Screen Sharpness: How the iPhone Compares in PPI Versus Other WM Phones

[Brandon Miniman]

Most people that pick up an iPhone are amazed at how sharp the screen is. It's got a 3.5" screen with a resolution of 320x480 pixels. That makes for a pixel density of 160 pixels per inch (ppi). The higher the value, the sharper the screen appears. How does this compare to other WM devices we know and love? Here's a roundup, with the screen resolution (W x H), diagonal size, and ppi of some popular devices:

Apple iPhone, 320x480, 3.5": 160ppi

vs.

Palm Treo 750, 240x240, 2.6": 130ppi
HTC Touch, Wizard, Hermes, and Kaiser, 240x320, 2.8": 132ppi
HTC Athena X7501, 640x480, 5": 160ppi
Motorola Q, 320x240, 2.4": 166ppi
HTC S710 Vox, 240x320, 2.4": 166ppi
Samsung BlackJack, 320x240, 2.3": 173ppi
Dell Axim X50v/X51v, 480x640, 3.8": 210ppi
HTC Universal, 640x480, 3.6": 222ppi
i-mate Ultimate 9150, 480x640, 2.6", 307ppi
Toshiba G900, 800x480, 3": 310ppi

It's interesting to note that most newer WM devices, with the exception of the HTC Touch/Wizard/Hermes/Kaiser and the Palm Treo, exhibit a higher pixel density than the iPhone. Most new users of the iPhone are coming from a Motorola RAZR or other device with a low resolution screen, so to them, the iPhone displays a HUGE amount of data on a very large viewing area. We're seeing a lot of VGA and WVGA screened WM devices coming down the pike (Toshiba G900, HTC Omni, i-mate Ultimate Series, etc), which will leap ahead of the iPhone in terms of resolution and screen clarity.

If your device isn't listed here and you want to know its ppi, click the "Discuss" link below and tell me for which device you want this information, and I'll plug it into my Excel formula to find the value.

[morpheoussc400]

This is a good topic of discussion. I have had a windows mobile device for years and currently have an axim x51v. Now the screen on my x51 is great and even though is has slightly higher resolution the picture clarity and color reproduction is considerably better on the iPhone (which I have also). As most know Apples rendering engines are some of the best in the world. It not just how big the display is or how many pixels it has, its how well those pixels are used (size really doesn't matter). I've been looking at smart phones for years and this is the first i've found that is fluid and smooth in all that it does which makes using it a pleasure.

[Brandon Miniman]

Originally Posted by morpheoussc400

This is a good topic of discussion. I have had a windows mobile device for years and currently have an axim x51v. Now the screen on my x51 is great and even though is has slightly higher resolution the picture clarity and color reproduction is considerably better on the iPhone (which I have also). As most know Apples rendering engines are some of the best in the world. It not just how big the display is or how many pixels it has, its how well those pixels are used (size really doesn't matter). I've been looking at smart phones for years and this is the first i've found that is fluid and smooth in all that it does which makes using it a pleasure.

Well - you're right that the USE of the pixels on the screen are generally more important than the number of them. But to the discerning eye, or just by holding the iPhone close to your eye, there is some graininess there, which I definitely notice.

[morpheoussc400]

Originally Posted by Brandon Miniman

Well - you're right that the USE of the pixels on the screen are generally more important than the number of them. But to the discerning eye, or just by holding the iPhone close to your eye, there is some graininess there, which I definitely notice.

I'm sure you're right THERE IS SOME graininess, but what i'm talking about is color reproduction black levels and how vivid the images appear. Now I haven't had the chance to view the toshiba but compared to my dell the picture quality is great...

[surur]

Its likely because WM only uses 16 bit colour, while the Iphone uses 24 bit. I dont see that changing any time soon unfortunately.

Surur

[morpheoussc400]

Originally Posted by surur

Its likely because WM only uses 16 bit colour, while the Iphone uses 24 bit. I dont see that changing any time soon unfortunately.

Surur

And that's the rub... I wasn't sure about that, but I was sure that, at least to my eyes the color depth was far superior than any other WM device I've seen. Thanks for the info....

[Brandon Miniman]

Your probably right on the color depth. Most WM devices are 16bit displays....there are a few, like the Athena, that have 18bit. Apple doesn't post color depth information, so all we can do is guess that it's 24bit.

