When magnified by a professional DSLR, the pixels look absolutely microscopic. How many pixels can fit across one of the lines of a fingerprint? Check the full version here to measure. via @Scoblizer
And here’s new vs. old. What a difference some extra pixels make.
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So, What’s a DSRL? I’ve heard of DSLR.
wow youre hilarious
The depth of field is too narrow in that photograph (at least to get an idea of the resolution) – would have been better to lay the phone flat and shoot at f/9 or greater.
Agreed. Also, large-aperture lenses tend to have lower resolution when wide open than when stopped down. Of course, closing down to f/5.6 or smaller would require you to either use a tripod or increase lighting intensity to avoid motion blur from camera shake if the exposure were > 1/30 of a second. Just increasing your ISO would tend to increase noise, which again reduces your effective resolution.
I know this isn’t a photography forum, but… one other issue is the color caste (the strong orange tone, especially visible in the flesh color), typically due to tungsten lighting. The white balance could have been corrected in camera using a gray card or during post processing. Sorry for the digression!
For those interested in the perspective of a vision scientist, here is my take on Apple Retina Display:
http://www.kybervision.com/Blog/files/AppleRetinaDisplay.html
I thought the “resolution” test required two separate bright point sources of light against a black background. Like stars in a night sky. This is a far higher contrast scenario than just any two pixels on an LCD display, especially if those pixels are similar in color and brightness.
Many images and even fine text contain areas of pixels with near-identical color and brightness, so Steve’s claims would tend to ring true for an LCD display. The smoother the gradation of color and brightness in an image on an LCD display, the harder it is to resolve pixels in general. Especially if they’re a dark color.
Well written and easy to understand. Thanks, William.
I liked your article William. Nicely written.
I was super serious about going Pay-as-you-Go when my Sprint contract ends this month to trim my expenses a bit – even so far as already purchasing one last month when they had the one I liked on sale. I’m currently a Pre user paying $65/month after discounts. But the new iPhone’s retina display just blows me away…and an IPS display in a phone?! The only reason why I want the iPhone4 so bad is because of the new display. I had never been interested in the prior iPhones.
Welcome to the dark side of the force, my young padawan
Looks awesome, especially for the nearsighted.
That photograph convinced me. I liked your article William and I hope I don’t offend you when I say, numbers are for scientists. That display is crisp and everything per the advertisement.
When it comes to a pocket device, that is my biggest criteria, fit in the pocket. Apple did the most logical and functionally best thing, make it look like the real thing.
Wouldn’t it be a little more fair if you guys chose a magnified portion of the image that wasn’t slightly out of focus to demonstrate pixel size? When you click and view the full image, panning to the “Four Militants Killed Near Gaza Coast by Israeli Navy” article shows the pixels of the screen fully in focus, and you could actually demonstrate your point.
ANyone else see the dead pixel(s) on the opinion picture?
I saw it, but it’s a dead pixel from the screenshot, not the iPhone.
With this display you could read websites without zooming, but only for eagle eyes ; )
iPhone widgets
i think the sharpes point of focus is on the ‘T’ of ‘The’ New York Times. thats where you can actually pick up the pixelated image of the text. super tiny!!!
The retina display of this new iPhone is mind blowing!I was just checking it out and I m very much impressed.While the increase of ISO tend to increasing noise,which further helps to reduce the resolution of its efficiency.
m3 real
The average consumer is not going to go crazy over specs. They’ll look at the display, decide it looks pretty good to their eyes and will gladly part with their money to buy an iPhone 4. Older adults with weak eyes, such as myself, will be more than satisfied. For the most part, Apple’s claims are valid but what really matters is the real world. 98% of the users interested in buying an iPhone will be pleased with the Retina Display legibility.