iPhone 4 Retina Display vs. Galaxy S Super AMOLED... fight! (updated)
By Vlad Savov 
posted June 24th 2010 1:15PM
posted June 24th 2010 1:15PM
Update: Due to the Galaxy S having a separate setting for browser brightness, which we didn't max out in the original investigation, we've gone back and collected some truly 100 percent illuminated pictures. See the gallery after the break. Keep in mind that this shouldn't discredit most of the work done here, as we were more interested in pixel-level detail than brightness.
First thing's first: all the images in our gallery are left entirely untouched, with the first four being 100 percent crops of the original camera output, altered only to insert our watermark and phone notation. The quickest thing to stand out to us when putting this set of photos together was the iPhone's brightness. The Super AMOLED display on the Galaxy S remains pretty much a standard-setting screen, and yet it
Update: Thanks to an arcane browser-specific brightness setting on the Galaxy S, we were originally looking at less than the full force of the S-AMOLED panel. Consequently, we went back to Samsung's offices for another look at the two displays and have now produced the comparison gallery below. It gives a taste both of the displays' capabilities and of the browser rendering being done beneath them. It's important to note that we didn't feel there was any tangible difference in the Samsung display's output beyond the obvious increase in brightness. Ergo, the rest of our observations stand as before.
Viewing angles are pretty much impossible to split, though we're inclined to give the iPhone the thinnest of edges here as it seemed to give us that bit more definition from tight viewpoints. But consider that a nuanced draw rather than any sort of win.
When we brought the pair outside for some time in the sunshine, we were immediately disappointed by a typical turn for the worse by the British weather, but there was enough light to challenge both displays. Should you ever have the somewhat unusual circumstances of having light beaming directly down onto the screen without your noggin casting a helpful shadow, neither display will give you any great usability. But cast that shadow, turn away from the sunlight, do anything to avoid the direct rays, and you'll get some pretty sweet utility out of both. Once again, it's a pretty impossible task to differentiate between the output of the Retina Display and Super AMOLED, though if we have to choose, Samsung will get the nod. This really is a territory where personal preference will determine which the better screen will be, the differences are that minuscule.
The one standout differentiator between the two will have been apparent by gazing upon our gallery: the Retina Display really whoops on the Super AMOLED on the pixel level. Definition still looks ridiculous on the iPhone 4, and Samsung simply can't match it there. You should be mindful, however, that the delta between the two when you stick them right next to your eye is nowhere near as pronounced in real world use. In fact, checking out our giraffe picture comparison, the Super AMOLED seems to exhibit stronger color saturation and sharper definition, in spite of looking pixelated sat next to Apple's smoother curvatures. Stick both at a normal distance away from the user, and it will likely come down to personal preference again. Some of our own staff have found the Galaxy S' display to be oversaturated, whereas this editor felt it was just about spot on. Maybe this is an artifact of us looking at different handsets, but we're inclined to think it's indicative of the role user preference has to play in the final conclusions reached when looking at these screens. Anyhow, enough yapping from us, go check out the videos already.
I want details over vibrancy. Thats my preference.
I think that Apple had a decision to make during the designing phase of iPhone4.
They wanted to increase the low resolution (in our days, uses, content) of the original iPhone display.
Keeping in mind the huge amount of the low-res apps they choose to double the pixels in each dimension, so the low-res apps can operate in a x2 mode which is the only viable solution in such a problem, retaining compatibility.
BUT another problem arose. The software now must move around four times the pixels of the low-res. Performance issues and more. User Interface has to be smooth which is difficult with so many pixels (storage for the Graphics is 4x also)
Also they wanted to keep the screen size, because they think is the best for the masses, and you know probably they are correct on this.
Nevertheless the human eye can't resolve this density of pixels, even the 200+ it's more than enough.
And of course (!!!!) they are promoting this display as a feature not as a necessity. Viva Retina !!
So in conclusion, I think it was an obvious choice to choose this display density together with its drawbacks. Apple's processor A4 was the solution (in advance) for the performance penalty, anyway.
Just my thoughts
I think the people who say "Under a microscope the iPhone screen wins, at normal viewing distance its the same" are outrightly lying to themselves or don't have much sense. If it's better at 3" why won't it be better at 12"? I've seen both screens in person and the detail on the iPhone4 close up and at normal viewing distance is instantly noticeable and is absolutely stunning. The Galaxy S which I've seen in person is nice but the detail is definitely lackluster at normal viewing distance. However the widescreen part of the GS is a definite win if you like watching movies - I saw a movie on the iPhone4 and GS and no black bars is definitely nice.
Infinite contrast ratio = game over. What's with all the smudges on the Samsung? They should remove the $1.49 screen protector from the Samsung and give the photography duties to someone who knows how to take a picture.
I love it how when you look at the article way back when Samsung claimed their screen was better, nearly EVERYONE on Engadget took Samsung's word for it. Apple will lose any popular battle based on bias and hate, 100% of the time on the web. So sad. Ignorance is bliss.
Wow.
Firstly, to the people that argue that the pixel density is not noticeable by the human eye and that the vivid colours are why SAMOLED takes the cake, I say shenanigans. Its completely foolish to claim that pixel density is irrelevant when the 14 million colours on SAMOLED is. Thats bullshit
Secondly, people flaming and hating on engadget for not turning the Samsungs brightness to full level- What the flying f*ck? You really think that in screen comparison where one of the criterion is BRIGHTNESS they wouldnt think of the most obvious thing- to turnn the brightness up? You have got to be kidding.
And finally, addressing the ignorant users who are commenting on LG making the components of the Retina screen, and Samsung making other parts of the iPhone. This in no way insinuates that Apple is worse than Samsung for using components by other companies, that isnt what is being compared. Go read a book (like The World is Flat by T. Friedman) and you will realize that this is just the way the world works; one company makes components and another uses them. Its a simple concept that you are manipulating to say that Samsung is a better manufacturer of phone / screens.
I apologize for the wall of text, but this really grinds my gears.
tl;dr - Wake up and find some relevant reasons to why SAMOLED > Retina, Widescreen being an example.