Terminology » Components » Resistive vs. Capacitive Touch Screen: Key Differences

Resistive vs. Capacitive Touch Screen: Key Differences

touch screen resistive capacitive display technology input device

This article compares resistive touch screens and capacitive touch screens, highlighting their differences, advantages, and disadvantages.

Introduction

A touch screen is a video display equipped with embedded touch sensors. It functions as a pointing device, similar to a mouse or trackpad. Touch screens register both the position and pressure of the touch. They are commonly used in smartphones, tablets, photocopiers, and laptops. The two major types of touch screens are resistive and capacitive.

Resistive Touch Screen

Resistive Touch Screen Panel Resistive Touch Screen Panel

  • Resistive technology responds to pressure, allowing activation by objects other than fingers, even gloved hands.
  • They require firmer contact with the touch panel, making them more accurate with a stylus.
  • They’re well-suited for handwriting recognition using a stylus.
  • They can operate effectively at any humidity level.
  • Resistive touch panels are composed of multiple layers. When you press on the panel with a finger or stylus, the top layer flexes and presses against a layer beneath it. This completes a circuit, informing the controller which area of the panel is being pressed.

Capacitive Touch Screen

Capacitive Touch Screen Panel Capacitive Touch Screen Panel

  • Extremely durable and resistant to water, dust, and grease.
  • Activates with a bare finger or a capacitive stylus.
  • Supports I2C interface and multi-touch functionality.
  • These panels are made of an insulator coated with a transparent conductor, typically glass coated with Indium Tin Oxide (ITO).
  • The human body acts as an electrical conductor, distorting the electrostatic field of the touch screen. This distortion is detected by the touch screen controller based on pre-programmed instructions. As a result, the display responds accordingly.
  • The conductive layer has a grid pattern created by etching either a single layer or parallel lines on two separate perpendicular layers.

Resistive vs. Capacitive Touch Screen: Key Differences

The following table summarizes the key differences between resistive and capacitive touch screens.

FeaturesResistive Touch ScreenCapacitive Touch Screen
ConstructionAs explained aboveAs explained above
SensitivityLess sensitiveMore sensitive
InputRequires a stylus instead of a fingerDoes not require a stylus; a finger is sufficient
Multi-touch SupportDoes not support multi-touch.Supports multi-touch.
Displayed ImagePoorer contrastBrighter and sharper, with high clarity and resolution
CostCheaperMore expensive
DamageThe flexible membrane is vulnerable to damage from sharp objects.Glass is more prone to breaking and, therefore, often requires tempered glass as a touch screen protector.