What does it do and why do you want it? Put simply, it combines four leaps forward into one to deliver the fastest, brightest, most-sensitive smartphone display with the highest pixel density in the industry.
Let’s take that piece by piece.
Faster
One of the problems with existing LCD displays used on smartphones is that they can’t keep up. While the internal hardware and operating system are fast enough to deliver a full 60 frames-per-second (FPS), the screens themselves lag behind, leading to pixelated video and ghost images appearing as your screen moves.
PureMotion HD+ uses an IPS type LCD display that is also given a higher voltage difference when changing states to produce a clean transition from frame to frame, even when operating at top speeds. This allows the display to deliver a steady 60FPS without any blurring.
Brighter
It’s nearly two years since Nokia delivered the last big step forward in screen brightness in the form of ClearBlack display, a technology to reduce the reflections that can make mobile phones hard to read outside.
PureMotion HD+ adds a high-luminescence mode that works automatically from the phone’s ambient light sensor, improving contrast and brightness outdoors considerably.
More-sensitive
Ever tried using a modern smartphone with gloves on, or with the end of a regular pen? Exactly. It doesn’t work.
But now it does, PureMotion HD+ incorporates a new super-sensitive touch display that can be used with any of these things.
More pixels: HD+
The Lumia 920’s display has WXGA resolution. HD+ refers to the 768×1280 pixel count and 15:9 aspect ratio. That’s a lot of pixels – lots more than the iPhone 4, with its 640×960 pixels, and even more than the Samsung Galaxy S3, with 720×1280 pixels. The pixel density is higher than either, too, at 332 pixels per inch. (For comparison, the widely praised ‘retina’ display on the iPhone 4 offers 326ppi).
You might be wondering about the 15:9 aspect ratio. You’re probably more-used to computer and television displays with a 16:9 ratio. The truth is that mobile phones have different usability requirements, and 16:9 means that, with larger screens, it’s a long stretch to move your finger from the top to the bottom. 15:9 is simply better suited to normal human hands.
Need more detail on how it all works? Look no further, since the brains behind the display have put together a white paper that explains and demonstrates the technology, as well as the practical differences it will make for owners.