Samsung’s 806 ppi AMOLED, to Synergize both VR and Smartphone

SDC`s 806 ppi OLED Panel for VR

Hyunjoo Kang / jjoo@olednet.com

Samsung Display’s recently revealed 5.5 inch 806 ppi AMOLED is expected to contribute to the expansion of the global VR (virtual reality) market as well as providing synergy for both Samsung Electronics’ future VR and smartphone business.

In SID 2016 (22-27 May), Samsung Display revealed 5.5 inch AMOLED with resolution of 806 ppi. This 4K UHD display has the highest resolution for 5 inch mark AMOLED in industry.

The response speed of AMOLED is approximately 1,000 times faster than LCD and can actualize much superior picture quality due to exceptional contrast ratio. The reduced amount of harmful blue light is also another merit of AMOLED, and it is becoming the general trend for display for VR display.

Even at the same resolution, the visual effects for smartphone and VR device are different. For example, 577 ppi QHD resolution applied to Galaxy S7 can actualize quite clear picture quality for smartphone. However, when the display is directly in front of the eyes, in cases of VR, aliasing effects, when what is on the screen looks jagged, occurs. In order to produce clear picture quality with almost no aliasing effects in VR, expert believe that 1,500 ppi is required at minimum. However, the current VR AMOLED only can actualize up to high 500 mark ppi.

That Samsung Display displayed AMOLED with resolution of over 800 ppi for the first time should be noted. With this resolution, aliasing in VR can be significantly improved even if not perfectly. Furthermore, this AMOLED has the same brightness as the Samsung’s Galaxy S7. Considering the production yield improvement, this display could be used for Galaxy S8 (TBA) that is expected to be released in 2017. For VR device connected to smartphone, smartphone’s resolution is directly related to the VR’s picture quality. This means that the Samsung’s 806 ppi 5.5 inch AMOLED allows for UHD smartphone production as well as the introduction of VR with upgraded picture quality.

UBI Research explained that while some believe that ultra-high resolution is not necessary in small screen such as smartphone, the 4K UHD 5.5 inch AMOLED is significant in that smartphone is linked with VR which market is being opened. He added that the 806 ppi AMOLED recently revealed in SID 2016 by Samsung will contribute to the expansion of the global VR market as well as providing synergy for both Samsung Electronics’ future VR and smartphone business.