TFT Displays:Advantages and Drawbacks

When we use the terms TFT (Thin Film Transistor) LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) in this context, we are referring to TN (Twisted Nematic) type TFT displays, which are consistent with the terminology used in the TV and computer sectors. TFT displays currently account for the majority of the low-end color screen market. They are widely utilized in a variety of products, including consumer electronics, TVs, computer displays, medical devices, appliances, vehicles, kiosks, and POS terminals. Check out our knowledge page for more information about TFT displays.

We must be clear about the display being compared while discussing the benefits and drawbacks of TFT screens. TFT displays may have benefits when compared to some displays, but when compared to another display, the same trait may turn into a TFT display's disadvantage. To be as clear as possible, we'll do our best.

Advantages of TFT Displays

Energy Use is Lower: Compared to CRTs (Cathode-Ray Tubes), laptops were made possible by VFDs (Vacuum Fluorescent Displays) and LEDs.

good color and visibility: Compared to vintage CSTN (Color Super Twisted Nematic) displays or passive LCDs

Good viewing angle and response time: Compared to passive LCDs or outdated CSTNs

Good price: in comparison to contemporary micro-LED displays, high-end IPS (In-Plane Switching) LCD panels, and AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic LED) displays.

Outstanding physical design. The design and integration of TFT displays with other parts, such as resistive and capacitive touch panels (RTP, CTP, PCAP), etc., is fairly simple.

Lowest Eye Strain: Unlike CRT, LED, and VFD displays, TFT panels do not emit light on their own. The TFT glass in front effectively filters the blue light coming from the LED backlight, which serves as the main light source.

Space-saving design that can be mounted on any rotating axis and positioned anywhere in your desk.

Drawbacks of TFT Displays

TFT displays use more energy than OLED (PMOLED and AMOLED) and monochrome displays, which makes them less desirable for wearable technology.

When compared to IPS LCD and AMOLED screens, the color saturation is poor.

IPS LCD panels, AMOLED displays, and more contemporary micro-LED displays all have better reaction times and viewing angles. The gray scale inversion problem and the requirement to indicate viewing angles of 6 or 12 o'clock in the datasheet for TFT screens both persist.

High tooling costs: Depending on the size and generation of the manufacturing line to be produced. A TFT display fab often costs billions of dollars to build. For a large-scale display that requires a high-generation manufacturing line. The price of an NRE might be in the millions.

Sunlight Readability: Because transflective TFT LCD displays are highly expensive to create, they must employ a very bright LED backlight (> 1,000 nits) in order to be viewable outside. High power is required, and heat control must be taken into consideration. Costly optical bonding (OCA or OCR) and surface treatment (AR, AF) technologies must be required if a touch panel is used.