iPhone 15 Pro Max SEVERE Burn-in on my iPhone 15 Pro Max

[Frxhb]

Welp, I think this all might be coming to an anti-climactic end...


After almost 45 min, I finally met with the Genius. I was sitting there working on my MBP waiting, so when he asked me my issue I showed him the pictures and videos of the 15 PM on my Mac. His reaction and body language was basically "oof, that IS a problem." I told him "it won't be visible in the daylight lighting of the Apple Store, but if you have a windowless closet back there, then run back and go nuts."

The word used by the genius to describe it was "ghosting." He said, "how long after leaving your Home Screen do the images persist?" I laughed and said "that depends on how long do you want to keep looking at the phone. What time does your shift end?"

I said "But seriously, the images never leave. I ran an HDR YouTube "screen-cleaner/scrubber" at full brightness for an hour and they were still there just as noticeable as soon as I switched to a dark mode grey screen." And as I said on the forum, there were just as visible before I left for the store.

He ran a series of diagnostics on the phone right there at the desk, seemingly looked at the results and then read some internal Knowledge-base Articles for a couple minutes(never took the phone back to look at it in the dark) and then "Yep, that's a problem. Normally what we would do for this issue is replace the screen, but since there are no parts available for the 15's yet I will order you a replacement phone."

My response to him was, "No... Normally what I would do with a problem like this on a new phone is return it and get another phone, NOT repair it." I could see him going to look at the return date/option on the account/diagnostic screen of his iPad and the "Duh/Doh" moment he had realizing the 15's still have not been out 14 days yet. That was funny to see...

He started looking at availability of any devices in the 3 stores in the state and... bupkis.

He confirmed that normal "refurbs" don't even exist nor show up in their system yet. That this would be a "new" phone. I asked if it would "be a new sellable phone in a sealed box?" and he said, it would be a new phone in a sealed box, but not the "sellable box" and "would not come with the accessories like the cable."

I asked him how long that would take and he said, "not longer than a few days. We will give you a call as soon as it comes in."
------------------------------------


So there we are... I can't find another iPhone 15 Pro Max of any storage size or color for purchase at any of the Apple Stores in my state. I can't find my exact phone at BestBuy, AT&T, Walmart, etc. for pickup today or tomorrow. So it looks like I won't be returning it and will be sticking with the "new" replacement phone when it arrives.

I know some folks have said that result was not the ideal outcome with how those units identified, but here I am. I won't plan on keeping my iPhone 15 Pro Max and will just trade it in for the 16 Pro whichever when that comes out. Chances are I will replace this one more time before then anyway. I had to replace my 14 Pro once, and the phones I do keep for 2 years usually qualify to get the battery or whole phone replaced too. AppleCare is my insurance after-all.

So its a "new" replacement and not a return for me.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
For those curious about the issue itself, I did try and pick the Genius' brain and experience about that. Asked him what he thought it was and if there are others that have had that issue(he also owns the phone.) He said. "I did check and this has not been an issue we are seeing at any scale with the 15 Pro's. I have not seen this issue on my phone and no one has returned one so far to this store with that issue." We went on to talk about the heating issues that neither of us had experienced. His last meaningful comment was, "This is not likely any software related issue because if it was wide-spread enough and software related, we would most likely know that by now. This type of issue on a screen so new is likely a faulty display and is clearly not operating within spec or design."

So it seems rare (which the 1 or 2 other people this thread has discovered might confirm that), but this Store and Genius certainly agreed it was outside of any allowable tolerances. Only time will tell I guess.

Thanks everyone for coming on this journey with me and commiserating a bit on something so unusual/frustrating.

Hope everyone's screen stays pretty and your titanium frosty!

Thanks for sharing your story and your (bad) experience. I would not have accepted the replacement phone. Within 14 days, you can and should be able to return your broken phone without any problems.
I would stay with your old iPhone 14, get the money back, and wait until the 15 Pro Max is available again. But that's just my opinion.

Did he say that it was the first time he heard about this issue, or did he say he would communicate this with his boss or something like this? Maybe that's a serious problem, and your case isn't the only one.
Thanks

 

[Shirasaki]

There is no reliable way to tell what? There are different model numbers. The replacement phones always have an N model number. This early, they are likely factory new and there likely no refurbished phones in circulation.

