When choosing a Xiaomi smartphone, many people come across the acronym IPS in screen specs โ but what does it mean in practice? This technology determines picture quality, viewing angles, power consumption and even the cost of a device. Unlike AMOLED, which is often associated with premium flagships, IPS remains a popular solution for low-end and mid-budget models of Redmi, POCO and even some Mi lineups.
In this article, we will discuss in detail how it works. IPS-The display in Xiaomi phones, how it differs from alternative technologies, and why the manufacturer still chooses it for their devices.You will also learn how to determine the type of screen on your smartphone and which models Xiaomi 2023-2026 equipped with. IPS-panel.
What is it? IPS-Smartphone screen: just about complicated
IPS (In-Plane Switching is a type of LCD (liquid crystal) display where the crystals are located parallel to the plane of the screen. TFT-Matrices โ improved viewing angles and color rendering, and Xiaomi smartphones have been using this technology since the 2010s, and despite the spread of the technology. AMOLED, It remains relevant due to several key advantages.
How does IPS work in practice? The screen is illuminated by LEDs located at the edges or behind the panel (depending on the type of backlight). Liquid crystals turn when applied, letting or blocking light, which forms an image. Xiaomi phones often use an improved version, IPS-LCD, with higher pixel density and brightness.
- ๐น Main components IPS-screen:
- ๐ฑ Substrate with LEDs (backlighting)
- ๐ Liquid crystals (change orientation under stress)
- ๐จ Color filters (RGB-subpixel)
- ๐ก๏ธ Security glass (often Gorilla Glass in Xiaomi)
It is important to understand that IPS โ It's not synonymous with "bad screen." IPS-panels in Xiaomi phones (for example, in Redmi Note 12 or in the phone). POCO X5 Pro) support 120 Hz refresh rate, technology DC Dimming to reduce flickering and wide color coverage DCI-P3. However, technology has limitations, which we will discuss later.
IPS vs AMOLED in Xiaomi phones: comparison of key parameters
The main competitor of IPS is AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode), the latter often found in Xiaomi flagships such as Xiaomi 13 Ultra or Black Shark 5 Pro. To understand which screen is best for your tasks, compare them by key criteria:
| Parameter | IPS (Xiaomi) | AMOLED (Xiaomi) |
|---|---|---|
| Contrast | 1000:1 โ 1500:1 | โ:1 (true black) |
| Brightness (max.) | 450-600 nits (Redmi Note 12 Pro+ up to 900 nits) | 800-1,500 nits (Xiaomi 14 to 3,000 nits) |
| Energy consumption | High (lighting always works) | Low (pixels glow on their own) |
| The price of the repair | Low (cheaper to replace) | High (complex structure) |
| Twinkle (PWM) | Eating (may cause eye fatigue) | There are (but often with high frequency) |
Critical moment: in the phones Xiaomi with the IPS-The technology is often used DC Dimming (permanent dimming without flickering), which reduces eye strain at low brightness. AMOLED flicker (PWM) It may be more noticeable at low light levels.
Where IPS wins over AMOLED:
- ๐ฐ Price: smartphones with IPS cheaper with similar characteristics.
- ๐ง Repairability: Replace broken IPS-Redmi screen is cheaper than AMOLED Mi 11.
- โ๏ธ Readability in the sun: some IPS-panels (e.g. in the POCO F5) have special coverage for better visibility.
โ ๏ธ If you often watch black-banded videos (for example, a movie at 21:9), you can see the following: AMOLED These areas will be completely turned off, saving the charge. IPS The lighting is always working, which reduces the battery life.
Advantages IPS-screens in Xiaomi phones
Despite the popularity of AMOLED, IPS remains a popular technology in Xiaomiโs lineup.
- Natural color reproduction. IPS-panels usually have a more accurate color temperature "out of the box", without the excessive saturation that is characteristic of the color. AMOLED. This is important for photographers and designers working with Xiaomi like Redmi. K60.
- No burnout: Unlike AMOLED, where static elements (such as a navigation bar) can be imprinted on the screen, IPS is not affected by this effect.
- Great durability. Average lifespan. IPS-The screen is 50,000 hours, while the AMOLED This indicator is often lower due to the degradation of organic LEDs.
Another advantage is that you have a uniform lighting. AMOLED-screens sometimes show gradients or "clouds" at low brightness, whereas IPS This is true for Xiaomi models with large displays, such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro.+ (6.67 inches).
Budget up to 20,000 โฝ|Long-term autonomy is needed (IPS Less battery drains when watching videos)|Important accuracy of color reproduction (photo/video editing)|Fear of screen burnout (static icons, games)|You plan to use your phone in the sun often.-->
Besides, IPS It is better suited for gaming smartphones in the budget segment, POCO X4 GT s IPS-The screen and frequency of 144 Hz offers a smoother gameplay compared to the AMOLED-similar to the same price range, where the refresh rate is limited to 90 Hz.
IPS disadvantages in Xiaomi smartphones: what to look for
IPS technology has disadvantages that can become critical for some users:
- ๐ Higher power consumption: The backlight works even when black is displayed, which reduces battery life by 10-15% compared to the previous one. AMOLED.
