IPS LCD stands for in-plane switching liquid crystal display, which is a type of liquid crystal displays that use in-plane switching (IPS) panels. IPS LCD screens are considered one of the best types of screens in terms of color quality and viewing angle compared to other types such as TN (twisted nematic) and VA (vertical alignment).
How do IPS LCD screens work?
IPS LCD screens rely on using a backlight (backlight) to produce lighting for all pixels, and each pixel can be controlled by turning it on or off to change the brightness level. IPS LCD screens were invented to solve the problems faced by TFT LCD (thin-film transistor) screens such as poor viewing angle and low color and contrast quality.
IPS LCD screens use polarized light (polarized light) that passes through a color filter (color filter). There are horizontal and vertical filters on each side of the liquid crystals (liquid crystals) that control the brightness level and state of each pixel (on or off). IPS LCD screens are characterized by the fact that the liquid crystals are parallel to the surface of the screen (in-plane) and rotate at an angle of 90 degrees when applying an electric field (electric field), which allows more light to pass and improves the image quality.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of IPS LCD screens?
IPS LCD screens have several advantages and disadvantages that make them suitable for some uses and unsuitable for others. Here are some of the main points:
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Advantages of IPS LCD screens:
- They provide bright, realistic and accurate colors with a high degree, making them ideal for graphic design, photography and video.
- They provide a wide viewing angle of up to 178 degrees, which means that the image does not change or fade when viewed from different angles.
- They provide good contrast and uniform brightness across the entire screen, enhancing the viewing experience.
- They provide fast response to touch and input, making them suitable for games and interactive applications.
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Disadvantages of IPS LCD screens:
- They consume more power than AMOLED and Super-AMOLED screens, because the backlight stays on all the time.
- They suffer from backlight bleeding in some cases, which is the appearance of light spots on the edges of the screen or in certain areas, affecting the image quality.
- They display dull and sharp colors in very bright environments, such as direct sunlight, because the backlight competes with the external light.
- They are thicker and heavier than AMOLED and Super-AMOLED screens, because they need an extra layer for the backlight.
How to choose an IPS LCD screen?
If you want to buy an IPS LCD screen, there are some factors that you should consider before making your decision. Some of these factors are:
- Size: You should choose the screen size that suits your needs, space and budget. Usually, the larger the screen size, the clearer and more detailed the image, but it is also more expensive and consumes more power.
- Resolution: The resolution determines the number of pixels that the screen contains, which affects the image quality and the text and icons. The higher the resolution, the clearer and more detailed the image, but it also requires more processing and consumes more power. Some of the common resolutions are 1080p (Full HD) and 1440p (QHD) and 2160p (4K).
- Refresh rate: The refresh rate determines the number of times the image changes on the screen in one second, and is measured in hertz (Hz). The higher the refresh rate, the smoother and more responsive the image, especially in games and video.