Database Users

LCD density/resolution and you! (opinion)

After looking at the "post your homescreen" thread in apps/themes subforum I'm a little weirded out at how many people are using the stock (HUGE) lcd density on there Note, it just looks silly.
Just take 3 minutes and try 240, 280, or even 300 is better than 320(stock).
Yes it breaks the snote app background(resolved, see edit2), and yes you might have market issues (change back and forth) but isn't that better than using a fisher price phone? Or do people really want just a blown up version of there last phone's real estate?
Anyone have a opinion either way? I'm kinda thinking people just haven't remembered they can change it yet.. this is XDA not androidcentral forums.....
edit* Maxh mentioned maybe I include a link/instructions, You can use this app that eliashadow recommended, its as simple as dragging the slider and clicking apply.
Here are some .gifs for comparison between 320/280/240 in that order.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
And here is the full hi-res versions if you want to take a peak.
edit2*
Thanks again maxh, modded versions of the S-Memo App can be found here by claudekenni.

yeah...I use 240 + adw ex and it's perfect. ...I don't really care and use the Samsung apps anyways

DMax99 said:
yeah...I use 240 + adw ex and it's perfect. ...I don't really care and use the Samsung apps anyways
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you...im using 240 destiny and zeam launcher...hate tw and samsung apps...

You should edit your post to a include step-by-step "for dummies" guide to changing the density, with links to sources. If you want people to do it. I'd do it, and certainly could search and read, but just haven't felt like taking the time to do the research.

maxh said:
You should edit your post to a include step-by-step "for dummies" guide to changing the density, with links to sources. If you want people to do it. I'd do it, and certainly could search and read, but just haven't felt like taking the time to do the research.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its very easy...just need root and this app from market (there are more apps.im using this).

Using stock density. I'm using it while on the move, so i don't have the time to use my binoculars
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium

eliashadow said:
Its very easy...just need root and this app from market (there are more apps.im using this).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, ok, that's simple enough. How do you fully utilize the desktop/screens? Do you have to use a launcher other than TouchWiz?
BTW, here's something the OP could add about changing the backgrounds of the memos in the S-memo app to work with different LCD densities.

maxh said:
Oh, ok, that's simple enough. How do you fully utilize the desktop/screens? Do you have to use a launcher other than TouchWiz?
BTW, here's something the OP could add about changing the backgrounds of the memos in the S-memo app to work with different LCD densities.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Added thanks! I missed these.

sportedwood said:
240, 280, or even 300 is better than 320(stock).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats cuz the screen of the note has ~284 ppi not 320
http://members.ping.de/~sven/dpi.html

Alejandrissimo said:
thats cuz the screen of the note has ~284 ppi not 320
http://members.ping.de/~sven/dpi.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What are you saying? The stock lcd density setting is 320. Are you saying 284 would be the most true to pixel setting to use? I didnt even think that related to ppi at all so good to know.

sportedwood said:
What are you saying? The stock lcd density setting is 320. Are you saying 284 would be the most true to pixel setting to use? I didnt even think that related to ppi at all so good to know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, ~320 is the real DPI of the nexus galaxy since has the same resolution and smaller screen, so is not possible that a bigger screen with almost same resolution has the same DPI
I dont have my note yet, i think it will arrives tomorrow so i will do some test at differents DPI but i guess 280 is the right one.
I really dont know why samsung put 320 on the build.prop maybe is to make it compatible with most apps.....

@ the OP:
You're talking about changing density mostly to resize the icons right? or are there other visual changes that occur too? Sorry if that's a nooby question...

Oneiricl said:
@ the OP:
You're talking about changing density mostly to resize the icons right? or are there other visual changes that occur too? Sorry if that's a nooby question...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Icons, fonts, keyboard, the spacing of things. Its most noticeable in the gmail and messaging apps, I will take some shots and share in a bit.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

This is true. 280 is a more native density for the screen size and res.

can you grab a screenshot of 160dpi and throw it up? id like to see that, its what I currently use on my HD2

Have you found a solution to increase the dialer height (full screen like in 320) when you decrease LCD Density ?

Excellent advise! Thanks for pushing me to try this!! I knew its possible but somehow never got to really try it. Now running @ 280 (I thought 240 to be too small, especially the keyboard) and i couldn't be happier.
Market works just fine btw.
Again, thanks

Just to clarify something here. It is not Samsung's fault that the device had to use 320, but rather it is to comply with the standard Android specification for Handset.
LDPI 120 dpi
MDPI 160 dpi
HDPI 240 dpi
xHDPI 320 dpi
This has nothing to do with the screen capability of 284ppi. Rather it affects the overall layout of the screen as icons have standard size of the following
36x36 for LDPI
48x48 for MDPI
72x72 for HDPI
96x96 for xHDPI
So using a small density on a xHDPI devices, you are effectively shrinking the icons to have more gaps inbetween on the homescreen.
Native apps made for that device will no longer be able to display properly because it is hardcoded as 320dpi. It is the same reason why Honeycomb cannot run Native apps for Gingerbread simply because they are not able to display it properly.

