Display

As the primary mode of interaction with the phone, the display is one of the most important areas of evaluation. Of course, the methods of evaluation can be hotly debated. There is a great deal of subjectivity in this area in terms of what someone prefers. However, for the sake of color calibration our tests follow world-wide standards instead of personal preference one way or another. This means that we use the sRGB gamut and 2.2 gamma, which most content is adapted to. While AdobeRGB and other gamuts exist, these are for limited use cases and only applicable to operating systems that are aware of multiple gamuts and can dynamically switch between them depending upon the metadata of the content. In order to accurately test for how well a display conforms to these standards, we use SpectraCal’s CalMAN 5 along with a spectrophotometer for accurate color readings.

For those that are unfamiliar with the display of the iPhone 6 and Apple’s key marketing points on this new model, the improvements are mostly centered on higher resolution, contrast, and better viewing angles. In terms of higher resolution the iPhone 6 moves from the 1136x640 pixels of the iPhone 5/5s generation to 1334x750 pixels. However, this doesn’t improve the pixel density, which remains at 326 pixels per inch.

In practice, I definitely continue to notice the difference in resolution when using the iPhone 6 as opposed to the higher pixel density iPhone 6 Plus and the various Android smartphones with 450+ PPI displays. I definitely don’t find the resolution to be a problem though, as these issues only become significant to me below 300 PPI. I do think that around 450 to 500 PPI is the right place to be when balancing pixel density and power, but Apple’s choice should pay off in the form of better power consumption especially because LED backlights rapidly lose efficiency near the highest current region.

The other issue at hand is that of viewing angles. While Apple is one of the first to really talk about dual domain pixels, this technique is rather commonly used to improve viewing angles. The result is that a pair of pixels will appear to be a chevron, and overall the pixels appear to be squiggly in nature. While this doesn’t really change the readability of the display at extreme angles, colors like white no longer have noticeable red/yellow/blue shifts depending upon the angle that the display is shifted at.

This is definitely noticeable in everyday use, as the iPhone 5s could only avoid color shifting at certain angles instead of every angle. As I predicted in the launch article though, the one caveat seems to be that black has a noticeable shift towards purple in certain angles. There's also a noticeable hatching on close examination, but this doesn't affect image quality. This is definitely better than what I see on AMOLED though, as while AMOLED has much better brightness stability the color shifting is far more obvious and significant.

Display - Max Brightness

Display - Black Levels

Display - Contrast Ratio

Now that we’ve covered the other two, we can talk about contrast. For this test, we measure brightness of 100% white and black at maximum display brightness, and look at the ratio. While we’re looking into getting patterns that can’t be defeated by dynamic contrast/backlight this should give an idea of best case contrast. In this case, peak brightness is on the high side at 560 nits, with relatively low black brightness at about a third of a nit. The result is one of the best contrast ratios I’ve ever seen. While the HTC One (M7) has a 1743:1 contrast ratio in our tests, some testing I’ve done indicates that the true contrast ratio is realistically around that of the One (M8). I’m not quite sure how this was done, but Apple stated that a new deposition process was used for the liquid crystals. This, along with changes to the liquid crystals themselves, could be responsible for the improved contrast.

Display - White Point

Display - Grayscale Accuracy

The next part to talk about is grayscale, which is an area where Apple seemed to prefer bluer color balances. I don’t really have much to pick at here, because the level of calibration here is incredible. While there is a noticeable trend of overshooting red at the low end and undershooting red at the high end, this is nitpicking at best. At any rate, this is essentially perfect.

Display - Saturation Accuracy

Our next test is the saturation sweep, which tests each primary and secondary color for accuracy in hue and luminance. While it’s true that humans can be relatively insensitive to differences in saturation, it is all too common to see OEMs artificially compress saturations to have vivid colors and be able to claim that they have an accurate display because it matches the sRGB gamut. In this test, the iPhone 6 sets a new record. I really don’t have any objections here because a dE2000 value of 1.19 is a deviation that is almost impossible to notice.