Aside from model number difference and maybe delivery box, how are you going to reliably identify which device is refurbished and which is brand new? In fact, I am not going to be surprised if Apple uses essentially brand new device as “refurbished device” to hand out to customer, with all the accessories ripped off.

 

[73CortinaV8]

sorry this is happening. must be frustrating

 

[Velin]

Because OLED sucks.

No, it doesn't. Unless and until microLED is available, OLED is a superior display technology. Put your IPS or VA display next to an OLED screen, it's no contest, not even with displays having lots of local dimming. OLED destroys them.

First, OLED has perfect blacks and, yes, higher contrast, but far lower brightness.

Not any more. OLED displays now are getting quite bright, as well as having stellar HDR.

But despite all you read from reviewers who spend a short amount of time reviewing OLED TVs and other devices, OLED still has screen burn-in issues.

Also not universally true. There have now been OLED laptops, monitors, of course TVs running gaming consoles -- many, many people have no burn-in issues.

OLED is the best display technology out right now. Nothing can beat it, until microLED is available.

 

[StudioMacs]

I know some folks have said that result was not the ideal outcome with how those units identified, but here I am. I won't plan on keeping my iPhone 15 Pro Max and will just trade it in for the 16 Pro whichever when that comes out. Chances are I will replace this one more time before then anyway. I had to replace my 14 Pro once, and the phones I do keep for 2 years usually qualify to get the battery or whole phone replaced too. AppleCare is my insurance after-all.

I've never wasted any time or energy worrying about a replacement phone being new, refurbished, etc... I trade in my phones, and the value from Apple is always the same regardless.

 

[richard371]

I've never wasted any time or energy worrying about a replacement phone being new, refurbished, etc... I trade in my phones, and the value from Apple is always the same regardless.

Same. The case, display, battery etc are all pretty much new in a refurb. Just the main board and maybe a few other internals are reused and tested. The only difference I notice is the box.

 

[adam1080]

I've never wasted any time or energy worrying about a replacement phone being new, refurbished, etc... I trade in my phones, and the value from Apple is always the same regardless.

Mostly agree. With AppleCare+, at the end of the day I will have a phone that works as it should... one way or another.

Thanks for sharing your story and your (bad) experience. I would not have accepted the replacement phone. Within 14 days, you can and should be able to return your broken phone without any problems.
I would stay with your old iPhone 14, get the money back, and wait until the 15 Pro Max is available again. But that's just my opinion.

Did he say that it was the first time he heard about this issue, or did he say he would communicate this with his boss or something like this? Maybe that's a serious problem, and your case isn't the only one.
Thanks

I don't have my 14 Pro anymore or else I would have strongly considered it. He said there have been zero screen related 15 pro returns at that store so far. I did not ask about talking with his boss nor did he mention it. I can always ask more and will plan on doing that when I pick up the "new" phone.

 

[JPack]

Same. The case, display, battery etc are all pretty much new in a refurb. Just the main board and maybe a few other internals are reused and tested. The only difference I notice is the box.

On a refurb, the only thing guaranteed new is the chassis and battery. Logic board, display, connectors, antennas, etc. are all salvaged. Apple can easily polish the display cover glass to remove scratches or replace if cracked. On an OLED iPhone, I would not want an old display panel even with a new cover glass.

 

[adam1080]

No, it doesn't. Unless and until microLED is available, OLED is a superior display technology. Put your IPS or VA display next to an OLED screen, it's no contest, not even with displays having lots of local dimming. OLED destroys them.



Not any more. OLED displays now are getting quite bright, as well as having stellar HDR.



Also not universally true. There have now been OLED laptops, monitors, of course TVs running gaming consoles -- many, many people have no burn-in issues.

OLED is the best display technology out right now. Nothing can beat it, until microLED is available.

I agree with a lot of points. OLED is the best commercially available tech at the moment, but it is sadly lacking in some areas that both manufacturers and most consumer ignore... Motion.

As a die-hard Pioneer Kuro Pro-141FD owner and Plasma fan, I put off getting an OLED TV until this year out of fear.

Went all-in and got an LG evo G3 OLED. The MLA (Micro Lens Array) tech is amazing and insanely bright for an OLED. Not that it matters, but the viewing angles are magic with zero colored tinting seen on every other panel I've ever seen at extreme angles and still insanely bright. Just a testament to the tech of MLA. Seems like it could be added to phones and increase brightness a lot with zero additional power draw. (the layer is seemingly VERY thin)

Anyway... the G3 is amazing, upscaling is great, beautiful image quality, etc. However, my fear was realized. Motion on ANY LED tech(OLED, LCD, microLED) is absolutely terrible even with high refresh rates and BFI, the problem is severe. Motion resolution is just not as high as other older tech (Plasma and DLP).

