Surface Pro 3 display offers more realistic colours than iPad Air 2, study finds

Surface
Manages to land second place, just missing out to Samsung

When it comes to buying a new tablet the chances are you won't just be looking for sheer grunt power. For some people it's all about the richness of the display colours, and for those people the findings of a new study should make for interesting reading.

Raymond Soneira of Displaymate Technologies has carried out a screen showdown pitting the iPhone 6 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Tab S 10.5, iPad Air 2, Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and the Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 8.9 all against each other.

After an extensive "shootout" over colour accuracy, full colour gamut, facial skin tone, organic colour, blue region and white point, the Galaxy Note 4 came out as the champion.

True to life

DisplayMate said the Galaxy Note 4 is the "Best of the Best" when it comes to accuracy, while the Microsoft Surface Pro 3 and Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 tied for second place.

The iPad Air 2 actually came in last with the iPhone 6 Plus landing only one position above it. Both scored highly for skin tone and organic colour accuracy, but for full gamut colour the iPad Air 2 and the iPhone 6 Plus actually came in last.

Colour accuracy is only one factor, of course, but it's certainly an important one. You can look through the findings of the test yourself here.

Hugh Langley

Hugh Langley is the ex-News Editor of TechRadar. He had written for many magazines and websites including Business Insider, The Telegraph, IGN, Gizmodo, Entrepreneur Magazine, WIRED (UK), TrustedReviews, Business Insider Australia, Business Insider India, Business Insider Singapore, Wareable, The Ambient and more.

Hugh is now a correspondent at Business Insider covering Google and Alphabet, and has the unfortunate distinction of accidentally linking the TechRadar homepage to a rival publication.

Latest in Tablets
Google Pixel Tablet in hazel on green background with don't miss sign
The Google Pixel Tablet just dropped back to its lowest-ever Black Friday price
The Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro on a bronze table
I tested the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro and it's the closest Android fans can get to an iPad Pro alternative
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE Plus on a desk showing the rear of the device from above
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE could be a powerful iPad Air rival, based on the latest specs rumors
Hello from the XPPen Magic Note Pad
The XPPen Magic Note Pad is the drawing tablet-maker's first digital writing tablet and after just two weeks, I can't do without it
MacBook Air M4
Apple's rumored foldable iPad tipped to launch sooner than expected with an exciting software twist
iPad Air M3 11-inch and 13-inch on an orange background next to TechRadar deals price cut badge
Wait, what? The brand-new iPad Air just launched and it's already on sale on Amazon
Latest in News
Zendesk Relate 2025
Zendesk Relate 2025 - everything you need to know as the event unfolds
Disney Plus logo with popcorn
You can finally tell Disney+ to stop bugging you about that terrible Marvel show you regret starting
Google Gemini AI
Gemini can now see your screen and judge your tabs
Girl wearing Meta Quest 3 headset interacting with a jungle playset
Latest Meta Quest 3 software beta teases a major design overhaul and VR screen sharing – and I need these updates now
Philips Hue
Philips Hue might be working on a video doorbell, and according to a new report, we just got our first look at it
Microsoft
"Another pair of eyes" - Microsoft launches all-new Security Copilot Agents to give security teams the upper hand