The Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED) technology has established itself as an advanced display solution that is used in mobile devices, wearables, televisions and industrial HMIs. AMOLED uses organic materials to generate light, along with an active matrix of thin-film transistors (TFTs) to enable precise control of each pixel. This combination offers better picture quality, higher energy efficiency and more flexible design options than traditional technologies such as TFT LCD displays.
How AMOLED works
AMOLED combines OLED technology with an active matrix to control each pixel individually with thin-film transistors (TFTs). It works on the basis of self-emission, which means organic layers emit light when an electrical current is applied. This eliminates the need for a backlight, allowing a thinner and more energy-efficient display.
Pixel control and TFT layers
The active matrix in AMOLED consists of a layer of TFTs, which regulate the electrical current for each individual pixel. This enables precise control of the brightness and colour of each pixel, resulting in faster response time, better contrast ratios and greater colour accuracy compared to Passive Matrix OLEDs (PMOLEDs).
Self-illuminating pixels
Unlike LCDs, which rely on a backlight, AMOLED displays use pixels that generate light themselves. Because individual pixels can be turned off completely, AMOLED can achieve true blacks and a potentially unlimited contrast ratio.
Advantages of AMOLED technology
Energy efficiency
AMOLED technology uses less energy because only the pixels that are illuminated use electricity, only the pixels that are illuminated use electricity. This is particularly beneficial for mobile applications, as pixels can be deactivated for dark screen content. AMOLED therefore consumes much less energy than other technologies such as LCD, where the backlight remains continuously active, sometimes even in sectors (as with FALD technology).
Higher contrast and colour accuracy
Thanks to its ability to control and deactivate individual pixels, AMOLED offers higher contrast and deeper blacks. The technology can produce vibrant colours and high colour depth, which is beneficial not only for consumer products but also for industrial applications.
Flexibility and thin design
Since AMOLED displays do not require a backlight, they can be made extremely thin and flexible. This mechanical flexibility of OLED materials has enabled innovations such as foldable smartphones and curved displays.
Viewing angle vs. colour reproduction
Another advantage of modern AMOLED technology is the neutral colour reproduction across a very wide viewing angle.
Challenges of AMOLED technology
Burn-in and image retention
Although it has improved somewhat to a certain extent in recent years, burn-in still remains a critical problem with AMOLED. It occurs when static images are displayed for extended periods, leaving a lasting imprint on the screen. Blue organic materials are particularly prone to burn-in effects, as they tend to degrade faster.
A related phenomenon is image retention, where a static image temporarily remains visible even after the picture content has changed. Image retention occurs when the organic materials are unevenly altered after displaying static images for an extended period. Unlike burn-in, image retention is sometimes reversible. The effect can often be reduced or even eliminated by displaying changing content. However, continued image retention can eventually lead to irreversible burn-in if the organic material becomes permanently altered.
Lifetime and material degradation
The lifetime of AMOLED displays is limited by the degradation of the organic materials, particularly blue-emitter materials, which lose efficiency more quickly than their red and green counterparts. Despite significant improvements in material research, this remains a major factor affecting the lifetime of AMOLED-based displays.
Advancements and innovations
Phosphorescent OLED (PHOLED)
One significant development in the field of AMOLED technology has been the introduction of Phosphorescent OLEDs (PHOLEDs), which have an internal quantum efficiency of almost 100%. This improvement reduces energy consumption considerably and extends the life cycle of the displays. Leading manufacturers are planning to introduce blue PHOLEDs in 2025, marking another major step in making AMOLED displays even more efficient and durable.
Tandem OLEDs
Tandem OLEDs use multiple light-emitting layers stacked on top of each other, which enhances light emission and colour accuracy. This technology offers greater efficiency, improved colour reproduction and a longer lifetime, making it a promising option for high-resolution and energy-efficient AMOLED displays in the future.
Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED)
QD-OLED combines quantum dot materials with OLED technology to improve colour reproduction and energy efficiency. These displays use a TFT layer to control light emission and a blue light source to enable a high level of brightness. Quantum dots convert the blue light so that colours can be rendered with a high degree of accuracy. This technology promises thinner, lighter and more efficient displays.
Future developments
AMOLED continues to hold enormous potential for the future. In addition to improvements in material development – such as TADF (thermally activated delayed fluorescence) and hyperfluorescence – which could further improve OLED efficiency, other promising technologies are also emerging. One of these is printed OLEDs, which enable large and flexible displays to be mass-produced cost-effectively using modern printing techniques.
Summary
AMOLED has established itself as an advanced display technology that combines the benefits of high colour accuracy, flexibility and energy efficiency. Despite some challenges, such as burn-in and material degradation, the technology is developing at a rapid pace. Future advancements in phosphorescence and quantum dot technology, along with the use of Tandem OLEDs and printed displays, will further expand the range of applications for AMOLED in different sectors, including industrial ones.
