Sharp's latest IGZO prototype sets the stage for 4K phablets

[ObscureMammal]

Source: http://techon.nikkeibp.co.jp/english/NEWS_EN/20141112/388303/?n_cid=nbptec_tecrs

             http://techreport.com/news/27356/sharp-latest-igzo-prototype-sets-the-stage-for-4k-phablets

Sharp Corp developed an IGZO LCD panel with a resolution as high as 736ppi.

 

The highest-resolution LCD panel that the company has so far developed is a low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) panel that has a resolution slightly lower than 550ppi. And its highest-resolution IGZO LCD panel was a panel with a resolution slightly lower than 500ppi.

 

The screen size and pixel count of the newly-developed 736ppi IGZO LCD panel are 4.1 inches and 2,560 x 1,600 (WQXGA), respectively. The resolution of 736ppi is the same as that of a 6-inch 4k panel. With the new technology, Sharp is now ready to realize 4k mobile displays, it said. The company aims to start volume production of the new panel in 2016, planning to start to ship samples for design-in in 2015.

 

In a couple of years, supersized smartphones may be available with 4K displays. Nikkei Technology reports that Sharp is demoing a new IGZO prototype that crams a 2560x1600 display resolution into a 4.1" panel. The pixel density works out to an incredible 736 PPI, which is high enough to squeeze a 4K display into a phablet-friendly 6" footprint. For reference, Samsung's Galaxy Note 4 is 515 PPI, Google's Nexus 6 is 493 PPI, and Apple's iPhone 6 Plus is 401 PPI.

 

Prior to the new prototype, Sharp's highest-density IGZO unit was just under 500 PPI. New, ultra-small pixels enabled the jump to a higher resolution. According to an image posted by Gizmodo, the prototype's RGB clusters are just 11.5 µm wide—less than half the width of the 27-µm pixels found in older 4.7", 720p smartphone displays.

 

Those 11.5-µm pixels will likely be impossible to see with the naked eye. Higher pixel densities can make images appear sharper and more detailed even when the individual dots are too small to be visible, though. The returns from ever-higher-density displays may not diminish as quickly as one might expect. That said, higher-density displays typically require more power to achieve the same brightness levels.

 

Sharp's new panel tech is scheduled to start sampling to handset makers next year. Mass production will reportedly begin in 2016.

[qwertywarrior]

 heard samsung is trying to  ready a 747 ppi super amoled screen

[Linus_torvalds]

We just need 1080p screens in mobile devices, so there is no point in 4k or 2k mobile displays. I just want display that needs minimal power to work, i do not like that screen + brightness in my phone eats 35% of my battery.

[Keco185]

This PPI race has gone too far.  The only difference you can see between 400 PPI and 500+ PPI is lower battery life, slower graphics performance, and higher cost.

[pit5000]

ZOMG, i cant wait til we have have 8K smart watches!

[Deletive]

Can they please just stick IGZO on smartwatches right now. The technology is almost perfect for it.

As longs as it's IGZO I don't care so much for the resolution so much because it's highly efficient.

[iwasaperson]

Can't wait for this. Higher pixel density on mobile displays means better VR.

[PhantomChevron]

ZOMG, i cant wait til we have have 8K smart watches!

that would be so sharp, it would be ridiculous

[LifesCompanion]

that would be so sharp, it would be ridiculous

[Erogami27]

wow, soon smartphones will get 4k screens which I think is unnecessary, meanwhile my monitor is still 1080p, 

[Kukielka]

We just need 1080p screens in mobile devices, so there is no point in 4k or 2k mobile displays.

2k = 1080p

[Linus_torvalds]

2k = 1080p

i call 2k 2560x1440