Tutorial TN and IPS Displays - Which does my 3DS have?

[NgXAlex]

Some n3ds xl has dual ips screen

Hyrule edition new 3dsXL.

Yes I confirm, I just checked and compared my two N3DS XL.

Result is I have one AUS N3DS XL BLUE with upper screen is IPS and touchscreen TN, and my other EUR N3DS XL BLUE bought last month (9.5FW) have both IPS screen, very very nice

 

[JacksonS]

I kind of want to replace my N3DS XL TN screen with an IPS screen. Is there any way I can find a replacement screen and be certain it's IPS?

 

[Pereb]

I kind of want to replace my N3DS XL TN screen with an IPS screen. Is there any way I can find a replacement screen and be certain it's IPS?

Are you not satisfied with your current screen? I wouldn't recommend the switch because the IPS screen has downsides aswell.

 

[JacksonS]

Are you not satisfied with your current screen? I wouldn't recommend the switch because the IPS screen has downsides aswell.

I'm fine with my screen (I thought it was IPS until I really checked), but I love hardware mods and I'd like to try it out as long as it's not expensive. What kinds of bad side effects are there?

 

[Pereb]

The main issue with the IPS is the pixel inversion (looks like scanlines that can be seen during vertical motion). If that doesn't bother you then the IPS screen would be better.

 

[JacksonS]

Okay, that makes sense. So is there any place I could order an IPS screen alone? I think probably not.

 

[BasedIndex]

The only possible way to get a IPS panel is to get n3dsxl. Though only top screen would be IPS, touch-screens are always TN.
That being said, the chance of getting a IPS panel is not 100% even if you get a n3dsxl.
I was lucky, the guy in store let me play with it and check if everything's ok.
Cheers.

 

[JacksonS]

Mine's a N3DS XL and I have all TN screens. Some do have IPS touch screens.

 

[NgXAlex]

Though only top screen would be IPS, touch-screens are always TN.

Nope sorry, read my message upper, I have 2 IPS screen on one of my two N3DSXL, so yes touchscreen can also be IPS.

 

[YayMii]

Not sure why everyone keeps calling them "TN" when they really don't show the symptoms of being TN panels... They look more like VA panels to me (since it's more of a gamma shift rather than a colour shift at extreme angles). And honestly, I don't think they're as bad as some people claim they are. Not to mention that the 3DS's IPS panel has crushed black levels (worse contrast in darker scenes), so I personally prefer the other type, which is what I have on my own N3DSXL.
Of course, nothing compares to the Vita 1000's gorgeous OLED display, but you can only take what you can get

 

[WiiUBricker]

All the people who voted for 2DS+IPS, O3DS+IPS, O3DSXL+IPS and N3DS+IPS obviously don't know the difference between TN and IPS panels.

 

[Pereb]

Not sure why everyone keeps calling them "TN" when they really don't show the symptoms of being TN panels... They look more like VA panels to me (since it's more of a gamma shift rather than a colour shift at extreme angles). And honestly, I don't think they're as bad as some people claim they are. Not to mention that the 3DS's IPS panel has crushed black levels (worse contrast in darker scenes), so I personally prefer the other type, which is what I have on my own N3DSXL.
Of course, nothing compares to the Vita 1000's gorgeous OLED display, but you can only take what you can get

I believe VA panels are even more expensive to manufacture than IPS panels, so I find it weird that Nintendo would use these. You bring up a good point though, I actually considered that but dismissed it for the aforementioned reason.
My N3DS screen has much deeper black levels than the IPS XL, which would be explained by it being a VA panel. The "black crush" you're describing is actually a gamma issue, the IPS has something like ~2,8 gamma whereas the non-IPS has ~1,8 gamma. Basically, the IPS is too dark and the non-IPS too bright. Ideally it should be 2,2 but Nintendo gives no fucks. (Personally also I prefer the non-IPS in that regard)
It would also explain why the non-IPS is actually slower (especially noticeable on transitions from black, which is another characteristic of VA panels, but then again the AGS-101 and DS Lite also do this with blacks and they are definitely TNs, although these are much older panels so it's normal they'd be slower).
You may be onto something there.

 

[BasedIndex]

Nope sorry, read my message upper, I have 2 IPS screen on one of my two N3DSXL, so yes touchscreen can also be IPS.

What do pixels look like on the bottom screen?
This is how my top screen pixels look like just in case:
///
\\\
My bottom ones are:
|||

 

[NgXAlex]

What do pixels look like on the bottom screen?
This is how my top screen pixels look like just in case:
///
\\\
My bottom ones are:
|||

Mmmh, I don't know, I'm not sure what are you talking about, but this is the difference of the IPS+IPS screens console and IPS+TN console (Full IPS Left, and only Upper Screen IPS Right):

Sorry for the dust, I'm living in a very old house lol

 

[BasedIndex]

Mmmh, I don't know, I'm not sure what are you talking about, but this is the difference of the IPS+IPS screens console and IPS+TN console (Full IPS Left, and only Upper Screen IPS Right):

Sorry for the dust, I'm living in a very old house lol

Interesting, thanks for the photos. I'll try to check mine when I reflash my nand XD

 

[daniel26150]

I think my 2DS is TN

 

[Riptide]

N3DS XL USA came with 9.6
Top is definitely IPS
Bottom doesn't look as good as the top, but the viewing angles aren't anywhere near as bad as other TN panels I have so I'm unsure.

 

[phant0mg33k]

Got a MM N3DSXL and it appears to be a IPS screen, no color distortion on extreme viewing angles. The bottom screen as well seems to have the seems not to have any issue as well.
This one was one of the earlier models it had 9.4 out of the box, and the old style click hinge with quieter shoulder buttons.​

 

[Expliciate]

Dual IPS here
N3DS (Pokemon 20th Anniversary)

 

[koyuki38]

My O3DS classic has dual IPS
My new 3DS XL has dual TN (or whatever you call it, but the shitty one).

I 've not heard of that IPS/TN things when i bought the N3DSXL, but i went to the store right after I turned ON the N3DSXL for the 1st time.
Definitely no need any comparison to know that mine is a garbage N3DSXL, probably due to lack of component to fill all the orders...
Shame on Nintendo. They lost a customer.