The best technology to ensure display visibility in the sun

When using a device outdoors, we are exposed to different lighting conditions. Under the sun, the screen can present readability problems. Choosing the right technology allows for better visibility and, consequently, a more comfortable user experience. Different solutions are available, such as transflective displays, high-brightness LCDs, OLEDs and E-Ink, each with its own distinctive advantages.

The influence of light on display viewing

The main difficulties encountered when designing a display for outdoor applications are related to reflections, excessive brightness and glare caused in particular by direct sunlight. When sunlight hits the screen, it can generate intense reflections that obstruct the visibility of content and reduce readability. In addition, exposure to sunlight can fade colours and decrease contrast, further compromising image quality.
Choosing the most suitable display technology for optimal visibility in sunlight requires careful evaluation of several factors, such as brightness, contrast ratio and colour accuracy.

The characteristics of outdoor displays

Displays intended for outdoor use must have higher brightness, higher contrast and higher colour fidelity.
While a brightness level of 200 to 500 nits is adequate for indoor displays, those designed for outdoors require much higher values, often over 1,000 nits or more. A high brightness level is essential to ensure that the display can stand up to outdoor ambient light. A good contrast ratio also enables better readability, especially in bright sunlight.
To ensure an optimal viewing experience, it is important that colours remain accurate and vivid, even in bright outdoor light. This can only be achieved through high colour accuracy.
In addition, special coatings applied to the display surface can reduce glare and reflections caused by sunlight.
Transflective displays, high-brightness LCDs, OLED displays and E-Ink displays are some of the best options on the market for outdoor applications.

Transflective displays

These displays utilise ambient light to enhance visibility by combining reflective and transmissive properties. These characteristics make them suitable for use in both direct sunlight and indoor lighting conditions. Transflective displays are often used in rugged smartphones, built for use in construction and manufacturing sites, and in some e-readers.

High-brightness LCDs

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panels ensure high brightness levels. Thanks to powerful backlighting systems and innovative image enhancement technologies, they offer superior visibility in sunlight. They are widely used in outdoor signage and digital displays.

OLED Displays

OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays have an excellent ratio between contrast and colour reproduction. Recent technological advances have made it possible to overcome the brightness problems that these products encountered outdoors, compared to LCD panels. Today, OLED displays with increased brightness are available specifically for outdoor use.

E-Ink Displays

Also known as electronic ink displays, these screens offer exceptional visibility, even when the sun is shining brightly, thanks to their reflective properties. Unlike conventional displays, they do not require backlighting. They are therefore more efficient and readable even in direct sunlight. They are commonly used in e-readers and electronic labels on shelves.