Andrew Heinzman
Samsung’s new Galaxy Z Fold 3 isn’t just the first foldable with an under-display camera; it’s also the first phone to utilize Samsung’s groundbreaking Eco2 OLED technology. The new display panel cuts down on battery consumption by 25% and even improves the Z Fold 3’s under-display camera quality by allowing more light into the phone. But how does Eco2 OLED work?
Most displays use a thin layer of plastic, called a polarizer, to block light reflections and increase screen clarity. But polarizers come with an unfortunate side effect—they can actually reduce screen brightness by 50%. Up until now, manufacturers could only combat this problem by crafting brighter, more power-hungry display panels.
Fighting against a device’s polarizing layer with a super-bright display just isn’t sustainable. Not only does it waste battery life, but it greatly reduces the usability of OLED panels, which are much dimmer than LCD screens. Thankfully, the solution is pretty simple … just get rid of the polarizer layer.
An Eco2 OLED display (pronounced “Eco Square,” by the way) uses an integrated polarizer, eliminating the need for a plastic polarizing layer. While details are a bit slim, it seems that Samsung built an integrated polarizer by manipulating the “pixel structure” of its display. This results in a 33% increase in brightness and a 25% reduction in power consumption, according to Samsung.
Samsung also claims that the integrated polarizer allows more light to enter its Galaxy Z Fold 3, increasing its under-display camera’s photo quality. While this may be true, the Z Fold 3’s selfie camera isn’t up to scuff with regular cameras. Like, not at all. Hopefully Samsung has some other innovations planned to make under-display cameras more usable, because the Eco2 OLED panel isn’t enough.
Either way, we’re excited to see Eco2 OLED displays in future products. Not just smartphones, but TVs, laptops, and more. You really can’t say no to a 25% boost in battery life and a (potentially) brighter OLED screen.
Source: Samsung
