TL;DR - At it's lowest brightness, does the Galaxy S4 Active's LCD screen reduce to a comfortable level in a pitch black environment (something my last two LCD phone screens didn't)? I'm buying either the regular or active tomorrow and this is the deciding factor between them.
So long story short, I was casually thinking about switching to AT&T and getting a Galaxy S4 or Galaxy S4 Active (I'm currently on Virgin Mobile with a HTC Evo V 4G, a rebranded Evo 3d). However, just today I found out there's an offer that expires tomorrow where I can get any AT&T smartphone half price, so I will probably be doing that.
My main concern with the Galaxy S4 Active is the LCD screen. I like to use my phone before bed, and want a phone that can get to a very dim, comfortable level. My last two phones (the Evo V 4G and an Optimus Elite) had LCD screens, but even when the brightness was set to the lowest setting, they were still too bright in a dark environment. I am forced to use the app Screen Filter which just darkens the colors (which helps a little), but not substantially as it doesn't actually lower the backlight. What I liked about the S4 with the AMOLED panel is that if the screen doesn't get dark enough, apps like Screen Filter will actually lower the real brightness as there isn't a backlight.
Anyways, is there anyone that has a Galaxy S4 Active who could take it into a completely dark room, turn down the brightness, and tell me whether it can get to a comfortable brightness (or preferably even darker than required)?
Since I'm probably buying one tomorrow morning/afternoon, a quick reply would be extremely appreciated since this has become the deciding factor.
Thanks in advance.
Just went into a dark closet with my active (sexy) and put brightness to a minimum and had absolutely no problem seeing the screen... Def recommend this phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I537 using xda premium
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I just got an Epic.
Reading several threads across the Galaxy line, there is apparently a variation in screen color temperatures. From my readings, I see a pattern where perhaps the newer/replacement units have yellower screens. At the same time, those newer units also get darker in auto brightness mode than the older units.
From my own observation, the color temp gets cooler as the brightness increases.
Is it possible that Samsung tweaked the auto brightness so that the phone now gets darker in order to save the battery? So perhaps the different color temp observed are a function of how bright the screen is?
I don't care for the yellowish screen on my new Epic. I like a cooler/colder screen. Comparing the Epic next to my LCD Evo and Touch Pro 2, it is outright yellow. Comparing the 3 phones next to my Nexus One, the N1's screen looks pink. (I can post some pics tomorrow).
Bottom line, I'm trying to decide if I should try to return/exchange the phone for another and hope for the best. I read that there are some potential software solutions out of XDA, but I prefer to have a phone that is natively "cold".
Any input would be great.
Thanks.
Mine's pretty yellow. :-( In brighter light, it is not a problem. Darker screen is the result of a software update. Got mine on launch day.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
APOLAUF said:
Mine's pretty yellow. :-( In brighter light, it is not a problem. Darker screen is the result of a software update. Got mine on launch day.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
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Thanks for the information. Before the software update, when the screen didn't get as dark, did it appear less yellow at the [pre-update] low brightness?
In other words, does the screen now look more yellow than ever since the update and darker screen?
Cheers.
I got my Epic on Oct 1st, and I haven't noticed this yellowish at all, but maybe I need to do a thorough side by side with an older model?
Did you get any pics to post up yet? I'm interested to see this
Edit: Sorry, just saw you said you can't post pics until tomorrow.
snovvman said:
Thanks for the information. Before the software update, when the screen didn't get as dark, did it appear less yellow at the [pre-update] low brightness?
In other words, does the screen now look more yellow than ever since the update and darker screen?
Cheers.
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Click to collapse
Just as yellow as always. Post-update, the screen dims more. At this point, it appears yellower. My Captivate also now dims more, post-update, and seems bluer at dimmest setting.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
The only time I've had problems with my screen was when my phone had gotten damage from water. I'm on my 2nd epic and this one doesn't have any yellowish tints. Only about a week old now.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
I picked up my Epic on 9/29 and don't see any yellow tint at all. I'm not an expert here but I think I would notice a tint like that. My blacks are very clear and dark also. I did notice that it seemed to run on auto brightness a little darker than it had...that was probably the D-118 update after I had it for only a few days.
I will follow this thread and see where it goes.
