The Truth Behind Independent Display Chips
Today, we will discuss the so-called “Self-developed Chip,” “Independent Display Chip,” “Solo Display Chip,” or “Unique Display Chip” in smartphones. These are marketing terms used by smartphone manufacturers to promote dedicated chipsets as groundbreaking innovations for an enhanced gaming experience. However, the reality might not be as impressive as these marketing claims suggest.
Before the release of the Redmi K60 Ultra, Xiaomi held a strategic conference called the “post-performance era,” where Redmi touted its own origins and the power of the Dimensity 9200+. But at this event, another interesting mention was made, introducing Pixelworks X7 independent display chip. For many, Pixelworks might have been an unfamiliar name until this point. Even before Redmi mentioned it, few would associate it with “Self-developed Chips.”
Pixelworks’ X7 chip is noteworthy because it’s designed and developed by the manufacturer itself. The “7” in Pixelworks X7 denotes that it’s the seventh generation of this product. Its client list includes Honor, OPPO, OnePlus, Realme, Asus Rog, Vivo, and other phone brands. OPPO and Vivo, in particular, contribute significantly to Pixelworks’ revenue, accounting for over 10% of its customer base.
In the world of smartphone manufacturers, gaming and display technologies are typically divided into two categories. Some, like OPPO with its MariSilicon X and Vivo with the self-developed image chip V2, are considered true self-developed chips. They control both upstream and downstream aspects of the product, which leads to better adaptability and performance, similar to Apple’s A-series chips.
On the other hand, Pixelworks X7 remains an external chip. Its specific functions depend on the smartphone’s capabilities, making it challenging to introduce unique technology and features.
The concept of smartphones featuring a “unique display” chip emerged in 2020 with the Black Shark Gaming Phone 2. Initially, these chips were primarily used for regulating screen brightness and DC dimming. The real breakthrough in the “unique display” concept came with the 2021 release of the iQOO Neo5, which added a unique display chip focused on game frame insertion. Subsequently, this concept gained traction across the market.
However, there’s a misleading aspect to how the earliest smartphone manufacturers advertised the “independent display chip.” They often portrayed it as “self-developed” to give consumers the impression of dedicated innovation. However careful examination reveals that manufacturers emphasize joint research and development with Pixelworks (essentially product adoption after joint training). Moreover, they mention “providing the implementation of the program” in the semiconductor business context.
In recent years, as more manufacturers adopted Pixelworks chips, marketing shifted from “self-research” to “next generation.” This marketing strategy further clouds the concept of the “unique display” chip, potentially misleading consumers into believing that it significantly enhances game screen quality and smoothness.
However, it’s essential to clarify that the “independent display chip” primarily provides auxiliary functions. It’s more aptly described as a “display auxiliary chip.” Let’s delve into the functions offered by these chips:
- Frame Insertion: This feature interpolates frames, which is particularly useful for games that may not demand high refresh rates. It can convert 60fps content to 120fps, improving visual quality with minimal impact on GPU power consumption. Pixelworks X7 has advanced this capability to double, triple, and quadruple frame interpolation, offering smoother visuals for various games.
Adding a content frame between the actual two frames that only contains the display without touch parameters, this creates a disconnect between the two actual frames, and when this continues, the picture doesn’t follow the hand and latency occurs.
Currently, the Pixelworks X7 has taken this ability and made it possible to double, triple, and quadruple interpolate frames, which means that games that only need to have 30fps frames are able to quadruple interpolate them and turn them into 120fps. Think about it: if you insert three frames of content between two frames, only 1/4 of the content is actual content, and 3/4 of the content is interpolated, what will the operating experience be like?
- Power Consumption Optimization: Pixelworks X7 can optimize power consumption by converting games running at 60fps or 90fps to 30fps or 45fps and then interpolating them back to 120fps or 90fps. While this reduces processor power consumption, it can introduce latency, making it suitable for some single-player or less latency-sensitive online games but less suitable for fast-paced FPS games.
In addition to frame interpolation, Pixelworks X7 offers display-related technologies:
- Low-power Super Resolution: This feature reduces game resolution and then uses algorithms to “super resolution” it, providing a comparable visual effect.
- Noise Reduction + Full-time HDR Display: While these are distinct features, both contribute to enhancing visual quality. Noise reduction improves video and picture clarity by eliminating noise, while Full-time HDR employs AI algorithms to add HDR effects to games, videos, and photos.
From these features, it’s clear that Pixelworks X7 primarily focuses on cost reduction and efficiency, reducing power consumption, and enhancing the visual experience. Therefore, when shopping for a smartphone, the belief that an “independent display chip” can drastically improve the gaming experience should be tempered. For the ultimate gaming experience, reliance on the processor’s native capabilities is key.
Top processors like the Snapdragon 8 Gen2 can effectively handle most games without third-party chip assistance. Thus, enabling frame insertion on devices like the OnePlus Ace2 Pro, Redmi K60 Ultra, and Realme GT5 may not significantly enhance the gaming experience. These devices are equipped with excellent heat dissipation capabilities, ensuring optimal gaming performance.
In conclusion, the concept of the “independent display chip” is somewhat nuanced. It’s a reflection of the smartphone industry’s current state, where manufacturers rely heavily on supply chain products. The branding of such chips as self-developed can mislead consumers.
If you want a truly ultimate experience, it cannot be achieved by inserting frames. If you don’t believe it, look at the high-end flagships currently on the market. Although various auxiliary chips are added to the fuselage, there are still very few that add an “independent display chip”.
Nevertheless, these chips primarily serve as auxiliaries, addressing deficiencies in mid-range products related to display, performance, and heat dissipation. For a truly exceptional gaming experience, the processor’s intrinsic capabilities remain the key. Only when manufacturers shed their reliance on external components can the smartphone industry truly ascend to a “lighter” future.
