Develop Bugs

Detailed testing of T-Mobile SGSII screen

I have made a couple posts on the topic of T-Mobile SGSII screen performance.
Comparing the screen quality against Sprint SII
[HOWTO] Reproduce the screen issue
The data presented there was mostly based on the units I had. I wanted to make sure that it was not a fluke, so the next logical thing to do was acquire 2 more units. One from Sprint and one from T-Mobile (different manufacture date). With a total of 4 Galaxy S II phones in hand, I set all phones to identical brightness level (lowest) and proceeded to run a few more screen tests.
1. Blobs test
For this test I used Gallery application to display the blobs.jpg file attached in the HOWTO post above. [Click the pictures to see the full size versions]
I slowed the camera shutter down good bit so that I could see details that are not be visible to the naked eye. One thing was pretty clear, the Sprint phones (#1 and #3) had imperfections too. Lines and blobs. This made me think that perhaps all Super Amoled displays have them. However the reason nobody sees them on Sprint phones is because their displays are properly calibrated. The contrast and color settings on Sprint phones are such they nobody can see the lines and blobs with their naked eyes.
2. Reading test
For this test, I simply loaded up a web page that I was reading earlier and found difficult to read on T-Mobile SGSII.
Here again we observe that the T-Mobile units suffer from poor contrast. Poor contrast cannot be fixed by cranking up brightness. That brightens up the text too when you want it to stay dark.
3. Picture test
For this test, I grabbed a picture from Flickr and displayed it on all phones.
For this test, you probably should look at the bigger version, before drawing any conclusion. The smaller picture simply does not show enough detail.
While none of the phones in the picture test can show entirely correct colors, the Sprint phones do a commendable job. T-Mobile 2, goes off the deep end and shows the tree to be mostly green, when in reality it is mostly yellow.
Conclusion
I earlier stated my belief that all T-Mobile SGSII phones have screen problems that do not exist in the Sprint version. These tests with additional units back up that belief. At the same time, we also find the lines and blobs are present in the Sprint phones too. But their presence is inconsequential. Proper calibration of the display masks these lines and blobs. The T-Mobile phones unfortunately suffer from incorrect display calibration. Some are much worse than the others.
I do not know if the incorrect calibration can be fixed with a software update. I hope that it can be. It would certainly save an otherwise awesome phone.

instead of creating a dozen copies of the same thing, just update the OP on the original thread http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1320942

Screen went from 1080i to 720p

I have been a proud owner of an Epic 4G Touch for months now. I love android and I have been around it for a while. Heck, I love my phone so much I wish it were a real boy! ;-)
Sadly, I have been one of the unfortunate few who has had the lines on the screen when waking the phone and now after 3 plus months the egg has finally hatched. Two days ago after turning on the screen to read a text message the lines went down across the phone lock screen one more time for a bit longer than usual this time. This time I noticed a huge difference in the resolution or better put in the darker hues of the phone's display. The richness in color has faded to what seems to be on par with an early capacitive screen.
The darks aren't as rich as before. The blues aren't as blue. I mean even the screen on my old Samsung Moment looks better and I definitely won't compare it to the Evo 4g . To add to this when swiping across homescreen the display flickers. This may be an isolated incident, but I just wanted to let those who have the lines down the screen when waking it to be weary. This could happen to you.
P.S. My eyes aren't playing tricks on me. I took it in for an inspection at a sprint service center and the rep confirmed the noticeable difference.

If the info i read is correct this phone doesnt have 1080 anything or 720 anything. Its 800x480

True HD IPS is much sharper than HD Super AMOLED

I know the True HD IPS screen is better than the AMOLED but I didn't think it was that much sharper than the HD Super AMOLED on a borrowed Galaxy Nexus. It's almost like putting on glasses, very crisp detail. I'm guessing when there is a non pentile HD AMOLED the differences may be a lot smaller but against the pentile HD AMOLED the difference is huge. The only thing holding the Optimus LTE back against truly surpassing the Galaxy Nexus in just about every way is the lack of an official ICS rom but then there is always CM9 for those of us who know how to get it on the phone.
Could take some pictures for comparison if anyone is interested

Yup. 3 subpixel elements rendering out light using RGB + a decently wide gamut backlight, rather than educated guesswork (well, subpixel rendering) using only a combination of two subpixels per pixel (and still off color). Also, no uneven black screens. Minor nitpick, but has always annoyed me on all amoled displays (it really shows up a night).
Sent from my LG-P930 using Tapatalk 2

Also keep in mind that the G nexus has a slightly larger screen, therefore lower PPI.

There's no question about it. I also compared the Nexus vs. Nitro side by side, and the text on Nexus' screen is more like my old 3GS, but on Nitro it's much sharper. Oh, did I mention the over-saturated color?

What's funny to me is that the next great android super phone, the Galaxy S3 is STILL going to use a pentile AMOLED screen.

HTC did the right thing using the SUPERLCD in the one X imo

gmkelly001 said:
What's funny to me is that the next great android super phone, the Galaxy S3 is STILL going to use a pentile AMOLED screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah that is disappointing. Those who say pentile isn't noticeable never used a high density IPS display; I could see what looks like a dithering pattern everywhere coming from the optimus true hd lte. I also don't like how AMOLED has these blotches everywhere when viewing the screen on low brightness.

I refuse to get anything less than our True HD IPS. Coming from an iPhone 4 to the Nitro, me eyes have been looking at retina quality screens for too long to go back to anything less.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YF-Z3_f3WCE
That's the difference I'm talking about

Another thing to point out (and maybe it's just me) the last phone I had was an infuse 4g and I noticed a burn in with the status bar, my brother's phone is the same which is a galaxy s. Both of them are amoled. Which I could notice while playing games on them.
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA

True I've already seen a few AMOLED displays with burn-in visible. I think LCD technology is also prone to some image persistence problems but not nearly as prone as AMOLED

Wow the youtube video really gets the point across. And I was already considering buying a Galaxy S3. I think we may be spoiled by our phones because there is a possibility LG may not continue to do the IPS displays. Also, the processor is a factor as well. I'm still on the fence between a 4X and GS3.

I've yet to experience the burn issues with OLED but I've never peaked out the brigtness settings for a prolonged period either which it strongly states can cause screen burn.. There is a divided group I've come to notice were some don't really get all that excited by the vibrant colors and outright detest the lack of viewabilty in open sunlight. I don't make any qualms against those and their reasons are valid. There are a lot of us however who are passionate about them for their stunning colors that captivate a photographers eye. I suppose it's an each their own issue but for anyone who is new with AMOLED, any prolonged brightness at the maxed settings on a fixed screen inevitably causes burn. I've personally never had any issues.

Biggest downside for me on p930 is the touch sensitivity. It's definitely noticeable compared to the skyrocket. It's especially pronounced on the screen edges. Otherwise, the form factor is better (thinner, textured back), the screen has a great feature where the glass curves over the edges of the bezel. Could be the reason the edges are less sensitive? I also prefer the three capacitive buttons vs. four. And as mentioned display quality is great: ppi, benefits of it's lcd vs amoled, etc. Show someone the videos included with the stock gingerbread wrong. It amazing.
Samsung said they are including the pentile again, because it lasts longer then the HD amoled display. Something else to consider.

Samsung said they are including the pentile again, because it lasts longer then the HD amoled display. Something else to consider.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This sorta seems like a slap in the face to current Galaxy S2 owners doesn't it? "Hi, this is Samsung, your Galaxy S2 screen should be dying soon, perfect time to buy a new S3!"

gmkelly001 said:
This sorta seems like a slap in the face to current Galaxy S2 owners doesn't it? "Hi, this is Samsung, your Galaxy S2 screen should be dying soon, perfect time to buy a new S3!"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Basically, it's Samsung admitting burn in IS an issue, even within the 2 year confines of many phone contracts (though some in Canada get 3 years!?).