I don't think the screen color variation is based on release date. I have two of them since 8/30. One of them has a yellowish tint compared to the other. They both have the same DI18 update.
It seems like a coin-toss what screen color comes. I wish we have a tool that would allow easy color temperature adjustment.
I read a thread about a way using a modified kernel, but it would be nice to have an .apk that works (even if it requires root).
I got one on launch day that had more of a blue tint to it. I got another one last week that was a refurb, and it definitely is more yellow.
Weird. I just got mine today and it's very cool (read: blue) compared to my Evo... being a photo guy, this drives me nuts. I prefer warmer diplays.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
I have one of the cooler screens, and I kinda like it.
My thoughts:
1) Samsung is trying to extend the life of the blue oLEDs by altering the color temperature of screens. Since this seems to be happening independently of ROM version, it's probably something they're doing with firmware.
2) (IMO More Likely) The screens on different phones came from different assembly lines or different production runs, and have a slight variance in color production. The production date of the phone wouldn't necessarily matter in this case.
The only project I know that deals with the color temperature of the screen is voodoo:
http://project-voodoo.org/color
I currently have it running on my ROM. It adds a new "very low" brightness setting a the bottom that's much dimmer than even the lowest one available in DI18. (Note: it doesn't interpolate levels between them, either. Meaning there is a big jump in brightness from the voodoo lowest level to the DI18 lowest level, which is the next "notch" up on the slider.) It also adds a brightness level at the very highest brightness, which noticeably makes the display warmer. (The highest and next-to-highest brightness notches are the same brightness, the difference being the highest one is warmer.) At this point of its development, it's really of no use if you want to make your screen warmer at all brightness levels.
At any rate, the project leads me to believe that, with further development, we could have an app that allows us to freely change all the color settings for the display for all brightness levels, save them to profiles, etc.
The idea of the screen getting warmer as you decrease its brightness might be a natural phenomena, or just perceptual. In my experience, colors usually seem warmer as you decrease the intensity of the light. This is even true of light on a physical object.
My screen looks awesome. No yellowing or anything. I wonder if there is a difference based on who made the screen for that particular Galaxy S phone? I remember reading an article when all the Galaxy S phones started rolling out saying that Samsung was having trouble with the manufacturing of the AMOLED screens. Perhaps they started cutting corners.
However, there also seems to be issues with auto-brightness, etc...I have that disabled on my phone and the brightness set on its lowest setting (which is plenty bright for me and all my viewing needs) which may be the difference? But, I have cranked it up from time to time just to show others and I still don't notice any yellowing.
Is there a specific test image or something where one could view that would show/exaggerate the effect people are talking about? I would be curious to see...
Thanks for the great input and information.
Here is something interesting for the Nexus One screen.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=745248
Never noticed any of the sort.
Forgive My Brevity. To Be Or Not To Be...
I havent noticed it either. Had mine since day one
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=745248
Should help in this case once Froyo arrives
Here is a quick picture taken by a Touch Pro 1. Sorry about the quality. I can try to take better ones if there is interest.
From left to right - Evo, Epic, Nexus 1, Touch Pro 2. All with auto-brightness on.
In real life:
The Evo looks whiter (cooler)
The Epic looks much yellower (warmer, almost greenish)
The N1 doesn't look as pink as it appears, but looks the darkest
The Touch Pro 2 looks the whitest (coolest)
To my eyes, the Evo/Touch Pro 2 looks good. Although the picture shows the Epic looking pleasant and only slightly warmer, the white elements (clouds in wallpaper, browser backgrounds etc.) look yellow/green.
Edit: Notice the Menu, Home, Back, Search menu LEDs look whiter than the screen. See the contrast between the two makes the screen look yellower.
I've owned 3 Epics since launch day. First one had a good screen, 2nd one had a yellow tint, 3rd was perfect.
The build dates of the first 2 were 10.08 and my current one is 10.09.
arashed31 said:
I've owned 3 Epics since launch day. First one had a good screen, 2nd one had a yellow tint, 3rd was perfect.
The build dates of the first 2 were 10.08 and my current one is 10.09.
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By perfect, do you mean that it is not yellowish? It's interesting that the first two phones with the same build date has two different color screens...
The Epic I have has a 10.10 build date. It's yellow at dimmed levels and color temp gets cooler as it brightens up.
