFT displays will be interesting. That could open up new possibilities for immersive and interactive mobile experiences.
Furthermore, touch sensitivity and biometric sensors are fantastic advanced features.
Overall, the future of TFT display technology in mobile devices looks exciting and promising, with many new developments and innovations on the horizon.