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Soft OLED vs Hard OLED vs Incell: how should a repair wholesaler choose?

Short answer

Choose by the repair job. Soft OLED uses a flexible self-luminated panel and gives the deepest blacks and highest contrast of the three; hard OLED uses the same self-luminated idea on a rigid glass substrate, so it is less tolerant of bending and drops; Incell is an LED-backlit LCD with touch integrated in the cell and is the volume choice for everyday repairs. On this site, the JK-16ProMax Soft OLED is rated 1:100000 contrast and 1000+ cd/m2, while MS-PLUS Incell models are rated 1:1400 and 650 to 750 (+/-50) cd/m2.

In detail

Soft OLED: each pixel emits its own light, so black is unlit and contrast is very high. The flexible substrate tolerates the slight flexing that happens in fitting and in daily use better than a rigid panel.

Hard OLED: also self-luminated, but built on rigid glass. Display quality can be close to soft OLED on paper, yet the rigid substrate is the weak point in drops and in curved-frame fitting.

Incell LCD: a backlight shines through the LCD cell and the touch layer is integrated into that cell. Contrast and black level are lower than OLED, but the technology is mature, slim and priced for volume repair.

Match the line to the phone's value and the customer's expectation: higher-end Pro and Pro Max repairs and refurbishment usually justify Soft OLED; high-volume standard models are usually served by Incell.

Reference specifications

Where this applies

• Refurbishment of higher-end models for resale
• Premium counter repairs where the customer compares the result side by side
• Everyday cracked-screen repairs on standard models
• Stocking a two-tier range: one flagship line, one volume line

Questions on this topic

Working with Simiai Technology

Simiai Technology in Shenzhen handles export enquiries for the JK and Moshi PLUS (MS-PLUS) display lines. Share the models you need, the quantity per model and your destination market, and we reply in writing with the specification sheet for those models and the terms for that order. Per-model test reports and compliance documentation are available on request.

Bottom line

Stock both tiers if your market has both jobs: Soft OLED for the repairs where display quality is the selling point, Incell for the volume that pays the rent. Ask for samples of the exact models you will reorder.

Related guides

• What should a wholesaler check when a shipment of replacement displays arrives?
• Why must a replacement display be tested before it is installed?
• What does the Unknown part message mean for an aftermarket display?