Display - GMB Accuracy

The final test is the Gretag MacBeth ColorChecker, which tests various hues and is usually one of the hardest tests to perform well in. In this regard, the iPhone 6 once again sets a new record for accuracy. This display is effectively calibrated to sRGB, and one would be hard pressed to find a significant deviation when compared to a reference monitor.

Overall, it’s hard to find any criticism for this display. I would normally be incredibly suspicious to see these numbers on a smartphone, but the fact that there’s a hot pixel in the center of the display suggests to me that this was not a cherry-picked unit. The fact that I find this level of calibration to be suspicious speaks volumes about how good this display is. While contrast isn't AMOLED levels of black, there are no purple smearing effects, noticeable uneven luminance near black, or any other idiosyncrasies.

Battery Life and Charge Time Camera: Still Image Performance
Comments Locked

531 Comments

View All Comments

  • annah_souls - Tuesday, October 28, 2014 - link

    Yes, it's my money and I have a lot of them to buy as much as iPhone as I like. If you don't satisfy Apple product, you may not but $2000 handbag also. Pity you to yell Apple "The world is not fair!" LOL
  • Donkey2008 - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link

    People with intelligence don't buy purely on specs, which it seems 100% of Android owners do. I can just picture you like the many Android fanboys I have met....."Deeeerp, it has foure cores witch iz twice as mony as en iPhone so itz twice as fast, Deeeerrp".

    Enjoy your clunky, resource-hog, half-baked Google OS, your extremely inefficient hot-and-crispy quad-core space heater SOC (which has to be throttled by Android so the phone doesn't melt LULZ) and premium plastic-wrapped junk.
  • leonhk1 - Wednesday, October 29, 2014 - link

    Hi,
    I have stock of Brand New Apple iPhone 6 - 64GB Unlocked phones for sale at $650 only, sealed in box with 1 year warranty. Available in Gold , silver and space grey colors

    Interested buyer should E-mail me at: megas83@yahoo.co.uk
  • iphone 3 - Friday, October 31, 2014 - link

    I am wondering if you guys have similar analysis for ipad air 2 A8x
  • odedia - Tuesday, November 4, 2014 - link

    Please check the NAND differences between the 64gb model and the 128gb model. It appears the 128gb model uses TLC and not MLC.
  • curiosity - Thursday, November 6, 2014 - link

    output power / voltage: per channel or combined?
  • sellcheapli - Monday, November 24, 2014 - link

    Apple iPhone 6 - Plus 4G 16GB , 64GB , 128GB (Grey,Silver,Gold) ... $600
  • sellcheapli - Monday, November 24, 2014 - link

    Apple iPhone 6 - Plus 4G 16GB , 64GB , 128GB (Grey,Silver,Gold) ... $600

    Apple iPhone 6 - 16GB , 64GB , 128GB (Grey,Silver,Gold) ... $500

    Message : sellcheaplimited@gmail.com
  • Apple_iPhone_Service - Thursday, April 30, 2015 - link

