Back in February, we wrote about hands nf experience with the Pixelworks Iris display processing solution chip that enables stunning new visual experiences for smartphones at a fraction of the power consumption of previous generations in order to prepare for 5G inspired video consumption and gaming. It also  dramatically improves video and image quality for LCD and OLED displays with refresh rates of up to 120Hz

We have spent some time with Pixelworks at its headquarters and saw the latest demos at the IFA HDM global presentation of the latest phones. The technology makes display, video content, and event gaming looks and works better on the phone. The tiny chip that the company calls Iris has ended up in the latest Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 phones.

PureDisplay with Pixelworks visual processor delivers great image quality to affordable LCD phones with superior, always-on HDR experience. The extremely low power chip makes LCD phone looks as good as a very expensive OLED on high end phones.

Keeping the display investment low and still getting the high-quality look is why both TCL with its first-ever phone and Nokia with its 7.2 and 6.2 chose to use PureDisplay technology with the Pixelworks visual processor.  Nokia phones are matching big-screen phones with always-on HDR and a series of picture quality enhancements that ensure an immersive and a true-to-life display in all viewing conditions.

The TCL Plex is the first phone from display powerhouse, and it also features the Pixelworks chip as well as Snapdragon 675, 48-megapixel camera, 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM. All for 329 Euro.  

The Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 smartphones build with a 6.3” 19.5:9 FHD+ screen and PureDisplay technology utilizing the Pixelworks processor. Always on HDR is usually reserved for premium-priced smartphones.

Always-on HDR will enable Displays HDR videos in immersive detail with up to one billion shades of color and upscales all other video content to HDR quality in real-time for an always-on cinematic experience. Enhanced Picture Quality brings superior color accuracy, sharpness, and local contrast, content is displayed in vivid, accurate color, while hidden details in dark areas and around edges are exposed without over-saturating other portions of the image. TrueView Auto-adaptive Display brings dynamically adjusts brightness and tone to match the ambient light for ease of viewing in all viewing conditions – from dimly lit rooms to the sunny outdoors – while preserving superior overall picture quality.

As compared to comparably-priced Android smartphones, the Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 render a 64-fold increase in color tonality through full 10-bit, certified HDR displays and produce up to 3x improvement in video contrast, based on dynamic backlight control that works in combination with a patented tone mapping technology by Pixelworks. The result is an immersive visual experience that conveys both dark details and bright highlights with optimal power efficiency.

“The overwhelmingly positive response to the Nokia 7.1 shows that the mass market consumer has an insatiable demand for premium entertainment experiences, especially when offered at affordable price points”, said Global Chief Product Officer at HMD, Juho Sarvikas. “Adding PureDisplay with Pixelworks technology to the Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 smartphones allow more users to enjoy a compelling visual experience in the palm of their hands with a crystal-clear, true-to-life display in any lighting condition. We are pleased to continue working with Pixelworks to extend these experiences to our newest Nokia smartphones.”

Anthony Gioeli, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Video Devices at Pixelworks, added: “As the smartphone has become the world’s all-in-one entertainment device, consumers are demanding enhanced visual experiences across all product tiers. HMD Global is at the forefront of this movement with its highly differentiated PureDisplay technology in Nokia smartphones. With the unprecedented growth of mobile video consumption, the HMD Global and Pixelworks collaboration is continuing to set new benchmarks for visual performance and value with the introduction of the Nokia 7.2 and Nokia 6.2 smartphones.”