The iPhone 4 Does NOT Have A Retinal Display

Jun 10 2010, 11:54am CDT | by Robert Evans

A retinal display is one in which the resolution equals or surpasses the maximum resolution that a human eye is capable of seeing. Jobs bragged about the iPhone's retinal display, but recent evidence shows that the new iPhone may not actually have one. Dr. Raymond Soneira, a digital display expert, wrote a letter to PC World about the iPhone 4's much-vaunted display.

"Steve Jobs claimed that the iPhone 4 has a resolution higher than the retina - that's not right...the iPhone has significantly lower resolution than the retina. It actually needs a resolution significantly higher than the retina in order to deliver an image that appears perfect to the retina."

Dr. Soneira goes on to clarify that the iPhone's display is still "great" and "outstanding" and "most likely the best mobile display in production". But, it isn't a true retinal display and any claims otherwise are a blatant example of spec exaggeration.