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.
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"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

Atrix 4G 240 vs 275 DPI

You be the judge. 240 DPI (first) vs 275 DPI (second). Believe it or not the Atrix has a 275 DPI display, and all ROMS configure to 240. Basically, the smaller the number, the more will squeeze on the screen. But what I have have found is that the legibility can be improved at 275.
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"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
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"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
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There are two ways to modify. One is a bit harder but doesn't interfere with Google Play Store.
Method 1 - Use your favorite build.prop editor and update the following entry, then reboot.
Code:
ro.sf.lcd_density=275
CAUTION: Google Play Store will prompt to accept terms and services upon each change.
Method 2 - Create /data/local.prop add the following entry using a text editor, e.g. using Root Explorer, then reboot:
Code:
qemu.sf.lcd_density=275
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

Are you sure its not the other way around? The first one looks more crisp.....
Where would one go to change these settings?

weaz_da_smel said:
Are you sure its not the other way around? The first one looks more crisp.....
Where would one go to change these settings?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, I'm sure. I see what you mean on the numbers for the dialer. It loos like those numbers might be PNG graphic files. All other text is sharp on both images. The second image is 275 DPI. Everything is bigger.

Tried it both ways, same thing. It distorts the appearance and input of the keyboard. On epinter CM10 20120803
Sent from my MB860 using xda app-developers app

JPBeard21 said:
Tried it both ways, same thing. It distorts the appearance and input of the keyboard. On epinter CM10 20120803
Sent from my MB860 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on epinter 0929

You're right about the real dpi but the phone's design is done giving 240 at this value.
Forcing it to 275 you have a standard 72x72pix icon displayed on screen at about 80x80 ... measure it, you will see.

sambastrakan said:
You're right about the real dpi but the phone's design is done giving 240 at this value.
Forcing it to 275 you have a standard 72x72pix icon displayed on screen at about 80x80 ... measure it, you will see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

jjwatmyself said:
I see what you mean on the numbers for the dialer. It loos like those numbers might be PNG graphic files.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They are.

I'm liking this except for typing in landscape.
Ok, so I'm back on 240 DPI. It was an interesting experiment. I would not recommend 275 for a 4" screen. In general terms, dpi tends to be used to represent screen size and not pixel density. I would not recommend changing this value from stock value unless there are advantages. Eg you want to change the user experience to tablet ui or see apps is the Google market that require a specific dpi
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

jjwatmyself said:
I'm liking this except for typing in landscape.
Ok, so I'm back on 240 DPI. It was an interesting experiment. I would not recommend 275 for a 4" screen. In general terms, dpi tends to be used to represent screen size and not pixel density. I would not recommend changing this value from stock value unless there are advantages. Eg you want to change the user experience to tablet ui or see apps is the Google market that require a specific dpi
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi and thanks for your suggestion, 275/270 was too much so I've changed to 250....it seems a little better than 240
I'm on CNA 3.6 and on Swiftkey I set "big size" on portait and "medium size" on landscape.

But i still not get it, why do not use the full potential of the screen?
The main problem of the distortion is the actual size of the icons that are not optimized for 275 dpi?

jjwatmyself said:
I'm liking this except for typing in landscape.
Ok, so I'm back on 240 DPI. It was an interesting experiment. I would not recommend 275 for a 4" screen. In general terms, dpi tends to be used to represent screen size and not pixel density. I would not recommend changing this value from stock value unless there are advantages. Eg you want to change the user experience to tablet ui or see apps is the Google market that require a specific dpi
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone know what resolution actually brings CM10 on the Atrix into tablet mode?

CdnDesires said:
Does anyone know what resolution actually brings CM10 on the Atrix into tablet mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
120
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1876790
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

240, whit other dpi some aplications crashes or get broken image

diegotalla said:
240, whit other dpi some aplications crashes or get broken image
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you are referring to apps that are not multi dpi optimized.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2

i will stick to stock dpi with a smaller font size, unlike my elders i have rather impressive eyes. while they squint at my screen im a speed demon

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 -
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"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",
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"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

Screen sharpening? Maybe it's just...