I'm confused. I thought the Note has a pixel density of 284. What's all this about 320 ppi?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App

320DPI which is different from PPI

Effective display size.

I'm not sure if you guys and noticed by the navigation touch buttons on the Nexus 4 take away from the effective display size. It might be a 4.7 inch display but it looks smaller considering the buttons are on there almost all the time. If you look at the sgs3 you can notice how much more space that frees up. Not to mention the fact that on the bottom part of the screen there is enough space they could have placed said Navigation buttons. A poor design choice? It surely bothers me a lot. Its like having a 4 inch display phone in your hand. I wonder what happens during video playback.
Your thoughts on the matter?
Sent from my Evo 3D CDMA using xda app-developers app

Its way more convenient than buttons on the bottom. You dont have to reach as far. Plus the home button on the s3 is terrible

Its full screen on video playback
Sent from my HTC Vision using xda app-developers app

The nav bar is about 8mm high, it's not too bad.
Custom ROMs will let you hide it as well.

Rusty! said:
The nav bar is about 8mm high, it's not too bad.
Custom ROMs will let you hide it as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And change the height.

Yea and with custom ROMs like aokp we will be able to change the size of them. I know U shouldn't have to but we will have options. I felt the galaxy nexus had good screen real estate even with that bottom bezel that was atrocius

KossKnowsKarate said:
I'm not sure if you guys and noticed by the navigation touch buttons on the Nexus 4 take away from the effective display size. It might be a 4.7 inch display but it looks smaller considering the buttons are on there almost all the time. If you look at the sgs3 you can notice how much more space that frees up. Not to mention the fact that on the bottom part of the screen there is enough space they could have placed said Navigation buttons. A poor design choice? It surely bothers me a lot. Its like having a 4 inch display phone in your hand. I wonder what happens during video playback.
Your thoughts on the matter?
Sent from my Evo 3D CDMA using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is like this on the Galaxy Nexus; I personally prefer it as the navigation bar can be dynamic compared to hard buttons.
I also like the "black void" look of the Galaxy Nexus/Nexus 4, much cleaner and more futuristic looking.

The navigation-bar normally should be 48.0dip in height. Now you can calculate what the "real" screen size is

The nav bar is one of my favourite features on this phone.

I'm in the group that dislikes it. I can turn them on with my galaxy s3 if I want . So technically wouldn't that mean I have more options lol. I can use on screen or the ones in bezel stock.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

m11kkaa said:
The navigation-bar normally should be 48.0dip in height. Now you can calculate what the "real" screen size is
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's 84 pixels in height, not 48.
So it makes the effective resolution of Nexus 4 as 1196*768. And the aspect ratio is almost a 3:2.

I said dpi and not pixel. dpi=dots per inch.
I took a look at the framework of a JB-rom of another device but it should be same for all.

I just want to be able to hide them automatically when I haven't got my finger there like how you can hide the Windows Taskbar when the mouse isn't there. Then to stop it from popping up when you're pinching to zoom just make it so if two fingers are on the screen at the same time it doesn't pop up.

Venekor said:
I just want to be able to hide them automatically when I haven't got my finger there like how you can hide the Windows Taskbar when the mouse isn't there. Then to stop it from popping up when you're pinching to zoom just make it so if two fingers are on the screen at the same time it doesn't pop up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How about a bottom-up swipe, like the current GNow execution?
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

m11kkaa said:
I said dpi and not pixel. dpi=dots per inch.
I took a look at the framework of a JB-rom of another device but it should be same for all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hm....DPI is dot per inch. 48 DPI means 48 dots per inch. That doesn't make sense if you want to say the height of the buttons.

you can calculate physical available screen size with both dpi and px but dpi is used mainly for those calculations.

richteralan said:
It's 84 pixels in height, not 48.
So it makes the effective resolution of Nexus 4 as 1196*768. And the aspect ratio is almost a 3:2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See? That what I really dislike
Sent from my Evo 3D CDMA using xda app-developers app

Zurginator said:
How about a bottom-up swipe, like the current GNow execution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's this?
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk 2

Zurginator said:
How about a bottom-up swipe, like the current GNow execution?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's nice.
Sent from my HTC One S using xda app-developers app

The size of the navbar is 48ppi, point per inch.....I like it better on 36 or 32, but 32 has an high learning curve
Sent from my Wildfire S A510e using xda app-developers app

