Conclusions

This study supports the hypotheses that rendering of color on mobile device displays is not accurate. Established earlier for assessment of the differences in this study, 4 Δ units would be the acceptable tolerance.

The secondary hypothesis relates to differences between same model device display colors. The older 3GS, which logged many hours in use, have a big discrepancy. The iPad minis almost meet the acceptable tolerance proving device with same time logged had little discrepancy.

• None of the average Δs of any device was less than 4.
• The best display measured (lowest ΔE) is the Nokia Lumia 920 at 7.93.
• The top four devices all have Pixel Density greater than 300 and are all smart phones.
• The Samsung Galaxy 3S lived up to its “unnatural colors” reputation with a high ΔE.

Overall, this study proves that mobile device displays need to incorporate color management technology. Color management ensures optimum color reproduction regardless of devices used as long as the devices are characterized by an ICC profile (Kipphan, 2001).

Members of the International Color Consortium (ICC) are exploring the needs of color-managed images on mobile devices, considerations when authoring content for digital publications. Also, methods of controlling color on mobile devices and the hardcopy output from these devices are being researched (International Color Consortium, 2012).

With the increased usage of mobile devices, user should be aware of the inaccuracy of rendered color, no matter the technology being used.