Toshiba Releases 6.1" Display with Resolution of 2560x1600
by Kristian Vättö on October 22, 2011 11:28 AM EST- Posted in
- Smartphones
- Displays
- Toshiba
- Mobile
- Tablets
Pretty much ever since the iPhone 4 with retina display was launched, resolutions have played a major role in smartphone market. In September, Samsung unveiled Galaxy S II HD LTE, which sports a 4.65" 1280x720 display. That was the first smartphone with HD resolution (720p). Now there are already a few phones with HD resolution, for example Samsung Galaxy Nexus and LG Optimus LTE. Higher resolutions are not only courtesy of smartphones as "retina" displays are coming to tablets as well. On May, Samsung showed off a 10.1" panel with resolution of 2560x1600 - resolution that's only seen in high-end 30" monitors.
Toshiba is taking the resolution battle one step further by releasing a 6.1" LCD with 2560x1600 resolution. In terms of pixels per inch (PPI), that is 495. Below is a table comparing displays and their PPIs.
| Comparison of display PPIs | |||
| Screen Size | Resolution | PPI | |
| iPhone 4/4S | 3.5" | 960x640 | 329.65 |
| Samsung Nexus | 4.65" | 1280x720 | 315.83 |
| Samsung's Unreleased Tablet Panel | 10.1" | 2560x1600 | 298.9 |
| Toshiba's New Panel | 6.1" | 2560x1600 | 494.9 |
As you can see, Toshiba's new panel is a clear winner, and its PPI is 50% greater than iPhone 4/4S's, which has the second highest PPI. There is no word on the panel type but the viewing angles are 176 degrees, which hints toward IPS. Toshiba also claims 1000:1 contrast ratio and 61% NTSC color gamut.
The image above summarizes the advantage of high PPI. ~500PPI is starting to be close to the limits of human eye because even at very close range (like in the image), seeing the individual pixels is nearly impossible. At normal viewing distance, it would be impossible to see individual pixels.
However, the big question is, what is the use for 6.1" display? 4.5" is more or less the maximum for smartphone (although there are a few bigger ones, such as Samsung Galaxy Note). Bigger than that won't fit in most people's hands or pocket comfortably. Tablets, on the other hand, usually begin at 7". 6.1" is in the middle - it's too big for a smartphone and too small for a regular tablet.
It's possible that this is just for trying out what today's technology can produce and we may never see the display in a consumer product. If it's aimed for a certain product, then the only product that makes sense would be a small tablet, unless Toshiba or any of its partners have something special in mind.
Source: Toshiba Mobile Display
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SanX - Monday, October 24, 2011 - link
329.345675456786532 is actually a sign of moroneryRoland00Address - Saturday, October 22, 2011 - link
That said I am satisfied with a 1920x1080 display. Note because 16x9 is a superior format, but because for some strange reason the lcd computer monitors have settled on this ratio.I want a 1920x1080 tablet in a small form factor for the fact it is the natural resolution of many computers and remote desktop seems to work quicker, easier and better looking if you are running the tablet at the same resolution as the computer.
Death666Angel - Sunday, October 23, 2011 - link
I want to replace my 3.5 year old 24" 1920x1200 monitor with something high res. But at this point it seems silly to buy a 27"/30" screen for 600-1100€ when the next round of tablets has that resolution and costs about as much as my screen.Don't get me wrong, this development in general is great, but I want it to translate to more areas.
BoyBawang - Sunday, October 23, 2011 - link
Anything above 300PPI will make PPI the new Megapixel Myth!SanX - Monday, October 24, 2011 - link
learn what is perceived ppiSoulkeeper - Monday, October 24, 2011 - link
Now give us a 2560x1600 24" desktop displaySanX - Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - link
Desktop must be not less then 30" at 3840x2400CharonPDX - Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - link
Just like the Samsung display you tout as "unreleased", this one is also "unreleased". They are "exhibiting" at trade shows, according to their own press release. AKA: This is a research project.Solandri - Tuesday, October 25, 2011 - link
For a phone/tablet, if you anti-alias the font, it will look as good without having to resort to such ridiculously high ppi. The places where high a ppi is useful is on head-mounted displays, virtual viewfinders on cameras, and LCD projector panels.SanX - Wednesday, October 26, 2011 - link
Toshiba please make 1080p or 1200p 450ppi ppi 4.7-5.3" screens.