Other The dreaded “burn in”

[StellarVixen]

Greetings everyone!

It has been 3 years since Apple released the first OLED phone. Since many of use have had OLED devices for at least a year, if not more by now, let’s make a poll to see how our screens are faring so far.

My personal experience: 2+ years with XS Max: nothing. I downloaded pure white image, cranked up the brightness, and started looking for signs of burn in. Nothing. Especially checked the status bar and home bar (that one on the bottom of the screen which you use to return to home screen). Can’t see any, even slightest signs of burn in.

So, what’s your experience? Is the burn in thing of the past? I know iPhones in Apple Store show the signs of burn in, but those have their screen powered on for days, and they display static images for long time. I am talking about realistic use here.

Those who vote “yes”, try not just to click and leave, try to show us how your screen looks like if you can.

 

[dumastudetto]

I have no burn in on any of my modern iPhones. None.

 

[Cobold]

It's been THREE years 😉

But no, I cannot see any signs of burn in on my launch day iPhone X that I still use as my secondary device.

 

[StellarVixen]

It's been THREE years 😉

But no, I cannot see any signs of burn in on my launch day iPhone X that I still use as my secondary device.

Fixed.

 

[internetrando]

If it was a major issue, this board would be filled with threads about it.

I have not personally seen any from my devices. I have seen some in display models, but those are remarkably abused.

 

[StellarVixen]

If it was a major issue, this board would be filled with threads about it.

I have not personally seen any from my devices. I have seen some in display models, but those are remarkably abused.

You have a point.

Shame those two who voted “yes” didn’t show us how their screens look like, maybe they are even lying.

 

[Steve121178]

Never had burn-in on any device I've owned.

My original iPhone X is now being used by my Mother and it looks as good today as it did the day I bought it.

I don't even recall burn-in being an issue with iPhone's so I am confused why this thread is even required.

 

[bobmans]

Never seen any burn in on my iPhones, I've seen severe burn in (like really horrible) on a demo unit in-store tho but! (That doesn't really count I guess, haha)

 

[caranddriver]

Launch iPhone X. Just noticed today, I have some screen burn in at the top where the time, cellular and wifi and battery indicators sit. Just attached some photos where you can see the burn in. The right indicators are more noticeable, the time indicator on the left just shows up as a light smudge in the photo. Wanted to share photos since there was no photographic evidence shared thus far.

 

[snipr125]

Quick question, is the PWM (the flickering) that is used on OLED iphone screens there to minimise the effect of OLED burn-in?

 

[Jimmy James]

Quick question, is the PWM (the flickering) that is used on OLED iphone screens there to minimise the effect of OLED burn-in?

It’s to regulate brightness.

 

[LFC2020]

iPhone X, iPhone XS Max, iPhone 12 Pro Max, no burn in 🧐📱😊

If burn in did occur it would be going straight back to apple for a on the spot replacement. 😊

 

[DevinNj]

Launch iPhone X. Just noticed today, I have some screen burn in at the top where the time, cellular and wifi and battery indicators sit. Just attached some photos where you can see the burn in. The right indicators are more noticeable, the time indicator on the left just shows up as a light smudge in the photo. Wanted to share photos since there was no photographic evidence shared thus far.

You sure that's image retention and not the status bar showing through the opaque of the control panel? If you go any app that supports landscape, does the image remain on the left/right side when the phone is tilted? For example, in portrait, if I open my mail, then pull down the control panel, I'll see the dark "All Inboxes" lettering through the control panel. It will resemble burn-in.

 

[caranddriver]

You sure that's image retention and not the status bar showing through the opaque of the control panel? If you go any app that supports landscape, does the image remain on the left/right side when the phone is tilted? For example, in portrait, if I open my mail, then pull down the control panel, I'll see the dark "All Inboxes" lettering through the control panel. It will resemble burn-in.

Unfortunately, it remains the same using Google Maps in landscape mode, see photo.

 

[DevinNj]

Unfortunately, it remains the same using Google Maps in landscape mode, see photo.

Well, I thought I'd take a stab, sorry...

 

[caranddriver]

Well, I thought I'd take a stab, sorry...

Good to explore all avenues. Definitely unfortunate, but at least it is not a glaring distraction since most of the time I'm using it in portrait with those icons showing (why it burned in). It is almost a 3.5 year old iPhone, otherwise working well especially with a new Apple battery, that will likely be going to my mother when iPhone "13" Pro comes out or I'll sell it and let the next buyer know. Definitely one of the drawbacks of vibrant OLED screens.

 

[DevinNj]

Good to explore all avenues. Definitely unfortunate, but at least it is not a glaring distraction since most of the time I'm using it in portrait with those icons showing (why it burned in). It is almost a 3.5 year old iPhone, otherwise working well especially with a new Apple battery, that will likely be going to my mother when iPhone "13" Pro comes out or I'll sell it and let the next buyer know. Definitely one of the drawbacks of vibrant OLED screens.

I will say that issues like this are few and far between with iPhone. They’re rarely reported on here. Apple’s definitely done something right when it comes to their OLED implementation. I’ve seen other brand’s display models with significant burn-in after just a couple of weeks.

 

[caranddriver]

The informal poll looks like about 10% of forum voters. If you are a forum poster, you are going to fall into the more technologically savvy category so it isn't representative of the entire population. That said, it appears to be a smaller percentage. I wonder when it first started happening.

 

[Spetsgruppa]

My wife has been using the 11 Pro Max since launch and she has autolock/screen off set to OFF and she likes putting her phone away with the screen on for a long time and no burn in... crazy...

 

[1rottenapple]

If it was a major issue, this board would be filled with threads about it.

I have not personally seen any from my devices. I have seen some in display models, but those are remarkably abused.

Burn-gate! Haven’t heard of any. Apple probably fixed the software to prevent this from happening

 

[greytux]

I got some status bar burn-in on my launch day iPhone X with normal usage and 5 minute auto-lock. I think that‘s okay and much better than some Samsung phones I have seen over the years which showed burn-in much earlier in the lifecycle.