The Difference Between AMOLED and LCD Screens

Upon taking up a smartphone, tablet or even a smartwatch, one of the first things you notice is the display. We may notice the brightness, color sharpness, or how black the blacks are. The screen plays a large role in how we interact with our devices. Today we see two very common types of screen technology in use: AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diodes) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). Although at first glance they may appear the same, what goes on under the glass is very different, and these differences play out in performance, appearance, and energy use.

Understanding the Basics

To see the difference between AMOLED and LCD screens, which is a better fit for you, it is best to first understand how they function.

LCDs have a backlight. That backlight goes through layers of liquid crystals, color filters, and polarizers to produce what you see. As the liquid crystals do not produce light by themselves, the backlight is a constant feature. In most cases we see that LCDs use LEDs as the light source — which also goes to say that we have LED-backlit LCDs.

AMOLED, on the other hand, has evolved from the OLED technology. In an AMOLED display, each pixel is made up of organic compounds which light up when electric current passes through them. Also, there is no use of a backlight in this type of display, and pixels which display black can be turned off completely.

Brightness and Visibility

In terms of what is very apparent to the eye, the difference between AMOLED and LCD is brightness and what you see, especially outside.

LCD displays also do better in sunlight. Because they have a backlight feature, the screen brightness is consistent in brightly lit settings. This makes for better viewability in sunny conditions or bright rooms.

AMOLED displays do produce deep contrast and very vivid color, but at the same time have issues in bright sunlight. What we see is that pixel-by-pixel brightness control, which AMOLED depends on, also plays a factor in evenness of bright output, which is sometimes not achieved. To that which is reported, we see that modern AMOLED panels have improved greatly in terms of outdoor performance, but still LCD tends to outperform in this area.

Color Reproduction and Contrast

AMOLED displays are known to do very well in terms of color, which is rich and vibrant, and also in producing deep blacks. What we see here is that individual pixels can be fully turned off in AMOLED, which results in true black, as opposed to just very dim gray, which is what we get with LCDs. This is also what gives AMOLED screens a much better contrast ratio.

LCDs, at the same time, present more true-to-life colors. While some users go for the pop of color that AMOLED provides, others report that AMOLED goes over the top. In the case of LCDs, especially those of the IPS variety, which is In-Plane Switching, we see very accurate color reproduction, which is why they are used in devices that require color accuracy like photo editing monitors.

Power Consumption

Power consumption is an area in which AMOLED and LCD differ greatly.

Since in AMOLED technology pixels light up independently, black areas of the screen do not use power at all — the pixels are just turned off. This means that AMOLED displays do very well with dark themes, black backgrounds, or apps which have large amounts of dark content. In some use cases, AMOLED screens may see a marked improvement in battery life.

LCDs, on the other hand, are constantly on with their backlights at full blast when the display is on. That which is powered up is also what is drawing power, even for black screens, which in turn causes LCDs to be higher energy users as compared to AMOLEDs in terms of dark content.

Also, when the screen is filled with bright or white colors, like when you are on a white background web page or reading a bright document, AMOLED power use goes up, which at times outdoes that of LCD. Also, efficiency is a matter of what you are viewing.

Screen Thickness and Flexibility

AMOLED screens, due to not requiring a backlight, are able to be made thinner and lighter, which in turn gives manufacturers more flexibility in the design of slim and sleek devices. Also, we see that AMOLED is a choice for curved and foldable display elements, which is the reason it is present in the latest flagship phones with edge-to-edge or bendable screens.

LCDs present a bulkiness which is a result of their multi-layer structure that includes the backlight panel. This added thickness, in turn, limits design choices, which in effect makes LCD unsuitable for very thin or curved devices.

Durability and Burn-In

In terms of long-term use, each screen type has its issues.

LCDs also tend to not experience long-term damage from static images. You may have an image displayed for a few hours which still appears as sharp — no degradation at all. What happens is the backlight does not really change, and the pixels do not break down quickly.

AMOLED displays do, in fact, present an attractive visual experience, but they also have what is known as burn-in, which they present. This is a condition in which some pixels break down at a faster rate than others as a result of the display of the same image for very long times, which may include navigation bars or app icons. Over time, this may lead to what basically is a permanent, almost transparent mark on the screen. Although with the better materials and pixel shifting in use today in new AMOLED panels, burn-in is less of an issue, it still does present a problem in some cases.

Cost and Availability

LCDs tend to be of a lower production cost, so we see them in budget and mid-range products more often. Also, manufacturers will use LCD, which in turn gives them a way to set a middle to low price point while still putting out a good visual product.

AMOLED displays are a more expensive option at present, which is what puts them into premium and flagship products. But as we see improvement in production and demand grows, we are beginning to see AMOLED in more affordable phones and devices.

Lifespan and Color Degradation

Another issue is how the displays perform over time.

AMOLED displays also see color shift and degradation issues. We see that blue organic elements in the pixels burn out faster than red and green, which in turn causes a color balance issue over the years. Not an immediate issue, but one that long-term users will see.

LCDs also tend to age more uniformly. Due to there being fewer organic elements and the light which is used is from a separate source from the pixels, we see that color performance does not degenerate over time. At the same time, it is true that the backlights of the LCD may dim or yellow after extended use.

Viewing Angles

AMOLED displays, as a rule, have superior viewing angles. Any way you tilt the device, the colors and brightness which present themselves do so very consistently. This is because the pixels put out light which goes straight to the viewer.

LCDs at times do a poor job of color reproduction and shift when viewed from off-center angles. While we have seen great improvement in that aspect with the modern IPS LCDs, we still see AMOLED do better in terms of consistent performance across viewing angles.

Which Is Better?

It’s not simply about which one is better between AMOLED and LCD. What you choose between the two depends on what is important to you:

If you are into bold colors, black that isn’t really there, and thin design, AMOLED is the way to go.

If you go for natural color reproduction, reduced risk of screen burn-in, and improved outdoor visibility, LCD may be the choice for you.

Each has pros and cons, and what we are seeing is a reduction of that gap between the two technologies over the years. What really counts is how the display performs in real-world use — for gaming, reading, watching videos, or just getting through your day, which you spend on your device.

Conclusion

AMOLED and LCD present different approaches in screen technology. One is focused on deep color reproduction, high contrast, and flexibility; the other on brightness, dependability, and balance. Understanding these differences is key to you choosing the right screen for your needs. As you upgrade your phone, select a tablet, or buy that new gizmo, what you put between you and the digital world makes a big difference in how you feel about your purchase.