The color of pixels can vary from one screen to another due to the display technology used, screen calibration settings, component quality, and how light is interpreted by each screen.
The color displayed by a pixel varies depending on the technology used by the screen. For example, LCD screens rely on a backlit panel: light passes through liquid crystals that control the color and brightness pixel by pixel. In contrast, OLED screens work differently: each pixel emits its own light, without backlighting. The result? True blacks and generally more vibrant colors. Even within the same technology like LCD, two screens can display different colors due to the type of backlighting used: it can be classic LED, Quantum Dot, or mini-LED. Each brings its own subtleties in terms of colors, contrasts, and saturation. This explains why the same colors will not be exactly identical from one device to another.
Each screen is factory-set with default parameters such as brightness, contrast, and color temperature. Often, these settings do not perfectly suit the environment in which the screen is used. Calibration is specifically used to adjust these parameters to achieve consistent and accurate colors. Poor calibration can result in overly blue or warm tones, or inaccurate shades. Some screens even offer predefined profiles (sRGB, Cinema, Game) to simplify these adjustments. A well-calibrated screen allows for realistic colors, which are useful in fields where accuracy is important, such as photography or graphic design.
The type of panel used in a display directly influences color rendering. For example, an IPS panel offers a better viewing angle and more accurate color reproduction than TN panels, which are fast but less precise in terms of colors. VA panels, on the other hand, provide good contrasts with deeper blacks, but often suffer from slower response times, which can slightly affect color fidelity and stability. The quality of manufacturing also plays a significant role: a cheap panel may have issues with color uniformity, meaning visible variations from one part of the screen to another, even if it's the same model. High-end panels are less likely to have this type of defect.
Color management software helps to harmonize what you see on screen with what comes out on paper or appears on other devices. Without them, colors can quickly go awry: you work on an image that seems perfect, but once printed or opened elsewhere, it looks completely different. These tools use ICC profiles to accurately translate colors from one device to another. They intelligently adjust the color information sent to the screen or printer, thereby reducing discrepancies between each device. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are well-known examples: in essence, they ensure that your bright red doesn’t turn into neon pink at your friend's place.
The ambient light around you changes your perception of colors on the screen: under bright lighting, colors appear washed out, whereas in complete darkness they seem too vibrant. Additionally, the reflection on the screen (mirror effect, dust, fingerprints) can distort your vision, dull contrasts, and alter colors. Even the angle at which you view your screen plays a role: with certain screens, a slight shift can change saturation and brightness, creating the impression of a different pixel. Finally, your own eyes, and specifically visual fatigue, can make you perceive colors differently after several hours in front of the screen.
Most manufacturers perform a standard calibration on their monitors at the factory, but this calibration can change over time due to the wear of electronic components. Therefore, periodically recalibrating your screen is highly recommended to maintain good color fidelity.
The human eye perceives about 10 million different colors, while many consumer screens only cover a portion of this spectrum. This is why some professional screens with a wider color gamut (AdobeRGB or DCI-P3) provide a more realistic and vibrant representation of colors.
Ambient brightness can greatly influence your perception of the colors displayed on a screen. Working in a dark room or, conversely, in a space that is too brightly lit can make you feel that the colors are too vivid, too dull, or inaccurate.
There is a phenomenon called 'metamerism', where two colors can appear identical under certain lighting conditions or on certain screens, but look different in other circumstances. This explains why a color may seem the same on a screen but different after being printed on paper.
The optimal way to ensure good color accuracy is to regularly calibrate your monitor using a professional colorimeter and to use advanced color management software. This ensures a faithful representation both on your screen and on those of other users.
Each software uses different color spaces and various methods of color management (for example, sRGB, Adobe RGB, or ProPhoto RGB). Therefore, the same image displayed on different programs may show slight or noticeable differences in colors.
In practice, no, because each screen has its own technical specifications and level of wear. However, by performing regular calibration and standardizing settings (color space, color temperature, brightness, etc.), it is possible to significantly reduce differences to achieve colors that are very close from one screen to another.
Ambient lighting (artificial or natural), the position from which you view the screen, and reflections on its surface are all external factors that can influence your perception of the displayed colors.
Screens use various display technologies such as LCD, OLED, or AMOLED, which produce and render colors differently. The size, resolution, and brightness of the screen also influence the perception of the final image.
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