Phones iPhone 5 screen compared to S4 & HTC

[Lava Lamp Freak]

So I suppose you know more than consumer reports who after their massive amounts of scientific tests, including many just on its display, concluded that the S4 is the best smartphone on the market? Good to know. Please tell us where you are getting your test results and please include the details of your test. Thanks

It could very well be the best smartphone for millions of people. I do like Android, but saying something is the best is subjective because different people have different needs and different pet peeves.

I'm talking about the PPI of the display, which isn't an opinion based discussion: It's scientific. The effective PPI is lower than the advertised PPI because of the higher number of green subpixels than red and blue subpixels. The 441 PPI is a farce if used to say it is better than the iPhone 5 at 326 PPI. Some people don't care about this, so for them the GS4 is the best smartphone because it does all of the things they care about. I prefer accurate colors, whites that look white, and a bright screen, so to me it isn't the best.

 

[durant35]

It could very well be the best smartphone for millions of people. I do like Android, but saying something is the best is subjective because different people have different needs and different pet peeves.

I'm talking about the PPI of the display, which isn't an opinion based discussion: It's scientific. The effective PPI is lower than the advertised PPI because of the higher number of green subpixels than red and blue subpixels. The 441 PPI is a farce if used to say it is better than the iPhone 5 at 326 PPI. Some people don't care about this, so for them the GS4 is the best smartphone because it does all of the things they care about. I prefer accurate colors, whites that look white, and a bright screen, so to me it isn't the best.

So you know more than the doctor of this display technology corporation and his extensive scientific testing in the results below? Again, please share the results of your tests with us, we are eagerly awaiting it. Oh, and if you prefer whites that look white, the S4 is better than the iPhone 5, see below

http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_S4_ShootOut_1.htm

"The iPhone 5 is significantly brighter than the Galaxy S4, particularly for screens with mostly peak white backgrounds. Its color calibration is a bit better, although the Galaxy S4 has a more accurate White. The Galaxy S4 has a much bigger screen, higher resolution, higher PPI, much darker blacks, and better screen uniformity than the iPhone 5"

 

[jrswizzle]

So you know more than the doctor of this display technology corporation and his extensive scientific testing in the results below? Again, please share the results of your tests with us, we are eagerly awaiting it. Oh, and if you prefer whites that look white, the S4 is better than the iPhone 5, see below

http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_S4_ShootOut_1.htm

"The iPhone 5 is significantly brighter than the Galaxy S4, particularly for screens with mostly peak white backgrounds. Its color calibration is a bit better, although the Galaxy S4 has a more accurate White. The Galaxy S4 has a much bigger screen, higher resolution, higher PPI, much darker blacks, and better screen uniformity than the iPhone 5"

From your link "Overall Assessments".....

"The Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5 displays both
have their strengths. Overall they are both
excellent displays for the current generation."

"The iPhone 5 currently has a somewhat more
accurate calibration than the Movie Mode."

"The Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5 are both Best of Breed."

"The iPhone 5 LCD has a very large Brightness
decrease with Viewing Angle but somewhat
smaller color shifts than the Galaxy S4."

Both receieved the same grade - "A".

Also look at the "color gamut" section - The iPhone 5 display is closer to perfect as far as accuracy to the sRGB standard than the GS4.

As for your bolded quote.....

Bigger - subjective
Higher resolution - inconsequential at this size
More ppi - diminishing returns past 326
Better blacks - always been the case with AMOLED displays
More uniform - but not as accurate (trade-off)

All-in-all, I can't find anywhere in that link where this review states the GS4 display is decidedly better than the iP5. If anything, it backs up my claim - the GS4 has the best AMOLED screen, and is on par with the One and iP5, but isn't necessarily better.

 

[cynics]

I'll probably get flamed for this but I have to compare fine details to see a difference between an iPad 2 and iPad 3/4 with retina display.

iPhone 4-5 compared to anything better and I just can not see it using the phone normally.

The thing that "pops" for me is the obvious screen size difference and vivid colors. I like how it can be set to natural if you care to do so on the S4.

 

[sentinelsx]

I don't know about reviews, but i know if something doesn't look right to my eyes now, it won't later.

The HTC One's LCD panel simply looked amazing to me when i looked at it. This is what my eyes said "dude, this phone has the best screen we have ever looked at".

Then i compared it to my iPhone 5 and i thought the screens were similar, but the One's screen did look sharper once i loaded a website, a joy to see.

