AMOLED
AMOLED is a screen type in which every pixel makes its own light, so the display shows deep blacks and strong contrast.
On this page 3 sections
AMOLED stands for active-matrix organic light-emitting diode. In this screen, every pixel is a tiny light source that makes its own light. A regular LCD works differently: one backlight shines through the whole panel, and filters decide what you see.
How it works
When a pixel on an AMOLED screen needs to show black, it switches off completely. That gives very deep blacks and strong contrast. Because only the lit pixels use power, a mostly dark picture draws less energy than a bright one. The active-matrix part is a layer of tiny switches that controls each pixel quickly, which lets the screen refresh smoothly.
What the term covers
- OLED is the wider family of this light-emitting technology. AMOLED is the version used in most phones, tablets and watches.
- Brightness, sharpness and colour accuracy vary from one panel to another.
- Pixels switch on and off one by one, so the panel can be very thin and can even be made flexible.
What it does not promise
The word AMOLED does not say how bright, sharp or colour-accurate a screen is. Some panels dim by flickering very fast at low brightness. Static images shown for very long periods can, in rare cases, leave faint ghost marks over several years.