Study shows display on Samsung Galaxy S4 trumps its predecessor, matches the Apple iPhone 5

DisplayMate took its usual scientific approach to determine which handset had the best display between the Samsung Galaxy S III, the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Apple iPhone 5.  The Samsung Galaxy S4 screen has a much larger number of sub-pixels than the Apple iPhone 5 and both swamped the Samsung Galaxy S III.  Those with 20/20 vision cannot resolve the white/green pixels on the Samsung Galaxy S4 as close as 7.8 inches from the screen, 11 inches for red/blue pixels. Apple iPhone 5 users cannot resolve all pixels at 10 inches minimum while for the Samsung Galaxy S III the distance is 11.2 inches (white/green) and 15.9 inches (red/blue). If you have been thinking about replacing your Samsung Galaxy S III with the Samsung Galaxy S4, the latter has FHD resolution, more than double the pixels than its predecessor, with a 44% higher pixel density. It is also 25% brighter (68% on automatic brightness) and is 20% more power efficient. 

Compare the Samsung Galaxy S III (U) with the Samsung Galaxy S4 (D)

The Samsung Galaxy S4 in Movie Mode presented very good images,  very good color and accurate contrast which matches the Apple iPhone 5. The Samsung Galaxy S III, with a color gamut of 139%, brings over saturated colors to the table. The Samsung Galaxy S4's color gamut at 132% wouldn't seem to offer a noticeable difference, but it does. Apple's smartphone scored a color gamut reading of 104%. When it comes to energy consumption, the Samsung Galaxy S III display used .83W of power versus .70W for the Samsung Galaxy S4 and .66W for the Apple iPhone 5. Checking viewing angles, the Samsung Galaxy S4 edged out the iPhone 5.

The final overall grades? DisplayMate gives the Samsung Galaxy S4 and the Apple iPhone 5 each an A while the Samsung Galaxy S III received a B+. 

"The iPhone 5 is significantly brighter than the Galaxy S4, particularly for screens with mostly peak white backgrounds. Its color calibration is a bit better, although the Galaxy S4 has a more accurate White. The Galaxy S4 has a much bigger screen, higher resolution, higher PPI, much darker blacks, and better screen uniformity than the iPhone 5. They each have their own particular strengths and weaknesses, but if you scan our color coordinated Comparison Table, both displays are quite good and comparable overall – so it’s currently a tie"-DisplayMate

source: DisplayMate