Then i moved to GS4, i played for over an hour. Checked all display settings. Movie, adapt, professional photo, dynamic, standard, you name it. Tried fiddling with all settings. Played with all brightness levels.

This is what my eyes told me "dude, this is a slight step up from the GS3 you had, nothing as amazing as the iPhone 5 in your hand or the HTC One out there, screen is still dimmer on full brightness, and something is just missing".

In the GS4 defence however, i DID notice a blue tint on my iPhone on full white image, which i never did before. It came as a revelation and i was surprised to see the GS4 screen being warmer.

Now i know someone here will brand me as whatever their heart desires, but I cannot help it if i cannot like it. My impression was that I liked the HTC One screen the best. I AM NOT STATING THAT HTC ONE IS A BETTER PHONE, SO PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM JUMPING ON ME .

This is why I cannot bring myself to commit to a GS4, even the google edition. I like good screens, they make a good UI look even better, and screen is what i interact with most of the time too.

If there was a google edition HTC One i probably would be happiest. I am almost going to buy a nexus 4 soon if the rumors for a HTC One GE are not true in next two weeks, and wait for nexus 5 later. If it is two things i have learned from wasting money on android handsets it is a) i like stock android the most, it is the best UI FOR MY USE and b) AMOLED is simply not for me.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

In the GS4 defence however, i DID notice a blue tint on my iPhone on full white image, which i never did before. It came as a revelation and i was surprised to see the GS4 screen being warmer.

There is some variance between iPhone screens. My iPhone 5 is warm, which I like. My iPhone 4S was cool. I think the warm screen has better color reproduction than the cool screens. I don't know if this kind of variance also exists in AMOLED screens.

Now i know someone here will brand me as whatever their heart desires, but I cannot help it if i cannot like it. My impression was that I liked the HTC One screen the best. I AM NOT STATING THAT HTC ONE IS A BETTER PHONE, SO PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM JUMPING ON ME .

In the end, it is very subjective, and personal preference is the deciding factor. If you are happy with the phone you have, whether it is an iPhone 5, an S4, or a One, then what someone else thinks doesn't really matter.

 

[durant35]

All-in-all, I can't find anywhere in that link where this review states the GS4 display is decidedly better than the iP5. If anything, it backs up my claim - the GS4 has the best AMOLED screen, and is on par with the One and iP5, but isn't necessarily better.

I never said it was better. I think the iPhone 5 screen is quite nice in fact. I was pointing out his claims of the S4s PPI numbers being faked is a false claim. Which display the user prefers is purely personal preference.

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

So you know more than the doctor of this display technology corporation and his extensive scientific testing in the results below? Again, please share the results of your tests with us, we are eagerly awaiting it. Oh, and if you prefer whites that look white, the S4 is better than the iPhone 5, see below

http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_S4_ShootOut_1.htm

"The iPhone 5 is significantly brighter than the Galaxy S4, particularly for screens with mostly peak white backgrounds. Its color calibration is a bit better, although the Galaxy S4 has a more accurate White. The Galaxy S4 has a much bigger screen, higher resolution, higher PPI, much darker blacks, and better screen uniformity than the iPhone 5"

Go back to Display Mate and read the section titled PenTile Displays. What I'm pointing out is that most of the problems I have with the display are caused by the display having more green subpixels than red and blue subpixels.

Like I said, it is subjective if you like one screen over the other. What is not subjective is that the marketing of 441 PPI is misleading because it actually has 312 PPI when counting red and blue subpixels, which is very important when reading text. For images and video I can't see a difference, but for text I can. Many people will not be able to see a difference with the text because not everyone has the same visual acuity. Heck, many people said that they couldn't see a difference on the S3, and the S4 is much better.

 

[durant35]

From your link "Overall Assessments".....
Higher resolution - inconsequential at this size
More ppi - diminishing returns past 326

Disagree with these two. Higher resolution is definitely not inconsequential. I just downloaded Netflix on my S4 and I noticed the movie Immortals sitting there about halfway thru, I was watching it on my iPad Mini last night. So I resumed play and immediately went WOW, this looks amazing on this screen. I then grabbed my Mini and played them back side by side. The clarity and detail on my S4 blew away that of the Mini, it wasnt even close. So I am sorry, resolution matters a ton, even with a 5 inch display.

As for PPI, saying "diminishing returns past 326" is also completely false. The human eye can detect up to around 400ppi. The difference between 326 and 441 is very noticeable. Combine that with a full 1080p resolution and its not really close.

