AMOLED vs OLED: Which one is better?

I’m looking at Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S21, and I noticed that the company is offering a choice between AMOLED and OLED panels in the same phone.

In a world of smartphones and tablets, today there are two types of screen technology that are competing for the title of “best”. These technologies are known as “AMOLED” and “OLED”. In this article, we will attempt to explain what each of these technologies is, how they work, and what’s good and bad about them.

There’s a lot of talk about OLED and AMOLED displays lately, but what exactly is the difference between the two? We’ve got a comparison table to help!

The annoying illuminated pixelated screens we used to see on older phones and laptops have long since vanished. High-resolution, touch-capable screens are now available, and they will leave you speechless.

We’ll compare OLED and AMOLED displays in this post to help you decide which one is best for you.

Also see: MP3 versus MP4: What’s the Difference?


The technology underlying OLED and AMOLED may sound similar, but they are not the same. OLED displays, which utilize thin layers of organic components (usually glass or plastic substrates) that produce light when a current is applied to them, were the first to reach the market. As a consequence, each pixel produces its own light.

AMOLED vs OLED: Which one is better? |

AMOLED displays, on the other hand, include an extra layer of thin-film transistors (TFTs) that utilizes storage capacitors to keep the pixel state stable.

This implies that although OLED panels are simpler and less expensive to produce, AMOLED screens maintain color better. 


OLED displays have deeper blacks than AMOLEDs and are easier to see in direct sunlight, but that’s about it for their benefits. AMOLED displays, on the other hand, have a considerably higher quality display due to the extra layer of TFTs and the usage of backplane technology.

Another aspect worth mentioning is that, owing to their structure, AMOLEDs are more flexible than OLEDs. This implies that AMOLED screens are the only option for foldable devices. 

AMOLED vs OLED: Which one is better? | For foldable smartphones like the Galaxy Z Flip 3, AMOLED displays are ideal. | Source: Samsung

Finally, although OLEDs have a higher contrast ratio, they do not have the same fast refresh rates as AMOLEDs. Furthermore, although OLEDs allow for larger display sizes than LCDs, AMOLED screens do not have this restriction. 

Also see: What’s the difference between Freesync and G sync?


Due to their structure, OLEDs use much less electricity than AMOLEDs. They’re more basic in nature, and the extra TFT layer in AMOLEDs consumes more power than a standard OLED.

This implies that an OLED panel will outlast an AMOLED screen in terms of battery life. You may also consider in the fact that most AMOLED displays have a greater refresh rate and are bigger than their OLED equivalents, which reduces battery life even more. 


The differences between the two displays are summarized here.

OLED AMOLED
Larger screens are supported. There are no restrictions on the size of the display.
The number of times you may refresh might be restricted. High refresh rates are supported without issue.
It’s light on the battery. When compared to OLED screens, it consumes more energy.
Not as adaptable. Much more adaptable than OLED displays.
It’s easier to make, therefore it’s less expensive. Displays that are more costly than OLED screens.

At the end of the day, AMOLED is just a special kind of OLED display designed to perform better in certain situations. As a result, the one you choose is mostly determined by the smartphone or gadget you want in the first place.

Unless you’re knit-picking, it won’t make much of a difference, and on a daily driver, you’ll be OK with either. We recommend focusing on what you really want to accomplish with the gadget you’re buying rather than obsessing about the display technology, since they’re both very good in real-world circumstances.

Also see: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2: Key Differences

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When he’s not writing/editing/shooting/hosting all things tech, he streams himself racing virtual automobiles. Yadullah may be reached at [email protected], or you can follow him on Instagram or Twitter.

Since the early 2000s, AMOLED has been considered to be the superior type of display when compared to LCD. Formally known as Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode Display, AMOLEDs are thinner, lighter, and offer much better contrast ratios than LCDs. In the smartphone industry, the quicker response time and better color reproduction AMOLED offers has made it a popular choice in high end devices.. Read more about amoled vs oled laptop and let us know what you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is better than AMOLED?

OLED is better than AMOLED because it has better contrast.

Is AMOLED real OLED?

No, AMOLED is a different type of OLED.

What is the difference between Super AMOLED and OLED?

Super AMOLED is a type of OLED that has a higher contrast ratio.

Related Tags

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