    http://www.iphoneservicecenterchennai.co

    Find the best Iphone Service center in your area in Chennai & Bangalore

    iphone service center in Anna Nagar | iphone service center in Mogappair | iphone service center in Thirumangalam | iphone service center in Perambur | iphone service center in Egmore | iphone service center in Kilpauk | iphone service center in Aminjikarai | iphone service center in Koyambedu | iphone service center in Kodambakkam | iphone service center in Nungambakkam | iphone service center in TNagar | iphone service center in Royepettah | iphone service center in Mylapore | iphone service center in Teynampet | iphone service center in Saidapet | iphone service center in Guindy | iphone service center in Ashok Nagar | iphone service center in KK Nagar | iphone service center in Saligramam | iphone service center in Virugambakkam | iphone service center in Chrompet | iphone service center in Pallavaram | iphone service center in Tambaram | iphone service center in Velachery | iphone service center in Thiruvanmiyur | iphone service center in Adyar | iphone service center in OMR | iphone service center in ECR | iphone service center in Medavakkam | iphone service center in Madipakkam | iphone service center in Perumbakkam | iphone service center in Pallikaranai | iphone service center in Sholinganallur | iphone service center in Gopalapuram | iphone service center in Besant Nagar | iphone service center in Washermenpet | iphone service center in Broadway | iphone service center in Purusawalkam
    iphone service center in koramangala | iphone service center in jayanagar | iphone service center in jp nagar|iphone service center in btm | iphone service center in ulsoor | iphone service center in kammanahali | iphone service center in cox town \ iphone service center in frazer town | iphone service center in mathikere | iPhone Service Center in kempapura | iphone service center in marathalli | iphone service center in hsr | iphone service center in electronic city | iphone service center in sg playa | iphone service center in Bellandur | iphone service center in Domlur | iphone service center in Malleswaram | iphone service center in Rajajinagar | iphone service center in majestic | iphone service center in forum mall | iphone service center in Sony world signal | iphone service center in echo space | iphone service center in forum mall | iphone service center in Whitefield

    We provide wide-range of Hardware & Software services for all branded smartphones and tablets including brands like APPLE, SAMSUNG, HTC, SONY, LG, MOTOROLA, MICROMAX, LENOVO etc. can recover the smartphone devices from any sort of problems like physical damage, Water lock and replacing the core components like Display , IC's, Front and Rear Camera components and other hardware/software issues.
    Training
    Topics Discus under Training Program:
    Soldering, De-soldering of components, Check of voltages in a battery of a mobile phone, Use of SMD reworks station, Triggering of batteries, Assembling & disassembling of mobile phones, Chip level servicing of components: Power amplifiers (pf), audio IC (Cobba), CPU (Mad), Power supply IC (Cont), Charging Control IC (Chaps). Rf Signal Processor IC (Hagar). Also well versed with SMD components replacement (Capacitors, Diodes Resistors, and LED’s). Rebelling & repair of ball grade array ICs (BGA).
    Hardware Complaint Service Training:
    Mobile Complaints: Dead, network, display problem, keypad problem, display light problem, keypad light problem, touchpad problem, sensor problem, head phone jack problem, speaker problem, mic problem, ringer problem, charging problem, Bluetooth problem, wifi problem, camera problem, volume button problem, camera button problem, on off switch problem, strip problem, fm problem, network problem, dead, water lock, hanging problem, handset off problem, restart issue
    Software Complaint Service Training:
    Phone unlock, pattern lock, vibrator problem, navigation key problem, Contact service, hanging, partial dead, network, unlocking, Flashing various software like USR, twister, tornado, griffin, UFS, Uni Box for color, camera, blue tooth, infrared enabled mobile phones of Nokia, Samsung, Panasonic, Ericson, Sony, Siemens, LG, Motorola and many more
    Motherboard Complaint Service Training:
    Ic (integrated circuit), Smd ic (leg type), bga ic (ball type)capacitor, Resister ,transistor, filter, fuse, diode, power crystal, clock crystal connector, battery connector ,usb jack, charging jack, head phone chack, inner key pad, vibrator ,speaker, mic, ringer

    Koramangala 5th block
    no 75/8,kristal prestige 4th floor, idea show room upstairs,opp to bhima jewellers,
    koramangala industrial layout, 5th block, 7026604420/ 7026604423

    Koramangala 7th block
    no 340, maruthi plaza,1st b cross,koramangala 7th block
    opp to forum road,behind A2B, 08041521112

    Koramangala 1st Block
    no 16,vijith plaza,80ft road,koramangala 1st block
    opp to reliance fresh, 08041521115

    jayanagar 4th block
    Diamond Arcade,no 21,east 11th main,32nd d cross,jayanagar 4th block
    opp to kalamandir & mom and me,near cool joint signal
    08041521113

    jayanagar 9th block
    no 1339,41st cross,25th main,jayanagar 9th block
    opp to central mall road,behind jain college,next to himalaya store
    08041521110/

    Banashankari 1st stage
    no 5,Sln complex,80 ft road,srinivasa nagar circle,banashankari 1st stage
    near bata showroom
    08041521119

