TFT screens and OLED screens each have their own unique advantages and applicable scenarios, and it is difficult to generalize which one is "better".
1. Technical principles and structure
TFT screen: TFT (Thin Film Transistor) screen, also known as thin film transistor liquid crystal display, is an active-matrix color liquid crystal display technology. It uses thin film transistors to control the brightness of each pixel and controls the switching of the pixels by changing the current to achieve image display. TFT screens require a backlight to illuminate the screen, and backlights typically use LEDs or CCFLs (cold cathode fluorescent lamps).
OLED screen: OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) screen, that is, organic light emitting diode screen, is a self-illuminating screen technology. It uses a very thin coating of organic materials and a glass substrate (or a flexible organic substrate) that emits light when an electric current passes through it. Each pixel of the OLED screen emits light independently, without the need for a backlight.
2. Display effect and color performance
TFT screen:
Color reproduction: The TFT screen performs well in color reproduction and can present clear and natural images. Although its color saturation may be slightly inferior to OLED screens, in most application scenarios, the color performance of TFT screens is sufficient to meet user needs.
Contrast and black performance: Since TFT screens require a backlight to illuminate the screen, they may not be able to display very deep blacks. However, with the continuous advancement of technology, some high-end TFT screens have been able to achieve good performance in this regard.
Viewing angle: TFT screens usually have high brightness and wide viewing angles, which means users can get a good visual experience in different light environments and viewing angles.
OLED screen:
Bright colors and high contrast: OLED screens are self-luminous, so they can achieve higher contrast and more vivid color performance. Its contrast ratio can usually reach more than 100,000:1, which can display very deep blacks and vivid colors.
Wide viewing angle: OLED screens have very wide viewing angles, often reaching 170 degrees or higher, which means that the color and contrast of the image will not change significantly when the screen is viewed from different angles.
Detailed performance: Because each pixel of the OLED screen emits light independently, it can present more details and layers, making the image more delicate and realistic.
3. Power consumption and lifespan
TFT screen:
Power consumption: Although TFT screens require a backlight module to illuminate the screen, their overall energy consumption is still relatively low (relative to earlier technologies). However, compared to OLED screens, TFT screens may consume more power when displaying high-brightness content.
Lifespan: The lifespan of a TFT screen is relatively long because it is composed of inorganic materials and has better durability. Under normal use, the lifespan of a TFT screen can reach decades.
OLED screen:
Low power consumption: OLED screens do not require a backlight module, so they consume almost no power when displaying black or dark content. This enables OLED screens to achieve lower power consumption when displaying dynamic images and videos. However, when displaying high-brightness or white content, the power consumption of OLED screens may rise.
Relatively short lifespan: OLED screens are composed of organic materials and are easily affected by environmental factors such as oxidation and humidity, resulting in shortened lifespan. The lifespan of an OLED screen may only range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of hours. In addition, displaying the same image for a long time may also cause "screen burn".
4. Price and application areas
TFT screen:
Price: Since TFT screen technology is mature and widely used, its production cost is relatively low, so the price is also relatively cheap. This makes TFT screens widely used in many fields.
Application fields: TFT screens are mainly used in computer monitors, flat-panel TVs, smartphones, tablets and other fields. Due to its advantages of bright colors, high definition, and fast response speed, TFT screens are widely used in large-screen electronic products.
OLED screen:
Price: The production cost of OLED screens is relatively high, so the price is also relatively expensive. However, as technology continues to advance and production increases, the price of OLED screens is gradually decreasing.
Application fields: OLED screens are mainly used in high-end electronic products, such as smartphones, TVs, monitors, etc. Due to its advantages such as self-illumination, ultra-thinness, high contrast, and wide viewing angle, OLED screens have better performance when displaying dynamic images and game screens. In addition, OLED screens are also widely used in curved screen and folding screen devices, providing more possibilities for device design.
5. Comprehensive comparison and selection suggestions
To sum up, TFT screens and OLED screens each have their own advantages and applicable scenarios. When choosing, users should make comprehensive considerations based on their actual needs and budget. Here are some suggestions:
If you are pursuing high-cost performance and stable color performance, and have higher requirements for screen life and durability, then TFT screens may be a better choice.
If you have higher requirements for the thinness, lightness, response speed and contrast of the screen, and you don’t mind paying a higher price, then OLED screen is a good choice. Especially for users who need to watch screens for long periods of time, OLED screens can provide a more comfortable and realistic visual experience.
In short, when choosing screen technology, users should comprehensively consider factors such as their needs, budget, and product performance to make the choice that best suits them.