Sharp starts mass production of 5-inch 1080p displays for smartphones

cymatty · 1 Oct 2012 at 19:32

Sharp is starting "full-scale" production of a new 5-inch 1080p display for smartphones that has an incredible pixel density of 443ppi. The company announced today that manufacturing started late last month, and it will ramp up production through October. The new display will apparently feature "a new pixel design," which has yet to be detailed, and will be 1.3 times denser than Sharp's own industry-leading 4.3-inch 720p display.

A few companies have demoed 5-inch displays in the past, but this is the first to enter full production. The only 1080p phone announced so far is the Oppo Finder 5, although rumors of a 5-inch HTC superphone continue. With Sharp cutting thousands of jobs amidst huge losses, it will be hoping that its new display, coupled with a deal to provide Apple with iPhone 5 displays, will help it to recover from its ongoing financial crisis. Sharp will be showing off the 5-inch display at the CEATEC trade show this week in Japan, and we'll be live from the show floor to bring you a closer look.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/1/3...tion-of-5-inch-1080p-displays-for-smartphones

Impressive, I wonder which phones we will find these and how long it will take Samsung to catch up.

cu3ed · 1 Oct 2012 at 20:01

Is their any physical way you are going to be able to see the effect of 1080p on such a small screen?

Dano · 1 Oct 2012 at 20:09

Must be fast approaching the point (if not already past it) where even people with utterly perfect vision wont be able to see the difference at a normal viewing distance surely?

cymatty · 1 Oct 2012 at 20:23

http://www.cultofmac.com/173702/why-retina-isnt-enough-feature/

According to that article true ppi for "retina" (god I hate that term) would be around 800-900ppi so a way to go yet. :cool:

insane200 · 1 Oct 2012 at 20:26

I guess sharp are doing this to stay afloat, they are really struggling now, so probably resting their hopes on a 1080p display.

don't really see the point my self, 720p is enough for a screen that small.

ultim · 1 Oct 2012 at 20:43

insane200 said:
I guess sharp are doing this to stay afloat, they are really struggling now, so probably resting their hopes on a 1080p display.

don't really see the point my self, 720p is enough for a screen that small.

We don't need it but we want it

kona786 · 1 Oct 2012 at 20:44

Pure eye candy is all it is. I'm not against it.

Fallen god · 1 Oct 2012 at 21:03

Nice tech, but the battery life is going to be lame, needs nice powerful GPU, something at least as good as the current iPhone/iPad. Overall I think the tech should be saved for another year or 2, right now 720p is great, also 5" is really pushing it.

Rimsy · 1 Oct 2012 at 21:19

cymatty said:
http://www.cultofmac.com/173702/why-retina-isnt-enough-feature/

According to that article true ppi for "retina" (god I hate that term) would be around 800-900ppi so a way to go yet.

You mean Lord Steve lied to his minions in order to get them to give his company more money? I dont believe it.. :eek:

The $6m Dan · 1 Oct 2012 at 21:42

Fallen god said:
Nice tech, but the battery life is going to be lame, needs nice powerful GPU, something at least as good as the current iPhone/iPad. Overall I think the tech should be saved for another year or 2, right now 720p is great, also 5" is really pushing it.

It sounds like they're claiming it will be fairly energy efficient due to several layers being combined.

Engadget link

Fallen god · 1 Oct 2012 at 21:50

The $6m Dan said:
It sounds like they're claiming it will be fairly energy efficient due to several layers being combined.

Engadget link

Seems interesting, still think its gonna be a battery killer unless it comes with at least 3000mha+, I have a feeling a lot of the newer phones will go for a super thing profile.

MikeHunt79 · 1 Oct 2012 at 22:02

Fallen god said:
Nice tech, but the battery life is going to be lame, needs nice powerful GPU, something at least as good as the current iPhone/iPad. Overall I think the tech should be saved for another year or 2, right now 720p is great, also 5" is really pushing it.

I think higher pixel density screens require more powerful backlights also, which is why the iPad 3 has such a massive battery.

Fallen god · 1 Oct 2012 at 22:06

MikeHunt79 said:
I think higher pixel density screens require more powerful backlights also, which is why the iPad 3 has such a massive battery.

Yes, and I don't see many OEMs really thinking about the whole picture, instead its just lets get a uber big screen with super high res make it as thin as possible and BAM.

cymatty · 1 Oct 2012 at 22:09

Fallen god said:
Seems interesting, still think its gonna be a battery killer unless it comes with at least 3000mha+, I have a feeling a lot of the newer phones will go for a super thing profile.

Well the motorola razr max hd has one of those and it is not exactly a beastly thick phone so the tech is out there. Wether manufactures use it or not is another matter.

Fallen god · 1 Oct 2012 at 23:35

cymatty said:
Well the motorola razr max hd has one of those and it is not exactly a beastly thick phone so the tech is out there. Wether manufactures use it or not is another matter.

Yeah that is true, Samsung also tend to pack nice sized battery, just a lot of OEMs also seems to just not care so much about it and it is really tiresome you have to always carry a cable to charge your phone. Really like the idea of the razr maxx, even the razr M has a really good battery for its size, Moto really seem to care about that fact, skin is also a lot lighter now

looking like a good phone.

Bennie-Mac · 2 Oct 2012 at 04:17

I wonder if they are trying to incorporate their Quattron technology into the panels, with the magical fourth yellow pixel.