Evaluating the Quality of Light Emitted by Smartphone Displays

The increased use of smartphones in daily life challenges researchers regarding the quality of light emitted by screens. This study aims to analyze displays’ qualitative and quantitative light parameters from various smartphone models available on the market over the last decade. Advanced photometri...

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Main Authors: Nina Piechota, Krzysztof Skarżyński, Kamil Kubiak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-05-01
Series:Applied Sciences
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6119
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author Nina Piechota
Krzysztof Skarżyński
Kamil Kubiak
author_facet Nina Piechota
Krzysztof Skarżyński
Kamil Kubiak
author_sort Nina Piechota
collection DOAJ
description The increased use of smartphones in daily life challenges researchers regarding the quality of light emitted by screens. This study aims to analyze displays’ qualitative and quantitative light parameters from various smartphone models available on the market over the last decade. Advanced photometric and colorimetric measurements using complex instrumentation were performed. It covered the color gamut, channel linearity response, refresh rate, flickering, spatial radiation distribution, luminance, uniformity, and static contrast. The analysis showed that, despite advances in smartphone display technology, differences in visible radiation parameters between older and newer models are surprisingly marginal. However, improvements were observed in newer models in terms of viewing angles and compliance with the sRGB standard. Tested built-in blue light reduction filters were ineffective. It only slightly reduces light between 380 nm and 480 nm. In contrast, much higher decreases in this spectral range were achieved for dedicated applications. However, it lowered radiant power density across the visible spectrum, significantly decreasing the displays’ correlated color temperature. Enabling the power-saving mode caused the deterioration of parameters such as refresh rate, but the flicker depth remained constant. Static contrast for most tested devices was also at the same level. The findings confirm the need for further studies on display technology development that supports user well-being while minimizing its harmful effects.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-3417
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spelling doaj-art-d4143fe816e94e4f8262768e5d75b45b2025-08-20T03:46:52ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011511611910.3390/app15116119Evaluating the Quality of Light Emitted by Smartphone DisplaysNina Piechota0Krzysztof Skarżyński1Kamil Kubiak2Lighting Technology Division, Electrical Power Engineering Institute, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, PolandLighting Technology Division, Electrical Power Engineering Institute, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, PolandLighting Technology Division, Electrical Power Engineering Institute, Warsaw University of Technology, Koszykowa 75, 00-662 Warsaw, PolandThe increased use of smartphones in daily life challenges researchers regarding the quality of light emitted by screens. This study aims to analyze displays’ qualitative and quantitative light parameters from various smartphone models available on the market over the last decade. Advanced photometric and colorimetric measurements using complex instrumentation were performed. It covered the color gamut, channel linearity response, refresh rate, flickering, spatial radiation distribution, luminance, uniformity, and static contrast. The analysis showed that, despite advances in smartphone display technology, differences in visible radiation parameters between older and newer models are surprisingly marginal. However, improvements were observed in newer models in terms of viewing angles and compliance with the sRGB standard. Tested built-in blue light reduction filters were ineffective. It only slightly reduces light between 380 nm and 480 nm. In contrast, much higher decreases in this spectral range were achieved for dedicated applications. However, it lowered radiant power density across the visible spectrum, significantly decreasing the displays’ correlated color temperature. Enabling the power-saving mode caused the deterioration of parameters such as refresh rate, but the flicker depth remained constant. Static contrast for most tested devices was also at the same level. The findings confirm the need for further studies on display technology development that supports user well-being while minimizing its harmful effects.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6119lightphotometrycolorimetrysmartphonedisplayLCD
spellingShingle Nina Piechota
Krzysztof Skarżyński
Kamil Kubiak
Evaluating the Quality of Light Emitted by Smartphone Displays
Applied Sciences
light
photometry
colorimetry
smartphone
display
LCD
title Evaluating the Quality of Light Emitted by Smartphone Displays
title_full Evaluating the Quality of Light Emitted by Smartphone Displays
title_fullStr Evaluating the Quality of Light Emitted by Smartphone Displays
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the Quality of Light Emitted by Smartphone Displays
title_short Evaluating the Quality of Light Emitted by Smartphone Displays
title_sort evaluating the quality of light emitted by smartphone displays
topic light
photometry
colorimetry
smartphone
display
LCD
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6119
work_keys_str_mv AT ninapiechota evaluatingthequalityoflightemittedbysmartphonedisplays
AT krzysztofskarzynski evaluatingthequalityoflightemittedbysmartphonedisplays
AT kamilkubiak evaluatingthequalityoflightemittedbysmartphonedisplays