Touch technology: resistive vs. capacitive

The two most common touchscreen technologies are resistive and capacitive. They differ in functionality, materials, precision, and applications. Here is a comparison:

Resistive Touchscreen

Functionality:

• Consists of two thin layers (usually glass and plastic) with a conductive coating.
• There is a small gap between the layers.
• When pressure is applied (e.g., with a finger or stylus), the layers touch, closing a circuit. The position of the contact is detected.

• Input: Works with any object (finger, stylus, glove, etc.) since pressure is the critical factor.
• Precision: Very precise, ideal for applications requiring a stylus.
• Durability: Sensitive to scratches because the top layer is plastic.
• Multitouch: Generally, multitouch is not supported (only one point at a time).

• Cost-effective to manufacture.
• Can be used in harsh environments, as it is resistant to dirt, dust, and water.
• Ideal for industrial applications.

• Less durable, as the plastic layer can wear out over time.
• Lower light transmission (approximately 75%) affects display quality.
• Not as intuitive as capacitive screens.

Capacitive Touchscreen

Functionality:

• A continuous conductive layer stores electrical charge.
• When a finger (or a conductive object) touches the surface, the electric field changes. This change is used to determine the touch position.

• Input: Only works with conductive materials (fingers, special styluses). Regular gloves require specialized models.
• Precision: Highly precise but sensitive to interference from moisture.
• Durability: Robust, as the surface is made of glass.
• Multitouch: Supports multitouch (multiple touch points simultaneously).

• High light transmission (approximately 90%), enhancing display quality.
• Greater durability, as glass is more scratch-resistant than plastic.
• Multitouch enables intuitive gesture control.

• Higher cost compared to resistive touchscreens.
• Does not work with standard gloves or non-conductive styluses.

Conclusion

Resistive touchscreens are better suited for applications where cost, resistance to environmental factors, and stylus precision are essential. Capacitive touchscreens dominate the consumer market (smartphones, tablets) due to their superior image quality, multitouch capability, and durability.