I hope one day, some tech will be considered to actually address motion; but as a consumer-base, we have let manufacturers forget about delivering a good solution. We have regressed in terms of good motion in our viewing experience.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Glad you got resolution you are ok with. I would have returned the phone for a refund and gone hunting for my own phone. Getting a phone that isn't in retail packaging is unacceptable to me this early in release and still in the 14 day return window.

 

[mjs916]

Not good. ☹️. Love the sharpness of OLED but burn in can definitely be an issue. We had a TV with burn-in in less than 3 years from the channel logos.

I have an old LCD tv I’m wanting to replace and you just scared me off lol

 

[adam1080]

Glad you got resolution you are ok with. I would have returned the phone for a refund and gone hunting for my own phone. Getting a phone that isn't in retail packaging is unacceptable to me this early in release and still in the 14 day return window.

I mean... I'm not giving them my box back. I guess I understand your point if it is for resale.

I have never once sold an iPhone and I have owned 12 or 13 different generations. They always go to my parents and then when they're done with them, they go back in a drawer or to another family member if needed.

So while it is a bit irksome not having a perfect device with a matching box, I know at this stage I'm getting a new phone that should be no worse than my current device. If it is worse, I'll keep getting another one from Apple.

 

[goonie4life9]

Aside from model number difference and maybe delivery box, how are you going to reliably identify which device is refurbished and which is brand new? In fact, I am not going to be surprised if Apple uses essentially brand new device as “refurbished device” to hand out to customer, with all the accessories ripped off.

No, refurbished devices have a specific number because they have been used before. What you’re talking about are replacement devices, which are often factory new but not designated for retail sale. If Apple sees a need to differentiate, I’m not quite sure why that isn’t good enough for you.

 

[mjs916]

I've never wasted any time or energy worrying about a replacement phone being new, refurbished, etc... I trade in my phones, and the value from Apple is always the same regardless.

I feel the same having worked for a major US carrier and Apple.

I’ve had to replace phones for customers and have the conversation that it’s either:

A: A new device swap

B: A non-retail replacement device, earmarked for such from its inception (Likely what OP would be getting)

C: A refurbished device either returned within its return period or swapped with no actual defect (some customers can’t be bothered to troubleshoot down to hardware), cleaned, inspected, marked as refurb.

D: A rebuilt device taken in by the manufacturer from another customer having the majority of its externally facing parts replaced.

E: Same device repaired.

People tend to balk at B, C, D and E before A… yet the previous NEW (A) device gave them trouble. So shouldn’t any of the others, instill the same or greater faith in reliability, especially if they retain the same warranty, than A which failed them? It’s likely that only some of A devices went through testing (1 of 5 etc) while ALL of the others were fully vetted.

Maybe I’m biased.

 

[Apple_Robert]

I mean... I'm not giving them my box back. I guess I understand your point if it is for resale.

I have never once sold an iPhone and I have owned 12 or 13 different generations. They always go to my parents and then when they're done with them, they go back in a drawer or to another family member if needed.

So while it is a bit irksome not having a perfect device with a matching box, I know at this stage I'm getting a new phone that should be no worse than my current device. If it is worse, I'll keep getting another one from Apple.

You should get the exact same retail box you got. You are returning the phone and should purchase a new phone, in my opinion. Not getting everything that comes in the retail box is unacceptable to me, when you purchase a new phone. You shouldn't allow them to replace the phone when you are still within the 14 day return window.

 

[fzJNotIBOxgnbqejSeVCvJScL]

Does anyone know the display panel supplier for iPhone 15, Pro and non-Pro?

Because I remember earlier this year, amidst the speculation. rumors and leaked news about the (at that time) upcoming iPhone 15, that Apple would use China's BOE instead of Samsung's OLED panels for some of the phones.

I'm not sure if this supply is split among Pro vs non-Pro, countries/regions, or just randomly across the entire global market.

If you want to know my opinion about this... to this day I've never heard of any premium Android phone using a BOE OLED panel.

So if it's an entire batch of iPhones manufactured with the same supplied display panels, you'll probably get the same problems replacing the phone. And no, a 'software update' won't fix that.

