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Old 08-13-2021, 10:18 AM   #1
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What makes a screen (not e-ink) readable in direct sunlight?
If you were to buy a device (tablet or 2 in 1), which technical parameter would you look at to be sure that it is readable in direct sunlight? Brightness? Contrast? Both? Screen technology (OLED,vs LED? All of them? None of them? Other?
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Old 08-13-2021, 11:08 AM   #2
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If you were to buy a device (tablet or 2 in 1), which technical parameter would you look at to be sure that it is readable in direct sunlight? Brightness? Contrast? Both? Screen technology (OLED,vs LED? All of them? None of them? Other?
Brightness.
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Old 08-13-2021, 12:44 PM   #3
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Brightness. My previous phone was tolerable in sunlight (though not great). My current phone isn't as bright and is barely visible in sunlight. (Not just me, I've seen other complaints about it)

Edited to fix typo
Last edited by 4691mls; 08-13-2021 at 06:04 PM.
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Old 08-13-2021, 01:28 PM   #4
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Brightness and anti-glare
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Old 08-14-2021, 03:22 PM   #5
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Either you want one without reflections, or, if you can use bright screens, you might want one which uses extreme brightness to overpower the reflections.
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Old 08-14-2021, 04:39 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Xwang View Post
If you were to buy a device (tablet or 2 in 1), which technical parameter would you look at to be sure that it is readable in direct sunlight? Brightness? Contrast? Both? Screen technology (OLED,vs LED? All of them? None of them? Other?
Shading it with your hand and squinting.
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Old 08-14-2021, 07:05 PM   #7
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Looking at the answers to the original question, brightness and an antiglare screen are the best answers for device capabilities. OTOH, having used quite a few devices in direct sunlight, the best answer is not to bother since most LCD/OLED devices have high gloss screens that reflect the world around you. While my eInk devices are easily usable even on a beach, LCD/OLED devices are not meant for use in direct sunlight.
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Old 08-15-2021, 12:22 PM   #8
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“The best answer” depends on what you are trying to do. If you want to argue with people on mobile about the best device to have in the sun - while you are in the sun - it’s not going to be an eInk device ��
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Old 08-21-2021, 10:39 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xwang View Post
If you were to buy a device (tablet or 2 in 1), which technical parameter would you look at to be sure that it is readable in direct sunlight? Brightness? Contrast? Both? Screen technology (OLED,vs LED? All of them? None of them? Other?
I bought a Boox Note Air for something like this and use it with a Bluetooth keyboard and the stylus - for cursor positioning - as a garden / sun notebook.
The EInk screen is too slow for a mouse or touchpad.
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Old 08-21-2021, 02:42 PM   #10
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I've had a number of tablets with IPS screens that were much more visible in sunlight than the OLED/AMOLED screens I have now.

I'm not sure that tablets are still being made with IPS screens.
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Old 08-21-2021, 08:45 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by slm View Post
I've had a number of tablets with IPS screens that were much more visible in sunlight than the OLED/AMOLED screens I have now.

I'm not sure that tablets are still being made with IPS screens.
From Apple's site for the ipad:

Quote:
... 10.2-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit Multi-Touch display with IPS technology...
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Old 08-22-2021, 07:09 AM   #12
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I've had a number of tablets with IPS screens that were much more visible in sunlight than the OLED/AMOLED screens I have now.

I'm not sure that tablets are still being made with IPS screens.
Yes they are. And large screens. IPS LCD is longer life than OLED/AMOLED which are not "real" LEDs, but printed electroluminescent diode dots with phosphors printed on top. There is maybe less light loss with OLED/AMOLED but a maximum brightness due to dot dissipation and phosphor. The Colour LCD (IPS or not) have three main losses: The liquid crystal, polarising filters and the RGB or RGYB filter. LCDs use real LEDs as backlights, either blue-violet (or near UV) with phosphor or R, G & B true LEDs (usually only more expensive TV screens). The last CCFL backlit colour phones about 2002 and last CCFL TV sets maybe about 2012.

So in theory an LCD could be brighter than an OLED/AMOLED display, but in practice usually isn't. Shiny glass is common even on laptops, monitors and TVs because proper matte surface glass is much more expensive. It's micro etched, though if you rub for hours with non-gel toothpaste it helps. Don't use ones like "Pearl Drops" as it might be too abrasive. Check on a CD case to see there are no large scratchy particles.

The eink screens are horribly expensive compared to OLED/AMOLED or LCD, so tend to be micro-etched to reduce reflections as it's a lower percentage of the cost and it's needed for the sunlight advantages.
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