While the technology underneath a smartphone display defines most of the experience, the hardware on top does more than relay it to you. For this reason, having a no-frills display is important, and here are four attributes that I feel are must-haves.
1 A High Refresh Rate Panel
High refresh rate panels appeared on phones when Razer launched its first smartphone in 2017. Since then, we’ve come a long way. From panels that could only swap between a static 60Hz and 120Hz to those that modulate refresh rate from 0Hz to 120Hz.
But why is this feature a must for me? A high refresh rate display makes it appear like your smartphone instantly tracks your input, improving the user experience to a point where every interaction appears silky smooth, doing away with stutters or skips.
So, be it scrolling through Instagram or Reddit or enjoying one of the best ad-free mobile games, a high refresh rate display makes the experience more satisfying. And if it’s a smartphone that uses LTPO technology, you’re also likely to have better battery endurance.
2 A Display With High “Typical” Brightness
This is a brightness spec that most smartphone manufacturers tend to leave out in favor of “peak brightness” numbers. While peak numbers tell us about the maximum brightness the display in question can reach, it’s recorded in controlled environments, something you most likely will not experience in real-world use.
For example, the Google Pixel 9 boasts a peak brightness of 2,700 nits. However, a footnote on Google’s product page clearly states it’s measured at a five percent on-pixel ratio, meaning only a small portion of the screen is active for this measurement. Its typical brightness numbers aren’t available directly.
Individual reports and reviews from trusted sources will often be your best bet to understand smartphone brightness performance, so keep an eye out for these numbers when making a purchase decision.
From my experience reviewing smartphones, any device with a typical brightness above 800 nits or a dedicated high-brightness mode—which comes into effect when auto-brightness settings are activated—that crosses this number is easy to view outdoors and won’t be a bother.
3 Protective Display Glass Technology
Now, let’s shift our focus to the glass layer on a smartphone that keeps its intricate display tech safe from harm. When shopping for a smartphone, I focus on ensuring the device I’m buying features Corning Gorilla Glass or Asahi Glass. These brands have built a legacy, and their products are available on most smartphones. In most cases, if your smartphone doesn’t have a Corning Gorilla Glass, it’s likely made by Asahi.
When it comes down to choosing between Corning’s Gorilla Glass and Asahi’s Dragontrail, I prefer the former because of the improved drop protection. Corning says its Gorilla Glass Victus 2—available on most flagship smartphones—can withstand drops of up to three meters on concrete. Asahi tends to tout its scratch protection more than drop protection.
Things are a lot simpler if you’re buying an iPhone. All models, starting with the iPhone 12, feature Apple and Corning’s co-developed Ceramic Shield, a ceramic-strengthened material that promises durability against drops and scratches, just like other Corning products.
4 High Touch Sampling Rate (Especially if You’re a Gamer)
Last on this list is the touch sampling rate. This is the frequency at which your phone’s display records your interactions—touches—with the display. The higher the sampling rate, the more sensitive the display. While this attribute is also measured in hertz (Hz), there are key differences between the refresh rate and touch sampling rate. So, make sure you don’t confuse yourself.
Coming to its primary benefit, if you’re a hardcore gamer—like I fancy myself to be—the higher the sampling rate, the faster your movements are captured for your phone to translate into the game. The positive impact of a high sampling rate will also carry forward to day-to-day use, but I don’t feel it’s too apparent there.
All in all, as long as displays remain the starting point for phone interactions, I feel it’s necessary to prioritize these attributes when purchasing a new smartphone because I’m sure none of us want a display that’s too dim on a sunny day or has a glass cover that won’t last the test of time.
