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.
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.
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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.