So why 800 x 480 rather than 854 x 480?

[mi_canuck]

854 x 480 provides the proper 16:9 ratio like HD tv screens (1920 x 1080, or 1280 x 720)... 800 x 480 seems like an odd choice...

what's HTC's reasoning for this??

 

[androidtx]

It's not HTC's reasoning, it is a common resolution being pumped out by manufacturers of displays.

 

[mi_canuck]

Moto and SE seem to be pushing 854 x 480... HTC has 800 x 480... not sure what others are pushing... N900 seems to be 800 x480 (Nokia USA - Nokia N900 - Specifications)

will be interesting to see what Apple goes with on the 4th gen iPhone...

who will be the first to offer 1280 x 720 will be interesting

 

[kafkef]

will be interesting to see what Apple goes with on the 4th gen iPhone...

Off-topic question: would a higher resolution on the iphone affect the apps?

 

[mi_canuck]

it would affect exisiting apps... look at apps for android that aren't 2.0/2.1 and/or Droid/Nexus optimised... they look bad from the upscaling of the graphics...

 

[kyler13]

854 x 480 provides the proper 16:9 ratio like HD tv screens (1920 x 1080, or 1280 x 720)... 800 x 480 seems like an odd choice...

what's HTC's reasoning for this??

Both resolutions are considered WVGA. I'm guessing the 800x480 is more popular because it has the vertical resolution of VGA (640x480) and the horizontal resolution of SVGA (800x600).

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/e/e5/Vector_Video_Standards2.svg

 

[sooper_droid12]

Here are my guesses for why they chose this particular resolution:

1) The squarish 800x480 is more like the iPhone screen and provides similar benefits such as: a) it provides more "real estate" in profile mode. This obviously helps with typing accuracy for the profile keyboard; b) You can also see more of a web-page in profile mode, compared to a similar 3.7" 854x480.

2) HTC may have chosen the 800x480 because it's the same resolution they used for the HD2 (although smaller).

3) AMOLED is a relatively new technological implementation and likely do not have a bounty of suppliers. The Samsung Omnia II is the only other AMOLED phone that boasts the big 3.7" size and is the same resolution: 800 x 480. When the Omnia II came out, it was the largest AMOLED screen available on a phone. That is, until the N1 came out, sharing the same screen. There are two prominent OLED/AMOLED suppliers: Samsung being one, and TPO being the other. And by the time the N1 was manufactured, there were only two AMOLED suppliers mass producing AMOLEDs of 3.x" size: Samsung Mobile Displays and TPO. Only Samsung has 4.x" >>HD<< AMOLED even in planning for Mobile phones.

Note: Checked... The AMOLED is by SMD. They only had one 3.7" in mass production at the time of the N1's build @ 800x480. In fact, it's the same exact screen in the Omnia II released previously to the N1.

 

[JSchu22]

I vote for #3!