MSI ran its OLED monitor continuously for over 533 days and found the burn-in was "basically none"

[midian182]

In brief: OLED monitors are becoming increasingly popular among gamers for their fantastic colors, infinite contrast, and lightning fast response times. But the fear of burn-in still puts some people off buying one. MSI has just carried out its own experiment into this problem and found that after constantly running an OLED monitor for over 533 days, the burn-in impact was "basically none."

There have been several new OLED monitors shown off during Gamescom in Cologne, including MSI's 271QR QD-OLED X50, which it calls an AI-powered QD-OLED.

It's pretty much accepted that the danger of burn-in from OLED monitors is much lower than it was several years ago, mostly due to new technologies that mitigate the issue.

Speaking to PC Gamer, MSI explained how its OLED Care 2.0 protects against image retention. The system combines scheduled pixel shifting, luminance reduction, static screen detection, and other features.

An MSI rep explained that an OLED Care monitor had been tested by being left on continuously for 533 days, seven hours, and 22 minutes straight, or about one year and five and a half months. Thanks to the protection system, burn-in signs were "basically none."

The rep said the display was running in a split screen mode with Windows taskbar, tabs, and other static images being shown.

In June, our own Tim Schiesser revealed the results of his 15-month OLED monitor burn-in test. Faint signs of burn-in appeared at 650 to 700 hours of usage and 71 compensation cycles, but progression was very slow and more prominent taskbar burn-in didn't appear until around 2,700 to 3,000 hours of use and 322 compensation cycles.

It's also worth noting that Tim used the panel protection cycle every eight hours of use rather than the recommended four.

MSI's OLED Care 3.0 utilizes a CMOS sensor paired with an NPU, capturing images every 0.2 seconds to detect whether a user is present. When the user steps away, the monitor either starts its burn-in protection cycle or powers off automatically. It's one of the features in the MPG 271QR QD-OLED X50.

Asus has a similar feature in its new high-refresh-rate OLED monitors. Its integrated OLED Care Pro system includes a Neo Proximity Sensor that can detect whether someone is in front of the monitor and switch to a black screen if they're not.

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MSI ran its OLED monitor continuously for over 533 days and found the burn-in was "basically none"

 

[Billybobjoey]

I'll stick with my MiniLED monitor until these become anywhere near affordable. I'm guessing this is at least $1000.

 

[netman]

Can we just leave the non-existent OLED screen burning effort or forced failure efforts, and go on to another subject TS...!

 

[Lew Zealand]

Can we just leave the non-existent OLED screen burning effort or forced failure efforts, and go on to another subject TS...!

Some people want information, especially when concern about an issue is reasonable. Which it is for OLED. Plus, I'll take Tim's burn-in tests as a regular user more seriously than tests from the very company trying to sell an OLED to you. Conflict of interest is a thing.

 

[RaXelliX]

I'll stick with my MiniLED monitor until these become anywhere near affordable. I'm guessing this is at least $1000.

Everyone defines "affordable" differently.
OLED is now 450€ (27" 1440p, 240Hz) and well below 1000 even for 32" 4K models.
Ultimately it doesn't matter because someone will always claim it's too expensive.

 

[Billybobjoey]

Everyone defines "affordable" differently.
OLED is now 450€ (27" 1440p, 240Hz) and well below 1000 even for 32" 4K models.
Ultimately it doesn't matter because someone will always claim it's too expensive.

I didn't realize this was a 1440p panel, so that might bring it down to $750 since they're throwing AI buzzwords, QD-OLED, and 500Hz (which is frankly ridiculous) at it

I consider ~$500 USD to be affordable for a high end monitor. For reference, my Acer Nitro XV275K P3BIIPRUZX (really rolls off the tongue) 27" 4k 144hz MiniLED was just under $600 USD after tax on sale when I got it nearly 2 years ago now.

