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AMOLED vs OLED: 7 Must-Know Facts

  1. The first OLED television was the Sony XEL-1, which was released in 2007.
  2. The first OLED device was built in 1987 by Ching Wan Tang at the Eastman Kodak Company.
  3. AMOLED display appeared on Nokia N85 in 2008.
  4. One of the most popular investors in AMOLED technology is Samsung SDI.
  5. The new Samsung S series feature Super AMOLED displays.
  6. Super AMOLED is Samsung’s marketing term for its version of display that features an integrated touchscreen digitizer.
  7. AMOLED displays have a refresh rate of less than 1 millisecond. 

The smartphone market is growing and there are more brands competing than ever. To stay relevant in this fast-paced industry, manufacturers have to come up with new smart features that will set their devices apart from the rest. 

One of the features manufacturers use to make their products stand out is the device’s display technology. And, with smartphones getting bigger and brighter displays, it’s now necessary for phones to have high-resolution screens to show off photos, videos, and other visuals in high clarity. 

These high-resolution displays can also make text appear crisper than on standard screens. And finally, adding color to your device gives you the option to personalize the appearance of your phone.

If you’ve been looking for a new smartphone or TV, then you’ve probably noticed something about their screens; there’s a split between those that use traditional LCD panels and those with AMOLED or OLED screens. These have grown in popularity because of their advantages over regular LCDs.

In this article, we’re going to take a look at the main differences between AMOLED and OLED displays. Read on to find out what makes them different.

AMOLED vs OLED: Side-by-Side Comparison

OLEDAMOLED
What it isIt is used to create digital displays on devices such as smartphones, televisions, and computer monitorsA type of OLED display technology that provides more vibrant and vivid colors compared to regular OLED devices
NameOrganic Light-Emitting DiodeActive Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode
Year Developed19872006
Popular DevicesLG C2Samsung Galaxy S22
FlexibilityLimited flexibilityHighly flexible
Power ConsumptionConsumes more power than AMOLED devicesConsumes less power than OLED devices
CostOften cheaper than AMOLEDMore expensive than OLED

AMOLED vs OLED: What’s the Difference?

amoled vs oled
AMOLED stands for Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode.

©嘉傑, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons – License

AMOLED is a type of OLED display technology. However, it is not the only OLED technology in existence. They both come from the same idea of making pixels out of organic material, but AMOLED displays are uniquely designed to be more energy efficient. Here are some of the differences between the two displays.

Technology

In an OLED display, thin layers of the organic component emit light when current flows through them. In contrast, an AMOLED display comprises an additional layer of Thin Film Transistors (TFTs), which increases the flexibility of light emission from the OLEDs. 

Each pixel on an AMOLED display produces light. In addition, storage capacitors are used to maintain pixel states in an AMOLED display. It is essential to know that AMOLED technology varies among manufacturers. What’s more, its technology allows it to be more flexible, displaying more vibrant and brighter colors than regular OLED devices, while consuming less power.

Price

Another difference between AMOLED and OLED displays is their price difference. Devices that use AMOLED display technology are often more expensive. For instance, smartphones with AMOLED displays tend to cost more than smartphones with LCD or regular OLED displays.

There is also a difference in the cost of production. AMOLED displays are often more expensive to produce. In fact, the high cost of producing AMOLED displays is one of the reasons why devices with AMOLED displays are more expensive than the ones with OLED displays.

Energy Consumption

amoled vs oled
OLED stands for Organic Light-Emitting Diode.

©STRONGlk7, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons – License

AMOLED displays consume less power than OLED displays. This is due to the way that AMOLED pixels are designed. Each AMOLED pixel has its capacitor and a custom transistor which helps it to use power more efficiently, making AMOLED displays more energy efficient overall.

AMOLED technology has also been standardized by various standards organizations, and it is now a common technology across the world. Many companies manufacture AMOLED display devices to meet regulatory requirements and comply with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC).

Display

AMOLED displays produce brighter and more dynamic colors for better visual effects. They’re also thinner than regular OLED devices. By contrast, OLED displays produce duller and darker colors, which makes AMOLED displays the best in terms of color brightness and contrast.

AMOLED displays are also more flexible than OLED displays. There is also no display size constraint for AMOLED displays. Even though consumers get better and brighter images from AMOLED displays, the devices that use them tend to cost more than others. 

Also, there are some drawbacks to AMOLED displays, such as the infamous burn-in problem. Regular OLED displays also have their cons. They often have dark spots after a long period of usage because the organic materials used to build them have a limited lifetime.

AMOLED vs OLED: Which One Is Better?

When it comes to smartphones, there are many important factors to consider. The display is one of the most important factors. If you are thinking of getting a new device with a screen, then it is advisable to buy a device that has an AMOLED display. 

Even though devices with AMOLED displays are more expensive than the ones with OLED displays, they offer brighter, crisper, and more vivid colors, which will help you enjoy a unique and exceptional visual experience. 

Up Next…

  • Nano IPS vs. IPS Displays: What’s the Difference? They’re both varieties of liquid crystal displays invented by the brand LG. Which has slower response times and a wider color range? Discover all you need to know in this article.
  • IPS vs. LED Monitors: Which is Best for You? One offers wider viewing angles and enhanced screen consistency, while the other uses less energy, responds faster and offers better image quality. Find out which is which and what other differences set them apart.
  • LED vs. UHD: What’s the Difference? What are they precisely? Which one is a form of technology? Which one refers to a standard applied to screen resolution? Find out here.

AMOLED vs OLED: Full Comparison FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What does AMOLED mean?

AMOLED stands for Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode. It is a display technology that uses the light from individual colors to produce an image that can be seen with the naked eye.

What are the advantages of AMOLED displays over LCD displays?

AMOLED displays offer better color reproduction and contrast than LCDs, which are commonly used in most smartphones and other electronic devices. They also offer better viewing angles, which allow users to view the screen clearly.

AMOLED displays have higher contrast ratios than LCDs because they use more light for each color. The colors produced by AMOLED displays also have a dynamic range that is far greater than those produced by LCDs, which means that bright colors have more vibrant detail. 

This feature makes AMOLED display screens more accurate and easier to use than LCD screens with similar resolutions because they provide a clearer picture with fewer glare effects. AMOLED displays are also energy efficient. They produce bright and crisp colors while conserving energy.

When was AMOLED developed?

AMOLED was developed in 2006.

What are some examples of AMOLED technology?

AMOLED technology is used in televisions, laptops, tablets, and computer monitors. It also features prominently in smartphone displays, such as those made by Samsung and Sony.

What are some of the drawbacks of AMOLED displays?

AMOLED displays are often expensive. They cost a lot more than LCD displays. Another drawback is that AMOLED displays often experience a burn-in problem. This is because the organic materials used to develop AMOLED displays tend to have a limited lifetime.

What is Super AMOLED?

Super AMOLED is a marketing term coined by Samsung for the screens of its famous ‘S’ series lineup. It refers to a version of an AMOLED display that features an integrated touchscreen digitizer.

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