Help Daytime screen visibility?

[Droidxxxxx]

How's the S3 when out direct sun light..or driving with it in a dock during a bright day? My DROID 4 is pretty good..I need good visibility because I work outside a lot..also..how is camera and video quality verses Motorola?

 

[Rxpert83]

From the reports I've read some people have issues with being able to see the screen in direct sunlight.

However, i dont own the phone and you have to sometimes take things you read with a grain of salt. If you're considering purchasing the S3 I highly doubt the store trying to sell it to you would have a problem with showing you the screen in direct sunlight.

My advice: test it out!

 

[Rolo42]

On paper, the One X and the S3 are the brightest, more viewable outdoors, with the S3 doing a little better IIRC.

For best results, manually set brightness (auto-brightness' purpose is to save power and may not max brightness even outdoors).

I agree with Rxpert: by all means, play with it at a store and test everything that's important to you.

Note: Thread moved to normal S3 thread for better visibility (no pun intended)

 

[Lato9905]

If you work outside a lot and in direct sunlight you're going to be struggling.

 

[johnnylighton]

If I leave my house with power save turned on and the screen brightness set to automatic, I can't see the screen enough in sunlight to turn power save off so I can use the phone. That can be a pain.

But the screen in all other environments is very crisp and beautiful.

 

[NYYFan]

In direct sunlight, I have to have the screen on 100% brightness to really see it clearly. It probably would be one of my gripes on the phone if I used it outdoors excessively.

 

[Roadie1015]

It is pretty tough to see outside sometimes. On paper the new iPhone is like twice as bright. Not a big deal to me though, 99.9% of the time the brightness is pretty good.

 

[gme109]

This was one of my concerns before buying the phone. So I directly compared my Epic 4g, the HTC EVO, and the S3 side by side in direct sunlight, and S3 was the least brightest screen among the 3, which almost made it a deal killer for me. Because everything else about the S3 scored high, compared to other phones, I decided to try it for the 14 day trial period anyway. With auto brightness and power save turned off, I can see the screen well enough in direct sunlight to do basic operations, but that's it, no reading fine print. In the finial analysis, after taking into consideration all the positives and negatives of the S3, compared to several other phones, I decided the S3 was a keeper.

 

[cameronmx9]

Yeah in all honesty, this phone isn't too great in direct sunlight. I think my iPhone 4 did a better job, but it's not that big of a deal for me. Everything else on this phone blows apple away. Especially after going 17 hours on one charge yesterday and still having 56% battery left.

 

[Stuntman]

It is fine while driving with a car mount. I do it all the time and have never had an issue seeing the screen while in the car.

It is not that good in direct sunlight. The maximum brightness isn't as high compared to an iPhone 5. I compared the SGS3 display with an iPhone 5 display. The SGS3 at maximum brightness is about as bright as an iPhone 5 at 50% brightness. I did this comparison side by side at the store.

 

[Jeepmaster]

Like the others have said, the s3 is not bright at all under direct sun light. In fact I can't see a thing when outside under the sun. It is the only thing I hate about the s3. Someone did a test and the s3 is about half as bright as an iPhone 4S. Since I don't use my phone outside much, it's not as big of an issue for me.

 

[valorian]

The only thing I have to compare it to is my Inc 2. This phone is lots easier to to see in direct sunlight. I don't use power save modes and I have the screen brightness set to automatic. I usually have no problem seeing the screen in direct sunlight.

 

[Ron H]

To use it outdoors in sunlight, I have to manually set it to 100% brightness, and even then it's not that great. The Droid X was brighter.

 

[Rxpert83]

Strange. I have no issues with my one x in bright sunlight. The autobrightness will kick it up to where I can see (and kill battery )

 

[DonaldGreig]

Outside visibility is the one big weakness of the S3 - and what keeps me going back to iPhone. If you need outside usability the S3 is not for you.

 

[Stuntman]

The only thing I have to compare it to is my Inc 2. This phone is lots easier to to see in direct sunlight. I don't use power save modes and I have the screen brightness set to automatic. I usually have no problem seeing the screen in direct sunlight.

I use auto-brightness as well. It automatically adjusts the brightness to the level I like. It is still not that good outside in the bright sun, but it is good enough for me at least.

 

[Droidxxxxx]

Ok..without the defender otter box..this thing is pretty splendid. I can see it just fine in the driving dock..during bright conditions. I have tried both the anti glare and clear high quality screen savers..and have settled on the clear..reflection is minimal. Excellent view angle to..can see virtually from any angle. I am pleased..it might be a little dim in strong direct light..but still doable..for me at least..