The Galaxy S24 series has been ranked as having the best smartphone displays by independent reviewer DxOMark, with the Ultra leading in display quality and the base S24 model having the highest-ranked display in the Premium Ranking category. Despite some minor issues, the new LTPO Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels and Samsung technologies make the displays fantastic, with the Ultra standing out due to its Gorilla Glass Armor screen protection and exceptional scratch resistance.
The upcoming Galaxy S24 series and OnePlus 12 smartphones are rumored to have displays that are slightly brighter than the Pixel 8 Pro. According to leaks, the Galaxy S24 series will have a peak brightness of 2,500 nits, while the OnePlus 12 is expected to reach 2,600 nits. Although the additional brightness may not make a significant difference, it showcases the ongoing trend of increasing display brightness in smartphones. The OnePlus 12 is set to launch by the end of the year, while the Galaxy S24 is expected to arrive in January.
The Google Pixel 8 series has made significant hardware upgrades, particularly in the display department, with its new "Actua" displays that rival those of Samsung and Apple. The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro feature 120Hz displays with brightness levels of up to 2,000 nits and 2,400 nits, respectively, making them the brightest displays on smartphones sold in the US. The displays are praised for their vibrant colors, sharpness, and panel quality, earning the Pixel 8 Pro and Pixel 8 the top rankings for smartphone displays by DXOMark. While competitors may soon catch up, Google has made a strong impression with its display advancements.
TCL has unveiled its first smartphones featuring NXTPAPER displays, previously designed for tablets and e-readers. The TCL 40 NXTPAPER models are budget-oriented devices with mid- to low-range specs, offering industry-leading eye comfort. The displays provide 25% more contrast than typical E Ink displays, are 65% more power efficient, and exceed TÜV-certified levels of blue light reduction. The screens automatically adjust color temperature based on time and environment. The TCL 40 NXTPAPER and TCL 40 NXTPAPER 5G have different designs and specs, with the former priced at €199 ($215) and the latter at €249 ($269). Both models will be released globally later in 2023.
Samsung continues to use power-hungry LTPS OLED displays on its Galaxy S23 and S23+ smartphones, while its high-end Galaxy S23 Ultra features superior LTPO panels that are more power-efficient and offer a dynamic refresh rate range of 1Hz-120Hz. The reason for this may be due to panel prices, as an LTPO OLED display would add about 20% to the cost of the panel. This decision has resulted in the S23 and S23+ being considered less of a flagship proposition, with the majority of sales going to the Ultra model.
