Some reviewers of Google’s new Pixel 2 XL have reported problems with screen burn in. Multiple people have reported it, including AndroidCentral and The Verge, and it could indicate a significant problem for Google.
Screen burn-in is the name for when images get burned in to a display. It’s not unheard of in modern smartphones, but it is unheard of when a phone’s life has been measured in hours.
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That’s some pretty wild OLED burn-in on the Pixel 2 XL after maybe 7 days of full-time use pic.twitter.com/EPJTs6D0Kg
— Alex Dobie (@alexdobie) October 22, 2017
Google Pixel 2 XL
The Pixel 2 XL (and the Pixel 2) was met with great fanfare when it launched, As always happens with a new Google phone, some wondered if this time Google could make a serious dent in hardware sales. Google confirmed to The Verge that it was looking into the issue, and many things are possible, including:
- It’s not screen burn-in, but image retention, which usually goes away after a bit.
- It’s screen burn-in, but it’s an isolated issue limited to these early-run devices Google sent out to reviewers.
- It’s just screen burn-in, and there’s a serious flaw with the POLED screens Google is using in these devices.
Time will tell.
This is my biggest worry about the iPhone X. Not happening right away though like the Pixel but over time. I expect that Apple has worked this out somehow already. But I know I’d be pissed if I plopped down over a $1000 and in a year or two there’s screen burn in.