General Thread for LCD Densities for GSIII I9300

I only realised now the beauty of changing DPIs, and I'm sure different settings work for well for different people etc etc so I decided to make this thread for people to post their seperate configs/methods (Xposed settings included), to compare different settings and to hopefully make the topic easier to understand and find information on.
You guys should know the drill, no spamming/silly arguments and follow XDA Rules.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

Q/A -
• WHY SHOULD I CHANGE MY DPI AND WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?
The main difference and main reason that people switch densities to a lower value is because a lower DPI = smaller icons/fonts etc which leads to a larger workspace - i.e You can fit far more things onto the screen. It also gives the phone more of a "phablet" look.
Below I will post before and after pictures for you to see for yourself what the change occurring is. I personally don't advise 200DPI unless you have really good eyesight - 240 is better for people who have normal eyesight.
Lock screen 320DPI -
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
200DPI -
Gmail 320DPI -
200 -
Quick Settings 320 DPI -
200 -
About Phone 320DPI -
200 -
• HOW DO I GET THE RIGHT SETTING?
The only thing you have to avoid doing is reducing the DPI too low to the point where you can't read/see the screen properly - going down in increments of 20 is a method to avoid this. It's a painfully slow process but if you want an optimal density for you, then it's the best way to go. If you just want a smaller, decent size, then you can always go for 240 first time and see if you like it. (Use different apps over the course of an hour)
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

**METHODS**
- AOKP based ROMs generally have the feature of changing DPI. It should be somewhere in settings. They list the whole process and practically baby you through the process - it's simple to do.
- Some apps can help you do it - e.g PimpMyRom. They all also tend to list the whole process rather than showing you step by step.
- There is also the Xposed App Settings module for Xposed Framework (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1574401). It's settings allow to configure DPI on a per-app basis. So if you like 300 DPI for your phone in general but like the 240 DPI Gmail, there's no stress involved.
- Some ROM developers may provide a ZIP to flash that will change the DPI to whatever DPI the ZIP is configured to change to. If you use this method, make sure to wipe Market data before flashing and upon reboot.
- More to come as people share their own methods.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

..aaand reserved again.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

I guess I'll get this thread kicked off - I'm using 200DPI ATM, I have good eyesight so the small font ain't a problem to me. Tbh, I far far prefer it this small. 240 DPI is near enough as good if you don't have strong enough eyesight for 200.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

300 here, most of my wallpapers are pretty dark so 200 is a tad small and looked out of place to me

Stock 320 here. Half blind.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

I use 240 as a general system DPI and I put my browsers and some other apps in 160 dpi tablet mode
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app

I started on Insanity at 240 and in 2 brief years my eyesight has declined so much that 320 dpi/TW (touch the icons and go "wheeeeeeeeee"!) Is a necessity nowadays

GN3 an old man phone? - Big icons and large font sizes

Why does GN3 gives a feeling of an old man (no offense) phone with big icons and large font sizes (especially on desktop screens and widgets)? Am I the only one, or are others feeling the same? While using apps it is better e.g. you can control pinch and zoom in the browser and utilize the real estate efficiently.
I'm coming from S4 so I understand that 1080p on 5.7" v/s 5" will look bigger and bloater... but there ought to be a better way to utilize "a bigger screen (5.7) with high res (1080p)", then making standard icons and font sizes bigger. Try using widgets e.g. Gmail and many others... GN3 almost gives an equivalent feeling of.... when I see some high resolution laptops and people (due to age factor) have changed DPI settings to make things bigger!
One possible recommendation that comes is - use a launcher. I don't think launcher makes the icons smaller. From what I observed using Nova, as you change the grid size, you essentially taking out the white space between icons' rows and columns. The icon picture and the icon title were still the same (or almost same) size. A quick proof of this is make the Drawer Grid size in Nova to say 11x11 and you will see overlap on icons picture and icon title are no longer visible (the latter actually stops showing around 9x8 or so).
On another fact as I had S4 to compare for drawer grid layouts in Nova: a 6x6 or 7x6 grid layout on S4 looks much better and less congested than 6x6 or 7x6 grid layout on Note 3! My observance again was that on GN3, the icon size and font sizes (for icon title or inside widgets) appears bigger due to 1080p on 5.7"... compared to clear and crisp on S4.
I don't want to root this now (at least for 30 days)... but I don't think other than DPI changes this is any other way out to make the experience better? Looking for people's thoughts and suggestions.

Agree 100%
Any chance of a way to change dpi without rooting?

You could use lightning launcher which resizes the icons to every desired size.

