What Is a TFT Display?
A TFT display (Thin Film Transistor) is an advanced color LCD type that controls each pixel with its own tiny transistor. It's also known as an "active matrix" LCD.
What Does Active Matrix Mean?
In simple (passive) LCDs the pixels are driven by row-column scanning; this is slow and blurry. In TFT each pixel has a transistor behind it and drives the pixel independently, fast and sharply.
Advantages
It offers high resolution, vivid colors, fast response time and a sharp image. So it's far superior to passive LCD for moving content and colorful interfaces.
| Property | TFT (active) | Passive LCD |
|---|---|---|
| Pixel drive | Each pixel separately | Row-column |
| Speed | Fast | Slow |
| Color | Vivid | Limited |
Relationship to OLED
A TFT is still an LCD needing a backlight; an OLED produces its own light. A TFT is cheaper and bright in daylight, while OLED is thinner and offers deeper black.
Where Is It Used?
Phone and tablet screens, monitors, automotive instrument panels, cameras and embedded touch interfaces.
Common Mistakes
- Interface choice: TFT modules need an SPI or parallel interface; the controller must suit it.
- Supply current: the backlight draws significant current, power must be accounted for.
- Viewing angle: in cheap TFT panels the color shifts with angle (IPS improves this).
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between IPS and TFT?+
Is a TFT an LCD?+
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