We were all in awe as Samsung announced what would be this year’s biggest challenge to the iPhone. Google’s next flagship with pure Android and no custom UI clogging up the memory. The big talking point was its display. At 4.65-inches it’s approaching tablet status. However, according to FlatPanelsHD, those wowed by the Samsung Galaxy Nexus’ display specs should approach it with a degree of caution and not great anticipation. The device boasts a 4.65-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 720×1280 pixels – giving it a pixel density of around 316 ppi (pixels per inch). However, it has been stated by the aforementioned site that the technology used is inferior, and gives a poorer “true” pixel density and less accurate representation of color.

The display is based on PenTile OLED technology which means text isn’t as sharp and you get discoloring around letters.

“Because we are talking about a Super AMOLED display and not a Super AMOLED Plus, the display is based on a so-called PenTile pixel structure, where pixels share subpixels. A PenTile OLED panel was recently introduced with the Samsung Galaxy Note, and we were not impressed. In real world PenTile means loss of details and sharpness, as well as a bluish/greenish tint around letters (depending on the background color).”

It’s important to note that the site reviewing the technology is one which reviews display technology. It isn’t biased towards one platform or another. So it turns out that despite the claims of a 300+ ppi, it in fact resembles a “real” pixel density of 200 ppi.

PenTile has long been a technology at the center of controversy in the tech world. Essentially enabling manufacturers to boast about resolutions, when in fact, true results don’t meet up to the early claims. Of course, the iPhone 4 and 4S use a different technology and have a pixel density high enough to be called a Retina display. Essentially this means pixels are indistinguishable (unless you have the phone right by your face.) The iPhone’s 3.5″, 960×640 resolution display has a density of 326 ppi.

What I’m saying is, don’t be “wowed” by the claims that this phone has the first HD display. The fact it’s PenTile means it won’t look as sharp as it would have, had it been one of Samsung’s Super AMOLED “Plus” displays, which are based on different and better technology. You may find that the GSII is still the iPhone’s biggest competitor when it comes to screen sharpness and quality.

This article isn’t written with the intention to anger Android fans, or try and get back at Apple’s competitors. Despite our obvious preferences in terms of platform, we do our best to remain impartial here at TiP. We’re just pointing out something you ought to consider before immediately going to grab the latest Nexus device. I, for one, am very impressed with the overall package of specs and ICS software, and will be conducting comparisons between the Nexus and the 4S when it is eventually launched.

What do you think? Are you a fan of PenTile displays? To view a full explanation on the difference between the PenTile Based AMOLED display and the RGB Super AMOLED Plus, check here: http://www.tested.com/news/pentile-vs-real-stripe-amoled-displays-whats-different/1868/

Via: FlatPanelsHD