Choosing the Right TFT Display Size: From 3.5″ to 43″ for Defence, Medical, Transportation & Industrial Applications
TFT displays are at the heart of many modern electronic systems. From handheld diagnostic devices to large-format public information screens, the right screen size can define usability, performance, and end-user experience. At FORTEC UK, we offer a complete range of TFT display sizes, ensuring engineers can select the ideal solution for their specific application – whether in defence, transportation, medical, or industrial instrumentation.
Compact Displays (3.5″ to 5.0″)
Compact displays are commonly used in portable and handheld devices, particularly within medical and instrumentation sectors. Sizes such as 3.5″, 4.3″, and 5.0″ strike a balance between low power consumption and screen clarity.
Common applications:
Blood glucose meters
Field data loggers
Portable testing equipment
Typical specifications:
Resolution: QVGA to WQVGA (320x240 to 800x480)
Brightness: 400–700 cd/m²
Touch: Resistive or PCAP (glove-friendly)
Operating Temp: -20°C to +70°C
Mid-Size Standard: 7.0″ TFT Displays
The 7″ display is one of the most widely adopted sizes due to its compact form and high usability. It is especially prevalent in EV charging stations, compact defence control units, and small HMI panels.
Why it’s popular:
Offers enough screen space for visual data and UI interactions without compromising portability.
Typical specifications:
Resolution: 800x480 or 1024x600
Brightness: 700–1000 cd/m²
Touch: PCAP with glove and water support
Optical bonding available for sunlight readability
Wide operating temperature range
Versatile Workhorses: 10.1″ to 15.6″
Mid-size displays are a go-to choice for control panels and equipment interfaces. They appear frequently in medical devices such as ventilators and imaging systems, in rail vehicle dashboards, and across ruggedised defence UIs.
Popular sizes include: 10.1″, 12.1″, and 15.6″ (Full HD)
Common features:
High-resolution IPS panels (1280x800 to 1920x1080)
Multi-touch PCAP or stylus-compatible resistive
Anti-reflective coatings and optical bonding
NVIS options for military night vision compatibility
Compliance with MIL-STD, IP65 sealing, and wide-temp operation
Large Format TFTs: 18.5″, 21.5″, 32″, and 43″
For applications requiring large viewing areas – including station platforms, medical imaging rooms, and tactical control centres – larger TFTs deliver both scale and clarity. Their use is growing in public transportation, command interfaces, and advanced instrumentation.
Where used:
Passenger information totems
Surgical displays
Defence control stations
Specifications to note:
Resolution: Full HD (1920x1080) or 4K UHD
Brightness: 1000–2500 cd/m²
Glass: Vandal-resistant with UV protection
Bonding: Optical bonding standard for outdoor use
Certification: EN50155 (rail), MIL-STD (defence)
Specialty Shapes: Stretched, Circular & Square Displays
Beyond standard rectangles, applications with space constraints or bespoke UI requirements often benefit from specialist formats.
Examples include:
Bar-type 28″ TFTs for rolling stock signage
Square medical monitor replacements (1:1 aspect ratio)
Circular instrumentation dials for control panels
These displays still incorporate key technologies such as PCAP touch, bonding, high-bright backlights, and wide viewing angles.
Size Meets Specification
Selecting the right TFT display is not only about screen dimensions but about the context of use. At FORTEC UK, we help engineers across defence, medical, transport, and industrial sectors specify the most effective combination of:
Size and resolution
Brightness and readability
Touch technology
Environmental resilience
Compliance (MIL-STD, EN50155, EMC)
From compact 3.5″ instruments to 85″ sunlight-readable public displays, we offer a complete solution with UK-based support, technical integration, and long-term availability.