In the world of smartphones, the display is one of the most important components. These displays are the window through which we interact with our devices, and they often define the overall look and feel of a device. In general, there are three types of displays that are commonly used in the smartphone industry: original displays , refurbished displays , and copy displays . In this blog post, we take a closer look at the different types, explaining their characteristics, pros and cons.
Original display
This is the display that was installed at the factory. This can be obtained directly from the smartphone manufacturer if you are authorized or certified to do so. Alternatively, it is possible to obtain it directly from the display manufacturer. However, obtaining the required authorization or certification can be difficult. But not every smartphone manufacturer produces its own components. Apple, for example, has its displays manufactured by Samsung, LG, Toshiba and Sharp.
pulled display
The easiest way to get an original smartphone display is to purchase a so-called "pulled display" . Pulled displays are 100% original and correspond to the display that was installed in the device at the factory before it was removed. It has the same advantages and disadvantages as the original display. A pulled display can be cheaper, but it should be noted that it can show signs of use, which can put the supposed savings advantage into perspective.
Advantage:
- original quality
Disadvantage:
- difficult procurement
- high cost point
Refurbished displays (overhauled)
Refurbished displays (OLED) are displays that have been used before , they show no signs of wear and are in new condition. Refurbished screens are a popular choice for those looking to save money as they often sell at a lower price compared to brand new screens. One of the biggest advantages of refurbished screens is that they are thoroughly tested by an expert before they are sold. This process prevents faulty displays from being circulated. Refurbished displays are often backed by a guarantee, which in turn gives the buyer security.
However, it is important to realize that not all refurbished displays are created equal. Some of the offers from abroad cannot be compared with the local conditions, as there may be deviations in the quality features. As such, we recommend only purchasing from reputable retailers to ensure you are purchasing the best quality.
Advantage:
- easy procurement
- cheaper alternative
- original Oled displays
- accurate review by specialty retailers and experts
Disadvantage:
- quality fluctuations
copy displays
Copy displays are available in numerous variants with different qualities. As the name suggests, these displays are third-party replicas. The most common replicas are Oled hard, Oled soft and in-cell displays.
Oled-hard displays are made of glass and are therefore more prone to cracking if dropped or set up incorrectly. As you can deduce from the name, the display can hardly be bent at all, which means that there is a barely noticeable gap at the edge of the smartphone. The advantage here is a higher screen brightness.
Oled soft displays, on the other hand, are made of plastic, which makes them more resistant to falls. Due to their soft properties, they fit better into the smartphone frame because they can be bent more easily. However, they may have a shorter lifespan due to the material.
In-cell displays are almost indistinguishable from the other display types to the untrained eye, but they do have some differences. On the one hand they can be thinner and lighter, on the other hand the name is already included in the component. The image quality and battery life show clear disadvantages compared to original and refurbished displays. However, it is important to know that not every disadvantage applies to every copy display.
Advantage:
- significantly cheaper
- very easy procurement
Disadvantage:
- differences in quality