The freaking font. No seriously. The default LG font is way too thin and when displayed on a white surface is very uncomfortable to read.
I just installed Roboto font using iFont and I can no longer find any (noticeable) sharpening done on the phone.
This is not placebo. Try it yourself and be amazed! Maybe there's still a sharpening issue, somewhere. But switching the font has mostly cured it for me. Yay.

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"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
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Tried it, it's still there. It won't show up on screenshots by the way, and it's most noticeable with black text on a grey background.

scy1192 said:
Tried it, it's still there. It won't show up on screenshots by the way, and it's most noticeable with black text on a grey background.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're right. Still there. But bolder fonts make the sharpening effect a lot less annoying. I can finally use Press without poking my eyes out.

I can't wait for a fix to come out for this! As a photographer, I see a lot of beginner photographers over sharpening their pictures, giving the same effect. Now MY WHOLE PHONE DOES THIS CONSTANTLY. Just kills me.
Sent from my LG-D851 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Glad to see I'm not crazy and that people have the same issue with the phone's over-sharpening
-
We humans are capable of greatness.

Switched to Vector font (iFont). Much bolder, much better lol. Temp fix for now.

Ive had my G3 since the UK release and cant notice the whole sharpening thing everyone is on about?

leomd333 said:
Ive had my G3 since the UK release and cant notice the whole sharpening thing everyone is on about?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't either. I have 20/20 vision, maybe you need better eyes to see it, but I'm not complaining.

Semantics said:
I can't either. I have 20/20 vision, maybe you need better eyes to see it, but I'm not complaining.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have great eye sight, maybe it is affecting the crap sighted?

leomd333 said:
I have great eye sight, maybe it is affecting the crap sighted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That might be it!

Semantics said:
That might be it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha maybe we just need it pointed out to notice it. I noticed a single damn dead pixel on my first G3

It depends on the screen to be honest sometimes I'm shielding my eyes other times like this post can't see it. I am wondering if there is some algorithm running and it adapts constantly.

LBTaylor1984 said:
It depends on the screen to be honest sometimes I'm shielding my eyes other times like this post can't see it. I am wondering if there is some algorithm running and it adapts constantly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah it's definitely more noticeable when there's a grey background. Load this page up on your phone.
Also, once I got the effect to pop-in (not sure how, if I come across it again I'll definitely try to reproduce it) so it's gotta be some kind of processing unrelated to the display firmware.

Changing the font to Roboto Condensed using iFont completely solved the text sharpening issue. Even when the test of the screen has halo artifacts, the font looks fine.
As for icons and other issues with oversharpening, they too come and go for me. Sometimes the screen looks amazing, other times everything is super sharpened. I wonder if it has to do with throttling?

It's not everywhere. It'll show up in apps that have bad QHD support. I didn't have any of it in the vast majority of apps I was using, but then I ran into older apps and it suddenly appeared.

scy1192 said:
Yeah it's definitely more noticeable when there's a grey background. Load this page up on your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't notice it on that image. I notice most in the playstore.

[MOD] Galaxy Grand Screen Resolution Upgrade [Updated: 08.28.14]