    Banashankari 2nd stage
    no31, 21st main road, near bda complex,banashankari 2nd stage
    near goli vada pav
    08049570768 / 9980090798

    Rajajinagar 6th block
    no 246,Dr.Rajkumar Road,Rajajinagar 6th block
    next to nea albek hotel & sangeetha mobile showroom
    08041521116

    Malleswaram
    no 10,2nd main,sampige main road.near mantri mall,
    opp to albek hotel,below to samsung show room
    malleswaram, 08041474313

    Mathikere
    28/3, Sai Shekar complex,H.M.T Main Road, Beside Subbaiah Hospital
    08041573366 / 9611269682

    Kempapura
    Door no-3, 21st main road, sri Rajeshwari New Colony, Hebbal,
    Kempapura Main Road, Bangalore
    08042103355 / 9611269682

    ulsoor
    no 49&50, guru gowtham complex,SV road,next to metro station,
    below to manak jewellers , ulsoor, 08041520642

    Domlur
    no 11,service road,old airport road,next to hyundai showroom,befor sony show room
    domlur in towards mg road, 08041103602

    Frazer town
    no 64/1, concord plaza, coles road, frazer town, near shanthi sagar hotel
    08041105150

    Kammanahalli
    no 17,mathu mansion,kammanahalli circle near,opp to ganesha temple
    below to liberty showroom, 08041103592

    BTM
    no 746,Tayapa towers,13th main,7th cross,near udupi garden,opp to dominas,icici,peter england
    below to mumbai kitchen , 08041500208

    HSR
    no 2580, 27th main, 13th cross,next to PHD
    08049530063

    Bellandur
    No 71/1a,opp to swarnamukhi hospital,univercell upster,sarjapura main road
    next to bellandur total mall, 08042060460

    Jp Nagar 7th Phase
    no 243, Brigate Apartment signal opposite, jp nagar 7th phase
    08040958575

    Marathahalli
    No: 35/1B, CRM SOWBHAGYA ANNEXE, Shop No.2,Varthur Main Road,
    marathahalli bridge next,Munnekolala,
    08065304422,09043888404

    VV puram

    Anna nagar
    no 18, TNSCB shopping complex,near jsp honda showroom,
    thirumangalam junction water tank,anna nagar west,
    04430069841

    Velachery
    no 25,sambantham garden,100ft road tharamani link road,opp to karaikudi hotel near TCS
    velachery, 04442139797

    OMR(thoraipakkam)
    no 64/4, sri vidhya avenue,omr ptc main road,opp to kfc restaurant
    04465668880

    Anna nagar-2
    Muva’s arcade,C52/4,anna nagar east,near chinthamani roundana circle, opp to girias
    chennai-600102
    04449539191

    T-Nagar

    No 2 ,North usman Road,Kodambakkam Road Junction ,Near Motherhood T-nagar,
    below Mallika mansion Chennai-17
    04443527474

    apple iphone service center in abu dhabi
    apple iphone service center in abu dhabi
    iphone service center in abu dhabi
    apple iphone service center in dubai
    apple iphone authorized service center in dubai
    apple iphone authorised service centre in dubai
    apple iphone service center in dubai
    apple iphone authorized service center in dubai
    apple iphone authorised service centre in dubai
    apple iphone authorized service center in dubai
    apple iphone authorised service centre in dubai
    iphone service center in bur dubai
    iphone service center in deira dubai
    iphone service dubai
    iphone service dubai
    iphone service center dubai
    iphone service in dubai
    apple iphone service center uae
    apple iphone service centre uae
    apple iphone service center uae
    apple iphone service centre uae
    apple iphone service center dubai
    apple iphone service center in uae
    apple iphone service centre in uae
  • raj parihar - Tuesday, November 3, 2015 - link

    mcf doesn't have any Multiply operations. In A8, its benefiting from a better (tuned) prefetcher possibly with negative (-3 or -1) stride.

Log in

Don't have an account? Sign up now