In Canada you basically have to go 3 year contract or the subsidy isn't worth it and you might as well buy the phone outright
Sent from my LG-P930 using XDA

jeremyshaw said:
Basically, it's Samsung admitting burn in IS an issue, even within the 2 year confines of many phone contracts (though some in Canada get 3 years!?).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think it's more likely that they can't make a profit if they included Super Amoled Hd + displays.

Thank you for your new reel

I returned my Galaxy nexus and bought a LG Nitro HD. The screen on the Nexus had way too many flaws to pass for a high end phone. The yellow tint, and the ghosting were unacceptable to me.

Found black blotches on my screen

Okay. so I have a few black blotches on my screen, but I can only see them on a certain kind of black, but here's how to tell if you have this issue go to phone click on the menu key than call settings now go to call rejections from in there look at your phone screen at all every angle possible, if you don't see black blotches than you don't have an issue like I do.
Good luck
Also try doing this in the dark

Andrew149 said:
Okay. so I have a few black blotches on my screen, but I can only see them on a certain kind of black, but here's how to tell if you have this issue go to phone click on the menu key than call settings now go to call rejections from in there look at your phone screen at all every angle possible, if you don't see black blotches than you don't have an issue like I do.
Good luck
Also try doing this in the dark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks like a manufacturing defect, the blotches are in the same place on everyone s phone.

Weird mine are on the bottom half of the screen
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

It's normal. Samoled at its finest.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

I don't see them on that screen because the blacks are too black also I'm in a brighter lit room. But if I am watching a movie and it goes dark I can see minor blotches.

I noticed this and I took it to warrenty but they refused to replace or fix it. I dunno what to do. Is this breach of contract?
lalala SGS3 lalala

You would have to LIVE WITH THE STAINS AND BLOTCHES...
This is widely known issue known as OLED "mura" effect
It has stains and many black dots affecting the Galaxy S2, Note, S3, PS Vita and even some of the Galaxy S1 devices...
This is due to cheap manufacturing and QA ...

mms6 said:
This is due to cheap manufacturing and QA ...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it this, or is it a limitation of the AMOLED manufacturing process? My blotches are very minimal and I very rarely ever see them. I would much rather have the contrast of the AMOLED tech with the blotches than have my S3 equipped with an LCD.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

