LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) is a backlit display technology where liquid crystals twist to block or allow light through a polarizing filter. Still common in mid-range phones and budget devices.
LCD panels consist of layers: a backlight (LED), polarizing filters, liquid crystal layer, color filter, and glass. The liquid crystals rotate in response to electrical current, controlling how much light passes through each pixel.
Advantages of LCD: lower cost than OLED, no burn-in risk, proven technology, simpler repair. Peak brightness on modern LCDs can exceed OLED (premium LCD mini-LED units exceed 2000 nits).
Disadvantages: LCD cannot achieve true black (backlight always leaks some light), resulting in lower contrast ratios (~1000:1 vs OLED's infinite). Response times slower than OLED (~5 ms gray-to-gray vs <1 ms). Viewing angles narrower than OLED.
LCD dominates laptops, budget phones, and certain markets. Premium phones moved to OLED by 2020, but mid-range devices (Samsung Galaxy A, iPhone SE) still use LCD for cost reasons.
Use this for basic needs — fine for web browsing, email, and casual videos. Video editors and gamers notice the contrast penalty.