sID 2013: Qualcomm Unveils 5.1-Inch 2,560 x 1,440 Pixel Mirasol Display Targeting Smartphones
The Mirasol technology has been making rounds at various tech fairs for several years and even made it to the market in Southeast Asia in the form of an Android-powered eBook Reader. Unfortunately, the success was short-lived, as the Qualcomm reference device sold poorly and was soon discontinued. In the middle of last year, Qualcomm also announced that it would cease screen production to focus instead on licensing the technology.
Already at CES 2013 in January, Qualcomm showcased a successor generation of Mirasol technology. At the time, they kept the exact specifications under wraps. It was only known that it should be more cost-efficient and brighter.
High-resolution 5.1-inch Mirasol Display – for Smartphones
At the currently ongoing SID Display Week 2013 in Vancouver, Qualcomm is represented again and is now revealing more details about the new technology. The 5.1-inch Mirasol display showcased there has an incredible resolution of 2,560 x 1,440 pixels with a pixel density of 577 ppi. The screen prototype showcased, presented as a smartphone mockup, also features front lighting, allowing the display to be read in the dark – similar to current eBook readers.
The new screen technology is clearly targeting the smartphone market and less so the eBook market. This is also highlighted by the power consumption, which is said to be up to 6 times lower than LCD or OLED displays. While that’s not bad, it would probably still be too power-hungry for an eBook Reader.
However, one shouldn’t hope for an imminent market launch. The showcased next-gen display is still in development, with market launch aimed for several years down the line. By then, they might also have resolved the bluish tint visible in the prototype (see video below).
No Mirasol eBook Reader?
In addition to the 5.1-inch screen, two smartwatch concepts are also on display. One of the concepts again showcases the new screen technology in action, with a screen diagonal of about 1.5 inches and a resolution of 600×600 pixels, also boasting an impressive pixel density of 577 ppi.
The second prototype also features a 1.5-inch display, whose market launch, according to Engadget, is imminent. The smartwatch also has front lighting. Although the resolution isn’t mentioned, it is significantly lower than the next-gen display.
An eBook Reader is apparently not on display, raising the question of whether Qualcomm has given up on the eBook Reader market. That would certainly be possible following the disaster with the Kyobo eBook Reader. The fact that major eBook Reader manufacturers have shown little interest in the technology could have led Qualcomm to shift focus to the booming smartphone market, where it is already extremely successful as a SOC chip producer.
The lack of interest from eBook Reader manufacturers is not all that surprising, though. Even though Mirasol handles fast image transitions and color display well, its readability still falls way short of eInk technology. That was one of the main criticisms of the first (and last) Mirasol eBook Reader.
