Liquid crystal display device having an improved contrast ratio

A liquid crystal display device, comprising:

• a first substrate;
• a second substrate disposed on a viewer side relative to the first substrate;
• a liquid crystal layer provided between the first substrate and the second substrate;
• a polarizer disposed on a viewer side relative to the liquid crystal layer;
• a phase difference layer disposed between the polarizer and the liquid crystal layer;
• and
• a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix shape,
• wherein the first substrate includes:
• a reflective layer configured to reflect light,
• a first electrode and a second electrode capable of generating a transverse electrical field in the liquid crystal layer, and
• a first horizontal alignment film in contact with the liquid crystal layer,
• the second substrate includes a second horizontal alignment film in contact with the liquid crystal layer,
• the liquid crystal layer takes a twist alignment when no voltage is applied,
• the liquid crystal layer contains a liquid crystal material of positive-type,
• the phase difference layer includes a λ/2 plate, and
• an angle θ3, formed by a slow axis of the λ/2 plate with an orientation direction of a liquid crystal molecule defined by the first horizontal alignment film in a twist direction of the liquid crystal layer, is in a range from 132.4° to 143.6°.