The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google’s latest flagship phones, were made available last week. The new handsets have been met with much excitement, as you might expect, but also some worrying reports.
Last week, we discussed comments that had appeared online regarding the Pixel 2 XL’s display, namely that it seemed undersaturated, and that it suffered some kind of blockiness/distortion in low-light. We looked at the situation in more depth over the weekend and concluded that it might be enough to make one reconsider purchasing the device.
Subsequently, reports of another potential screen problem have appeared online, this time related to burn-in.
Screen burn-in is an issue that typically affects OLED screens as they age. Because the light producing components of a screen decay at different rates depending on what is being displayed, those which are active longer/used more are worn faster than those that aren’t. This is why displaying a static image — like a navigation bar on a phone — can be particularly problematic: this area often displays a very saturated (black) image whenever the phone is in use. The result is that a trace is sometimes left behind when the screen is switched off after extended periods of use, and it can be permanent (or it can be temporary, as with “screen retention”).
It usually takes a while for this kind of display wear to build up depending on factors like screen brightness, the image being displayed, and the type of hardware — it could take years. However, according to Alex Dobie of Android Central, this is apparent on the Google Pixel 2 XL he has been using after just a week or normal use: check it out below