AMOLED vs. TFT LCD
Comparing 2 standards across 7 specifications. 7 key differences identified.
AMOLED (Active-Matrix OLED) combines OLED's self-emissive pixels with a TFT active-matrix backplane -- the same one-transistor-per-pixel driving concept as TFT LCD, but switching light-emitting diodes instead of liquid-crystal light valves. It's the dominant OLED format in smartphones, mass-produced by Samsung starting in 2007.
TFT LCD refers to the active-matrix driving technology used by virtually all modern LCD panels -- one thin-film transistor per subpixel controlling its voltage -- not a specific alignment type like TN, VA, or IPS, which are all built on a TFT backplane.
Specification Comparison Table
7 Parameters| Parameter / Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Backplane
|
TFT active-matrix (transistor per pixel) | — |
|
Primary Use
|
Smartphones (TVs more commonly use WOLED) | — |
|
Mass Production Start
|
October 2007 (Samsung) | — |
|
First Consumer Devices
|
2008 | — |
|
Technology Type
|
— | Active-matrix driving layer (not a panel alignment type) |
|
Mechanism
|
— | One thin-film transistor per subpixel |
|
Key Milestones
|
— | 1962: first TFT built (RCA) | 1973: first working TFT-LCD (Westinghouse) |