Counterattack LCD! Detailed AMOLED screen

Why does the AM OLED screen display a black interface that consumes less power? This is distinguished from the principle of illumination between it and the traditional LCD screen. LCD models such as the LG G3 and HTC One M8 use LCD-backlit displays that display different images by illuminating each pixel. In this case, black is no different from pixels of other colors. It also makes the pixels opaque by illuminating. Although it does not look bright, it is still in a state of illumination. Displaying black saves power for AMOLEDs because these pixels can be turned off completely at this time. However, there are people who mistakenly believe that the technical characteristics of AMOLED in displaying black power saving are directly proportional to the degree of black. It is considered that the dark and gray which are close to black are also energy-saving. This is a wrong view. Although there is a proportional relationship between brightness and power consumption, AMOLED screens can achieve power saving effects only when black is displayed, and other colors will not work.

As one of the advantages compared with LCD screens, AMOLED device users would like to thank this unique lighting mechanism for a certain power saving effect, so AMOLED device users should better adjust the background of the screen to black. However, when the device is displaying bright colors, especially white, AMOLED and LCD consume more power (because all pixels in the white display will be turned on). However, I believe that many users are more concerned. If the background of the AMOLED screen device is turned black, how much power will be saved compared to using other color backgrounds? We can pass the test to draw conclusions.

practical testing

In order to draw conclusions about the power consumption of AMOLED screens, we need real data. In this test we used the 2014 version of Moto X and recorded all the processes via Android system logs and application data. Although there is currently no reliable way to separate the screen power consumption from the power consumption of the device, it does not need to be too accurate, as long as it is extended in terms of battery life. The entire test was developed around a black background and a non-black background application.

In order to ensure that the test results are as accurate as possible, we minimize the impact of other factors on the power. With the Android development tools, we disabled all background processes, turned off network synchronization, and put the device into flight mode. At the same time, the brightness of the screen is locked at 50%, and the lighting time is also more than 30 minutes, ensuring that the screen does not go out during each test.

The test application is Reddit Sync, because this application has a very convenient AMOLED mode. The system monitor logs the log every 60 seconds and runs continuously for 30 minutes until the screen is closed. Running Reddit Sync is AMOLED mode and normal mode respectively. Although it is not completely black in the test, there is still text content on the screen, but this is also the closest test environment to real life.

From the above chart, we can clearly see that in the case of a black background, the AMOLED screen is actually much less energy-intensive than the normal color background. In the Reddit Sync test, the average power consumption is almost half. So now you can be sure that more display black can make your AMOLED screen phone get longer battery life. If you have a serious battery life or are suffering from power problems, then you can let all your desktops The background and application background are displayed as black as possible, which will give your device an additional 15% to 20% of battery life.

In today's highly competitive smartphone market, it's a big advantage if a product can last a few hours longer than a competitor in some form. So if the device in your hand happens to be an AMOLED screen, then change the background to black.