Retina+Display

= Retina Display = toc Retina display is a term coined by Apple to describe the high contrast, high resolution screen on the iPhone 4 and 4s. According to Apple founder and former CEO Steve Jobs, the human eye can only distinguish individual pixels up to a resolution of about 300 pixels per inch. Once the resolution exceeds 300 ppi, the display is crisp and clear, not at all pixelated. Apple was able to fit 326 pixels per inch by developing a smaller-sized pixel, only 78 micrometers wide. The high density of these pixels results in a smoother, clearer display, with four times the contrast ratio. At 326 ppi, the iPhone 4 has four times the pixels of the 163ppi iPhone 3. Apple uses the term retina display to also encompass in-plane switching, or IPS, a technology first seen on the iPad and Apple LED Cinema Display. IPS allows for a larger viewing area, compared to other LCD screens, so that the display can be seen clearly even if it isn’t directly in front of you. Retina display’s LED backlit screen is another feature that makes viewing easier and reduces eye strain. The ambient light sensor automatically adjusts the screen brightness according to the light conditions in any environment. The glass used on the iPhone 4 and 4s is also retina display technology. It is stronger, more oil resistant, and less likely to scratch.

Retina Display and the iPad 3
As of November 2011, the iPad 3 is slated for release in early 2012. It has been advertised as having the same Retina display as the iPhone 4, but in fact will have a lower screen resolution. On October 26,, 2011, CNET reported that Apple was planning for the iPad 3 to have a resolution of 264ppi. This is double the resolution of the first and second generation iPads. This technology is supplied by display manufacturers like LG Display and Samsung, and it remains to be seen whether it can be produced at a high enough volume to satisfy demand. Packing so many pixels into the much larger iPad screen may not actually be necessary, since users hold it further from their eyes.

Comparison of Screen Technologies

 * ** Screen technology ** || ** Super AMOLED Plus ** || ** Super LCD ** || ** Retina ** || ** Nova ** ||
 * ** Manufacturer ** || Samsung || Sony || Apple || LG ||
 * ** Flagship phone ** || [|Samsung Galaxy S II], [|Samsung Droid Charge] || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2964bf; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|HTC Sensation 4G]  || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2964bf; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|Apple iPhone 4]  || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #2964bf; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">[|LG Optimus Black]  ||
 * ** Resolution ** || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">800x480(WVGA) || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">960x540 pixels (qHD) || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">960x640 || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">800x480 (WVGA) ||
 * ** Screen size ** || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">4.3 inches || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">4.3 inches || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">3.5 inches || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">4.0 inches ||
 * ** Viewing angle ** || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">180 degrees || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">160 degrees || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">Won't disclose || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">170 degrees ||
 * ** Marketing claim ** || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">1,152,000 sub-pixels || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">Lower power consumption || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">326 pixels per inch || <span style="display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">700 nits ||

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**References**
Crothers, B. (2011, October 26).//<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif;"> iPad 3's dense display a challenge for manufacturers //. Retrieved from http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-20125504-64/ipad-3s-dense-display-a-challenge-for-manufacturers/

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Dolcourt, J. (2011, May 16). //Super AMOLED Plus vs. Retina vs. Super LCD vs. Nova screens: What's the difference?// Retrieved from http://www.cnet.com/8301-17918_1-20056639-85.html

//<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">iPhone: Retina display //<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/retina-display.html