Ever since I got my Xperia Z1 last year I always observed the contrast on the display was very poor. I have several mobiles and if I compare the Xperia Z1 to the HTC One (M7), the Samsung Galaxy S5, Galaxy S3 or even a cheap Chinese mobile (thl PS6), then it's fair to say the Xperia Z1 has the worst display of them all. In fact, the worst display I have ever seen on a smartphone. The contrast is very low and this makes all the colours very washed out.
I sort of decided this was just how the Z1 was and I decided never to buy another Sony mobile
However, today I read an article that shows that Sony used several different displays for the same Z1 model but the screens were sourced from different suppliers and to a different specification. The article below explains the details:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2445283
As you can see below, different contrast ratios on different screens (all available at some point on the Z1) would demonstrate a radical difference in contrast and display performance.
"JDI type 1 - AH-IPS (this was used for the ZU)
JDI type 2 - VA (Xperia Z/ZL leftovers)
Sharp - VA (Xperia Z/ZL leftovers)
Samsung - S-PLS (Will only be used after all the VA panels are used up)
1) According to gsm-arena
Contrast 1513:1
Brightness 580 cd/m²
Black level 0.38 cd/m²
This is an IPS panel like on Xperia ZU.
Verdict: Much better screen quality.
2)According to hi-tech.mail.ru
Contrast 620:1
Brightness 488 cd/m²
Verdict: same poor panel as on Xperia Z.
3) According to ixbt.com
Contrast 600:1
Brightness 460 cd/m²
Verdict: poor screen.
Pixel arrangement 100% same as on Xperia Z."
I think it's fair to presume I have a screen with a contrast ratio down at the 600:1 mark, where clearly 1513:1 would be what I would have expected.
I have seen my friend's Z1 and it's far superior to mine.
This is not a fault. In fact, the mobile has been back to Sony before for a software fault and no comment or report was made about an inferior display. It's not a software fault, it's not a hardware fault as such. I just believe I have one of the low contrast, inferior screens fitted and I would like to have the screen replaced with one of a decent quality.
Thanks
