When choosing a phone, moniteur, or laptop, screen quality is a key factor in determining the user experience. We often see the terms “TFT” et “IPS,” but what is their relationship? Which is better? This article will provide a thorough and easy-to-understand explanation of their differences.
Core Relationship: Not Opposition, but Inclusion
First, we must dispel a common misconception: TFT and IPS are not being compared on the same level.
TFT (Transistor à couches minces): This is the foundational technology. You can think of it as the “backbone” or underlying driver technology of all modern liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Behind each liquid crystal pixel lies a tiny TFT that controls its on/off switching and dimming, enabling image display. Without TFT, there would be no LCD screens as we know them today.
IPS (Commutation dans le plan): This is a liquid crystal alignment technology, a subgenre or upgrade within the TFT-LCD family. It improves display quality by altering the alignment and movement of liquid crystal molecules. A simple analogy:
If you compare screens to cars:
TFT is like the broad category of “internal combustion engine vehicles,” the foundation of all cars.
IPS is like the “all-wheel drive (AWD) system,” an advanced driving technology in internal combustion engine vehicles specifically designed to improve performance under specific road conditions (such as viewing angles).
In addition to IPS, the TFT-LCD family includes other “subtypes,” such as the older TN (Twisted Nematic) and VA (Vertical Alignment). Donc, the comparison we often talk about is actually IPS vs. TN vs. VA; these are all different implementations of TFT technology.
In-depth Comparison: How IPS Stands Out
Since IPS is a type of TFT, when we usually refer to “TFT screen” in the consumer electronics field, it often implies older screens using TN technology. Below, we’ll use this common understanding to compare “traditional TFT (TN)” et “IPS.”
1. Angle de vision
IPS: A Decisive Advantage. The greatest advantage of IPS technology is its extremely wide viewing angles. Even when viewed from an extreme side angle, the screen’s color and brightness remain virtually unchanged, with no color cast or dimming. This is crucial for shared viewing and for designers proofreading colors.
TFT (TN): A significant weakness. The viewing angle is very narrow. Even slightly off-center, the screen will experience color distortion, reduced contrast, and even a “negative film” effect.
2. Color Performance
IPS: Accurate color reproduction with high fidelity. IPS screens typically display richer, more accurate colors and cover a wider color gamut. This makes them a popular choice for professionals in fields like photography, graphic design, and video editing.
TFT (TN): Average color performance. With weaker color reproduction and a narrower color gamut, the screen may appear less vivid and realistic, making it unsuitable for color-critical work.
3. Temps de réponse
TFT (TN): A traditional strength. TN screens have faster liquid crystal molecules, resulting in the lowest native response times (par ex., 1MS). This theoretically benefits high-speed games (such as competitive FPS games) by reducing ghosting.
IPS: Continuously improving. Early IPS screens had slow response times, but the technology has advanced rapidly. Today, many IPS screens designed specifically for gaming (such as Nano-IPS and Fast-IPS) can achieve a 1ms response time, sufficient for most users, even professional gamers.
4. Contrast and Black Performance
VA: The leader in this category. This brings us to a third competitor, VA. VA screens generally offer better contrast and deeper blacks than IPS and TN, providing a more immersive experience when watching movies.
IPS: Average. Contrast is generally better than TN, but not as good as VA. When displaying pure black, there may be some “light bleeding” (white light seeping through the edges of the screen), which is more noticeable in low-light environments.
TFT (TN): The worst performance. Contrast is low, blacks appear more like gray, and the image lacks depth.
5. Cost and Power Consumption
TFT (TN): Low cost and low power consumption. Its simple manufacturing process and minimal cost are the reasons why it once dominated the low-end market. It also generally consumes slightly less power than IPS.
IPS: Higher cost and slightly higher power consumption. The manufacturing process is more complex, resulting in higher costs. However, as the technology becomes more widespread, the price gap has narrowed significantly. Its power consumption is also slightly higher than TN, but the difference is not significant in daily use.
Summary and How to Choose
Features IPS Screen Traditional TFT (TN) Screen Best Uses
Viewing Angles Excellent Very Poor IPS: Shared, conception, office work
Color Performance Accurate and vivid Average, with a washout effect IPS: Content creation, movie viewing, daily use
Response Time Excellent (Fast-IPS can reach 1ms) Very fast (native 1ms) TN: Professional competitive FPS gaming (pushing for the limit)
Contrast Ratio Average Poor VA screens are a better choice for viewing movies
Cost High (but now widely available) Inexpensive TN: Entry-level device for those with a very limited budget
How to Choose?
Choose an IPS screen if:
You are a photographer, designer, or video editor (color and viewing angles are crucial).
You are an average user using it for daily office work, browsing the internet, and watching videos (best overall experience). You’re a gamer, not just for FPS games, but also for AAA titles, RPGs, Et plus (necessitating a balance between image quality and speed).
You frequently share your screen with others.
You should only consider a TN monitor if:
You’re a hardcore competitive FPS player on a very limited budget, willing to sacrifice image quality and viewing angles for those few milliseconds of response time.
You’re purchasing a low-end device designed solely for industrial control.
Conclusion:
In today’s consumer electronics market, IPS technology has become the absolute mainstream and preferred choice. It strikes an excellent balance between color, viewing angles, and response time, providing an exceptional visual experience for the vast majority of users. If you see a “TFT screen,” unless it’s an extremely budget-friendly product, be wary that it likely uses outdated TN technology. Donc, when purchasing, look for the “IPS” logo; it’s generally a guarantee of good display quality.