 

[RaXelliX]

I didn't realize this was a 1440p panel, so that might bring it down to $750 since they're throwing AI buzzwords, QD-OLED, and 500Hz (which is frankly ridiculous) at it

I consider ~$500 USD to be affordable for a high end monitor. For reference, my Acer Nitro XV275K P3BIIPRUZX (really rolls off the tongue) 27" 4k 144hz MiniLED was just under $600 USD after tax on sale when I got it nearly 2 years ago now.

Well I wasn't specifically talking about this MSI model mentioned in the article. MSI is just one of many. I would argue that OLED has largely killed LCD including Mini-LED above certain price points. $600 for the specs you mentioned was ok two years ago. These days no one would buy these specs over and OLED even if the prices were these at $600.
So now that Mini-LED has to be $350-$400 max to make sense.

 

[hahahanoobs]

Didn't stop every reviewer from warning us about it in every video and article.

Remember, you learn from what you hear... and what you don't hear.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Didn't stop every reviewer from warning us about it in every video and article.

Remember, you learn from what you hear... and what you don't hear.

They warn of it because it is still a thing.

If you believe MSI over reviewers....then I dont know what to tell you. I cant imagine trusting any corporation in 2025.

Can we just leave the non-existent OLED screen burning effort or forced failure efforts, and go on to another subject TS...!

If it was non existent people wouldnt be talking about it.

 

[Starfals]

Everyone defines "affordable" differently.
OLED is now 450€ (27" 1440p, 240Hz) and well below 1000 even for 32" 4K models.
Ultimately it doesn't matter because someone will always claim it's too expensive.

Nah, there are 0 4K 32 inch OLED screens for under 1000 euro here. 0. Every single store sells them for AT LEAST 1k. Even old models. Do you people live in fantasy land or idk, some amazing country? Everywhere near my country (plus mine) they cost a ton. Way cheaper to get 48 inch OLED C5. 800-1000 euro. C4 is like 600 too. Monitors? Hell no, they try to rob you.

 

[Burty117]

Nah, there are 0 4K 32 inch OLED screens for under 1000 euro here. 0. Every single store sells them for AT LEAST 1k. Even old models. Do you people live in fantasy land or idk, some amazing country? Everywhere near my country (plus mine) they cost a ton. Way cheaper to get 48 inch OLED C5. 800-1000 euro. C4 is like 600 too. Monitors? Hell no, they try to rob you.

In the UK at least, Alienwares 32inch 4k 240Hz OLED is £820, other brands are around the £900 mark. I'm just taking those prices straight off Amazon, probably can get better somewhere else.

If it was non existent people wouldnt be talking about it.

It's a known thing, OLED can have burn-in issues, did you know LCD screens also can? it was really bad in the early days as well, OLED has matured to the point its no longer an issue for the vast majority of use cases.

The reason it was so heavily talked about was because Samsung used it as a marketing point for their screens over LG, Samsung have since gone real quiet since they finally figured out how to create decent OLED's.

 

[seeprime]

"Mostly none" is not none. Such weird PR.

 

[toooooot]

That is good news, really. The more reliable they get, the more of those can be sold. Who knows, they might replace most if not all other types as they keep getting cheaper.

 

[toooooot]

Nah, there are 0 4K 32 inch OLED screens for under 1000 euro here. 0. Every single store sells them for AT LEAST 1k. Even old models. Do you people live in fantasy land or idk, some amazing country? Everywhere near my country (plus mine) they cost a ton. Way cheaper to get 48 inch OLED C5. 800-1000 euro. C4 is like 600 too. Monitors? Hell no, they try to rob you.

You say it like every workplace can accommodate a TV instead of 27-32 inch monitor. There is a very good reason these sizes are so popular--they fit a typical computer desk in a corner.
I am not going to buy a TV instead of a monitor even if it costs 50% less.

 

[SRB]

You say it like every workplace can accommodate a TV instead of 27-32 inch monitor. There is a very good reason these sizes are so popular--they fit a typical computer desk in a corner.
I am not going to buy a TV instead of a monitor even if it costs 50% less.

