Until now, I have not been able to try HDR10 technology on a smartphone. In truth, I didn’t even want to appreciate it, as it seemed that there was not much benefit from it, however, I was greatly mistaken. And in this article I will try to explain what exactly made me change my position and why now I recommend everyone to buy phones with HDR10 support.
I underestimated HDR technology
Surprisingly, I managed to evaluate the technology on a rather cheap smartphone of the company Xiaomi – we are talking about Mi 9 Lite. The device is equipped with a 6.39-inch super AMOLED – display with FullHD-resolution and HDR10 support.
HDR10 is supported by apps: Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Google Play Movies, VUDU, Disney + and more.
Before evaluating such a screen, I knew what HDR10 is and why this technology is needed. It significantly improves picture quality and makes dark areas very dark, and bright areas, on the contrary, very bright. It is typical to support this technology AMOLED – displays due to high contrast and brightness. We have explained in detail the features of HDR displays in this article.
After turning off the lights in the room and plunging myself into total darkness, I decided to open YouTube, which supports HDR content. Then two videos were watched. I'll post them below so you can evaluate for yourself.
Having opened the first video, having made the screen brightness to maximum before that, I started watching. And when at the beginning of the video, flying glowing balls appeared in the frame, I almost fell off my chair. The balls glowed so brightly that it felt like the light was real and could be touched with your hands. There was a sense of the volume of the light source, and it is simply amazing – it instantly immersed me in the scene. The impression of the presence of balls in reality was created.
Then I opened the second video to appreciate the HDR10 mode when watching a regular movie. It is clear that demonstration of technology is one thing, and ordinary cinema is another. “Joker”, of course, can hardly be called “ordinary” cinema, but you get what I mean. So how did it feel to me to watch a piece of the movie? They cannot be compared to balls simply because the final scene of “Joker” cannot boast of active frames, but I noticed very subtle details.
When the Joker's wet eyes were covered with tears, I began to notice how especially they shine under the influence of spotlights. They stood out clearly from the scene and the feeling is amazing. Another moment, which also surprised us, is the scene where the camera is located in the auditorium and we can see the spotlights directed towards the stage. The light from these spotlights stands out strongly from the general scene, creating a sense of its volume. This makes it seem like you're watching a 3D video.
Stage with spotlights
conclusions
Just two videos were enough to understand how wonderful HDR technology is. And now I simply cannot imagine how to watch ordinary films without the support of this technology. It is interesting to know if there are any owners of devices with HDR10 support among our readers, share your impressions in the comments and do not forget about our Telegram.
Interestingly, the first HDR display was received by a Sony smartphone. After the release of XZ Premium, she explained why the device's HDR screen is so beautiful.