I've just got a new S2. I thought my Desire was good but this is fantastic.
However an iPhone-owning friend took a look and said "the screen's not very white is it?" I compared it to his and he was right - very grey. But the brightness was set to auto, so I turned it up and it was a lot whiter. But then he said "it's very green". And there is a greenish tint.
So I compared it two two other (about 3 months old) S2s that people have at work (using the *#0*# tests).
And my screen is definitely inferior: less white and more off-colour. Yes I did check that the screen modes were the same (eg standard/dynamic/movie) and that the brightnesses were the same. None of the phones had screen protectors on.
I know sometimes there are differences in screens, often because they're sourced from more than one manufacturer. But I thought Samsung made these screens?
So in essence, the screen on my phone seems to be worse than others, and markedly less good than my pal's iphone - for which I will get no end of ribbing!
Is this a common trait? Am I seeing things? Should I return it?
Love the phone otherwise. FYI it's brand new on Virgin Mobile in the UK and is running 2.3.4.
astromark said:
I've just got a new S2. I thought my Desire was good but this is fantastic.
However an iPhone-owning friend took a look and said "the screen's not very white is it?" I compared it to his and he was right - very grey. But the brightness was set to auto, so I turned it up and it was a lot whiter. But then he said "it's very green". And there is a greenish tint.
So I compared it two two other (about 3 months old) S2s that people have at work (using the *#0*# tests).
And my screen is definitely inferior: less white and more off-colour. Yes I did check that the screen modes were the same (eg standard/dynamic/movie) and that the brightnesses were the same. None of the phones had screen protectors on.
I know sometimes there are differences in screens, often because they're sourced from more than one manufacturer. But I thought Samsung made these screens?
So in essence, the screen on my phone seems to be worse than others, and markedly less good than my pal's iphone - for which I will get no end of ribbing!
Is this a common trait? Am I seeing things? Should I return it?
Love the phone otherwise. FYI it's brand new on Virgin Mobile in the UK and is running 2.3.4.
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Click to collapse
Try updating to one of the 2.3.5 based roms and I would definitely recommend trying out supercurio's "Voodoo Screen" app from the market(combine this with the movie preset found in settings->display->screen mode) as well. Just compared my SGS2 to an iPhone 4S and I'm really glad I didn't make the switch, as while the latter does have an edge when it comes to screen resolution, the former more than makes up for it with its 4.3 inch super amoled plus display. The iPhone's browser was a little bit faster, and the camera better, but I still I preferred the SGS2. Once it gets ICS it'll be absolutely amazing.
No don't set the screen to the movie preset AND use Supercurio's app at the same time !
But You'r right set it to the movie preset the screen will be more color-respective
Supercurio's app is great although still in progress. I'm also used Screen Adjuster to compensate for the greenish hue (red is set to +2 and blue to +5.
I ran into another application yesterday here on xda that let's you adjust sharpness and hue... let me see if I can find it again.
Edit: this app. Haven't tried it yet. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1366280
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
minidou-77 said:
No don't set the screen to the movie preset AND use Supercurio's app at the same time !
But You'r right set it to the movie preset the screen will be more color-respective
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Why not? Looks a lot better than it does on standard.
You have to understand that the screen technologies used in each phone is different.
The iPhone uses an IPS screen.
The Galaxy S II uses a Super AMOLED Plus screen. It's not very good at handling whites, but it has the advantage that it doesnt need any power to show black pixels (unlike the iPhone), so its more black and more efficient at showing blacks.
Great replies, thanks all.
Since posting stijnr, I've got Screen Adjuster on, and interestingly my settings aren't a million miles from yours, red +4, blue +6. One thing I do miss from the Desire is the optical track button - I'm finding adjusting things that need a little bit of input to be quite tricky on the touchscreen.
Toss3 you made me laugh, not intentionally I'm sure! I will flash a new rom at some point - god knows how many I got through on the Desire - but I will spend a few weeks appreciating this stock ROM! Best thing about Virgin Mobile is it's non-branded and as Samsung shipped it. Not even any logos on the case.
Good point kwazi on the different screen technologies. But that doesn't explain different S2s having different display characteristics. Anyway I'd rather have this larger screen - the iphone screen may be beautiful but it looks very... small these days for what is a premium handset.
