HD7 Screen gets high marks, beats out the Nexus S

By George Ponder
last updated

We knew the HTC HD7 had a nice screen and but in a recent screen test that pitted the Windows Phone 7 device against the iPhone 4 and Samsung Nexus S, the HD7 beat out the Super AMOLED screen of the Nexus S. While the Windows Phone was able to surpass the Nexus S, it wasn't strong enough to beat out the iPhone.

The screens were subjected to three different types of tests;

  • Scientific measurements using a chromameter to test the brightness, black level, and contrast ratio. 
  • Test pattern screens used to test for color tracking errors, 24-bit color and font legibility. 
  • Real world, anecdotal testing using 3D games and photos.

To sum up the test results:

On the HD7: "The HD7 displayed mostly accurate color; however, the color did show evidence of being washed out in certain tests. Also, the phone's gallery app may have a bandwidth problem, which resulted in blurry text in our tests. We'll need to do more testing though to confirm."

On the Nexus S: "The Nexus S saw an incredible contrast ratio thanks to its OLED screen. Also, it displayed fonts smoothly and legibly and passed the Coke can test with only minimal dithering. Unfortunately the Nexus S failed in most of our other tests, especially color tracking, white level saturation, and false contouring. The Nexus S was the least impressive of the three."

On the iPhone: "The iPhone 4 was the best overall performer of the three phones we tested. The iPhone 4 was capable of displaying 24-bit color and was able to display colors in games and pictures with pop and life while still being accurate. The iPhone 4 won in most of our scientific tests and also had the best performance overall in our real-world tests. Once again, the iPhone 4 has the best smartphone screen on the market."

It's great to see the HTC screen measure up so well.  However, with our experience with the Super AMOLED screen of the Samsung Focus (which we think is very good), it was a little surprising to see that the Nexus's screen was the least impressive of the three.  I'd be curious to see how well the Focus's Super AMOLED screen would have faired? 

source: CNET via: wmpoweruser

George Ponder
George Ponder

George is the Reviews Editor at Windows Central, concentrating on Windows 10 PC and Mobile apps. He's been a supporter of the platform since the days of Windows CE and uses his current Windows 10 Mobile phone daily to keep up with life and enjoy a game during down time.

14 Comments
  • If this is the finding, then beauty is truly in the eye of the beholder. I did the exact same test and the Samsung Focus was so much better than the HD7 that it wasn't even close.
  • Agreed. Do not like HD7 screen at all.
  • I know people can have different opinions, but it saddens me that people can't tell or don't care that SAMOLED screens are crazy over-saturated. It's pointed out in so many reviews, but people always manage to skip over that part. Everyone says, "The colors are so nice!" but never realize that the colors aren't even represented correctly...
  • That may be true but of the two devices (HD7 and Samsung Focus for example) I would happily live with the extra saturation of the SAMOLED screen than the dull, lifeless, supposedly more accurate HD7 LCD screen.
  • I think I'll believe the evidence of my own eyes rather than what technical specs say "should" be better. The Samsung Focus screen was unquestionably better than the HD7 when I compared them, and its been mentioned in reviews how poor the HD7 screen is. No way I believe that suddenly the HD7 has a better screen than Samsung's SAMOLED. Its cnet, so I really shouldnt be surprised. Take a look at a speed comparison done on this site, the SAMOLED screen clearly is brighter with better colours. Tech specs are not everything. http://www.wpcentral.com/speed-test-samsung-focus-vs-htc-hd7-video
  • Interesting comparison, but I found it less useful than it could have been. A two-stage comparison would have been more helpful. First see which phone comes out on top in each OS, then do the cross-OS test. And then there is the carrier factor, which looks to become less of an issue in 2011.
  • It's a screen test... why do those things matter?
  • They matter because the vast majority of people choose OS and carrier before choosing from the available phones. How many people are going to choose a phone with display as the top priority? In my case, iPhone was never an option for me because I wanted to stay with T-Mobile.
  • There is this Application on WP7 called "I AM RICH" and it costs $526.49, unbelievable.
  • Any reviews for that?? Lol
  • maybe this is the after effects of what people like. for example, when you see the TVs in the stores, they're (by default) on torch mode with popping colors to attract people's attentions. the AV enthusiasts videophiles are the ones who always talk about color reproduction and how every display needs to be properly calibrated. but a properly calibrated display looks dull once a person has adapted to the popping colors. so maybe while the hd7 has more realistic color reproduction, people are used to the intense popping colors of the super amoled displays.
  • I have a HTC Hero g3 (sprint) and there is multiple pieces of dust under or between my screen. I can't tell if it's under or between, but all i know is that i can see and when the sun hi it all you can see is the dust and it irritates me.
  • Wow. The HD7 has way better color representation. If you turn the brightness to high and compare it to an Omnia you will get a better idea of what's going on. Unfortunately the screen is a power hog and what most people see is it running dim under automatic power settings. Comparing it to the iPhone 4 screen they probably didn't give points for size.
  • My issue with the HD7 is less with color and more with ghosting effects when scrolling. Really nasty with white text on black.