Current owners, how is the display?

**gaudenti** · 03-23-2012, 02:05 AM

I have read/watched many Droid 4 reviews. Most trash the display. Is it really that bad? I walked into a Verizon store and had a look. I ddin't think it was bad. It wasn't as colorful and bright as the the Samsung Stratosphere (the only other phone with a keyboard), but I thought it was certainly usable.

For those of you that have been living with a Droid 4 for a while, how is the display?

Thanks . . .

**Eric.Kim** · 03-23-2012, 06:27 AM

I think the screen looks really good.

**Kmcferrin** · 03-23-2012, 07:35 AM

It's not the best display out there, that's for sure, but I find it more than acceptable. When push comes to shove, the display is largely irrelevant though. If you are on Verizon and want an LTE slider that's based on technology that's not 2 years old, there's no other choice.

**WilburNJ** · 03-23-2012, 12:08 PM

I think it's fine. I had a razr previously for 2 months and I don't notice enough of a difference to care. Yes, it's a bit more washed out than the razr's amoled screen (which was rich and dark, in a good way), and definitely worse than my iphone 4 and my spanking new ipad

, but it's absolutely usable to me. Moreover, the keyboard is so great that I'd take this trade-off anytime.

I also like the size of the screen better, not because I prefer a smaller screen (than say the razr or Rezound or GN), but because the smaller screen allows for a slightly smaller form factor, which fits my hand more comfortably and allows me to one-hand type on the touch screen.

Obviously, this is very subjective and, unfortunately, the security apparatus they use at the stores really prevent you from appreciating how well the ergonomics of the phone work for you. So, it was a little bit of a gamble for me to switch phones, but I'm certainly glad I did. I love it!!

Good Luck!

Sent from my DROID4 using Tapatalk

**bgeoghegan** · 03-23-2012, 12:48 PM

Reviewers can and should judge phones against each other, but how often would you do that as long as the display is good enough and doesn't annoy you? PCMag was pretty positive about it, though noted that the Razr has more saturated colors. To my eye the contrast level is a little high -- like Moto cranked up the contrast and saturation beyond the display's own color-limits. I'm using Screen Adjust to turn down some that punchiness.

**gaudenti** · 03-26-2012, 12:01 AM

Thanks for the replies!

I went to another Verizon store and again compared same 2 phones. Side-by-side, the colors on the Strat were definitely more..."colorful". I played with the Stat for a while. I switched to the D4 expecting a big letdown, but it didn't happen. I played around with the D4, went back to the Strat, and didn't think, "Wow, much better display!". So yeah the Strat does have a better display and side-by-side it's obvious, but in typical use I don't really see a problem with the D4 display.

I also noticed something very interesting: On both phones, I made sure Angry Birds wasn't running. I started it on both phones at the same time to see which loaded faster. It wasn't even close! The D4 blew away the Strat. I closed AB on both, started the Strat, waited a sec, then started the D4 (just in case I started the D4 too soon the first time). The D4 loaded way before the Strat! I like speed.

I think I will be happy with the D4 display. Now I just have to wait another 48 days, 7 hrs, 12 minutes, and 38 seconds to be eligible.

**Arkien** · 04-15-2012, 09:27 PM

I think the refresh rate is noticeably low. I tend to read fast enough where I continuously scroll while reading an article, and the text can get pretty streaky.

**silverfang77** · 04-16-2012, 08:58 AM

The way I see it is unless one is going to be watching movies on one's phone, the display is largely irrelevant.

**Rev2010** · 04-16-2012, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by silverfang77

The way I see it is unless one is going to be watching movies on one's phone, the display is largely irrelevant.

Unfortunately, not for me, and I don't really watch videos on my phone except for the once in a blue Youtube clip. Coming from the Droid 2 I just can't bring myself to get a Droid 4, and I really want one for all the other features and enhancements. But the Droid 2 screen is gorgeous and the Droid 4 screen is awful. I only learned about the whole Pentile thing somewhat recently but when my wife got her Motorola Atrix I shuttered everytime I looked at her screen - it has like a mesh or screen door type appearance. Sure most people can live with it, I just find it hard to deal with since it's a step backward for me. So, I am going to wait for their next release and hope it has a proper screen since that seems to be the biggest complaint. Let's hope Motorola continues releasing slider Droid's.

There's that and the fact that it's still not a global phone even though it's rumored the chipset is included and Verizon will eventually send out an update to enable it. I personally don't think that will happen.

Rev.

