Screen vs. Display: A Simple Explanation of the Key Differences and Implications
When you are buying a new device, such as a laptop, a tablet, a smartphone, or a TV, you may encounter the terms screen and display. But what do they mean and are they interchangeable?
How do they affect the quality and performance of your device? And how can you tell the difference between the various types of screens and displays available in the market today?
In this blog post, we will answer these questions and more. We will also share some tips on how to choose the best screen or display for your device needs and preferences. So, let’s get started!
What Is a Screen?
A screen is a physical component of a device that shows the visual output of the device. It is usually made of glass, plastic, or metal and has a flat or curved surface.
A screen can have different sizes, shapes, resolutions, refresh rates, brightness levels, contrast ratios, color gamuts, viewing angles, touch capabilities, and other features.
A screen can be either integrated or external to the device. An integrated screen is attached to the device and cannot be separated from it. For example, a laptop screen or a smartphone screen is an integrated screen.
An external screen is not attached to the device and can be connected to it via cables or wireless connections. For example, a monitor or a TV screen is an external screen.A screen can also be either active or passive.
Active Screen
An active screen is a type of screen that generates its own light and does not need any backlighting or illumination. For example, an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) screen or a microLED (micro-light-emitting diode) screen is an active screen.
Passive Screen
A passive screen is a type of screen that does not generate its own light and needs backlighting or illumination to show the image. For example, an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen or an e-ink (electronic ink) screen is a passive screen.
What Is a Display?
A display is a combination of a screen and other components that work together to produce the visual output of the device. It includes the screen itself as well as the graphics card, the processor, the memory, the software, the drivers, the settings, and other factors that affect the image quality and performance.
A display can have different types, such as:
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
This is the most common type of display in the market today. It uses liquid crystals that change their orientation when an electric field is applied to them.
The liquid crystals are sandwiched between two polarizing filters and a backlight source that illuminates them. The light passes through the filters and the crystals to create the image on the screen. LCD displays are cheap, energy-efficient, and durable, but they have poor contrast ratio, color accuracy, and viewing angles.
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode)
This is an advanced type of display that uses organic compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied to them. The organic compounds are arranged in thin layers on a substrate that acts as both the electrode and the screen.
The light passes through the substrate to create the image on the screen. OLED displays have excellent contrast ratio, color accuracy, and viewing angles, but they are expensive and prone to burn-in and degradation problems.
MicroLED (Micro-Light-Emitting Diode)
This is an emerging type of display that uses microscopic LEDs that emit light when an electric current is applied to them. The LEDs are arranged in arrays on a substrate that acts as both the electrode and the screen.
The light passes through the substrate to create the image on the screen. MicroLED displays have excellent contrast ratio, color accuracy, and viewing angles as well as low power consumption and high brightness levels, but they are very expensive and difficult to manufacture.
E-Ink (Electronic Ink)
This is a different type of display that does not use light at all. Instead, it uses tiny particles that change their color when an electric field is applied to them. The particles are suspended in a fluid that fills tiny capsules on a substrate that acts as both the electrode and the screen.
The particles move within the capsules to create the image on the screen. E-Ink displays have low power consumption and high readability in bright environments, but they have slow refresh rate and limited color range.
What’s the Difference Between Screen and Display?
The difference between screen and display is that:
A screen is a physical component of a device that shows the visual output of the device, while a display is a combination of a screen and other components that work together to produce the visual output of the device.
A screen can be either integrated or external to the device, while a display is always integrated to the device.
A screen can be either active or passive, while a display can be of different types, such as LCD, OLED, microLED, or e-ink.
Why Does It Matter?
The difference between screen and display matters because:
Affects on Quality and Performance
It affects the quality and performance of your device. Different types of screens and displays have different characteristics and advantages that may suit your needs and preferences better than others.
For example, if you want a high-quality and immersive display, you may prefer an OLED or a microLED display over an LCD or an e-ink display. If you want a low-cost and energy-efficient display, you may prefer an LCD or an e-ink display over an OLED or a microLED display.
Affects on Compatibility and Functionality
It affects the compatibility and functionality of your device. Different types of screens and displays have different requirements and limitations that may affect how they work with your device.
For example, if you want to connect your device to an external screen, you may need to use specific cables or adapters that match the type of screen and the type of port on your device. If you want to use your device for touch input, you may need to use a screen that supports touch capabilities and a software that recognizes touch gestures.
How to Choose the Best Screen or Display for Your Device?
Choosing the best screen or display for your device depends on several factors, such as:
Your Purpose
What do you use your device for? Different types of activities require different levels of image quality and performance. For example, if you use your device for gaming or video editing, you may want a fast and smooth display with high resolution and refresh rate.
If you use your device for reading or writing, you may want a clear and comfortable display with low glare and eye strain. If you use your device for photography or graphic design, you may want an accurate and vivid display with high color gamut and contrast ratio.
Your Budget
How much money are you willing to spend on your device? Different types of screens and displays have different prices depending on their features and specifications.
Generally speaking, OLED and microLED displays are the most expensive but also the highest quality. LCD and e-ink displays are the cheapest but also the lowest quality. TN screens are cheaper than IPS or VA screens but also have lower image quality.
Your Preference
What do you like or dislike about your device? Different types of screens and displays have different strengths and weaknesses that may appeal to some users but annoy others.
For example, some users may prefer OLED or microLED displays for their excellent image quality and thin design but dislike their high price and burn-in problems. Some users may prefer LCD or e-ink displays for their low power consumption and durability but dislike their poor contrast ratio and color accuracy.
Some users may prefer TN screens for their fast response time and low power consumption but dislike their poor viewing angles and color reproduction.
Conclusion
Screen and display are two terms that are often used interchangeably but have different meanings and implications.
Screen is a physical component of a device that shows the visual output of the device, while display is a combination of a screen and other components that work together to produce the visual output of the device.
Screen can be either integrated or external to the device, while display is always integrated to the device. Screen can be either active or passive, while display can be of different types, such as LCD, OLED, microLED, or e-ink.
The difference between screen and display matters because it affects the quality, performance, compatibility, and functionality of your device. Therefore, you should do some research and comparison before making your final decision. You should also test the device in person if possible to see how it looks and feels in real life.
We hope this blog post has helped you understand what screen and display are and how to choose the best one for your device. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. We would love to hear from you.
