Intel & Samsung Slash OLED Power Use 22% for HDR
▼ Summary
– Intel and Samsung Display have developed a new OLED technology called SmartPowerHDR to reduce laptop panel power consumption by up to 22%.
– The technology works by analyzing each frame’s brightness in real-time and dynamically optimizing the voltage sent to the panel, unlike traditional HDR which uses a fixed voltage.
– This provides significant power savings, especially in general usage like web browsing, because it reduces power when full HDR brightness is unnecessary.
– Displays account for over half of a laptop’s total power usage, making such efficiency gains a key target for improving battery life.
– The article notes that the impact of this feature may be limited by the existing challenges and inconsistent implementation of HDR on Windows systems.
A laptop’s display is often its single most power-hungry component, responsible for more than half of the device’s total energy draw. This reality has driven Intel and Samsung Display to collaborate on a new OLED technology called SmartPowerHDR, which promises to slash power consumption by up to 22% during general use. This innovation directly targets one of the most significant drains on mobile battery life, offering a potential leap in efficiency for future laptops and monitors.
The core of SmartPowerHDR is its dynamic approach. Unlike conventional HDR modes that apply a fixed, maximum voltage to the panel regardless of the on-screen content, this new system analyzes each frame in real-time. It calculates the peak brightness needed and sends that data to the display’s Timing Controller. The controller then optimizes the voltage supplied to the panel based on how many pixels are actually active and how bright they need to be. Essentially, the power delivery adapts moment-to-moment to what is being shown.
Traditional HDR modes remain locked at maximum brightness, resulting in excessive power usage even in standard scenarios. This inefficiency is why many laptops default to SDR mode, forgoing the visual benefits of HDR to preserve battery. SmartPowerHDR aims to change that calculus. In general computing tasks like web browsing or document editing, where full HDR power is unnecessary, the system dynamically reduces voltage, achieving the reported 22% savings. During true HDR content, such as gaming, where higher brightness is frequently requested, the savings are a still-substantial 17%.
The overall power consumption in these standard usage scenarios with SmartPowerHDR enabled is said to be similar to running in SDR mode, but with the potential for HDR’s superior color and contrast. This addresses a key bottleneck, as noted by Intel’s Todd Lewellen, who emphasized that displays are a primary target for improving laptop efficiency.
For users, the appeal is clear: better battery life without a noticeable compromise in visual quality during HDR entertainment. The technology works transparently in the background, a welcome improvement for anyone who values both longevity and performance. However, questions remain about implementation. It is unclear whether SmartPowerHDR requires new, specific hardware support or if it could be deployed via software or firmware updates to existing compatible panels.
Furthermore, the practical impact may be influenced by the broader ecosystem. Windows’ HDR implementation can still be inconsistent, sometimes rendering SDR content poorly or automatically disabling HDR on battery power. While these software hurdles persist, any genuine reduction in power draw for OLED displays, especially in gaming monitors where brightness and refresh rates demand a lot, is a decidedly positive step forward.
(Source: PC Gamer)
