What is the difference between resistive and capacitive touch screens?
I like you, you’re clearly inquisitive. The difference between restive and capacitive touch screens? The fundamental difference is how each touch command is registered. One similarity, certainly with our touch screens, is the application of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) in both forms of touch screen.
To determine the difference between each form of touch screen, we should explore each type of screen individually.
Which came first – Resistive or capacitive?
When you look at the way these two types of screens work, you would probably think resistive screens were the earlier invention, but this isn’t the case. Capacitive screens had been around for several years before the first resistive screen.
How does a resistive screen work?
The clue is most likely in the title – a resistive touch screen uses resistance (or downward pressure) to identify the location of the touch. A layer of thin ITO under the screen works with an X-y grid to locate the touch.
How does a capacitive screen work?
In this instance the glass screen has an ITO coating on the surface. The ITO coating is transparent so it doesn’t alter the display yet it is highly conductive, so you end up with a clear, conductive glass screen. A physical touch will alter the electric charge, highlighting the exact touch location.
The difference between the two?
There is obviously a difference in how these screens are manufactured and these differences allow the touchscreens to perform in different ways, with different benefits in certain scenarios.
A capacitive screen could be argued is more responsive than a resistive screen. What is certain is capacitive screens can deliver multiple commands at the same time. Multiple finger gestures and swipes are easily recognised. A resistive screen can really only handle one command at a time.
So capacitive wins?
No, not at all. A capacitive screen is great doing what it should and as a result, these types of screens are used in most end user scenarios. Your own cell phone may well incorporate a capacitive touch screen using an ITO coating. Resistive touchscreens definitely have their place in our technological world.
Resistive screens are pretty tough and can handle extreme and testing environments. By extreme and testing environments, we mean public facing retail touch kiosks, ATMs and any other touch screen in the public domain.
Hopefully this clears things up for you. As far as which is the best, it’s like asking a father to choose between his two sons – both are brilliant in their own special ways…
If you need more information on our ITO touch screens, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.