iPhone screen -- LED backlight

[mugwump]

Rumors floating around are that macs are getting LED backlit screens beginning in the spring.

Wouldn't it make sense that the iPhone use this tech? It's cooler, more power efficient, more vibrant, longer lasting, etc.

 

[Voidness]

Actually, handheld devices such as cell phones and iPods have used LED backlit screens for a long time now

 

[mugwump]

Ah, wonderful info. No wonder I haven't read anything about it.

 

[aricher]

I wonder if the iPhone is going to be brigt enough to use in full sunlight. I haven't had a cell phone yet that has had a visible screen in full sun.

 

[QuarterSwede]

I wonder if the iPhone is going to be brigt enough to use in full sunlight. I haven't had a cell phone yet that has had a visible screen in full sun.

The SE w600i has one that you can. In fact, just yesterday I was using it outside (it was a gorgeous day) and could see the screen just fine. I think it uses some sort of reflective screen so that sunlight doesn't wash it out. I say this because you can't see the backlight in the sun (obviously) but the pixels are still visible because the sun provides the light.

 

[nagromme]

iPods use a semi-reflective screen, which is why you can see them just fine (readable but poor color accuracy) in bright sunlight with the backlight not even needed. (Compared to a laptop whose screen looks 95% black in strong light.) I assume the iPhone will work the same way.

The reason some devices do NOT use this kind of screen is that it makes the backlight dimmer--less light gets though from behind. Not good for a laptop.

Sorry I don't have the technical terms handy