I'll check out some other S2s in stores in the next couple of days. If this is what they're shipping I'll live with it. If it's a 50/50 chance of the other screen I might try my luck.
Most of the viewing on our smartphones involves looking at whites, webpages for example, NOT blacks. And the Iphone 4 displays superior whites than the Galaxy s II.
I've gotten to the point where I think I would be happier with an regular lcd screen.
While the tech is nice in Super Amoled Plus, the quality and consistency of the display that's being manufactured is all over the place.
astromark said:
I've just got a new S2. I thought my Desire was good but this is fantastic.
However an iPhone-owning friend took a look and said "the screen's not very white is it?" I compared it to his and he was right - very grey. But the brightness was set to auto, so I turned it up and it was a lot whiter. But then he said "it's very green". And there is a greenish tint.
So I compared it two two other (about 3 months old) S2s that people have at work (using the *#0*# tests).
And my screen is definitely inferior: less white and more off-colour. Yes I did check that the screen modes were the same (eg standard/dynamic/movie) and that the brightnesses were the same. None of the phones had screen protectors on.
I know sometimes there are differences in screens, often because they're sourced from more than one manufacturer. But I thought Samsung made these screens?
So in essence, the screen on my phone seems to be worse than others, and markedly less good than my pal's iphone - for which I will get no end of ribbing!
Is this a common trait? Am I seeing things? Should I return it?
Love the phone otherwise. FYI it's brand new on Virgin Mobile in the UK and is running 2.3.4.
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Click to collapse
You're comparing apples to oranges here. iPhone uses IPS technology, while Galaxy S 2 uses SAMOLED +. You're going to see differrnces between them. Personally, I wouldn't worry about the differences, or even see them as drawbacks; as each display has it's strengths and weaknesses. Industry standard resolution for most smartphones is 800x480, which is quite good on a screen size of 4" or larger.
Next time your friend pokes you about your display, remind him that his iPhone is still 3g device.
Sent from my Samsung SGH-i777 using XDA Premium.
wrenchmonkey26 said:
You're comparing apples to oranges here.
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no, he's comparing apples and desserts, not oranges!
I compared SGS and SGSII with auto brightness and manual lowest setting.
SGS brightness with auto or lowest setting is at cca 50% brightness level on SGSII, I think Samsung sets brightness range quite down for saving battery life and users dont have to use Screen Filter app in the night
But imho auto brightness is low for me - at the edge of usability.
I remember when I first got this phone about 10 months ago, the greenish/blueish tint was so very much visible on the screen. Even when the screen is off, I can see a shade of blue on the reflection of the screen. But then it gradually "wear off" until the green tint disappear completely after about a week later. I don't know if it really disappear or just me being used to it. Or maybe after I update it to 2.3.4, 2.3.5, 2.3.6, I just can't tell. But I certainly feel it's not there anymore.
Everyone who's owned a SIII knows the screen is completly useless when it comes to the sun being shined at it. Cannot see anything. What about the S4? Same issue? Just curious about to buy one
Also how's the screen for you all? =)
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
I haven't found it too bad, I have found the auto brightness to adjust really well. It hasn't been too sunny here though
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium HD app
Shoulon said:
Everyone who's owned a SIII knows the screen is completly useless when it comes to the sun being shined at it. Cannot see anything. What about the S4? Same issue? Just curious about to buy one
Also how's the screen for you all? =)
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I don't have an S4 yet but a report by displaymate a couple of days ago showed that when you have auto brightness turned on the AMOLED screen is just as bright as the brightest LCDs out there (around 475 nits). Of course you can't set this amount of brightness manually since you would overheat your phone and cause screen burn in if you did. That is why Samsung only allows this for when you have on auto brightness. Since as soon as you go back indoors it will lower the brightness back down.
Long time S3 user (launch) and just picked up the S4 yesterday. The screen, in terms of quality, offers a noticeable improvement over the S3. I migrated everything over from one phone to the other and there's no mistaking which is which. The total difference, however, is less than the difference we saw going in the S2->S3 IMO.
In bright light, unfortunately, they're basically the same as far as I can tell. The auto-brightness setting seems more conservative on the S4 (possibly to help with thermal issues), but I haven't had a chance to crank it up all the way out in the sun.