The Active Matrix OLED (AMOLED) technology has established itself as an advanced display solution that is used in mobile devices, wearables, televisions and industrial HMIs. AMOLED uses organic materials to generate light, along with an active matrix of thin-film transistors (TFTs) to enable precise control of each pixel. This combination offers better picture quality, higher energy efficiency and more flexible design options than traditional technologies such as TFT LCD displays.
How AMOLED works
AMOLED combines OLED technology with an active matrix to control each pixel individually with thin-film transistors (TFTs). It works on the basis of self-emission, which means organic layers emit light when an electrical current is applied. This eliminates the need for a backlight, allowing a thinner and more energy-efficient display.
Pixel control and TFT layers
The active matrix in AMOLED consists of a layer of TFTs, which regulate the electrical current for each individual pixel. This enables precise control of the brightness and colour of each pixel, resulting in faster response time, better contrast ratios and greater colour accuracy compared to Passive Matrix OLEDs (PMOLEDs).
Self-illuminating pixels
Unlike LCDs, which rely on a backlight, AMOLED displays use pixels that generate light themselves. Because individual pixels can be turned off completely, AMOLED can achieve true blacks and a potentially unlimited contrast ratio.
Advantages of AMOLED technology
Energy efficiency
AMOLED technology uses less energy because only the pixels that are illuminated use electricity, only the pixels that are illuminated use electricity. This is particularly beneficial for mobile applications, as pixels can be deactivated for dark screen content. AMOLED therefore consumes much less energy than other technologies such as LCD, where the backlight remains continuously active, sometimes even in sectors (as with FALD technology).
Higher contrast and colour accuracy
Thanks to its ability to control and deactivate individual pixels, AMOLED offers higher contrast and deeper blacks. The technology can produce vibrant colours and high colour depth, which is beneficial not only for consumer products but also for industrial applications.
Flexibility and thin design
Since AMOLED displays do not require a backlight, they can be made extremely thin and flexible. This mechanical flexibility of OLED materials has enabled innovations such as foldable smartphones and curved displays.
Viewing angle vs. colour reproduction
Another advantage of modern AMOLED technology is the neutral colour reproduction across a very wide viewing angle.
Challenges of AMOLED technology
Burn-in and image retention
Although it has improved somewhat to a certain extent in recent years, burn-in still remains a critical problem with AMOLED. It occurs when static images are displayed for extended periods, leaving a lasting imprint on the screen. Blue organic materials are particularly prone to burn-in effects, as they tend to degrade faster.
A related phenomenon is image retention, where a static image temporarily remains visible even after the picture content has changed. Image retention occurs when the organic materials are unevenly altered after displaying static images for an extended period. Unlike burn-in, image retention is sometimes reversible. The effect can often be reduced or even eliminated by displaying changing content. However, continued image retention can eventually lead to irreversible burn-in if the organic material becomes permanently altered.
Lifetime and material degradation
The lifetime of AMOLED displays is limited by the degradation of the organic materials, particularly blue-emitter materials, which lose efficiency more quickly than their red and green counterparts. Despite significant improvements in material research, this remains a major factor affecting the lifetime of AMOLED-based displays.
Advancements and innovations
Phosphorescent OLED (PHOLED)
One significant development in the field of AMOLED technology has been the introduction of Phosphorescent OLEDs (PHOLEDs), which have an internal quantum efficiency of almost 100%. This improvement reduces energy consumption considerably and extends the life cycle of the displays. Leading manufacturers are planning to introduce blue PHOLEDs in 2025, marking another major step in making AMOLED displays even more efficient and durable.
Tandem OLEDs
Tandem OLEDs use multiple light-emitting layers stacked on top of each other, which enhances light emission and colour accuracy. This technology offers greater efficiency, improved colour reproduction and a longer lifetime, making it a promising option for high-resolution and energy-efficient AMOLED displays in the future.
Quantum Dot OLED (QD-OLED)
QD-OLED combines quantum dot materials with OLED technology to improve colour reproduction and energy efficiency. These displays use a TFT layer to control light emission and a blue light source to enable a high level of brightness. Quantum dots convert the blue light so that colours can be rendered with a high degree of accuracy. This technology promises thinner, lighter and more efficient displays.
Future developments
AMOLED continues to hold enormous potential for the future. In addition to improvements in material development – such as TADF (thermally activated delayed fluorescence) and hyperfluorescence – which could further improve OLED efficiency, other promising technologies are also emerging. One of these is printed OLEDs, which enable large and flexible displays to be mass-produced cost-effectively using modern printing techniques.
Summary
AMOLED has established itself as an advanced display technology that combines the benefits of high colour accuracy, flexibility and energy efficiency. Despite some challenges, such as burn-in and material degradation, the technology is developing at a rapid pace. Future advancements in phosphorescence and quantum dot technology, along with the use of Tandem OLEDs and printed displays, will further expand the range of applications for AMOLED in different sectors, including industrial ones.