The Difference Between Resistive Touch Screen and Capacitive Touch Screen

There are many types of touch screens on the market, and the more common ones are resistive touch screen (RTP), capacitive touch screen (CTP), surface acoustic wave touch screen, and infrared touch screen. At present, the most widely used touch screens mainly include capacitive touch and resistive touch. The following is a simple comparison of the main differences between the two touch technologies.

Ⅰ. The working principle of resistive touch screen and capacitive touch screen

1. Capacitive touch: It uses the current induction of the human body to work. When a finger touches the metal layer, due to the electric field of the human body, the user and the surface of the touch screen form a coupling capacitance. For high-frequency currents, the capacitance is a direct conductor, so the finger absorbs a small current from the contact point. This current flows out of the electrodes on the four corners of the touch screen respectively, and the current flowing through these four electrodes is proportional to the distance from the finger to the four corners. The controller obtains the position of the touch point through accurate calculation of the four current ratios. 

2. Resistive touch: It mainly realizes the operation and control of the screen content through the principle of pressure sensing. The body part of this touch screen is a multi-layer composite film that is very compatible with the surface of the display. When the surface layer is pressed down lightly, it touches the bottom layer. The controller simultaneously reads the corresponding current from the four corners and calculates the distance of the finger position.

Ⅱ. Touch technology of resistive touch screen and capacitive touch screen

1. Capacitive screen: support multi-touch, fast response, responsive.

2. Resistive screen: pressure sensitive, any object can be used for touch.

Ⅲ. The use environment of resistive touch screen and capacitive touch screen

1. Capacitive screen: It is easily affected by changes in environmental temperature, humidity, electric field and other factors. We can optimize the display screen according to the usage scenario.

2. Resistive screen: The screen is not easily affected by dust, water vapor and oil, and can be used in a lower or higher temperature environment, and can adapt to harsh environments.

Ⅳ. The cost of resistive touch screen and capacitive touch screen

1. Capacitive screen: Compared with resistive touch technology, the cost is higher.

2. Resistive screen: Since the capacitive touch technology is very mature, and the structure is simple, the technical threshold is low, so the cost is low.

Ⅴ. The life of resistive touch screen and capacitive touch screen

1. Capacitive touch screen: Capacitive touch technology uses current induction to work, which has little wear on the screen and long service life.

2. Resistive screen: Resistive touch technology uses pressure sensing, which is easy to wear and tear the screen, resulting in impaired touch function and short service life.