 

[bmac4]

Disagree with these two. Higher resolution is definitely not inconsequential. I just downloaded Netflix on my S4 and I noticed the movie Immortals sitting there about halfway thru, I was watching it on my iPad Mini last night. So I resumed play and immediately went WOW, this looks amazing on this screen. I then grabbed my Mini and played them back side by side. The clarity and detail on my S4 blew away that of the Mini, it wasnt even close. So I am sorry, resolution matters a ton, even with a 5 inch display.

As for PPI, saying "diminishing returns past 326" is also completely false. The human eye can detect up to around 400ppi. The difference between 326 and 441 is very noticeable. Combine that with a full 1080p resolution and its not really close.

The only problem with your example is everyone knows the S4 is going to be twice as good as the ipad mini. The mini has a PPI of 163 compared to 441 in the S4. Of course you could see the difference. I have an ipad 2 and a nexus 4 and yes I can see a big difference in the 2 displays. Now if you were to compare the iphone 5 and the S4 that is were their may not be much difference. I think what jrswizzle is trying to say is the difference your eyes can see past the 326 and 441 is not that much, and if you are honest with yourself you would say there is not much difference at all.

BTW jrswizzle I am using my iphone 5 again surprise surprise. Did not think I would do that for a very long time.

 

[daneoni]

In terms of overall screen experience (colour fidelity, brightness and sunlight legibility;

HTC One > iPhone 5 > GS4 > GS3. In my opinion.

 

[Yeezus]

This is easily changed in the "Screen Mode" settings. It's on Adapt display by default which I don't think is that great. The "Professional Photo" settings is the best IMO, I also like "Movie" settings which has the less saturation.

I feel like I'm the only one who messing with settings while checking out phone in store.

Interesting, I think I would keep this in mind when I purchase either an HTC One or Samsung Galaxy S4.

 

[mib1800]

I think screen size>>> color accuracy/viewing angle/ppi etc.

The screen size is the deciding factor. Debating intensely over these other secondary factors maybe is fun but then again. ..

 

[Assault]

I find it ironic that prior to the One and S4, the retina display and 326ppi was touted endlessly by iPhone fans. Now, anything above the iPhone resolution is considered inconsequential, useless, not important, and so on. That 326ppi was on a teeny, tiny little 3.5" and now 3.99" display. Having a 1080p HD display on a 5"+ phone screen and 7-10" tablet screens is awesome and a big factor in many peoples choice of phone and tablet, because the picture is so clear and detailed. You don't have to be a tech guru or spec addict to be able to see the diff between a crappy display like the Mini has and an HD display like the One. Even the iPhone screen doesn't look crisp compared to the One and S4.

 

[tjl3]

I think screen size>>> color accuracy/viewing angle/ppi etc.

The screen size is the deciding factor. Debating intensely over these other secondary factors maybe is fun but then again. ..

No thanks, even the iP4 screen beats an unrooted Nexus 4 in my book, and video sucks on an iP4!

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

I find it ironic that prior to the One and S4, the retina display and 326ppi was touted endlessly by iPhone fans. Now, anything above the iPhone resolution is considered inconsequential, useless, not important, and so on. That 326ppi was on a teeny, tiny little 3.5" and now 3.99" display. Having a 1080p HD display on a 5"+ phone screen and 7-10" tablet screens is awesome and a big factor in many peoples choice of phone and tablet, because the picture is so clear and detailed. You don't have to be a tech guru or spec addict to be able to see the diff between a crappy display like the Mini has and an HD display like the One. Even the iPhone screen doesn't look crisp compared to the One and S4.

I've never compared the S4 to the HTC One myself, but I can refer you to Erica Griffin from XDA.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=5G0twIfbwHU#t=609s

Regarding the iPhone 5, like I wrote earlier, compared side by side, text on the iPhone 5 looks noticeably sharper than text on the S4.

 

[PhoneI]

I agree with your post to some extent. The S4 screen does appear to be brighter and more lively, mainly due to the OLED. However, there is still the concern with the over-saturated colors, so it really depends on preferences. On a personal note, I prefer the iPhone 5 due to the more realistic colors. There isn't too much of a difference between sharpness as both are pin sharp. Nonetheless, excellent devices with exceptional screens.

It's a proven fact that the S4 screen is nowhere near the brightness of the LCD screens of the HTC One and the iPhone5

 

[blackhand1001]

Actually, the screen tech isn't entirely 3 years old......IPS LCDs may be, but Apple used new manufacturing processes and lamination for the iP5 display that gave it much higher brightness and more accurate/bright colors while also increasing its efficiency.....

