Comparing the Retina display on the new Apple iPad with other screens

posted by Alan F. / Mar 17, 2012, 2:36 PM

Comparing the Retina display on the new Apple iPad with other screens

Even though to the naked eye, many people can't tell the difference between the Retina display on the new Apple iPad and the one on the Apple iPad 2, when the screen are viewed under a microscope you can certainly tell the difference. UI designer Lukas Mathis did just this, taking pictures of the microscopic images of the screens belonging to a myriad of devices.

Comparing the Retina display of the new iPad with the display on the Apple iPad 2 shows how much smaller the pixels are on the new device. The number of pixels on the new tablet are quadruple the number on the previous version of the tablet.

Check out the images below and you will be able to compare the new iPad's Retina display with the display on a 2007 Apple iPod Touch, the BlackBerry PlayBook and even an HP Veer! It might all look like DNA under the scope, but because a picture equals a thousand words these pictures certainly tell an interesting story about why images look better on certain devices than on others.

source: Ignorethecode via RedmondPie

Microscopic images from various displays

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59 Comments

1. tmcr7

Posts: 180; Member since: Nov 02, 2011

Cool! Is the New iPad bundled with a microscope so I will know that it's the NEW iPad?

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 2:57 PM 33

2. ZEUS.the.thunder.god unregistered

not really. just visit PA everyday. they have atleast 5 articles each day telling how magical new ipad is.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 3:05 PM 28

8. PAPINYC

Posts: 2315; Member since: Jul 30, 2011

Yes, it also comes with a petri dish to isolate and view all the little organisms that rhyme with cheap. I always keep a microscope handy so when I need to micro-magnify the screen on my DROID RAZR™ to microscopically look at something; everyone does.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 3:37 PM 5

44. GuiltyBystander

Posts: 199; Member since: Mar 05, 2012

Lol, good one.

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 9:12 AM 2

3. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

3 things. 1, the ipad2 and HP touchpad are using the exact same screen 2, the iphone4 has a slightly more dense display than the "new ipad" by judging from the pics 3, there isnt a single super amoled +, or even a super amoled in the group. Hey, lets ignore that "other top selling super popular screen"

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 3:08 PM 17

12. Chronos

Posts: 258; Member since: Feb 25, 2012

It wasted the entire point of the article to NOT have a Super AMOLED display in the display comparison.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 4:37 PM 10

16. Commentator

Posts: 3723; Member since: Aug 16, 2011

It's not only that either. The comparison doesn't include a single image from one of the iPad 3's competitors, such as the ASUS Infinity Pads, Transformer Prime, or the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1. In some cases it's being compared against 5+ year old technology, such as the PSP and iPod Touch 2007. Also, the second-to-last image doesn't have a label, so who knows what that is?

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 5:27 PM 10

19. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

exactly!... to both of ya :)

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 6:20 PM 6

31. u-suck-more

Posts: 529; Member since: Aug 26, 2011

they shouldn't compare it to phones tho :/ but bcos they did, i was expecting the Nitro HD's screen to be there.. but nope.. kinda surprised that they disnt include Samsung tablets~

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 1:18 AM 1

33. u-suck-more

Posts: 529; Member since: Aug 26, 2011

didnt*

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 1:25 AM 1

4. torr310

Posts: 1667; Member since: Oct 27, 2011

i don't see the point of using retina screen because it's not that noticable and is an overkill. Rather than lower the price of the phone so can bring the $199 point down.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 3:10 PM 8

6. jaytai0106

Posts: 1888; Member since: Mar 30, 2011

If most people can't tell the different, what is the different then? Pointless feature. People can't even tell you are using the "new ipad" because it looks the ipad 2. Apple!!!!!! Hear us out! Redesign your next tablet or don't even bother to make another one.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 3:27 PM 8

22. cheetah2k

Posts: 2265; Member since: Jan 16, 2011

How about Apple redesign iOS?? Its been the same UI since 2007......

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 6:31 PM 7

41. u-suck-more

Posts: 529; Member since: Aug 26, 2011

if it counts, they changed the default wallpaper... HAHAA!

