LCD

The predominant display technology used in mobile phones. LCD displays have low energy requirements and are generally easy to read.

LCDs in mobile phones generally work by transmitting or blocking light across a grid of extremely tiny square areas called "pixels". Monochrome (black & white) LCDs in phones also usually have both a backlight and a reflective backing, allowing them to be equally usable in both bright light and complete darkness.

Color LCDs come in many types. STN, TFT, and TFD are several common technologies used. STN features low power consumption and low cost, at the expense of image quality. TFT features excellent image quality and response time, but is expensive and consumes more power. TFD combines the best of both.

Colors LCDs can also be transmissive, reflective, or transflective.

Transmissive displays are only designed to allow or block light from a bright backlight. They have excellent brightness and saturation in low or medium light, but do not work well in bright light.

Reflective displays are the opposite - they work best in bright light, but in dim light they rely on a "frontlight" instead of a backlight, which usually produces a "washed-out" look.

Many newer LCD displays are "transflective", meaning they combine the best properties of both transmissive and reflective displays. Transflective LCD displays have backlights that provide good brightness and color in dim and medium light, while also working well in bright light such as outdoors.