UPDATED: Matched the resolution of the Galaxy S5
I was given at work a Galaxy S4 and love how great it's screen is. So I started to look into replicating the screen resolution of our Grand to match the S4. I was amazed on how much better it can be. I did see a thread in here in which using a list of apps and hacks it can be done, but I have found a simple app and launcher that can serve as a simple 1 - 2 process.
I will briefly state what I have done and the results and as time progresses (due to my lack of spare time) I will post pics and a more thorough guide.
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"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"
}
This is the configuration Samsung should have used on our devices! The quality is crisp, resembles more that Galaxy Note series in which more info is available on our screens.
REQUEST: I will be looking into Modding the Google Experience Launcher in order to fix icon problems. But I also have a temporary solution for that. I remember seeing some apk's of different Google Launcher with screen resolutions around, but I cant find them now. If you know a fix, please chime in.
THIS MOD IS FOR ROOTED DEVICES, I'm currently running this mod on COSMIC CM 4.4.4
- The first thing you will need is a simple app from the Play Store called texdroider_dpi. Once installed, set the 'New Dpi" to 220, 'Apply', then Reboot. Immediately see throught the user interface how things seems to fit our screens better, text is more easily read, and in my case, it might be a placebo effect, but things seem to even load better.
Download: texdroider Play Store
- Since the launcher is for mdpi devices, the icons on the Google Launcher will look a bit blurred and out of proportions. Since I havent taken the time to tweak for this, I went ahead and tried several launchers. Perhaps other will do, but for now I am using the ASUS ZenUI Launcher. It seems to keep the icons at proper resolutions
Download: ASUS ZenUI Launcher xda_hasher
UPDATE: I am testing different launchers, ranging from the Yahoo! Aviate to a Galaxy S5 launcher.
Now the Galaxy Grand will have the resolution of the Galaxy S5. Enjoy.
I promise to better the thread in a matter of hours and days, but in the mean time, give it a go.

nice piece of work....big difference...

bodmar said:
nice piece of work....big difference...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I know! I wish i knew this from the past. I am now testing some new launchers, I like Yahoo! Aviate because if it's simplicity and how it creates a 'page' per activity (music, morning, work, etc), and several others like Everything Me (kinda complicated) which don't distort the icons.
I will update soon my findings.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using XDA Free mobile app

220 DPI suits grand more than 180 and 240.
Thanks :good:

akiratoriyama said:
220 DPI suits grand more than 180 and 240.
Thanks :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally I keep mine at 210. It's....just...right for my needs.
Thanks for the input though...

Paul_Days said:
Personally I keep mine at 210. It's....just...right for my needs.
Thanks for the input though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Off Topic, can i ask how long is ur screen time on a regular usage on ur rom? Im guessing u are uaing cosmic. Tia

Problems with Default Browser
My default browser dosent work when i reduce the DPI to 220. any solutions?

default browser dosent work
same here My default browser dosent work when i reduce the DPI to 220. any solutions?

hardik.meisheri said:
My default browser dosent work when i reduce the DPI to 220. any solutions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
kaustubhalate said:
same here My default browser dosent work when i reduce the DPI to 220. any solutions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello Guys, I'm using Chrome Beta, I keep my ROM as clean as possible, have you tried that? I'm running DPI @ 218.....will make a little update on what I have done. I have gotten my device to look and feel like an S5.
Good Luck,
-Paul

Paul_Days said:
Hello Guys, I'm using Chrome Beta, I keep my ROM as clean as possible, have you tried that? I'm running DPI @ 218.....will make a little update on what I have done. I have gotten my device to look and feel like an S5.
Good Luck,
-Paul
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Chrome makes device too much slow and it hangs frequently.

hardik.meisheri said:
My default browser dosent work when i reduce the DPI to 220. any solutions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
@kaustubhalate Use App Settings Xposed Module and set the Brower DPI to 240 and Screen Resolution to 480x854. Click Save. U r done. Links below.
Xposed Installer:- http://repo.xposed.info/module/de.robv.android.xposed.installer
App Settings Module:- http://repo.xposed.info/module/de.robv.android.xposed.mods.appsettings

Thanks
I set it to 210 Firefox is working and Nova launcher seems fine

My DPI - 180 always.. Seems perfect. See my screenshot.
Sent from my GT-I9082 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

does this work on cosmic cm only??

#Prototype said:
does this work on cosmic cm only??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll work on any KitKat ROM.

akiratoriyama said:
It'll work on any KitKat ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
is cyanogenmod's default launcher compatible with 210/220 dpi? if not then can we only use asus zen ui ryt now?? also any effect on battery life?? plz help!!

#Prototype said:
is cyanogenmod's default launcher compatible with 210/220 dpi? if not then can we only use asus zen ui ryt now?? also any effect on battery life?? plz help!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The default launcher will show blurred icons and I dunno about battery life.