Do We Really Need 2K Display On Mobile Devices?

One of the things techies look out for when buying a smartphone is the screen resolution. We were all thrilled with the first HD screen on a smartphone but that isn’t even enough for most people anymore. The rave for 2k display on smartphones is getting stronger and this brings up the question: Do we really need that much resolution on a tiny mobile screen?

Screen resolution explained

The screen resolution is the number of pixels on the screen. In case you don’t understand, your screen is made up of pixels (or tiny dots) and the more the number of these dots you have, the sharper your display looks.

So, a screen resolution of 720 x 1280 means you have 720 pixels (or dots) horizontally and 1280 pixels vertically.
Why a high resolution display matters

If you’ve ever held a low end phone or one of those tablets selling for less than N15,000, a look at the display should clearly show that it isn’t that great. If you look closely, you should be able to discern those tiny dots and on screens like this, images look pixelated.

This is exactly why you should opt for a device with, at least, a HD resolution (720×1280) when getting a new phone.
Why 2k display is an overkill on a smartphone

Let’s face it, there’s a limit to what details the human eye can see. On a 6-inch screen, you may be able to tell the difference between a HD display (720×1280) and a FHD display (1280×1920). This is because the bigger the screen, the higher the resolution needed to make it look sharp.

But then, I think packing a Quad HD (2560 x 1440) resolution on a smartphone is an overkill. Unless you’re going to be looking at your phone less than a few inches from your nose, you may not really be able to tell the difference between a FHD screen and a QHD screen.

The display densities may differ but as said earlier, the human eye may not be able to tell the difference from the normal smartphone operating distance.
Where 2k display may be needed

Except for tablets, I see no reason to have a 2k display on a smartphone. Tablets have bigger screens and so, they need a high resolution display. Putting a 720p resolution on a 10-inch tablet isn’t really a great idea except the device is going to be sold dirt cheap.

But then, smartphone vendors wants to wow consumers with “all the great features” even when most of them are actually useless. In conclusion, lack of a 2k display on a smartphone shouldn’t be a deal breaker. It’s just a hype, you’re not really gonna need it.