Which should you choose - Capacitive or resistive?
When developing a touchscreen, you have the choice between capacitive and resistive technology. Both offer advantages and have limitations. We’ll introduce you to both technologies and explain in which situations and application areas they represent the best solution for you. After all, your decision depends on the specific application.
Capacitive vs. resistive Touchscreens
First, let's distinguish between resistive and capacitive technology.
A resistive touchscreen consists of two thin layers of material with a small gap between them (spacer dots printed on one of the layers keep the layers separated). The top layer is usually made of a transparent plastic (such as PET film), while the bottom layer consists of either a second layer of plastic or a rigid material such as glass.
Both are coated with a thin conductive layer, usually made of indium tin oxide (ITO). When you tap the screen, the two layers come into contact. In a two-step process, the voltages in the X and Y directions are measured. These voltages are used to determine the point of contact. The voltages are then converted into X and Y coordinates to pinpoint the exact location of the touch.
Unlike resistive touchscreens, which rely on electrical contact created by mechanical pressure, capacitive touchscreens utilize the natural conductivity of the human body.
Capacitive touchscreens also consist of transparent, conductive layers (usually ITO), but there is no spacer between these layers. Instead, a type of adhesive is used, since no electrical contact is required between the layers. The layers can be made of plastic, glass, or a combination of both. There is usually a cover glass on which graphics or a border print are displayed.
The Difference Between the Technologies
The type of touchscreen you should choose depends on what the touchscreen will be used for. Resistive touchscreens are more commonly found in manufacturing, the medical field, and ATMs. This is because they have lower manufacturing costs, are more resistant to dirt and water, and significantly reduce the risk of accidental touches (since pressure must be applied to activate them).
Capacitive touchscreens, on the other hand, are more commonly found in everyday devices such as smartphones, tablets, and household appliances. The reasons for this are their greater durability, their higher sensitivity to light touch (or even without touching: “hovering”), and the fact that they can display sharper images with better contrast (no air in the touch area). Furthermore, capacitive touchscreens still work even if the glass cover is cracked.
In summary, deciding which type of touchscreen is best suited for your product is a decision you should consider carefully. If you would like more information about both technologies and want to know how ClickTouch can help you find the best solution, please don’t hesitate to contact us.