- ๐ The gray is black, because of the lighting, the black color is IPS It looks like dark gray, which reduces contrast.
- ๐๏ธ There's a flickering at low brightness. There's a noticeable flicker in cheap Redmi models (PWM), eye-wasting.
- ๐ Screen thickness. IPS-thicker AMOLED, What affects the overall weight and design of the device (e.g. Redmi) 10C Xiaomi 12 Lite thicker with AMOLED).
Particularly noticeable shortcomings IPS Xiaomi budget models (e.g. Redmi) A2+ or POCO M5), It uses simplified versions of panels with low brightness (400 nits) and poor color reproduction, and in such cases, the screen may look faded compared to even inexpensive ones. AMOLED-display.
โ ๏ธ Note: If you plan to use a smartphone to view HDR-content (Netflix, YouTube), note that most of the IPS-Xiaomi screens do not support real screens HDR10+. They can emulate an extended dynamic range, but the quality will be worse than the average. AMOLED certified HDR10+ Or Dolby Vision.
Another problem is the angles of view. IPS-Xiaomi panels (for example, in the Redmi Note 11 Pro) are almost not inferior AMOLED, in cheap models, when looking sideways, a "whitening" of the picture or an inversion of colors may appear.
How to Check Viewing Angles IPS-pre-purchase screen?
How to know which screen is on your Xiaomi phone: IPS or AMOLED?
If youโre not sure what type of display your Xiaomi has installed, there are a few ways to check it out:
- Go to Xiaomiโs official website or check the specifications on sites like GSMArena or 4PDA, for example, the Redmi Note 12 4G has IPS, and the Xiaomi 13T has AMOLED.
- Visual test: Look at the black background at maximum brightness: if it looks gray, it's IPS; if it's absolutely black, it's AMOLED.
- Screen analysis applications: Utilities like Screen Test or Display Tester show the type of matrix and its parameters.
You can also use a flicker test:
- Set the minimum brightness of the screen.
- Point the camera of another phone to your Xiaomi screen.
- If the video shows bands or flickering - this is a sign of PWM (more often found in AMOLED, but it happens in cheap IPS).
For Xiaomi models with AdaptiveSync (such as the POCO F4 GT), you can check the screen type through the engineering menu:
#4636## โ โEquipment testingโ โ โScreenโThis displays information about the matrix, including its type.
๐ก
If your Xiaomi features the option "Always-on Display" (AOD), it's a hundred percent sign AMOLED-screen. IPS-panels do not support this function due to the lighting features.
Xiaomi models with IPS-screens: current list (2023โ2026)
Despite the trend towards AMOLED, Xiaomi continues to launch IPS devices, especially in the budget and mid-range segments. Here are the current models (as of 2026):
| Model | Screen type | Size/Permission | Frequency of update |
|---|---|---|---|
| Redmi Note 12 4G | IPS LCD | 6,67" / FHD+ | 120 Hz |
| POCO X5 Pro | IPS LCD (Flow AMOLED into 5G-version!) | 6,67" / FHD+ | 120 Hz |
| Redmi 12C | IPS LCD | 6,71" / HD+ | 60 Hz |
| POCO M6 Pro | IPS LCD | 6,79" / FHD+ | 90 Hz |
| Redmi A3 | IPS LCD | 6,71" / HD+ | 90 Hz |
Interestingly, even within the same lineup, Xiaomi can use different types of screens, such as the POCO X5 (base model) has IPS, and the POCO X5 Pro 5G has AMOLED, which is related to cost optimization and target audience of devices.
โ ๏ธ In 2026, Xiaomi began to actively translate the mid-budget models to the new model. AMOLED (For example, the Redmi Note 13 Pro+). If you are critical of the screen type, check it before buying โ even within the same series (for example, Redmi Note 12) can be as a result of the new model. IPS, so AMOLED-version.
How to improve quality IPS-screen on Xiaomi: settings and life hacks
If your Xiaomi is equipped IPS-screen, its quality can be optimized using settings and third-party tools:
- ๐จ Calibration of flowers. Go to Settings โ Display. โ Color scheme and select "Saturated" (for bright colors) or "Standard" (for natural transmission) mode).
- โ๏ธ Adaptive brightness: Turn on Automatic Brightness Adjustment in the display settings to reduce eye strain.
- ๐ Update frequency if your model supports 90/120 Hz (e.g. Redmi Note) 11 Pro, set the maximum value for smooth animations.
- ๐ก๏ธ Eye protection: Activate Reading Mode or Blue Light Filter in the evening.
For advanced users:
- ๐ฑ Use the Screen Balance app (from Google Play) to fine-tune color temperature.
- ๐ง In the engineering menu (#36446337##) you can change the Gamma and Contrast settings, but this requires caution.
If your Xiaomi has trouble with the flicker IPS-screen at low brightness, try it:
- Turn off the automatic brightness.
- Set the brightness level above 30%.
- Enable DC Dimming (if supported) in the developer settings.
๐ก
Starting with MIUI 14, Xiaomi added support DC Dimming for the many IPS-screens, which significantly reduces flickering. Update the firmware if this feature is not available.