Definitely not an limitation of the manufacturing process.. My first-gen Samsung Captivate's screen blacks are actually deeper than the my Galaxy S3 with maximum brightness, displaying the same completely black #000000 screen in a completely dark bedroom at night...
Also what I have realized is that on my Captivate's screen, it do not has any of the stains or the dots on it when viewed in a dark room.. It has a little bit of "banding" problem on the top portion of the screen, but it is less noticeable than the stains and especially the "black dots" effect...
I have the EXACTLY same problem with my PS Vita similar to my Galaxy S3, but the PS Vita has much more stains than dots than the GS3 (more imperfection) although the PS Vita is lower resolution, and slightly bigger screen. The PS Vita uses the Samsung Super AMOLED Advanced (pentile matrix)...
Also, the screen production is not consistent on the GS3. My first GS3 has Wi-Fi random disconnection issues, so I exchanged it under the 15 days policy from Rogers, for another GS3.. The original GS3 has a lot of "black dots" (approx around 15 or so) and slightly stained on the top right corner.. The exchanged GS3 was slightly better and had no stain marks and only a few black dots and a slight pink spot (when viewed on white #FFFFFF).. Also I had to exchange my second one back to the store because my battery cover had some hairline cracks within a week of usage or so..
The THIRD AND FINAL GS3 I received did not have any stains, but suffered a more severe "black dot" effect (approx. 15-20 dots).. But my Wi-Fi issue was fine, and there are no pink spots, so I have been using it until now and did not really bother an exchange....
If you are extremely lucky, you might get a "perfect" or "near perfect" AMOLED in the current generation... But still the QA is going down the toilet when compared to my First Phone with Super AMOLED, my Samsung Wave S8500 (the screen was PERFECT on this one, NO stains/dots/smudges etc...)
Samsung is cutting costs and lowering QA because it is fulfilling more AMOLEDs for other manufacturers such as themselves (its is not just the top of the line Galaxy S# series using AMOLED, mid-end and some lower ends Galaxy series are using AMOLED as well) Also Samsung has to supply for Motorola, HTC (fewer models though), Sony (only for PS Vita), Fujitsu (for the Japanese Keitai smartphone from KDDI and Docomo) and so on.....
Now all this happened in quite short period of time, Japanese keitais with OLEDs came on the market last year... Samsung Wave came onto the market in 2010, there is only a 1 - 1.5 years in between here... The demand exponentially increased as smartphone sales went up, and more manufacturers are contracting Samsung to build OLEDs..
Personally, I do not think the process of making OLEDs have improved....
THE ONLY area it might have improved is probably the PRINTING... Printing higher resolutions has allowed Samsung to increase the pixel density and decreasing the subpixels (and this is probably why the Super AMOLED HD screens are dimmer than the original Super AMOLEDs at the same maximum brightness)
That is all I can say for now...
Live with the miniscule defects such as stains, dots, smudges etc on your OLEDs.... These problems are minor issues anyways since you have to be in a very dark environment with almost complete black #000000 image to be able to pick up the "defects".... Wait for a few more generations and allow the manufacturing process to improve more and still be able to fulfill Samsung's own demands and contracted demands for other manufacturers..... (Or other companies might finally bring more and more of their own technologies in OLED to the consumer masses)...
END OF RANTS...
-----------------------------------

It's normal ever since the hd samoleds came out. Same problem across many manufacturers. My razr was horrible with this stuff.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

robstunner said:
It's normal ever since the hd samoleds came out. Same problem across many manufacturers. My razr was horrible with this stuff.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine has the defect but I only see it when in a very dark environment and only on a certain black type of screen. Normally the black screen that shows up when starting a Netflix video I will see it for a moment. It doesn't bother me that much but do agree that it looks like s***! Other than the blotches in a dark environment though, you'd never see it.

I also noticed these spots too. I do not think it is a big deal foudn a few threads talking about other phones and most people agree it is common and only effects the screen when theres nothing moving on it. In other words yes you will notice it but no your screen is not damaged.

How is the display on the Note 2 compared to others coming out??

i've had the Galaxy S3 for a while and the screen was pretty good, with the HTC One X's screen beating it by a little amount only because i dont like how LCD's blacks aren't pitch black (off). But the colors definitely beat the GS3's. I heard LG's True HD IPS is even better than those but i'm wondering how much better than the Notes new Samoled where they pretty much get rid of Pentile? Will the new LG Nexus display be that much better or how about HTC's sharp 1080P display coming out? If the difference is minimum i rather settle for Samsung. Aslo, have they taken care of the low brightness whites? because they were very grainy and gray on my Galaxy Nexus

I just tested a Note II today in a shop. The screen looked great but I am a bit concerned that on full brightness it was less bright than my Galaxy S II and the whites looked very greyish.

there are at least two threads already existing covering this topic, please search!
in short: it's again the luck of the draw. had 3 note2 devices so far, one display was terrible (yellow tint),
the other two had pixel faults and/or dust particles between the outer glas and the panel!
my 4th device will arrive tomorrow (from amazon.de), let's look how that one will be...
i have to mention that most people are not aware of these flaws, especially about the tint. it's because
they have no other note2 devices to compare, or they do not care as much as i am!
if i pay 600EUR for a device, i want to have a perfect screen!