**Kmcferrin** · 04-16-2012, 03:01 PM

Originally Posted by Rev2010

Unfortunately, not for me, and I don't really watch videos on my phone except for the once in a blue Youtube clip. Coming from the Droid 2 I just can't bring myself to get a Droid 4, and I really want one for all the other features and enhancements. But the Droid 2 screen is gorgeous and the Droid 4 screen is awful. I only learned about the whole Pentile thing somewhat recently but when my wife got her Motorola Atrix I shuttered everytime I looked at her screen - it has like a mesh or screen door type appearance. Sure most people can live with it, I just find it hard to deal with since it's a step backward for me. So, I am going to wait for their next release and hope it has a proper screen since that seems to be the biggest complaint. Let's hope Motorola continues releasing slider Droid's.

There's that and the fact that it's still not a global phone even though it's rumored the chipset is included and Verizon will eventually send out an update to enable it. I personally don't think that will happen.

Rev.

I came from a Droid 2 and have no issues with the screen. It's not quite as good as the D2's screen was, but it's larger and the phone is considerably faster in every way, once you have LTE you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. And don't even get me started on the keyboard. I still have the D2 at home and powered it on last night to see if it was going to pull down the latest update that is supposed to be rolling out, and while it is still a great device, I'd never go back. But then some people may be more sensitive to the Pentile screen than I am.

I'm not sure why they didn't release the D4 as a world phone from the get-go. They stopped selling the D2 for the D2 Global not long after the D2G was released. The D3 was a world phone from the word go. The D4 seems to have all of the required hardware. I wonder if they're waiting on Vodaphone to do something specific on their LTE network before they open it up?

**vjr021** · 04-19-2012, 02:07 PM

Coming from the Droid 2, its great.

I have some issues once in a while with the sensitivity and calibration, but I am getting used to it.

**gaudenti** · 04-21-2012, 09:34 PM

So, next time I'm in a Verizon store (I still haven't upgraded), what should I do to see the worst of the D4 display?

**iankeiththomas** · 04-23-2012, 07:44 PM

Scroll. There is very noticeable ghosting with any type of movement on the screen, which is especially evident with text. Look at black text on a white background and move it around; it will be a blurry mess. Videos also blur.

Also, bright reds and greens will make the pentile arrangement very evident; blues and grays tend to hide it.

I've had my Droid 4 since it launched, and I love it, but the display is very poor.

**gaudenti** · 04-29-2012, 12:36 AM

I finally made it to a Verizon store today. I made sure brightness was set to "auto" on the phones and started to play.

Yes, I see the ghosting while scrolling. I don't see why it should be a problem; I don't typically try to read while scrolling.

But yes, it does not look as nice as other phones.

I played Angry Birds on the D4 and others. The little flying bird might not have been as sharp on the D4 , but it was totally playable. I then watched the same YouTube videos on the D4, Stratosphere, and RAZR. Yes, the D4 didn't look as sharp. But I didn't think it was as bad as some describe. I can certainly live with it (until the Droid 6 comes out when I'm next eligible).

The keyboard is nice! But I don't see the need for the "caps lock" key when the pressing "shift" twice does the same thing. Or am I missing something?

**gaudenti** · 05-01-2012, 01:29 AM

Well, whatever, whichever, or however. I'll soon know everything I need to know about the Droid 4. I ordered one and should receive this Wednesday . . .

**wabyrd** · 05-01-2012, 07:49 AM

Personally, I love my Droid 4. I don't have any problems reading or watching videos or slingbox. I can read just fine on it. I came from a DINC 2 most recently and I also use a DINC on a regular basis. The D4 is definitely better than the DINC. However, between the DINC2 and the D4, they both look about the same. I have to admit that it took some time to get used to the blueish tint of the D4.

I'm happy with the D4 and don't regret my purchase (especially since I'm stuck with it until 10/2013).

**gaudenti** · 05-01-2012, 01:55 PM

blueish tint? People have suggested "Screen Adjuster".

Wife just texted: phone has arrived! It's at home, I'm at work.

**wabyrd** · 05-01-2012, 02:26 PM

Ah...now the long painful wait until you get home to hold your new toy! I know that pain all too well!

Yeah, the screen has a blueish tint to it, but I kind of like it now. For me, its not as harsh on my eyes in low light as my DINC2 was with its ultra bright whites. The subtle blue is easier to look at now.

**afazel** · 05-06-2012, 01:33 AM

It's pretty damn bad. I have a Galaxy Nexus as my personal phone and a Droid 4 as my work line. The Droid 4 screen is terribad, but the whole phone is so damn functional for business that it gets a pass.