PenTile Display - First Impressions

[JoeInCT]

As everyone is aware by now, the Note 3 is shipping with a PenTile display unlike the Note 2 that shipped with a standard RGB display. The last pentile display I had was on the DROID Bionic which I sold within weeks of purchasing it. I thought it was pure garbage.

I have read that the increase in overall pixel density (ppi) offsets the loss of quality inherent in pentile displays. I'll believe it when I see it. However, I am a Verizon customer, so I will have to wait until the 10th or later.

In the meantime, I am interested in hearing everyone's first impressions of the Note 3's display. Please post only if you actually have the device and can give first hand first impressions. Is the overall quality as good as the Note 2? Other phones? Etc.

Thanks in advance for your first hand, first impressions.

 

[titaniumSS]

I don't have Superman vision so it will look fine. Seriously though, you can't distinguish the pixels at this point. Not trying to be rude but also look at the reviews, none have had any negative thoughts about the screen. They actually have praised it for being easier to see in the sunlight than a lot of phones currently and better than the S4.

 

[Golfdriver97]

When I read about pentile screens about 6 months ago, I couldn't see the deformities with out a magnifying glass. And that was with an s3.

From a Sprint Moto X using AC forums app

 

[darkkterror]

I don't have a Note 3 yet, so I don't have first-hand experience, but it wouldn't matter anyway. I've had phones with PenTile displays before (Bionic, Galaxy S, Nexus One) and I never had any issues with their displays. I have a bit of a history of not noticing these visual things that seem to really annoy other people. So, given my history, the Note 3's display will probably look great to me, PenTile or not.

 

[GtoJon]

I also had the Bionic & tossed it after 2 days .... the screen was absolutely the best thing about that phone. I compared my Bionic to a friend's Bionic & the screen in his totally sucked compared to mine. My Bionic had serious 4g issues! Nobody has complained about the screen on the GN3 at all from anywhere!!! That screen is to die for .... I am sure!

Cheers, Jon

 

[Haalcyon]

You guys are just doing this to make me want the phone more. It's not right.


S IV

 

[yellowcanary73]

I left Samsung due to the Galaxy Nexus due to terrible radios,battery and screen went over to the Razor Maxx great radios,battery and built like a tank. But I can't wait to try this Note 3 hopefully it'll be a big step up from the Razor and Galaxy. I just hoping Verizon doesn't disable all the great features. At 57 I can use a bigger screen

Posted via Android Central App

 

[MrMLK]

I played with one in the ATT store today (while I wait for my Verizon shipment) and the screen looks phenomenal. It it brighter and crisper then my Note 2 (which I love). I can't imagine anyone looking at it and not being pleased.

For a more technical article about why its a great screen: Galaxy Note 3 Display Technology Shoot-Out

 

[snc0921]

I left Samsung due to the Galaxy Nexus due to terrible radios,battery and screen went over to the Razor Maxx great radios,battery and built like a tank. But I can't wait to try this Note 3 hopefully it'll be a big step up from the Razor and Galaxy. I just hoping Verizon doesn't disable all the great features. At 57 I can use a bigger screen

Posted via Android Central App

My two main reasons for craving this phone... big screen for old eyes and s-pen.

 

[Craig King]

Well I am typing this on my OG Note. The one with the 1280x800 display. This is just below the so called magic retina display number. I have never been able to see the pixels. I have always thought it was great. It is pentile. I can admit though when I upgraded from my Captivate. The difference was great. I never noticed it until I put them side by side. The pentile display on the Captivate was crap when put up against this bad boy. I look forward to seeing what the Note 3's screen brings.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[andy roddy]

I also played with the Note 3 at the AT&T store. The screen is perfect. Maybe I'm getting old, but I didn't think it was ridiculously sharper than the Note 2 screen. It certainly was as good as the Note 2 screen or better.

Sent from my SGH-T889 using Tapatalk 4

 

[dontlookatme]

we will never be able to see the pixels. our tv's have 1080p resolution. on an average 32 inch tv, that is around 52 ppi. and it looks great. can you actually see the pixels? this phone has ppi of 386.
not trying to bash any one, but i find that the average joe can not tell the difference between full hd vs hd(720) vs qhd vs 320 display on a phone.

maybe on some pictures that need all of the pixels for different colors and edges, but if a tv can pull it off with a lower ppi, so can a mobile phone.

