What is it that gives the depth on Apple screens?

Gangster · 6 Apr 2022 at 08:45

Hi all,

Just wondering what is it that gives the depth on the screens of Apple products.

I've got IPS Dell Monitors and none of them come close to an Apple display (laptop, iMac or even phone)... what is it that gives Apple screens its depth (that's the best way I can describe it). Colours are so vibrant.

Don't get me wrong, the Dells are great compared to say a TN Panel... but when compared to an Apple screen it makes them look washed out in comparison.

From what I have seen in person, nothing competes with the Apple screens... is there anything that does and I haven't noticed?

MrRockliffe · 6 Apr 2022 at 09:49

Gangster said:
Hi all,

Just wondering what is it that gives the depth on the screens of Apple products.

I've got IPS Dell Monitors and none of them come close to an Apple display (laptop, iMac or even phone)... what is it that gives Apple screens its depth (that's the best way I can describe it). Colours are so vibrant.

Don't get me wrong, the Dells are great compared to say a TN Panel... but when compared to an Apple screen it makes them look washed out in comparison.

From what I have seen in person, nothing competes with the Apple screens... is there anything that does and I haven't noticed?

They’re glossy and often laminated to the front glass.

KompuKare · 6 Apr 2022 at 10:00

MrRockliffe said:
They’re glossy and often laminated to the front glass.

And since I hate reflections on my screens, any Apple screen is an automatic no from me!

MrRockliffe · 6 Apr 2022 at 10:16

KompuKare said:
And since I hate reflections on my screens, any Apple screen is an automatic no from me!

Even the nano textured ones? They’re great at diffusing light, and look more like a matte screen but with similar colour and contrast as a glossy screen :-)

KompuKare · 6 Apr 2022 at 10:33

MrRockliffe said:
Even the nano textured ones? They’re great at diffusing light, and look more like a matte screen but with similar colour and contrast as a glossy screen

Okay, maybe. Haven't seen those but Apple's stuff is also too proprietary and usually has carefully planned obsolescence (despite the waffle on Apple.com/green or whatever their page is) for me.

MrRockliffe · 6 Apr 2022 at 10:41

KompuKare said:
Okay, maybe. Haven't seen those but Apple's stuff is also too proprietary and usually has carefully planned obsolescence (despite the waffle on Apple.com/green or whatever their page is) for me.

Their planned obsolescence is at least better than the unplanned one for android devices.

You could easily pick up an iPhone 8 now, and it would be quick and speedy, not to mention it’s still receiving iOS updates.

Know which Samsung device came out in 2017? The Galaxy S8, which last received a major OS in 2019, and it was never that quick to begin with.

You can argue against Apple all you want, but the reality is, their devices are supported for longer than other manufacturers, and typically offer better software/hardware integration.

Irish_Tom · 6 Apr 2022 at 10:41

MrRockliffe said:
Even the nano textured ones? They’re great at diffusing light, and look more like a matte screen but with similar colour and contrast as a glossy screen

Reviews of the nano texture say that it reduces sharpness compared to the glossy screens, so I think the gloss finish has a lot to do with it.

ChrisD. · 6 Apr 2022 at 10:47

KompuKare said:
usually has carefully planned obsolescence

What utter tripe.

MrRockliffe · 6 Apr 2022 at 10:52

Irish_Tom said:
Reviews of the nano texture say that it reduces sharpness compared to the glossy screens, so I think the gloss finish has a lot to do with it.

It will do, since it scatters the light hitting the display, but it will slightly diffuse light going through it.

Similar to how a diffused light source will make shadows appear softer.

I’m okay with that trade off though as my display is right next to a window :-)

Feek · 6 Apr 2022 at 10:56

Let's leave any obsolescence out of the thread please, generally I don't mind things drifting off topic but this is just too far away from the subject.

HACO · 6 Apr 2022 at 10:59

Three things:

It's glass front panel instead of plastic.
It's glossy rather than matte.
The panel itself is laminated to the front glass, they're not separate like most other screens.

The lamination is the most important one, it makes the pixel feel like they're part of the glass, or on the glass, rather than behind it.

IIRC laminating a 27" panel it should add about $100 to the production cost (including the cost of the glass), which is why you don't see it in the price competitive PC monitor market, Apple can just add that to the cost.

Irish_Tom said:
Reviews of the nano texture say that it reduces sharpness compared to the glossy screens, so I think the gloss finish has a lot to do with it.

Yeah. Nano texture glass takes away the glossy part. It's still glass, and still laminated, but takes away contrast and sharpness. It's still better than the typical plastic matte display. But in the end it's not as good as the glossy option.

ChocAndGray · 7 Apr 2022 at 10:12

As others have said the glossy glass screen is what gives the perception of depth when compared to a matte screen.

Raymond Lin · 7 Apr 2022 at 10:16

It's the glossy screen, it's the same when you print photos. If you want better colours and contrast, print glossy.

Broken Hope · 8 Apr 2022 at 13:06

Most Apple screens also support P3 colour which means they support more colours so could also explain more vibrant colours.

Apple screens are also factory calibrated.

Gangster · 12 Apr 2022 at 20:07

Ah ok, I take it there are no Windows alternatives that compete with the look? I suspect it has something to do with the 5K and the PPI too?

Bluecube · 12 Apr 2022 at 20:33

You can use an Apple monitors with Windows. They’re just monitors after all.

Gangster · 14 Apr 2022 at 13:12

Bluecube said:
You can use an Apple monitors with Windows. They’re just monitors after all.

Yeah I guess the Apple Studio is an option now at least. Any cheaper alternatives though with that same look I am talking about? I'd guess not but worth asking.

HACO · 14 Apr 2022 at 13:17

Gangster said:
Yeah I guess the Apple Studio is an option now at least. Any cheaper alternatives though with that same look I am talking about? I'd guess not but worth asking.

The non-Apple display market is highly competitive, so they cut costs above all else. It's very difficult to find glass/aluminium monitors or laminated screens or even 5K resolution. They'd prefer to stick a worthless HDR400 sticker on the package and call it HDR.

Studio display works well on Windows, you do need a thunderbolt port or adapters, and you won't get all the features, especially brightness adjustment (there are workarounds).