With the release of the Framework Laptop 13 (2025), the company has introduced a new 2.8k (2880 x 1920) IPS display, which they offer alongside the existing 2k (2256 x 1504) IPS panel. You can only get the 2.8k display if you choose the DIY Edition or as a separate part to upgrade an existing Framework Laptop 13. What exactly are the differences between the two panels, though, and is it worth spending more for the Framework 2.8k display? We've tested both panels, and below are the results put side by side so you can quickly see the differences and choose the display that best suits your needs.
Installing The Display
Installing the display is a straightforward process that takes up to 15 minutes, even for a relatively inexperienced person. All you need is the Framework screwdriver that comes with the device (or another compatible one). Framework's online guide gives clear, step-by-step instructions, so you shouldn't run into any problems as long as you follow it.
Resolution
As mentioned, there are now two displays available when purchasing a Framework Laptop 13: a 2256 x 1504 (2k) panel and a 2880 x 1920 panel (2.8k). The former has a pixel density of 200 PPI, while the latter sits at 256 PPI. Generally speaking, most people can spot a difference of 25 PPI or more. However, once we get into the 200+ PPI range, we're entering diminishing returns territory, so the difference in sharpness between these two panels is pretty subtle in real-world use, at least at typical viewing distances. As far as sharpness goes, most people are likely to be satisfied with either one. Screen real estate depends on the scaling you use; you technically get more space on the 2.8k display if you set the scaling to 100%, but the UI elements and fonts would be too small to be usable.
Contrast
There's virtually no difference in contrast between the two displays, with both measuring within the typical range of most IPS panels. As you can see in the picture below, the newer 2.8k panel (right) has a greenish tint, confirming the white balance measurements detailed in the accuracy section below. A roughly 1,500:1 contrast ratio is pretty low in the grand scheme of things, especially when compared to other display technologies like OLED, so don't expect to get deep, inky blacks when viewing content in the dark.
Brightness
The 2.8k display is brighter than the older 2k display, but the difference is fairly minimal, with the former measuring 478 cd/m² and the latter, older panel measuring 438 cd/m². Regardless of the panel, you shouldn't have any visibility issues unless you're outdoors in broad daylight or under direct sunlight.
Refresh Rate
In addition to a resolution bump, the new 2.8k display boasts a 120Hz refresh rate for better motion smoothness and input responsiveness. It has a rather slow response time, though, so while its higher refresh rate does result in smoother and clearer motion, there are visible blur trails behind fast-moving objects. This panel supports Dynamic Refresh Rate, which helps prolong battery life by varying the refresh rate, depending on whether you're actively navigating around the desktop or looking at static content. Dynamic Refresh Rate isn't the same as G-SYNC or FreeSync, so you might still see screen tearing when gaming.
Reflections
The difference in reflection handling between the two panels is pretty minimal. The 2.8k display measures a little worse, but remember that it also gets brighter, which will help compensate a bit.
| 2k | 2.8k | |
| 3.97% | Total Reflections | 4.78% |
| 3.61% | Indirect Reflections | 4.52% |
| 0.37% | Calculated Direct Reflections | 0.26% |
Out-Of-The-Box Color Accuracy
Accuracy is one aspect where the 2.8k panel falls short compared to the older 2k panel, and the latter isn't the most accurate panel to begin with. The 2.8k panel's white balance is wildly off, causing a greenish tint throughout. The average color dE is also quite high, though this is mostly because it defaults to a slightly larger than sRGB color space, slightly over-saturating some colors. This level of accuracy doesn't significantly affect general productivity or even media consumption; just don't rely on this display for any color-critical work out of the box.
| 2k | 2.8k | |
| 4.27 | Avg. White Balance dE | 8.19 |
| 2.05 | Avg. Gamma | 1.98 |
| 3.06 | Avg. Color dE | 6.37 |
| 6,748.7 K | Avg. Color Temperature | 6556.8 K |
Color Gamut
Both displays are sRGB panels, meaning they only have full coverage of the commonly used sRGB color space. The 2.8k panel has a slightly wider color gamut, but not enough to be of practical use.
| 2k | 2.8k | |
| 99.65% | sRGB xy | 99.17% |
| 99.26% | sRGB uv | 97.94% |
| 75.54% | Adobe RGB xy | 77.72% |
| 86.79% | Adobe RGB uv | 85.59% |
| 76.43% | DCI-P3 xy | 82.91% |
| 82.59% | DCI-P3 uv | 87.02% |
| 54.87% | Rec. 2020 xy | 60.30% |
| 60.35% | Rec. 2020 uv | 66.61% |
Verdict
With all things considered, the new 2.8k display is a fairly small upgrade. The faster 120Hz refresh rate has the biggest impact on user experience, but even then, it might not matter if you mostly look at static documents or websites all day. Though not entirely necessary, full DCI-P3 coverage would have been nice since most laptops in the same class as the Framework Laptop already support it. Accuracy is the weakest point; again, it isn't a dealbreaker, but those who care about it will want to have at least a basic ICC profile to correct the inaccuracies.