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 7:56 AM 4

57. jaytai0106

Posts: 1888; Member since: Mar 30, 2011

I meant the look of the tablet. Sorry for confusion.

posted on Mar 19, 2012, 7:57 AM 0

58. u-suck-more

Posts: 529; Member since: Aug 26, 2011

true that

posted on Mar 19, 2012, 8:09 AM 0

7. 9_HeLLs_oF_DrOid

Posts: 127; Member since: Jan 02, 2012

So, I guess, we'll see another revolutionary thing from Apple called iMicroscope to differentiate the retina display of the new iPad from other screens.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 3:33 PM 7

23. cheetah2k

Posts: 2265; Member since: Jan 16, 2011

Wait! better patent that "iMicroscope" branding

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 6:32 PM 5

9. chapizzo

Posts: 116; Member since: Sep 13, 2011

so what exactly is the point of having a retina display? If its to look at it under a microscope coz i have nothing better to do, then no, i don't want it.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 3:43 PM 2

13. ap1989

Posts: 145; Member since: Oct 12, 2011

compare it with the super amoled hd on the galaxy nexus

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 4:39 PM 4

21. remixfa

Posts: 14605; Member since: Dec 19, 2008

the G-Nexus uses a pentile display. It would be a good comparison, but a better test is going to be the SGS3 which i bet money is an RGB display of sorts.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 6:25 PM 1

15. parisp

Posts: 1; Member since: Mar 17, 2012

I am a fan of apple products, however I think apple blew it this time. Steve Jobs sold innovation. This was just a sales job. I expected a faster processor, more storage, more ram, some innovative software... Something!! The funny part I put my iPad 2 next to the new iPad. I could not see the difference. Asked one of the employees he said he could see the difference. Talk about pre -programming.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 4:53 PM 5

27. drtech

Posts: 135; Member since: Mar 16, 2012

It has a faster processor ( quad core display) double the ram, 4 times the pixels, LTE with 9 hours of continuous usage This is a MAJOR upgrade. There is no company out there that can reinvent the wheel every year. Apple did a great job with the new iPad as its the clear market leader at this time.

posted on Mar 17, 2012, 10:39 PM 0

30. Metalspy8

Posts: 148; Member since: Feb 27, 2012

yeah ...sure keep telling yourself that...

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 12:03 AM 2

32. u-suck-more

Posts: 529; Member since: Aug 26, 2011

major upgrade? bitch please other companies have been pushing out this kind of hardware long ago. and here is the story of Apple's innovation (in terms of UI) 2007- First Released -3 Years Later- 2010- Wallpaper Changed Innovation indeed

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 1:24 AM 3

34. drtech

Posts: 135; Member since: Mar 16, 2012

Apple has the best screen on the market right now No tablets had quad core last year LTE although not new to tablets is a big upgrade for the iPad and apple did it without destroying battery life You mad?

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 1:38 AM 0

36. u-suck-more

Posts: 529; Member since: Aug 26, 2011

best screen? are u kidding yourself? Samsung's SuperAmoled Screens and LG's AH-IPS LCD are all better than the so called Retina display. LG's AH-IPS LCD received awards and what about the Retina Display? hmm.. the new iPad is released this year you sad soul. and there are other Quad Core tablets coming out this year too LG Optimus Pad LTE. First tablet with LTE, no compromisation on battery life too. you mad bro?

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 1:57 AM 3

43. u-suck-more

Posts: 529; Member since: Aug 26, 2011

and lets not forget ur Retina Display on the iPhone is developed by LG. Suck it up

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 8:16 AM 2

46. gallitoking

Posts: 4721; Member since: May 17, 2011

No secret there.. LG develops the screen doing for 3 years so than you for telling something we all knew .... people dont buy LG regardless of that.. their phones are in decline.. people buy Apple because of the brand recognition.. thats why Samsung tablets dont sell well ... and LG .. are minor leaguers now

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 10:28 AM 0

48. u-suck-more

Posts: 529; Member since: Aug 26, 2011

just bcos u know doesnt mean he knows, Mr Know It All. and besides, i was reminding him. in case u cant read the words ''LETS NOT FORGET'' so what if LG doesnt sell well? so what if Samsung tablets arent selling well? at least, unlike Apple, these two companies innovate. what does Apple do? copy and claim that it is theirs. real innovation indeed.

posted on Mar 18, 2012, 10:46 AM 2

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