How accurate is the screen of your iPhone?

http://www.chrismarquardt.com/

Comparing the screens of two "identical" iPhones: both 3G models, both on OS 3.1, the left one is about 6 months old the right one is current.

The video is not color accurate or anything, but it's clearly visible that the screen rendition of the newer iPhone is a) warmer and b) has a different gamma curve (it is more contrasty and has a darker black point).

What does this mean? Well, first of all it means that the iPhone does have a bit of variance during production. Maybe they don't get calibrated at all, or they do get calibrated but in a way that is not totally reproducible. Or maybe the panels have production tolerances that are high enough to warrant these differences. Lots of possible reasons for this.

Is it a big deal? Not really. The iPhone is a mobile device and thus will always be subject to different light conditions, so whatever it displays will always be perceived in different ways because of its different surroundings.

Would it be nice to do a bit of proper calibration on it? Absolutely! I'm just trying to imagine a HueyPRO or a Spyder colorimeter sitting on its screen ;)

Seriously: imagine if *THAT'S* how color accurate an iPhone screen is (it isn't) how accurate can the screen on your camera be?

Conclusion: don't rely on your camera's screen for things like contrasts, color accuracy and even brightness. You'll need a calibrated screen to be somewhat on the safe side.

Chris
http://www.chrismarquardt.com/

Category:

Science & Technology

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• gamma

[MrTechtipper]

That's a cute baby

[vicnaum]

Yes, I also have two 3Gs, and two 2G - they are all different. I suppose it's due to their different age.

P.S. One guy did a calibration of iDevices :)

[47H10N]

Der größte Unterschied, ist bei den Rottönen. Blau und Grün sind weniger stark abweichend. Aber schon seltsam dass bei angeblich gleichen Bildschirmen ein deutlicher Unterschied zu sehen ist.

[thejensb04]

Einen ähnlichen Unterschied hab ich auch bei meinem iPod aus Amerika und bei einem aus Deutschland gesehen. Gibt es da einen Unterschied? Sind doch alle aus China oder?!

[gavinovz]

I can see the difference.