Design of the screen Xiaomi: what materials and layers is the display of the smartphone

The screen of a smartphone is not just a glass panel, but a complex multi-layered design, which depends on the quality of the image, sensor sensitivity and strength of the device. Xiaomi smartphones use different technologies for assembling displays: from budget models to the most expensive ones. IPS-matrices to flagships with AMOLED-But how exactly is this sandwich made of glass, polymers and microelectronics? And why does one display break when it falls and the other one withstand the impacts?

In this article, we will analyze in detail the structure of the Xiaomi screen - from the top protective glass to the matrix substrate, and also explain what materials are used in different series (Redmi, POCO, You will learn how the screen Xiaomi 13 Ultra from Redmi Note 12, how the touch layer works and why some displays “yellow” over time.

1. Top layer: protective glass and oleophobic coating

The first thing you see and touch on Xiaomi’s screen is the protective glass, and most current models (starting in 2020) use Corning’s Gorilla Glass tempered glass or Asahi Glass’s Dragontrail. These materials are chemically treated to increase strength: for example, Gorilla Glass Victus (installed in Xiaomi). 12T Pro and newer) withstands falls from a height of up to 2 meters on the asphalt.

However, the strength of glass depends not only on the brand, but also on its thickness and processing edges. So, in the budget Redmi often install glass thickness 0.55-0.7 mm, and in flagships (for example, Xiaomi 14) - up to 1.1 mm. The thinner the glass, the higher the risk of cracks, but better transparency and tactile sensation.

• 🔹 Gorilla Glass 3/5 — Budgetary models (Redmi) 9A, POCO M4 Pro)
• 🔹 Gorilla Glass 6/Victus — Middle segment (Xiaomi) 11 Lite, Redmi Note 12 Pro+)
• 🔹 Dragontrail Pro – an alternative to the AGC (meet POCO X5 Pro)
• 🔹 Sapphire glass – rare, only in limited editions (e.g. Xiaomi) MIX Fold 2 on the cameras)

The glass is coated with an oleophobic coating, a thin layer of fluoropolymer that repels fat and reduces finger marks. Over time, this coating wears off (especially if you clean the screen with alcohol or abrasive wipes). Xiaomi flagships use a coating with increased wear resistance, but even it requires careful care.

⚠️ Warning: If after glass replacement, "rainbow" divorces appear on the screen in bright light, this is a sign of poor-quality glue or the absence of an anti-reflective layer. In official Xiaomi service centers, they use original adhesive composites with a high-quality glue. UV-cure.

2.The Touch Layer: How Touch Screen Works

Under the protective glass is a touchscreen that registers touches. Xiaomi smartphones use two main technologies:

1. Capacitive sensors (in 90% of models) – respond to changes in the electrostatic field when touched with a finger, consisting of a grid of transparent electrodes (usually indium-tin oxide, ITO).
2. Ultrasonic sensors (rarely, for example, in Xiaomi Mi) 5s) — They use piezoelectric elements that emit ultrasound and capture its reflection from the finger.

In modern Xiaomi (for example, 13 Pro or MIX 4) The touch layer is integrated directly into the display matrix (In-Cell technology), which reduces the thickness of the screen and improves sensitivity, but complicates repair: if the touch screen is damaged, you have to change the entire display module.

An important sensor parameter is the number of multi-touch slots (simultaneous touches), which are usually 5-10 in budget models, and up to 20 in flagships, which affects the accuracy of gestures and the performance of games.

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If the sensor is not responsive to touch, try calibrating it through the engineering menu, and then type ##6484## in the Phone app and follow the instructions.

Display matrix: IPS vs AMOLED vs Mini-LED

The heart of the screen is the matrix that forms the image. Xiaomi smartphones use three main types of matrixes:

• 📱 IPS (LTPS) — Low-cost, low-contrast (1,000:1) and high-power, Redmi 9, POCO M3.
• 🌌 AMOLED — Organic LEDs that emit light themselves, high contrast (1,000,000:1), deep black. 11T, Redmi K50.
• ✨ Mini-LED - Advanced IPS with local lighting (dimming zones) brighter and more economical AMOLED, It is used in Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro.

In flagship models (for example, Xiaomi 14) are installed AMOLED-latest generation matrix (E6 Samsung Displays that support:

• Update frequency 120-144 Hz (smooth scrolling).
• Adaptive brightness up to 3000 nits (seen in the sun).
• Technology LTPO (Dynamic frequency change to save battery).

Important: Matrix AMOLED Xiaomi is often manufactured at Samsung Display plants or BOE, But calibrated to Xiaomi's proprietary standards (e.g., the "Cinematic" color profile in the Mi 11 Ultra), which means that even with the same type of matrix (e.g., the same type of matrix, E4 AMOLED) Image from Xiaomi 13 and Realme GT 2 Pro will be different.

