What is IPS?

IPS, also known as In-Plane Switching, is a type of screen and vision technology.

Specifically, an IPS panel is a type of TFT LCD (or “active matrix” LCD). LCD, or liquid crystal display, indicates the use of light-modulating properties from unlit liquid crystals to produce flat panels or electronic screens. TFT, which means Thin Film Transistor, is a variant of the LCD monitor created and marketed for its properties of color enhancement, contrast, and black levels. The two most common types of LCD TFTs are the IPS and TN screens.

The TFT LCD screen (IPS monitor with active matrix) was developed by Hitachi in 1996 as a solution to the limits of the late 80s LCD TFT (Twisted Nematic) LCDs, not standard IPS LCDs. The TN screen is known for its viewing angle limitations, such as inversion of colors at extreme angles and low color quality. In contrast, IPS monitors provide wider viewing angles and higher quality color reproduction by making pixels parallel, rather than perpendicular. In an IPS display, the liquid crystals are parallel to the panels when they receive energy. In a TN screen, the crystals are oriented perpendicular to the upper part of the panel. High-performance tablets and smartphones use IPS vision technology because they are often used to view movies, make video chats and store photos. A better viewing angle and color characteristics guarantee better user experience. Creativity professionals benefit from the use of an IPS screen because an IPS LCD with a wider color gamut and wider viewing angles allows for greater aesthetic accuracy and therefore excellent quality.

Other versions of IPS include the following technologies:

  • Super TFT (IPS) for a wider viewing angle
  • Super-IPS (S-IPS) to eliminate the effect of changing colors and improve the pixel refresh rate.
  • Advanced Super-IPS (AS-IPS) for high transmittance
  • Enhanced IPS (E-IPS) for better diagonal viewing angle and reduced response time
  • Horizontal IPS (H-IPS) for an improved contrast ratio and an Advanced True White polarizing film that creates a more natural white color
  • Professional IPS (P-IPS) for true color depth

Is IPS suited to my needs?

An IPS monitor, also known as the In-Plane Switching panel, uses a type of high-quality vision technology typically used in high-performance computer, laptop, tablet, and smartphone screens. IPS offers a better user experience thanks to the wider angle and better color quality, as well as display features evolved over time compared to the introduction of TN effect LCD screens, used a lot in the 90s.

To decide if an IPS monitor is the best choice for your needs, first understand the TFT LCD vision technology. LCD TFT stands for “Liquid Crystal Display” and “Thin Film Transistor” (thin-film transistor). The LCD screen is composed of polarizing material and liquid crystals. TFT LCDs, also known as “an active-matrix “, were born as a variant of LCDs. TFT LCDs improve the color, contrast and response times of passive matrix LCDs.

The two most common types of LCD TFTs are the IPS LCD TFT and TN LCD TFT screens. TNs usually have a faster response time, which guarantees better entertainment experiences for those who watch sports or play video games, but IPS was born to solve TN screen problems, such as reduced viewing angle and the low quality of color reproduction. If you use your laptop or smartphone for creative activities, watching movies and videos, video chatting or uploading photo albums, you should choose an IPS, which gives you the best viewing angle and maximum color accuracy.

What are the qualities of IPS compared to TFT?

IPS (In-Plane Switching) is one of the most common types of TFT LCD screens. The TFT LCD screen improves the image quality of a normal LCD screen thanks to thin-film transistor technology. The IPS LCD screen, a variant of the TFT LCD (active matrix) improves the screen technology ensuring better color reproduction and a wider and more precise viewing angle. TFT LCD IPS technology is widely used for desktop and laptop computers, tablets and smartphones with high performance.

LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. It is a type of thin screen that forms a luminous panel display using two layers of polarized panels and a liquid crystal solution. Light is projected through liquid crystals to produce an image, but since liquid crystals are not illuminated, they need a backlight.

TFT LCDs (also known as active matrix LCDs) were created to improve colors, contrast and response time in LCD screens. The two most common types of LCD TFTs are the TFT TN LCDs (not standard IPS) and the IPS TFT LCDs. A monitor with an IPS screen offers improved features such as optimal viewing angles, precise colors, invariable color reproduction, and reduced energy consumption. In summary, IPS is a variant of the TFT LCD that improves the technological limits of TN panels, ie reduced viewing angles and color reproduction.