iPhone 4 and iPhone 3G screens go head-to-head under the microscope

We got up pretty close to the iPhone 4's retina display in our review, but we can't say we got quite as close as PhD candidates Ryan White and Bryan Gauntt of Penn State University, who have kindly provided us with some images of the screen under a microscope (along with an iPhone 3G for comparison). According to their measurements, the iPhone 3G's pixels measure 13 x 40 microns, while the iPhone 4's measure 6.5 x 20 microns, which adds up to exactly four times as many pixels. As impressive as sounds that sounds, however, it's the pictures that really tell the story -- hit up the gallery below to check them out.

iPhone 4 vs. iPhone 3G under the microscope

[fourthletter Posted Jun 24th 2010 12:28AM]

JonathanPaulIve:
"I messed up big time with the iPhone 4 antenna design, I only get 2 bars when I touch it but full when I leave my hands of it."

LOLz

[shishi Posted Jun 24th 2010 12:58AM]

enough already?

[liquidkernel Posted Jun 24th 2010 12:59AM]

INSANE. Wish the Evo 4G employed a similar screen. Oh well, both phones are good.

[Arealjerk Posted Jun 24th 2010 1:46AM]

I bet if you take everyone in line at the apple store. Ask them if they have ever touched a breast. Those people that have, step out of line. The ones left add up to about 600,000. Guaranteed.

[uck Posted Jun 24th 2010 2:23AM]

@Arealjerk

I have touched a breast...... Of chicken

[lecti Posted Jun 24th 2010 2:47AM]

@Arealjerk What is this "breast" you speak of?

[metalshinobi Posted Jun 24th 2010 2:17AM]

Sooo the iPhone 4 has beautiful screen density thus displaying beautiful yellow spots and tries hard to make phone calls... that's a hell of a device XD

[austin123123 Posted Jun 24th 2010 3:21AM]

Too bad this beast of a screen is getting yellow spots on most manufactured ones arriving to people...very dissapointing for such a nice display.

[pishaw Posted Jun 24th 2010 10:42AM]

I don't see the point of doing this over and over, it's like comparing the pixels on a 1080p 22" monitor to a 1080p 47" TV.

[navyasw02 Posted Jun 24th 2010 12:32PM]

How many times are we going to hear how great the iPhone 4 screen is? We get the point Engadget. Personally, I cant tell the difference anywhen when looking at the screen from arms length away. When Apple makes a phone that gives a happy ending, then I'll get excited.

[cr0ft Posted Jun 25th 2010 9:25AM]

Ok, now compare the iPhone 4 vs something nice with a WVGA screen, like a HTC Desire.