The Life and Science behind your Smartphone Screen

The Life and Science behind your Smartphone Screen

 

In the 21st century, digitalscreens have become our everyday windows to the world. They’re all around us, from the screens we use at work to the ones in our living rooms, and even the ones on our wristwatches. But the most important screen in our lives is the one on our smartphones, which has completely changed how we use technology and get information.

 

Despite how much we rely on them, we don’t often think about how these screens work. Over time, if you’ve had your smartphone for a while, you might notice that the screen doesn’t look as good as it used to. It’s important to remember that all devices have a limited lifespan, and they wear out over time, just like anything else.

We’ll take you through how to make your smartphone screen last as long as possible and what to do if it starts to wear out.

Smartphone screens have come a long way from the days of simple, monochromatic displays. Today, they are technologically advanced, capable of producing vibrant and high-resolution visuals at variable refresh rates and smooth buttery visuals. There are various types of screens used in smartphones, mainly variations between LCD and OLED. What are the key components and technologies that make these displays do what they do?

 

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

 

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)screens represent a well-established and widely used display technology found in a variety of electronic devices, including smartphones, televisions, computer monitors, and digital signage. LCDs have held a prominent position in the display industry for a considerable time, offering their own unique set of characteristics, advantages, and limitations.

LCD screens operate on the principles of liquid crystals, which are responsible for controlling the passage of light to create images on the screen. To illuminate the screen, LCDs require a backlight panel as a 

source for the visuals to be visible through a polarizer, which many monitors use. Unlike OLED displays where individual pixels emit light, LCDs necessitate a backlight source to make the displayed content visible. This reliance on externalillumination is a distinguishing feature.

IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD Screens:

IPS LCD, or In-Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display, is a popular variant of LCD technology known for its exceptional color accuracy and wide viewing angles. It addresses some of the limitations of standard LCD screens, making it a preferred choice for various applications where color fidelity and consistent image quality are essential.

IPS LCD screens are known for their superior colour accuracy and wider viewing angles. They are often used in high-end smartphones where color reproduction is critical. IPS screens are a compromise between OLED and traditional LCD in terms of contrast and energy efficiency.

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) screens represent cutting-edge display technologies that rely on organic compounds and advanced matrices to produce vibrant and energy-efficient displays.

OLED screens use organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied. This technology allows for individually lit pixels, resulting in deep blacks, high contrast ratios, and energy efficiency. The lifespan of OLED screens can vary but is generally shorter than other technologies due to the organic materials’ degradation over time.

various options, each with its advantages and drawbacks. While they cannot last forever due to the inherent properties of the materials used and external factors, understanding these aspects can help users make informed choices when purchasing and maintaining their devices.

Lifespan of Smartphone Screens

Smartphone screens, despite their technological advances, do not last forever. Several factors contribute to their lifespan:

      • Organic Material Degradation (OLED/AMOLED):
            • OLED and AMOLED screens use organic compounds that deteriorate over time, leading to image retention, color shifts, and burn-in issues.

        • Backlight Degradation (LCD):
              • LCD screens can suffer from backlight degradation, which leads to uneven lighting and decreased overall screen quality.

          • Physical Damage:
                • Accidents, drops, and scratches can physically damage smartphone screens, affecting their longevity.

            • Heat and Humidity:
                  • Exposure to extreme temperatures and humidity levels can accelerate screen deterioration.

            Pixels (OLED) vs. Backlit Screens (LCD)?

            Pixel density and backlight technology play crucial roles in screen quality. OLED and AMOLED screens, with their individually lit pixels, offer better contrast ratios and more vibrant colours. In contrast, LCD screens rely on a backlight source, which can lead to issues like light bleeding and lower contrast. OLED and Super AMOLED screens offer higher resolutions displays, more saturation, better colour accuracy, vibrancy, contrast, true blacks, even at different angles, and generally perform better under the sunlight compared to LCD screens.

            LCD and IPS LCD screens also consume more battery power due to the necessity to keep the entirety of the screen backlit whereas OLED screens can shut off individual pixels and only fire up selected pixels when needed.

            However, because OLED screens require the use of organic elements in the pixels to emit light, these organic components generally degrade over the course of 4 to 5 years with average use. When an OLED screen degrades, a phenomenon known as screen burn-in happens as one of the early symptoms. Blurry shadows, and silhouttes tend to form on the screen, and are more apparent when the display screen is in white pages which become deeper over time.

            LCD screens generally have a longer lifespan compared to OLED, but they might suffer from backlight bleeding and limited viewing angles. Smartphones with LCD screens, are also more affordable due to having lower manufacturing costs

            Maintenance and Repairs

                1. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: LCD screens can be sensitive to temperature extremes. Avoid exposing your smartphone to extremely hot or cold environments, as this can affect the liquid crystals within the display.

                1. Adjust Screen Brightness: Lowering the screen brightness can reduce the strain on the backlight, potentially extending the lifespan of the LCD or OLED screen. OLED screens are more power-efficient at lower brightness levels, without the need of a backlit screen. Many smartphones also offer adaptive brightness settings that automatically adjust based on ambient light.

                1. Use Screen Protectors: Applying a screen protector can provide an extra layer of defense against scratches and minor impacts, helping to preserve the integrity of the LCD screen over time.

                1. Prevent Screen Burn-In: Unlike OLED screens, LCDs are not prone to burn-in. However, static images displayed for extended periods can still cause image retention. To avoid this, periodically change your wallpaper and avoid displaying static elements for prolonged periods.

                1. Enable Dark Mode: OLED screens use individual pixels to emit light, and darker pixels consume less power. Enabling dark mode or using dark-themed wallpapers and apps can reduce power consumption and potentially extend the lifespan of OLED screens.

                1. Use Screen Timeout Settings: Adjust the screen timeout settings to ensure the display turns off when not in use. This can help conserve power and minimise unnecessary wear on OLED pixels.

                1. Avoid Persistent Static Images: OLED screens, are susceptible to burn-in especially when displaying static images for extended periods. Avoid leaving static elements on the screen for too long and consider using screensavers or changing wallpapers regularly.

                1. Update Software: Manufacturers often release software updates that include optimisations for screen performance. Keeping your device’s software up to date can help ensure efficient power management and overall screen health.

              What to Do When Smartphone Screen Displays Inevitably Spoil:

                  1. Check for Warranty: If your smartphone is still under warranty, contact the manufacturer or the place of purchase. Screen issues may be covered, and they can provide guidance on repair or replacement options.

                  1. Professional Repair Services: If the warranty has expired, consider seeking professional repair services. Authorised service centers, such as Secondlifeasia or reputable third-party repair shops can assess and address screen issues.

                  1. Consider Replacement: If the cost of repair is impractical, or if the smartphone is beyond repair, replacing the screen with a new one will give the smartphone display an extended lifespan.

                Remember that prevention is key to maintaining the lifespan of smartphone screens. Regular care and adopting good usage habits can contribute to a longer lasting and healthier display. Visit Apple Independent Repair Provider, Secondlifeasia, to find out more about costs for original screen replacements or screen repair costs.