To Keep tw launcher you can use multicon from play store and your problem is solved
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 4

Just root and run 320 DPI in the build.prop with nova launcher. ASOP browser, install that and then enjoy surfing in 320dpi

You can change the size of the icons in Nova (look and feel menu in settings).
Action launcher also allows this.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4

Thoroughly agree with you.
Also, because of the current enlarged layout, the reduced PPI (compared to S4 / HTC 1 etc etc) is more visible.
If they make all icons and the GUI basically, smaller, it'll make the reduced PPI less noticeable.
---------- Post added at 02:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:57 PM ----------
Thoroughly agree with you.
Also, because of the current enlarged layout, the reduced PPI (compared to S4 / HTC 1 etc etc) is more visible.
If they make all icons and the GUI basically, smaller, it'll make the reduced PPI less noticeable.

pnnorth said:
You can change the size of the icons in Nova (look and feel menu in settings).
Action launcher also allows this.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok... This tip helps on the icon pic and icon title font size front (till I decide to root and change dpi). before that still not sure what do to with font size and real estate wasted inside widgets... e.g. gmail...

notandor said:
Ok... This tip helps on the icon pic and icon title font size front (till I decide to root and change dpi). before that still not sure what do to with font size and real estate wasted inside widgets... e.g. gmail...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can change the the size of the font in the TW settings under device, font:
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 4
---------- Post added at 06:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:22 PM ----------
pnnorth said:
You can change the the size of the font in the TW settings under device, font - not sure if that helps you or not.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 4
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk 4

DPi people. Change it.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using xda app-developers app

my gn3 look great with xposed with 320dpi now!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

raychak said:
my gn3 look great with xposed with 320dpi now!
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What xposed module do you use to do this?

Hendrickson said:
What xposed module do you use to do this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
change the value in build.prop directly.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Brava27 said:
DPi people. Change it.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read the thread, person - he doesn't have root

N6 Looks great with 460 density

So with all of my devices, I have always felt android was a bit too large. Usually the first modification I do is lower the density a bit. Was playing around with some numbers and found that 460 is perfect for me. Of course there could be the usual market issues or possibly some other wonkyness yet to be found but it looks a lot better in my opinion. Anybody else have some good suggestions for a decent density (other than stock) that looks great on this beast of a phone?

Can't wait until we have Slim Lollipop
Those guys love everything super dense.

Out of curiosity whats it set to by default? i know sometimes Google can set it artificially high .. i believe for a screen that size and resolution its native should be around the 494 mark

Any chance of some before and after screen shots?

Note 3 is 480 so that would fix any market issues and nexus 6 should be like all qhd 640

Could you post some pics showing both? Thanks
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

italia0101 said:
Out of curiosity whats it set to by default? i know sometimes Google can set it artificially high .. i believe for a screen that size and resolution its native should be around the 494 mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Default is 560 dpi
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Yeah 480 would be legit. G2 has 480 as well.
Here are some before and after. I'm mobile only else I would post more
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

As a Minnesotan, 44° would be nice.

Ha yeah last week snow and this week highs in the upper 60s. Love it

jadesix said:
As a Minnesotan, 44° would be nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely! lol

Meh...I prefer the default density. To each his own though.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

dodgejcr said:
So with all of my devices, I have always felt android was a bit too large. Usually the first modification I do is lower the density a bit. Was playing around with some numbers and found that 460 is perfect for me. Of course there could be the usual market issues or possibly some other wonkyness yet to be found but it looks a lot better in my opinion. Anybody else have some good suggestions for a decent density (other than stock) that looks great on this beast of a phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How did you get the launcher to allow more icons at the bottom? I changed the DPI to 480 and 460 but I can only have the default 5 icons at the bottom.

Changed it to 460.... It just booted with the ability. I haven't done anything else yet because I haven't had time

g33k3r said:
How did you get the launcher to allow more icons at the bottom? I changed the DPI to 480 and 460 but I can only have the default 5 icons at the bottom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suspect he's using a custom launcher rather than the default Google Now Launcher.
I know mine's going to get Nova Prime as soon as I get it. In addition to control over icons and dock, it can also recreate phablet-like accessibility features with custom gestures.

Nope default launcher. I really haven't done anything to the phone except unlock, root, no encrypt, and change the prop

dodgejcr said:
Nope default launcher. I really haven't done anything to the phone except unlock, root, no encrypt, and change the prop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I worked with 460. I guess it was on 480 when it was not working.

dodgejcr said:
Nope default launcher. I really haven't done anything to the phone except unlock, root, no encrypt, and change the prop
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah well there goes my theory.

dodgejcr said:
So with all of my devices, I have always felt android was a bit too large. Usually the first modification I do is lower the density a bit. Was playing around with some numbers and found that 460 is perfect for me. Of course there could be the usual market issues or possibly some other wonkyness yet to be found but it looks a lot better in my opinion. Anybody else have some good suggestions for a decent density (other than stock) that looks great on this beast of a phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this suggestion. Looks amazing on 460!

The OPO had 480 as well, on the OPO I preferred 380 dpi.