Hence why there's a pretty noticeable increase in quality between the 4S and 5.....at least I think there's an increase. The 5 looks much sharper as far as colors go.....4S seems washed out by comparison.

Contrary to popular belief, Apple did in fact do quite a bit upgrading for the 5....

As for comparing to the One and GS4? I prefer LCDs, so I can't comment on the GS4 (though I've heard the movie setting gets the AMOLEDs close to the color accuracy of LCDs, albeit not quite there), I will say while I do think the One is better, its not a huge difference. I think we've reached the point of diminishing returns when it comes to display quality......

At this point, the best strides OEMs can make with regards to their displays are to make them brighter and more power efficient (or more power efficient so we can turn the brightness up higher.....the iP5 at full brightness is plenty bright).

----------



Beat to it. What this guy said.

Stop buying into the apple keynotes. They weren't the ones who had the screen laminated to the digitizer. That was samsung and they had done it years before with superamoled. Apple has pretty much nothing to do with anything regarding the manufacturing of the lcd panels.

 

[zbarvian]

Stop buying into the apple keynotes. They weren't the ones who had the screen laminated to the digitizer. That was samsung and they had done it years before with superamoled. Apple has pretty much nothing to do with anything regarding the manufacturing of the lcd panels.

He never claimed apple invented in-cell touch for LCDs or that it was a novel process. What he said was accurate.

 

[thehustleman]

So I went into the AT&T store today because I was getting a nano sim for my iphone 5. While I waited I looked at the S4 and HTC One. First thing the One's screen is way better than the S4, but I have to honest I really could not tell that much difference in the One and the iphone 5. I know I only saw it in store, but still. Anyone that has both or used both give some thoughts? It really is surprising that a screen Apple made what almost 3 years ago is still just as good.

Come on now, the iphone 5 has the "worst" screen of those phones. I say it in quotes because it isn't a bad screen at all, in fact before the Droid DNA is was simply the best, period.

 

[bmac4]

Come on now, the iphone 5 has the "worst" screen of those phones. I say it in quotes because it isn't a bad screen at all, in fact before the Droid DNA is was simply the best, period.

Ok well that is fine if you think that. I don't like the setup of the Amoled at all on the S4. I like the LCD the iphone 5 better. Maybe that is just my opinion, but that is how I feel. It may be the worst, but it is not by much at all.

 

[Assault]

Regarding the iPhone 5, like I wrote earlier, compared side by side, text on the iPhone 5 looks noticeably sharper than text on the S4.

You sure you want to stick with this statement? Even a blind man can see that text on the iP5 is not up to par to HD displays found on the S4 and One.

The following images show the difference between the S4, HTC One and iPhone5. The images are in that order as well. Now, when you look at these screenshots, do you really want to stick with your view that text is sharper on the iPhone5? If so, then you might as well tell everyone that the iPad mini has crisper text than the iPhone 5, since apparently you think less DPI means better screed resolution.

S4 display:

HTC One display:

iPhone5 display:

 

[Lava Lamp Freak]

You sure you want to stick with this statement? Even a blind man can see that text on the iP5 is not up to par to HD displays found on the S4 and One.

The following images show the difference between the S4, HTC One and iPhone5. The images are in that order as well. Now, when you look at these screenshots, do you really want to stick with your view that text is sharper on the iPhone5? If so, then you might as well tell everyone that the iPad mini has crisper text than the iPhone 5, since apparently you think less DPI means better screed resolution.

S4 display:
Image

HTC One display:
Image

iPhone5 display:
Image

Thanks for posting this. It shows an up close example of how there are way too many green subpixels, making it impossible for the GS4 to display the color white accurately.

As far as the sharpness, yes it does look sharper in this closeup. In person, this difference is not seen. However, the drawbacks of the AMOLED make text look much better on the iPhone 5. To me the GS4 didn't look as sharp as the iPhone 5, but perhaps it was just the difference in brightness making the iPhone 5 look sharper. I've already returned it so I can't do any further tests.

Edit: I will add one more thing. I'm talking only about text, whites, and brightess when I say the iPhone 5 looks better than the S4. I thought images and video looked great on the S4. The big screen is great for looking at pictures and watching movies.

 

[sentinelsx]

Come on now, the iphone 5 has the "worst" screen of those phones. I say it in quotes because it isn't a bad screen at all, in fact before the Droid DNA is was simply the best, period.

I am sorry but there is no way it is "worse" than the amoled in s4, I found it to be brighter and sharper when not on "blacks".