The screen on Google’s Pixel 2 XL is taking a hammering. First, users noticed how its weird colour-shift effect made it look excessively blue when viewed off axis. Then, they saw how the device’s default settings can make images look dull and dreary. But the latest issue with the Pixel 2 XL’s POLED screen may be the worst yet. After only about a week, several users have reported seeing the effects of screen burn-in on Google’s latest high-end phone.
It seems the Pixel 2 XL’s off-axis colour shift may be just the start of Google’s display woes. (Image: Sam Rutherford/Gizmodo)
Burn-in is when certain visual elements, often parts of the UI such as the navigation bar, become permanently discoloured so that even when you’re looking at something else, you can still see the remnants of previous visuals — or what is known as a ghost image.
It’s an issue that plagues many types of displays, from modern OLEDs to plasma screens and even old-fashioned CRTs, and was the original reason why people invented screen savers. However, typically, it takes years or at least months to see the effects of burn-in, which is what makes these reports so troubling.
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 seems to be aware of the issue, and based on a comment the company issued to The Verge, Google says it is “actively investigating” users’ reports. For the time being, these reports only cite the Pixel 2 XL and its POLED (plastic OLED) screen, as the smaller Pixel 2 features a different, AMOLED display.
There’s a chance that these reports could be caused by another display issue called screen retention, in which faulty software can cause lingering images that don’t permanently affect the screen. However, reports such as the one above, from Android Central executive editor Alex Dobie, seem like classic case of burn in.
Well, hello there. I have burn-in on my 2 XL. Not as bad as some, but this is maybe 10 days of not even being used as a primary device. pic.twitter.com/g600Gw1GdK
— Stephen Hall (@hallstephenj) October 22, 2017
It’s possible that the screen itself is the root of the problem. While some display manufacturers such as Samsung have figured out how to largely eliminate burn-in on its latest Galaxy phones with super AMOLED displays, LG, which is responsible for the screen on the Pixel 2 XL, has had issues with its POLED screens on other recent phones such as the LG V30.
We haven’t encountered these issues on our review unit, but this is still a pretty big deal. A phone’s screen is the primary way we interact with the device, and for something that starts at $1079, there’s no good reason why issues such as burn-in should be cropping up this soon, not to mention all the other problems with the screen.