AMOLED (Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode)
It is display technology used in smartphones, smart watches, laptops and televisions. It is a type of OLED display and is used in smartphones. It is based on pixels made of tiny red, blue and green organic material-based light emitting diodes (OLEDs).
Active matrix denotes a thin film transistor (TFT) system in which each individual pixel luminescence on activation and the screen is drawn all at once each time it refreshes. A more responsive image at a wider range of viewing angle than passive matrix displays. This continuous current flow is controlled by at least two TFTs at each pixel, with one TFT to start and stop the charging of a storage capacitor and the other to provide a voltage source at the level needed to create a constant current to the pixels. Colors, pixel has, are light so the screens doesn’t have to be backlit. AMOLEDs are lighter as well as thinner but much more durable. It also reduces power consumption.
Samsung popularized the use of this technology and it has since become a standard feature of some of its flagship smartphones and tablets, as well as digital cameras and smart televisions.
Disadvantages:
- It has shorter lifespan than the red and green OLED.
- These displays are prone to screen burn-in, which leaves a permanent imprint of overused colors represented by overused images in case screen is used at maximum brightness for an extended period of time.
- Organic compounds are also highly susceptible to water damages unlike light diodes or inorganic crystalline. Submerging an AMOLED display in water would result in immediate loss of some colors represented by burn-in or dead pixels.
- An AMOLED display is difficult to view in direct sunlight due to reduced maximum brightness and lack of backlighting.
Advantages over Other Technologies:
- It provide higher refresh rates than passive matrix making moving images more fluid and less straining to the eyes.
- Response time often reduced to less than a millisecond with low power consumption.
- These display are made of organic material that is about 100 to 500 nanometers thick which makes it very ecofriendly and energy efficient.
- They emit light without generating too much heat; energy loss due to heat transfer is lesser.
Variants:
There are various marketing terms through which these display are marketed some of these are:
- Super AMOLED, Super AMOLED Advanced or Super AMOLED Plus
- HD Super AMOLED, HD Super AMOLED Plus or Full HD Super AMOLED
- Quad HD Super AMOLED
For detailed descriptions about variants – Click Here
Future of AMOLED:
- In 2019, we will experience the first flexible, foldable devices and roll able AMOLED screens.