 

[MrMLK]

To the people who think they can't tell the difference between 720p and 1080p:

Much of the time, you can't. (Well, I can't) If you want to see a place where there is a fairly obvious difference, load up something like the kindle app on both devices. Select the same text size on both devices and start shrinking the text. You will find that the text can get smaller on the 1080p display and still be readable. The effect will be the same on any screen with a lot of text.

I'm hoping 1080p movies look better too, but I imagine that difference is going to be more subtle, if you can even tell at all.

 

[Zergslayer69]

I can also chime in, played with one at att store and looks really crisp. If you told me its rgb I wouldn't argue with it. I don't have eagle vision so I can't see the pixel set up while using the device, thankfully.

 

[cgeorgalos]

I watched a video where the reviewer specifically comments on this matter. He says the only way to see the pixels is to pull out a magnifying glass, which he does for demonstration purposes. I am going to try to find this video, but it will be difficult considering i have watched about 30 videos on the Note 3!

 

[Haalcyon]

At such a high ppi and using sAMOLED I'm confident trusting the reviews when they say the screen is irrevocably gorgeous.

 

[linzgeneral]

As everyone is aware by now, the Note 3 is shipping with a PenTile display unlike the Note 2 that shipped with a standard RGB display. The last pentile display I had was on the DROID Bionic which I sold within weeks of purchasing it. I thought it was pure garbage.

I have read that the increase in overall pixel density (ppi) offsets the loss of quality inherent in pentile displays. I'll believe it when I see it. However, I am a Verizon customer, so I will have to wait until the 10th or later.

In the meantime, I am interested in hearing everyone's first impressions of the Note 3's display. Please post only if you actually have the device and can give first hand first impressions. Is the overall quality as good as the Note 2? Other phones? Etc.

Thanks in advance for your first hand, first impressions.

I have played with the device now three times at my nearby ATT store for at least 30 minutes each session. Yes, the pentile is very obvious to me. It was on the GS4 also though to an even lesser extent. Those who claim you need a microscope must not have very good vision and I personally don't think I have excellent vision. I really notice it with black text that seem to contrast with and expose the white grid surrounding it. In any event, it really is not that bad at all. I think for me it is more a mental thing in that because I know its there, I tend to see it. Under normal usage it really should not be an issue as this is one of the best screens period. I am just super picky beyond reason...

On another note, I put down the Note 3 and went over and picked up a white LG Optimus Pro. Boy that screen blew the Note 3 screen away with brightness and clarity. Putting them side by side you could really see the difference between amoled and lcd. Oh well, I will be the first one at the Sprint store on Friday morning....lol.....

 

[linzgeneral]

When I read about pentile screens about 6 months ago, I couldn't see the deformities with out a magnifying glass. And that was with an s3.

From a Sprint Moto X using AC forums app

Oh Boy, the S3 screen is really obvious...the pixels hit you in the face....
lol..... Just compare it to and lcd or even a GS4....

 

[linzgeneral]

we will never be able to see the pixels. our tv's have 1080p resolution. on an average 32 inch tv, that is around 52 ppi. and it looks great. can you actually see the pixels? this phone has ppi of 386.
not trying to bash any one, but i find that the average joe can not tell the difference between full hd vs hd(720) vs qhd vs 320 display on a phone.

maybe on some pictures that need all of the pixels for different colors and edges, but if a tv can pull it off with a lower ppi, so can a mobile phone.

People fail to realize that 386 ppi on a pentile screen is not the same as 386 ppi on an lcd screen. The pentile to my eyes renders the effective ppi much lower than the stated number...

I couldn't see pixels on my EVO LTE (lcd) with 312 ppi but I can see them clearly on the new Note 3 with 386 ppi... Again, its not bad at all, actually very nice,but there is a slightly grainy look on the Note 3... The first thing I thought when I looked is how the hell can people say they can't see this?

 

[Haalcyon]

You could have bionic x-ray heat vision?