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Sharp’s launching a new 5-inch 1920 x 1080 pixel display this week in Japan — and it’s one of the most pixel-dense screens to date.
According to the Verge, the new display uses TFTs produced with continuous grain (CG) silicon rather than the recently lauded IGZO transistor technology. Despite the fact it’s an older technology, it still lets Sharp cram in a full 1920 x 1080 HD display into the 5-inch form factor.
That means the display offers up a pixel density of 442 pixels per inch. Compare that to the Retina display of the iPhone, which manages 326 ppi, and it sounds really rather promising. The new display is pictured above on the right, next to an iPhone. It’s worth pointing out that Sharp has hit a high of 498 ppi with a 6.1-inch IGZO prototype in the past, but that’s not seen commercial release yet.
If you’re wondering why the company is using CG silicon over IGZO — good question! — then a Sharp rep told the Verge that it allows faster response times and, in turn, higher resolutions. Perhaps more importantly, because it’s better-established technology, it’s easier to set into mass production, too. And that, of course, means that it might not be long before full HD phones are the norm. [Engadget, Verge]
Not sure what the point of the comparison pic above is. 2 totally different display images taken with a digital camera of an unknown resolution and then optimised for the web. The sharp also appears to be showing a sepia toned picture which make colour comparisons pointless. The only good thing about a 5″ screen with a DPI this high is that it will take the iPhone another 6 years to get it, so we won’t have to listen to Apple or their fans banging on about “retina display” for that long.
Well what difference does it really make? The retina display already means you can’t see individual pixels, what can anyone say with an even higher pixel density? I can’t see them even more! Plus I agree on the picture thing, at least take a picture of this with a better camera.
But this isn’t going to be “Retina Class” Darrell… it’s more than just pixel density. The colour accuracy on Retina devices is just GORGEOUS and the blah blah is REMARKABLE, x is SEXY and y is ASTOUNDING. IPS is IPSurdly good.
I think that’s my favourite/most hated Apple fan terminology. “Retina Class”.
“IPSurdly good” BAHAHA +1
C’mon Darrell, even you know that all mobile gadget are compared against the iPhone, it’s the benchmark other aspire to…
442ppi.. For a viewing distance of 3″ from your nose!
Is there any point in cramming more ppi in? I mean if there are so many that we cannot see individual pixels already it won’t make much difference will it?
If you watch a HD TV from your sofa you can’t see the pixels – therefor its a “retina” screen.
And your saying you wouldn’t want a better quality 4 or even 8K TV?
Real life is infinite pixels and the better our screens get the smother and more realistic an image will be.
4K or 8K only matters if you are going to a massive screen. HD vs 4K on a 32″ TV from standard distance would not make a lick of difference
What im talking about though is whats the point on a 3.5 or 4 inch display when we have already reached a number of ppi which our can’t see individual pixels.
Eye cant see*
It is about viewing distance. You can still see individual if you move the phone closer to your face. Although why you would do that is another question..
Some people have better eyesight so anyone with better than 20:20 vision can see pixels on the retina display
Yes, to make it 1920 x 1080, therefore you don’t need to trans-code you videos for you phone.
Also just because you can’t see the individuality pixels doesn’t mean you can’t see the space between the pixels. Look at a kindle and an iphone, you can see that the image on the kindle looks smoother (this is due to continually joining pixles but the effect is the same.)
Also getting more PPI will be us full for when things like Google glass become common as screens like that are located closer to the eyes.
They are really going to have to up the memory on these phones if you want to start watching 1080P movies on them. Then again I supposed you could stream to them…..
Better crack the microscope out, this is gonna be like the modern equivalent of microfilm.
What next 2k mobile screens!? Wish mobile industry would focus on battery vs performance.
No one has mentioned that a higher pixel density compared to a lower pixel density screen (with everything else being equal) will consume more battery power. I don’t think there is much benefit in upping the PPI but the battery power usage is a significant downside. Manufacturers are starting to clock on that consumers want better running time on the device. Pointless power sapping technology changes like this just negates any improvements on the battery side.
Well said