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Learn More About TFT Displays

Thin-film transistors deliver precise images to displays

By Liane Cassavoy Liane Cassavoy Writer Boston University's College of Communications Liane Cassavoy is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire who has been reviewing and writing articles about smartphones since 1999. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 13, 2020 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Accessories & Hardware The Quick Guide to Webcams Keyboards & Mice Monitors Cards HDD & SSD Printers & Scanners Raspberry Pi TFT stands for thin-film transistor and is used with LCD to improve image quality over older digital display technologies. Each pixel on a TFT LCD has its own transistor on the glass itself, which offers greater control over the images and colors that it renders. TFT is also an abbreviation for other technical terms including time from transmission, text fix test, Trinitron flat tube, and trivial file transfer protocol. Waveshare

TFT Benefits and Uses

Since the transistors in a TFT LCD screen are so small, the technology offers the added benefit of requiring less power. However, while TFT LCDs can deliver sharp images, they also tend to offer relatively poor viewing angles. The result is that TFT LCDs look best when viewed head-on, but viewing images from the side is often difficult. TFT LCDs are found on low-end smartphones as well as basic cell phones. The technology is also used on TVs, handheld video game systems, computer monitors, and GPS navigation systems.

How Do TFT Displays Work

All the pixels on a TFT screen are configured in a row-and-column format, and each pixel is attached to an amorphous silicon transistor that rests directly on the glass panel. This allows each pixel to be given a charge and for the charge to be kept even when the screen is refreshed to produce a new image. With this type of setup, the state of a particular pixel is being actively maintained even while other pixels are being used. This is why TFT LCDs are considered active matrix displays (as opposed to a passive matrix displays).

Newer Screen Technologies

Lots of smartphone manufacturers use IPS-LCD (Super LCD), which provides wider viewing angles and richer colors, but newer phones feature displays that utilize OLED or Super-AMOLED technology. For example, Samsung's flagship smartphones boast OLED panels, while most of Apple's iPhones and iPads come equipped with an IPS-LCD. Super LCD and Super-AMOLED have their own pros and cons, but they both far exceed the capabilities of TFT LCD technology. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Super AMOLED vs Super LCD: What's the Difference? OLED vs. LED: Which TV Display is Better? What to Look for When Buying a Projector Samsung Galaxy A Phones: What You Need to Know A Beginner's Guide to the Technology Behind IPS Display The Difference Between an LCD TV and a Plasma TV An Overview of Cellphone Displays How to Test and Calibrate a Monitor's Settings What Is a Liquid Retina Display? LED LCD Backlights: What You Should Know QLED vs. OLED How to Buy a TV in 2022 What Is MicroLED? What Is a Sub-field Drive on a Plasma TV? All About Active and Passive 3D Glasses LCD TV vs LED TV: What You Need To Know Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies