Understanding TFT vs LED Display Screen: Which Technology is Better?

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Electronic displays used in computers, TVs, and smartphones include TFT (Thin Film Transistor) and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) technologies. TFT is found in various forms, ranging from Graphics LCD displays to 240*128 COG Displays, manufactured by companies like Sinda Display and DWIN. In this article, we will explore the comparison between TFT and LED display screen to determine which one is better.

TFT, or Thin Film Transistor

It is a technology used in premium LCD displays. Each pixel in TFT-based displays has its own transistor, which results in brighter displays and smoother motion by enabling quicker on/off switching of the electrical current that illuminates the display. TFT LCD displays are known as “active-matrix” displays, offering superior quality compared to older “passive-matrix” LCDs. Therefore, if you come across a TFT AMLCD monitor at your local computer store, it refers to a thin-film transistor active-matrix liquid crystal display, representing a top-notch flat-screen display.

LED, or Light-Emitting Diode

It is commonly used as a source of illumination in various electronic devices, including mobile phones and large advertising billboards. When an electric current passes through an LED, it emits light. LEDs control the direction of current flow, allowing it to emit light only in one direction. P-n junctions in LEDs are highly doped, and when forward-biased, they emit colored light at specific spectral wavelengths based on the semiconductor material and level of doping. LEDs are enclosed with a transparent cover to allow the emitted light to escape.

TFT display technology works by sandwiching a liquid crystal material between two glass plates in a TFT LCD display. The amount of light passing through and the colors produced are controlled by polarizer filters, color filters (such as RGB), and alignment layers. Each pixel in an active matrix TFT display is connected to a transistor and capacitor, allowing the sub-pixels to maintain their charge without the need for frequent electrical charge transfer during updates.

The TFT layer controls the flow of light, the color is displayed through a color filter, and the screen is housed in the top layer. The molecular structure of the liquid crystal material can be modified by an electrical charge, allowing different backlight wavelengths to pass through. The active matrix of the TFT display constantly changes and refreshes based on the signal from the control device. The resolution of TFT displays depends on the density of the color matrix and TFT arrangement, with higher pixel counts allowing for more detailed displays. Unlike OLED displays, TFT screens require a separate LCD display backlight to produce the image.

The main difference between TFT and LED lies in the backlighting.

TFT LCD displays use CCFL (cool compound fluorescent lamp) for backlighting, while LED displays use LEDs. LED displays consume less power compared to TFT displays, as LEDs are more energy-efficient than CCFL. In LED monitors, the LEDs are positioned next to the screen’s edges, which can sometimes result in brighter corners compared to the center. LED displays typically use blue LEDs coated with phosphorus to appear white, and the composition of this coating can vary, affecting the color tone displayed by different manufacturers.

TFT LCD displays offer several benefits over other display types, such as CRT and Plasma. They have a lightweight and thin design, making them suitable for mobile phones, laptops, LCD TVs, computer monitors, and handheld devices. TFT LCDs are energy-efficient and reasonably priced, which contributes to their popularity in the display industry. Passive matrix LCD technology, which was widely used before the development of TFT displays, is limited to monochrome displays, while TFT LCDs provide vibrant colors.

In conclusion, TFT panels are commonly used in low-end phones but are less prevalent in mid-range and high-end devices due to their plastic feel. However, as TFT technology advances, it may be implemented in more expensive gadgets. TFT displays offer higher quality components compared to typical LCD displays, resulting in crisper, brighter, and faster-refreshing screens. Campus Component provides a wide variety of TFT panels from trusted manufacturers like Sinda Display and DWIN, including Graphics LCD displays, COB LCD displays, TFT displays, OLED display modules, character displays, and more. Visit Campus Component today to explore and place your orders.