[melvynadam]

This article is a little disingenuous. For one thing, the i-mate Ultimate 9150 was cancelled according to GSM Arena. For another, there's a lot more to a display than can be displayed in your Excel sheet (no offense). I don't have an iPhone (and it would be of no use to me anyhow since I'm outside the US) but from what I've seen and read, the iPhone's screen outperforms other mobile screens in many ways including an area key to many: outdoor visibility.

[morpheoussc400]

Screen quality is not a good area to challenge Apple and the iPhone on. I think that Apple knows what they are doing in this arena, and Microsoft still has a lot to learn... Pick something else....

[Brandon Miniman]

Originally Posted by melvynadam

This article is a little disingenuous. For one thing, the i-mate Ultimate 9150 was cancelled according to GSM Arena. For another, there's a lot more to a display than can be displayed in your Excel sheet (no offense). I don't have an iPhone (and it would be of no use to me anyhow since I'm outside the US) but from what I've seen and read, the iPhone's screen outperforms other mobile screens in many ways including an area key to many: outdoor visibility.

I'm not convinced that the 9150 is canceled - it's still on the official i-mate Ultimate website.

And second, the focus of this article was on screen clarity as a function of pixel density. The iPhone is superior to WM screens in other ways such as outdoor visibility and color, but that's a topic for a future article.

[morpheoussc400]

Originally Posted by Brandon Miniman

I'm not convinced that the 9150 is canceled - it's still on the official i-mate Ultimate website.

And second, the focus of this article was on screen clarity as a function of pixel density. The iPhone is superior to WM screens in other ways such as outdoor visibility and color, but that's a topic for a future article.

Well then if we must stick to the parameters of the focus of the article then I would agree that there are WM devices with much higher pixel density... I believe that we all can agree on that...

[Brandon Miniman]

Originally Posted by morpheoussc400

Well then if we must stick to the parameters of the focus of the article then I would agree that there are WM devices with much higher pixel density... I believe that we all can agree on that...

Heh, thanks

[morpheoussc400]

Originally Posted by Brandon Miniman

Heh, thanks

Having conceded that point; onto a more pertinent question. What was the driving motivation to open this discussion? Surely it wasn't to make a comparison of screens based purely on the number of pixels per square inch... not something as simple and incontrovertible as that.

[Brandon Miniman]

Originally Posted by morpheoussc400

Having conceded that point; onto a more pertinent question. What was the driving motivation to open this discussion? Surely it wasn't to make a comparison of screens based purely on the number of pixels per square inch... not something as simple and incontrovertible as that.

Well I think a lot of people think that the iPhone screen is the best ever to be found on a mobile device, and the discussion was my way of saying, "Yeah, it's nice, but..."

Also, I hadn't seen a comparison of the screens in terms of ppi, so for my own edification plus for everyone else to see, I did some calculations and viola.

[morpheoussc400]

Originally Posted by Brandon Miniman

Well I think a lot of people think that the iPhone screen is the best ever to be found on a mobile device, and the discussion was my way of saying, "Yeah, it's nice, but..."

Also, I hadn't seen a comparison of the screens in terms of ppi, so for my own edification plus for everyone else to see, I did some calculations and viola.

Ok, got ya.... Actually for opinions sake the iPhone screen is the best I've seen. I know its one of reasons I purchased it.

[dweiums]

I've been a Palm user for years and am just about fed up waiting for a Treo 700p replacement. The Centro looks like a step back.

So while I'm waiting for the new Palm Pre (320x480 ) to come to verizon, I'm considering the Blackberry Storm and the Samsung Omnia.

The Storm looks interesting because I hate the windows interface and it doesn't have it. I have never felt much love for the RIM products, especially when I was supporting them, but its screen is 480x360.

The Omnia looks good and has the Opera browser, although it's Windows Mobile (ugh) and only has a 240x400 pixel screen.

I'm actually leaning toward the Omnia. I've always loved my apps on the Palm, but it looks like I'd better look for web functionality instead.

Any thoughts?

[Brandon Miniman]

I used the Storm for a period of time and found it to actually lower my productivity, especially when typing. The clicky screen is somewhat of a novelty and causes navigation problems.

The Omnia is built off of Windows Mobile, which is known for being a productive operating system. Best bet is to go to the store and spend some time with each.

[GenghisKhent]

Originally Posted by Brandon Miniman

I used the Storm for a period of time and found it to actually lower my productivity, especially when typing. The clicky screen is somewhat of a novelty and causes navigation problems....

My review of the Storm discusses this and hopefully will be helpful to you. Please feel free to follow up with any questions.