4. glue and pads: what holds the layers of the screen together

All the layers of the screen — glass, sensor, matrix — are glued together with special adhesives. Xiaomi uses two types of glue:

1. OCA (Optically Clear Adhesive: Acrylic-based transparent adhesive, 0.05 to 0.2 mm thick, used in 90% of models.
2. LOCA (Liquid Optically Clear Adhesive is a liquid adhesive that hardens under a UV lamp, is stronger but more difficult to repair (requires special equipment) and is used in flagships (Xiaomi 13 Ultra).

In addition to the adhesive, shock absorbing gaskets made of polyurethane foam or silicone are installed between the matrix and the body, which dampen vibrations and prevent damage to plumes when falling. In models with sterilizing UV light (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra), the gaskets have a special coating that reflects ultraviolet light into the screen.

⚠️ Warning: When you replace glass yourself, never use superglue or heat glue! They damage the matrix and sensor. OCA-glue needs a temperature of 60-80°C, and for LOCA — UV lamp with a wavelength of 365 nm.

Check the screen for broken pixels (run the test in Settings) → The phone. → All specifications → Display test)

Make sure the sensor responds to all 10 fingers (use the Multi-Touch Test app)

Look at the screen from an angle - is there no yellowness or moire?

Check the brightness at maximum (must be at least 400 nits)

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Substrate and flexible plumes: "nervous system" of the screen

At the bottom of the matrix is a substrate, a thin plastic or glass plate, on which the pixel control drivers are attached. AMOLED-The substrate is often made of polyimide (flexible plastic), which allows you to create curved displays (like in Xiaomi). MIX Alpha).

Flexible plumes are suitable for the substrate (FPC), It's a processor-to-machine-to-machine-to-sensor signaling system. Xiaomi smartphones typically have two plumes:

• 🔌 Display plume - transmits a video signal (resolution, frequency, color gamut).
• 👆 Trail touchscreen - responsible for touching and gestures.

The plumes are the most vulnerable spot on the screen, and if you open the case in a careless way (for example, to replace the battery), they are easily damaged. Xiaomi service centers use a microscope to check the plumes with increasing speed. 20x, Because cracks in them are often not visible to the naked eye.

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If vertical stripes or "broken pixels" appear on the screen after the fall, the matrix plume is likely damaged, in which case the entire display module needs to be replaced, since the plumes are not repaired.

Additional elements: fingerprint scanner, sensors, backlight

In addition to the main layers, additional components are integrated into Xiaomi screens:

• 👆 Fingerprint scanner: Capacitive (under the screen, in the display area) - in the Redmi Note 11 Pro+. Ultrasonic (3D-scanning) — in Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra. Optical (backlit) — in POCO F4 GT.
• 🌡️ Light sensor – automatically adjusts brightness; newer models (Xiaomi 13) use dual sensors to make more accurate measurements.
• 🔦 Backlights - in IPS-screens is an LED panel at the edges (edge-lit) or a Mini-LED matrix (in Xiaomi Pad 6 Pro).

Interesting fact: in Xiaomi MIX 4 fingerprint scanner hidden under the pixels of the matrix (under-display camera technology), which made the screen completely frameless, but reduced the accuracy of the scan — users sometimes have to put a finger several times.

In models with sterilization of UV light (for example, Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra) under the screen are installed ultraviolet LEDs. They are activated through the Settings menu. → Screen. → UV sterilization and kill up to 99% of bacteria on the surface.

7. How to determine the type of screen in your Xiaomi

To find out what matrix and protective glass are installed in your smartphone, use these methods:

1. Through Settings: Go to Settings → The phone. → All specifications → Screen. Look at the lines "Display Type" and "Resolution, "AMOLED, 2400×1080".

Through the engineering menu:

Enter the code ##4636## → select Equipment Testing → Screen.

Model:

Look at the compatibility table on Xiaomi’s support site or use the app AIDA64 (section").

If you buy a used smartphone, be sure to check the screen for the authenticity of the matrix. Fraudsters often install cheap counterparts (for example, instead of Samsung). E4 AMOLED put up BOE AMOLED The worst color renderings:

• Color temperature (original - neutral, fake - with a blue or yellow tint).
• Brightness (the original is brighter by 10-15% with the same settings).
• The presence of artifacts (forgeries can be "dirty" pixels when viewing the gray background).

8.Frequent Xiaomi screen malfunctions and how to avoid them

Even the most durable Xiaomi screens are not immune to breakdowns.-5 problems and causes:

Care tips:

• 🧴 To clean the screen, use microfiber fabric and special wipes (without alcohol!).
• ☀️ Don’t leave your smartphone in the sun — AMOLED-The matrices burn out at temperatures above 50°C.
• 🔋 Avoid completely draining the battery – this can cause failures in the display driver.

⚠️ Note: If after the replacement of the screen in the unofficial service there were problems with autobrightness or fingerprint scanner, it means that the wizards did not transfer the original sensor chips. Xiaomi since 2021 use paired chips (sensor) + matrix), and their replacement requires software binding in an authorized center.

FAQ: Answers to popular questions