Screen Resolution Question

[arsenal009]

I have a smart phone & a computer monitor.

The 4.8" smart phone can do 720p & has a pixel density of 306.

The 20" monitor can do 1080p & has a pixel density of 110.

Draw distance & all else being equal, which has the better resolution?


Thanks

 

[guanyu210379]

Pixel density and image quality (sharpness) has also something to do with your viewing distance.

 

[arsenal009]

Pixel density and image quality (sharpness) has also something to do with your viewing distance.

Right, that's why I stated draw (viewing) distance being equal. In that case, which is better?

 

[BrandonYoung]

1080p is higher (better) than 720p, there are more physical pixels.

Longer example:
720p = 1280x720 = 921,600 pixels total
1080p = 1920x1080 = 2,073,600 pixels total

 

[arsenal009]

1080p is higher (better) than 720p, there are more physical pixels.

Longer example:
720p = 1280x720 = 921,600 pixels total
1080p = 1920x1080 = 2,073,600 pixels total

Yes, but the phone is a lot smaller than the monitor. That's why the pixel density on the phone is higher. In this case, which is better?

 

[BrandonYoung]

That strictly depends on what you classify as better, more pixels, or closer together pixels.
More pixels = 1080p
Closer pixels = 720p (phone)

Personally, I would rather have a larger display of equal pixel count. Thats why I use a 3x27" 1080p displays. I enjoy viewing content much more on my PC monitor vs my 5" phone even though the resolution is the same (1080p).

Would you rather watch a movie on your phone or in the theater? Your pixel density on your phone is going to blow that theater screen out of the water. Which is more enjoyable for you though?

 

[BrandonYoung]

If your question is "Which has the better resolution per square inch" the answer is phone clearly, it has higher pixel density.

 

[arsenal009]

If your question is "Which has the better resolution per square inch" the answer is phone clearly, it has higher pixel density.

Yes, this is kind of my question. Let's say I don't care about the size of the device. Even if the phone is only 720p & the monitor is 1080p, if the phone has a higher pixel density, does that mean the phone's resolution is better?

 

[BrandonYoung]

No. It means the phones pixel density is better (able to pack more detail into a small space).

Resolution is the amount of pixels total. This is usually described as a "width * height" in pixels.

Your monitor is 1920x1080, your phone is 1280x720. The monitor has a better resolution by the definition of the word.

To recap:
Resolution = total number of pixels (width x height). Monitor wins.

Pixel density = number of pixels per inch (PPI) or cm (PPCM), measured horizontally or vertically (not pixels in a square inch for example). Phone wins.