Recently, with the release of Meizu MX2 and other models, IGZO technology has also received widespread attention from users. At first, it was rumored that the MX2 was equipped with a screen using IGZO technology. Although the rumor proved to be untrue, it inevitably made many users expect IGZO. What exactly is IGZO? How about IGZO? Is it as good as the rumor? Here we might as well discuss IGZO, and welcome professionals to express their personal views.

What is IGZO?

To quote the definition of IGZO: IGZO (indium gallium zinc oxide) is the abbreviation of indium gallium zinc oxide. Amorphous IGZO materials are channel layer materials used in the new generation of thin-film transistor technology. IGZO material was first proposed by Hideo Hosono of Tokyo University of Technology in Japan to be applied in the TFT industry. At present, the material and technology patents are mainly owned by Japanese manufacturers. IGZO-TFT technology was first mass produced by Sharp in Japan.

In fact, IGZO is a kind of TFT driver. It is improved based on traditional TFT driver technology, but its working principle is the same. IGZO is not directly related to IPS, AMOLED, PVA and other concepts. They do not belong to the same category. IPS, AMOLED, PVA and other concepts refer to the arrangement of liquid crystal molecules. IGZO, as a driving technology, can be used on IPS LCD panels. Thanks to its performance advantages, it can make Sharp's small and medium-sized LCD panels more competitive.

What are TFT drivers?

When it comes to IGZO TFT, I would like to introduce the types of TFT drivers. In addition to IGZO, there are also the most a-Si (amorphous silicon), LTPS (low-temperature polysilicon) and other TFT types. However, from a technical point of view, LTPS is better than the other two. In terms of cost, LTPS>IGZO>a-Si.

If we use the concept of "carrier mobility" to measure the three, we can see that IGZO is 20-30 times of a-Si, and LTPS is 200-300 times of a-Si. We can generally see the advanced degree among the three.

At present, a-Si is the most widely used, followed by LTPS, and IGZO is only used by Sharp in real mass production. It can be simply seen that IGZO is a technology between a-Si and LTPS. Its advantage is that it can make the display power consumption close to OLED and reduce costs. Its thickness is only 25% higher than OLED, and its resolution can reach the level of full HD or even UHD. Because the cost of using LTPS on large screens is too high, IGZO can be used instead of LTPS on large screen devices such as flat panels, which can achieve good results.

How does IGZO actually perform?

At present, there are few application cases of IGZO panel. The AQUOS Pad SHT-21 tablet launched recently uses IGZO panel, and Sharp's own AQUOS Phone Zeta SH-02E phone also uses this panel. At present, Quos Phone Zeta SH-02E mobile phone has been evaluated by Junke Technology website. Let's quote the website's evaluation of IGZO screen:

"Comparing the Aquos Phone Zeta SH-02E phone with the screen of the HTC One XL on the hand, it is found that the SH-02E screen, when viewed from the front, will be slightly redder than the One XL, which is flattering. When turned to the brightest, the SH-02E will be brighter than the latter. However, when we look at it from a lower angle, we can clearly see that the screen of SH-02E is yellow, while the screen of One XL is not very different from the front view, which can be seen at the same time. SH-02E's screen touch response is fast and the performance is ideal. Although the color performance of this IGZO screen is insufficient, we are quite satisfied with the first work. "

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