What makes a screen (not e-ink) readable in direct sunlight?

Xwang · 08-13-2021, 10:18 AM

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?

salamanderjuice · 08-13-2021, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xwang

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.

4691mls · 08-13-2021, 12:44 PM

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

leebase · 08-13-2021, 01:28 PM

Brightness and anti-glare

MarjaE · 08-14-2021, 03:22 PM

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.

rcentros · 08-14-2021, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xwang

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.

DNSB · 08-14-2021, 07:05 PM

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.

leebase · 08-15-2021, 12:22 PM

“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 ��

ottischwenk · 08-21-2021, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xwang

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.

slm · 08-21-2021, 02:42 PM

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.

John F · 08-21-2021, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slm

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...

Quoth · 08-22-2021, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slm

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.

08-13-2021, 10:18 AM	#1
Xwang Connoisseur Posts: 77 Karma: 2136220 Join Date: Sep 2012 Device: none	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?

08-13-2021, 12:44 PM	#3
4691mls Wizard Posts: 2,776 Karma: 30081762 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: US Device: ALL DEVICES ARE STOCK: Kobo Clara, Tolino Shine 2, Sony PRS-T3, T1	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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08-13-2021, 01:28 PM	#4
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,938 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	Brightness and anti-glare

08-14-2021, 03:22 PM	#5
MarjaE Guru Posts: 924 Karma: 53902736 Join Date: Jun 2015 Device: multiple	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.

08-14-2021, 07:05 PM	#7
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 36,320 Karma: 145735552 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	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.

08-15-2021, 12:22 PM	#8
leebase Karma Kameleon Posts: 2,938 Karma: 26738313 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: iPad Mini, iPhone X, Kindle Fire Tab HD 8, Walmart Onn	“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 ��

08-21-2021, 02:42 PM	#10
slm Fool Posts: 380 Karma: 3557934 Join Date: Feb 2003 Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle PW1, Kobo Glo HD, Nook Glowlight Plus ...	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.