 

[StudioMacs]

You should get the exact same retail box you got. You are returning the phone and should purchase a new phone, in my opinion. Not getting everything that comes in the retail box is unacceptable to me, when you purchase a new phone. You shouldn't allow them to replace the phone when you are still within the 14 day return window.

It sounds like the model he wants isn’t in stock and he doesn’t want to be without a phone for an extended period of time.

 

[Blue Sun]

I'm sure that its just temporary image retention caused by either heat or TFT threshold voltage shift. It will fade with time.

 

[adam1080]

You should get the exact same retail box you got. You are returning the phone and should purchase a new phone, in my opinion. Not getting everything that comes in the retail box is unacceptable to me, when you purchase a new phone. You shouldn't allow them to replace the phone when you are still within the 14 day return window.

So, what would you do in my position? I am truly curious and not being facetious.

The Sitch:
You can't get any 15 Pro/Max phones of any kind at Apple stores within 500 miles. You can't get one(let alone the exact one) before tomorrow evening anywhere else.

Would you buy a new 14 Pro Max from Apple, return it in 14 days, buy another one, return that in another 14 days, and then do that 2 more times? Shipping estimates are Nov 17-Nov 27 for my phone config.

Apple has been known to cut people off for abusing the 14 day return period and no longer let you return items.

I don't have any spare eSIM phones lying around, so you would go to your carrier, get a physical SIM and then use a 10 year old phone for 2 months to wait and get a new phone so you can have a second box and second USB-C cable?



I am just not seeing the Return on Investment here of time, energy, misery with old tech, etc. For that much time and effort or energy, I could just throw this new phone against a wall and pay $99 to get a third phone.

 

[evivbulgroz]

Please, could you install 3utools , if you have a windows computer, and click on « verification report » ? On the bottom, you can see the panel manufacturer.It could be an interesting information. Mine is Samsung .

 

[Al Rukh]

@adam1080, I’m sorry you had to go through this experience but I’m glad you found a solution that works best for you.

You don’t need my validation but opting for a replacement phone was a sensible thing to do for the reasons you mentioned particularly waiting for weeks for a phone with the config you want. I hope your replacement device brings the best experience for you!

 

[adam1080]

Please, could you install 3utools , if you have a windows computer, and click on « verification report » ? On the bottom, you can see the panel manufacturer.It could be an interesting information. Mine is Samsung .

Gonna have to be a different program. I don't own a windows computer, only Macs. When you or someone first mentioned that I assumed it was an app and tried to download something from the App Store which turned out to be useless.

 

[4389842]

Incorrect. On "full blast" at night, it is not really visible. All those photos are with the phone at 5-20% brightness which is how normal humans would use a phone in the dark. It makes the "burn-in", "ghosting", whatever you want to call it MASSIVELY noticeable in typical night time conditions.

Then swap your device

 

[4389842]

OP, don’t try to convince those who try to label you as a liar.

That is not the point: if OP thinks his device genuinely has an issue, posting some pictures taken in random, uncontrolled conditions is not going to help: just bring back the device and exercise your warranty rights.

 

[Grey Area]

No, it doesn't. Unless and until microLED is available, OLED is a superior display technology. Put your IPS or VA display next to an OLED screen, it's no contest, not even with displays having lots of local dimming. OLED destroys them.

OLED provides superior image quality, but remains fundamentally flawed due to its unavoidable degradation issues. There are use cases where this is worth the trade-off and others where it is not. For the latter, IPS or VA displays are the superior technology.

Not any more. OLED displays now are getting quite bright, as well as having stellar HDR.

The brighter they run, the faster they degrade.

Also not universally true. There have now been OLED laptops, monitors, of course TVs running gaming consoles -- many, many people have no burn-in issues.

OLED is the best display technology out right now. Nothing can beat it, until microLED is available.

OLED is fine on consumer phones, as the screens are often off, when on they show very varied contents, and people tend get rid of the phones before the degradation becomes noticeable. TVs usually show very varied contents as well, and they can use methods like running regular compensation cycles when "off" that are less suitable for battery-powered devices. Laptops and monitors - just look at the typical manufacturer recommendations: auto-hide the task bar, avoid keeping windows or other static content in the same place for long, use black wallpaper or a wallpaper slide show, use a screensaver that activates after a few minutes... This may be acceptable for hardcore gamers and some niche uses, not so much for regular work.