Will An Anti-Reflective Screen Ever Come To The iPhone And iPad?
by Brent Dirks
April 2, 2012
The next generation of iMacs may be sporting a long sought after, anti-reflective display, according to a report from MacRumors. And here’s hoping the option will come to the iPhone and iPad sooner than later.
Along with ramping up production of screens for the new iPad, G-Tech Optoelectronics is apparently working with Apple to produce a new anti-reflective screen for the iMac, which is expected to receive a refresh sometime this year after Intel’s Ivy Bridge chips are released.
Currently, the entire iMac line sports a glass front. And depending on where the screen is located and the amount of light in the room, the display can easily washout in a mass of glare.
If the iMac’s did receive the anti-glare glass, the line would join the 15- and 17-inch MacBook Pros that can be special ordered with a matte screen.
But, for me, the big question is would Apple ever decide to make iPads or iPhones with a matte or anti-reflective screen. One of the louder complaints I hear regarding iDevices is that the screens are washed out in direct light.
Even Amazon took shots at the iPad’s screen in a set of commercials for its Kindle book reader.
And apparently, judging by the accessory market for screen protectors, there is a group of iPad and iPhone users who are pining for a matte screen. Even Apple is selling the pictured Power Support Anti-Glare film for the iPhone 4S/4 in its retail stores.
I purchased the film when I received my iPhone 4S this fall, and did try it out for a little while. While my iPhone was more readable in bright light situations, the screen looked muddied and washed out. And I eventually took the protector off, willing to live with some glare for the full bright-and-beautiful Retina screen experience.
But could an Apple-designed iDevice anti-glare screen be better? I think it could, and hopefully we might see one sooner than later as an option to purchase.
Would you buy an iPhone or iPad with anti-reflective coating? Or would it ruin the screen experience on both devices?
