When you pick up your smartphone, the screen is probably the first thing you notice. The quality of that screen shapes your whole experience, from watching videos to scrolling social media or gaming. Today, the AMOLED screen is one of the hottest display technologies, especially in the latest smartphones in Malaysia for 2025. But what exactly is an AMOLED screen? And why does it matter so much for your phone? Let’s break it down in a way that’s simple, clear, and packed with useful info.
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Mae An NG chevron_right
Table of Contents
What is AMOLED Screen?
AMOLED stands for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode. Sounds technical? Let me explain. At its core, an AMOLED screen is a type of display that lights up each pixel individually. Unlike traditional screens that use a backlight shining through layers, AMOLED screens create their light per pixel using organic compounds.
Why AMOLED Matters for Smartphones
Smartphones demand screens that are bright, sharp, power-efficient, and visually striking. AMOLED screens check all those boxes and more. Here’s why they matter in 2025’s smartphones in Malaysia:
- Vivid Colors and Deep Blacks: The ability to turn pixels off completely means true blacks, making images pop with incredible contrast. This is perfect for watching Netflix or YouTube in high quality.
- Better Battery Life: AMOLED displays use less power when showing darker themes or content, helping extend battery life.
- Thinner, Flexible Displays: Allows for slim and even curved or foldable screens for sleeker smartphone designs.
- Faster Refresh Rates: Support high refresh rates (90Hz, 120Hz, or even higher) for scrolling and gaming smoothly.
How AMOLED Screen Works
Each pixel on an AMOLED display is made up of organic materials that emit light when electricity passes through them. The active matrix system controls the flow of electricity precisely, switching pixels on and off instantly. This is different from LCDs, which rely on a backlight shining through liquid crystals. Because of this, AMOLED screens are generally brighter, more colorful, and more energy-efficient.
AMOLED Screen vs Other Display Technologies
When choosing a smartphone, display technology is key. Let’s compare AMOLED screens with other popular types:
|
Display Technology |
Description |
Key Features |
Common Brands / Models |
Advantages |
Drawbacks |
|
AMOLED |
Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode. Each pixel lights up individually. |
Deep blacks, vibrant colors, energy efficient |
Most flagship Android phones |
True blacks, thin & flexible, good contrast |
More expensive than LCD |
|
Super AMOLED |
Samsung’s enhanced AMOLED with an integrated touch layer |
Better sunlight visibility, more responsive touch |
Samsung Galaxy A and S series |
Improved brightness & touch response |
Slightly more costly to produce |
|
OLED |
Organic Light Emitting Diode, pixels self-illuminate, but may use a passive matrix |
Great contrast and colors, but slower refresh |
Older flagship phones, Apple iPhones (older) |
Vivid colors, energy efficient |
Not as bright or sharp as AMOLED |
|
Super Retina XDR |
Apple’s advanced OLED (AMOLED-based) technology |
High brightness, true color accuracy, ProMotion (120Hz) |
iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro series |
Industry-leading color accuracy & brightness |
Limited to Apple devices |
|
Fluid AMOLED |
OnePlus’s marketing term for AMOLED with a 90- 120Hz refresh rate and smooth display |
Smooth animations, high refresh rate |
OnePlus 8T, OnePlus 12 series |
Very smooth visuals, vibrant colors |
Mostly for OnePlus phones |
|
Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
Samsung’s latest AMOLED with HDR10+, adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz |
Extreme brightness, HDR10+, adaptive refresh |
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, S24 Ultra |
Best brightness, adaptive refresh, and HDR support |
Premium price tag |
AMOLED vs LCD (IPS LCD)
- Backlight: LCD screens use a backlight behind the pixels, which limits contrast and black levels. AMOLED pixels light up individually, offering true blacks.
- Color and Contrast: AMOLED provides richer colors and higher contrast. LCDs tend to look washed out in comparison.
- Power Efficiency: AMOLED saves power by turning off pixels for blacks. LCDs use a backlight constantly, consuming more power.
- Thickness & Flexibility: AMOLED screens can be thinner and flexible, ideal for curved or foldable phones. LCDs are bulkier and rigid.
- Price: AMOLED is typically more expensive, so budget phones often use LCDs.
AMOLED vs OLED
AMOLED is a type of OLED technology that uses an active matrix system for pixel control. This active matrix allows better resolution, faster refresh rates, and overall improved performance compared to older OLEDs.
AMOLED vs Mini-LED and Micro-LED
- Mini-LED: Uses thousands of tiny LEDs as a backlight for LCD panels, improving brightness and contrast over traditional LCDs but still not reaching the perfect blacks of AMOLED.
- Micro-LED: A newer tech with tiny LEDs that emit light individually like AMOLED but with higher brightness and lifespan. However, Micro-LED is still expensive and rare in smartphones.
Key Features of AMOLED Screens in 2025 Smartphones
High Refresh Rates: Many AMOLED smartphones now support 90Hz, 120Hz, or even adaptive refresh rates up to 144Hz for super-smooth visuals.
HDR10+ and Dolby Vision Support: For richer colors and better dynamic range, making movies and games look amazing.
High Brightness Levels: AMOLED panels can reach over 1000 nits brightness, which helps in direct sunlight viewing.
Eye Comfort Modes: Many AMOLED screens feature blue light filters and adaptive brightness to reduce eye strain.
Flexible and Foldable Displays: AMOLED enables innovative designs like foldables (Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5) and curved edge screens.
In-Display Fingerprint Sensors: AMOLED screens support optical fingerprint sensors embedded directly beneath the display for faster unlocking.
Final Thoughts
AMOLED screens have transformed the smartphone experience in Malaysia and worldwide. Their ability to produce vibrant colors, deep blacks, and smooth visuals makes them the go-to choice for flagship and mid-range smartphones alike in 2025.
So next time you’re shopping for a phone, remember: AMOLED screen matters. It’s not just about the looks. It’s about enhancing every single interaction you have with your smartphone. This means sharper images, smoother scrolling, and longer battery life—all packed into a display that’s easy on your eyes and your wallet.