Today DisplayMate Technologies published its usual detailed analysis of Apple’s latest product releases with an in-depth review of the display technology in the new iPad mini 3 and iPad Air 2 displays.
One of the more notable improvements in the new iPad Air 2 display is the anti-reflective coating that, according to DisplayMate, “reduces ambient light reflections by about 3:1 over most other Tablets and Smartphones (including the previous iPads), and about 2:1 over all of the very best competing Tablets and Smartphones (including the new iPhone 6).”
To visually compare the difference for yourself, hold two Tablets or Smartphones side-by-side and turn off the displays so you just see the reflections. The iPad Air 2 is dramatically darker than any other existing Tablet or Smartphone. Those reflections are still there when you turn them on, and the brighter the ambient light the brighter the reflections. It’s a major innovation and a big deal with visually obvious benefits!!
Apart from the anti-reflective features of the new iPad Air 2 display, however, DisplayMate says the display performs identical to the iPad 4 and “slightly lower in performance” than the first-generation iPad Air. In its tests it found the iPad Air 2 display to have 8% lower Brightness and 16% lower display Power Efficiency compared to the original iPad Air. The report speculates it’s likely a result of comprises with the backlight in order to produce a thinner device.
One area the display didn’t perform as well compared to the competition is for Absolute Color Accuracy, according to DisplayMate.
As for the iPad mini 3, DisplayMate found it is largely unchanged from the previous generation noting that Amazon, Google, and Samsung have “excellent and significantly better mini displays” that outperform Apple’s offering:
Now, in 2014 the new iPad mini 3 still only has a 62 percent Color Gamut, plus it was denied the new enhanced anti-reflection coating and bonded cover glass of the iPad Air 2… So in addition to washed out, under saturated and distorted colors (red tomatoes, fire trucks, and Coke cans look a bit orange rather than deep red, for example) it continues with a moderately high screen Reflectance of 6.5 percent, almost triple that of its favored litter mate, which further washes out its image colors in ambient light
DisplayMate’s detailed analysis can be viewed in full here.
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In comparison with the iPad air 1, Samsung with his Galaxy Tab S, already puts Apple behind…..
Less luminosity, it is not good….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkzpbQek5_4
So, we can add display quality to the growing list of things Apple cares less about then some “spec” race in thinness.
Imagine an iPad Air 2 that was the same thickness as the last iPad Air. Better display and an industry crushing 14-15 hr battery life. Heck, it might have even had a better camera since there is a relationship between the distance separating elements and sensor.
These devices are thin enough. Apple needs to focus on making improvements in other areas.
The display is great. The battery is great. The camera is great. Volume was more important because the other features were good enough
Thinner is best. Be patient. Technology will come along that allows us to have a better screen, while thinning the form factor :)
Wow Apple. WTF is with neglecting the iPad mini?
Maybe it’s going down the road of the iPod touch? I think the iPads coming will be so thin with less/no bezel, (similar to iPhone) most will prefer full size iPad.
I’ve been checking this out at the apple store.
Personally I like the anti-glare – under some lighting conditions I’ve seen tablets where you are trying to work and all you can see in the screen is the ceiling lights and your own face (not that great)
8% less bright? So what.
Still agree with those saying we could have done without ridiculous levels of thinness and benefitted from more battery, SD slot, mute switch etc.
I almost never have my iOS deviced at maximum brightness anyway, usually they’re just under half.
The new iPad Air 2 is unrealistically light, it’s pretty incredible to hold in your hand; it feels almost empty.
I’d rather have the thinness and lighter weight over an 8% increase brightness. The one thing that amazes me is how light it feels in my hand. I am picking it up over my iPhone 6 now more and more.