If screen brightness matters a lot to you, I urge you to take a look at the EVO. The LCD screen on that is much improved, extremely bright as usually, and the blacks are getting considerably blacker (see anantech review). I myself played with it for a half hour but quickly jumped back on the S4 since it fits me better.
I've owned every galaxy phone since the galaxy epic. (Sprint qwerty phone) AMOLED screens are great despite no anti glare features.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
Screen is great until your moving grey on a black background and then you have weird purple smears going on. Not sure if it's a faulty display or just 'how it's meant to be'
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium HD app
The screen is stunning! Extremely sharp with smooth text and eye popping colours, its basically like Apple's Retina display on iP5 but with AMOLED benefits on top.
In sunlight it fares well from my experience, better than S3, IMO, its a lot less reflective.
Stunning!
6 Stars.
With all the complaints about the dimness of the G6 I decided to make sure I'm not crazy. Went in to Best Buy with my brand new Sprint G6 and compared my phone at 100% brightness with the demo models for both Sprint and Verizon. Both were a good bit brighter, about 20% brighter I'd say. And both, had a cooler color temperature. My phone looked a bit pink comparatively speaking. Yes, I have comfort view disabled.
I also, have them get out a sealed G6 on Sprint. I turned it on, set it up, and put brigtness at 100%. It was the same brightness as mine, and also less bright than the demo's. So it seems the retail mode has the brightness set past 100%.
Questions I have are, how can I get my brightness as high as the Demo phones? I am planning on installing Lux Dash to see if that can do it, as I can change the color temperature more precisely vs comfort view which I do not like even on low. Anyone have a similar experience?
I'd up load pictures but I can't figure out how to yet.
JackBurtol said:
With all the complaints about the dimness of the G6 I decided to make sure I'm not crazy. Went in to Best Buy with my brand new Sprint G6 and compared my phone at 100% brightness with the demo models for both Sprint and Verizon. Both were a good bit brighter, about 20% brighter I'd say. And both, had a cooler color temperature. My phone looked a bit pink comparatively speaking. Yes, I have comfort view disabled.
I also, have them get out a sealed G6 on Sprint. I turned it on, set it up, and put brigtness at 100%. It was the same brightness as mine, and also less bright than the demo's. So it seems the retail mode has the brightness set past 100%.
Questions I have are, how can I get my brightness as high as the Demo phones? I am planning on installing Lux Dash to see if that can do it, as I can change the color temperature more precisely vs comfort view which I do not like even on low. Anyone have a similar experience?
I'd up load pictures but I can't figure out how to yet.
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There is a Demo Mode in developer option, Ive never tried it, may be thats what causing the extra brightness and offset white balance.
Have you tried going into color in vision under the accessibility menu and adjusting your color. That what I've been doing since 2013 with my lg g3. Also are you comparing the screens of black phones are silver? Sounds stupid but black phones will appear brighter as the bezel will give you a better contrast ratio. Which is what most protector screen and even tv screens have black bezels.
I am interested in buying a tab s2 8 inch. Screen seems to be very nice from the reviews I've read and I need it specifically for reading at night time (so in the dark).
For this I need to be able to set the brightness very low (I am extremely sensitive to light in the dark) but it should still be readable and not flickering.
Is the s2 amoled screen capable of doing this or should I pick a non-amoled tablet (e.g. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 7.0)?
t--b said:
I am interested in buying a tab s2 8 inch. Screen seems to be very nice from the reviews I've read and I need it specifically for reading at night time (so in the dark).
For this I need to be able to set the brightness very low (I am extremely sensitive to light in the dark) but it should still be readable and not flickering.
Is the s2 amoled screen capable of doing this or should I pick a non-amoled tablet (e.g. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 7.0)?
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Click to collapse
In my experience, this tablet is made for exactly what you are proposing. If you set the background as black with the text white, you will have excellent contrast without much light shining into your eyes at all, as only the white pixels will be on. If your reading app doesn't off a black background, you can simply negative the image in accessibility settings. I've never sensed any screen flicker on my uint :victory:
An LCD on the other hand shines lots of light into your eyes even with a black background. This isn't great for your sleep a partner will hate you for lighting up the room. :crying:
Get the S2, you wont be disappointed. :highfive:
Thanks - exactly what I was hoping for.