Samsung Screen Comparison: OEM, OLED, and INCELL

Since 2023, aftermarket demand for Android screens has skyrocketed, especially for Samsung’s premium N and S series devices. To address this rising demand, REWA has introduced a comprehensive range of Samsung screens including the A, J, M, N, and S series. Our goal is to help customers find the most suitable replacement screen tailored to their needs.

Currently, there are three main types of replacement screens on the market: OEM Refurbished Screens, Aftermarket OLED Screens, and Aftermarket Incell Screens. Each of these options varies in performance across key aspects such as color, resolution, and touch response. In this blog, we’ll test Samsung S20’s screens and explore these differences through four core tests, providing a detailed analysis to guide your decision-making process.

Note: Before reading this blog, you also can watch this video with the same topic.

Overview of the Three Screen Types: Pros and Cons

OEM Refurbished Screens

These screens are removed from original devices and retain most of their original components, with only the front glass or flex cable replaced when necessary. While minor signs of aging may be present, REWA meticulously inspects and eliminates such imperfections, making these screens an excellent choice for users seeking high quality.

Aftermarket OLED Screens

Manufactured by third-party factories, these screens adopt OLED technology, delivering impressive brightness and contrast. However, some models may require a dedicated frame due to design incompatibility with the original frame.

Aftermarket Incell Screens

Incell screens are flat-panel designs with slightly wider bottom bezels, reducing the viewing area and lacking features like fingerprint-on-display (FoD). While the overall performance is modest, these screens offer a cost-effective solution for budget-conscious users.

Four Core Tests: Analyzing Performance in Depth

To provide a comprehensive comparison, we evaluated the three screen types based on color reproduction, brightness and color gamut, resolution, and touch performance. Here’s what we found:

1. Color Reproduction: Natural vs. Vibrant

Color reproduction significantly impacts user experience and screen quality perception.

The OEM Refurbished Screen delivers natural and realistic colors, closely resembling what the human eye perceives, making them ideal for users who value high accuracy.

The Aftermarket OLED Screen exhibits cooler tones with more vibrant and saturated colors. These screens appeal to users who prefer vivid visuals, though prolonged use may cause eye strain.

The Aftermarket Incell Screen has dimmer tones and lower contrast, leading to noticeable loss of detail, especially in darker regions. This makes them less suitable for scenarios requiring high-quality displays.

2. Brightness and Color Gamut: How Bright and Colorful?

Brightness and color gamut determine how well a screen performs in various lighting conditions and its ability to display a broad color range.

The OEM Refurbished Screen achieve a brightness of 394.45 nits and a color gamut coverage of 106.6%, balancing both brightness and vividness for versatile use.

The Aftermarket OLED Screen offers 364.60 nits of brightness and a slightly higher color gamut coverage of 110.9%, displaying a richer range of colors.

The Aftermarket Incell Screen falls behind with only 203.13 nits of brightness and 70.4% color gamut coverage, making it less suitable for environments with high ambient light.

3. Resolution and Pixel Arrangement: A Test of Clarity

Using a microscope, we examined the pixel arrangements to evaluate clarity:

The OEM Refurbished Screen features Samsung’s diamond pixel arrangement, providing superior pixel density and clarity.

The Aftermarket OLED Screen utilizes TCL CSOT’s proprietary pixel arrangement, delivering decent clarity but slightly trailing the OEM screen.

The Aftermarket Incell Screen has a standard RGB arrangement, offering moderate clarity that is sufficient for basic needs.

4. Touch Performance: Precision and Responsiveness

Touch performance is critical for interaction and determines the screen’s usability.

The OEM Refurbished Screen delivers precise and responsive touch functionality with consistent performance across the entire screen, making it perfect for users with high interaction demands.

The Aftermarket OLED Screen is slightly slower in response but maintains good touch accuracy, meeting most daily requirements.

The Aftermarket Incell Screen shows minor lag and less precise touch input. While this may not be noticeable without a direct comparison, it could impact tasks requiring high precision.

Which Screen Is Right for You?

Summary of the differences:

Based on the tests, it’s clear that each screen type has its strengths and suits different needs:

For display and view window, OEM Refurbished Screens are the top choice, excelling in all key areas.

For value-conscious users, Aftermarket OLED Screens provide excellent view window and installment thickness at a competitive price.

For budget-focused users, Aftermarket Incell Screens offer basic functionality at an affordable cost, making them a practical option for limited budgets.

Conclusion: Make an Informed Decision

Choosing the right screen whether its Samsung screen, iphone screen or other is about balancing performance, budget, and end-customers’ preferences. By understanding the differences among OEM Refurbished Screens, Aftermarket OLED Screens, and Aftermarket Incell Screens, you can confidently select the one that best suits your business.

At REWA, we’re here to provide expert advice and high-quality products to ensure you make the best choice. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.