You should try it....Nothing like a big screen Sony TV at 4k with 120hz VRR. Had to get a new desk, but now I don't have to be sitting near the screen to read anything.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

You should try it....Nothing like a big screen Sony TV at 4k with 120hz VRR. Had to get a new desk, but now I don't have to be sitting near the screen to read anything.

Gross. You can keep those input timings and whatever other garbage makes TVs react abotu as slow as butter.

It's a known thing, OLED can have burn-in issues, did you know LCD screens also can? it was really bad in the early days as well, OLED has matured to the point its no longer an issue for the vast majority of use cases.

So it's a known thing that OLED can have burn in issues, but it isnt an issue?

What an interesting bit of double think. I believe that Tim Schiesser's testing here shows it is still a realistic issue to worry about, especially since most of us keep monitors for many years. Prominent burn in was noticeable at 2700-3000 hours. AT 8 hours of use a day, that is ONE YEAR of use. Yeah, that's a pretty big problem.

I can use a modern LCD panel without burn in, even after a decade. AS you pointed out, they fixed the burn in problem there, to where you must abuse them to cause burn in now. Clearly, OLED isnt there yet,

The reason it was so heavily talked about was because Samsung used it as a marketing point for their screens over LG, Samsung have since gone real quiet since they finally figured out how to create decent OLED's.

If you trade out monitors every 1-2 years, then yeah it is no longer an issue. If you keep them 5+ years though, like most people, it is still a proper concern to have.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

The new Tandem RGB OLED should see a improvement and if we can get phosphorescent dyes replacing fluorescent dyes, that should be another big improvement. I would not buy any OLED for productivity unless it's using this latest tech. Also, RGB subpixel layout is big improvement for LG based panels.

 

[umeng2002]

Basically...

 

[Watzupken]

While I get that the article is trying to dispel concerns of burn in, the possibility is still there, just less likely to happen. And for me, that’s one of the major hurdles to adopt an OLED monitor. It’s not cheap when compared to a good IPS display and it doesn’t help when you are aware that it’s always more susceptible to burn in. So even for laptops, I try to avoid buying one with OLED. I am missing out on the deep blacks and vibrant colours, but it’s a trade off I am willing to accept. I have an OLED TV and I think it’s good enough for me.

 

[yRaz]

Gross. You can keep those input timings and whatever other garbage makes TVs react abotu as slow as butter.

The input lag problem is overblown on TVs that have a proper PC mode that bypasses all the processing electronics. It's a real thing, just make sure that TV has a real PC mode if you ever decide to go through route. What's really wild is how much processing the TV actually does when going back and forth from PC to TV or Movie modes.

Oh, typically only 1 HDMI port supports the PC mode so made sure you're plugged into the right one on the silm chance you decide to go this route. I say this because sometimes it is labeled and sometimes it isn't. I made this mistake after I moved and connected everything to my TV differently without realizing that only on port supported the PC mode and I had my switch plugged into it.

 

[BlackyNoir]

Then obviously, MSI will provide the adequate warranty for it. Say, 6 years zero (not "small", not "insignificant", but ZERO) burn in or full replacement?

Right? Right...?

 

[DrSuess]

Then obviously, MSI will provide the adequate warranty for it. Say, 6 years zero (not "small", not "insignificant", but ZERO) burn in or full replacement?

Right? Right...?

MSI offers 3 yrs, which is why I decided to go with the LG which offers 5 yrs.

 

[toooooot]

MSI offers 3 yrs, which is why I decided to go with the LG which offers 5 yrs.

Where do you live? In the US I only see LG offering 2y warranty for their OLED monitors.

 

[Burty117]

So it's a known thing that OLED can have burn in issues, but it isnt an issue?

What an interesting bit of double think. I believe that Tim Schiesser's testing here shows it is still a realistic issue to worry about, especially since most of us keep monitors for many years. Prominent burn in was noticeable at 2700-3000 hours. AT 8 hours of use a day, that is ONE YEAR of use. Yeah, that's a pretty big problem.

I can use a modern LCD panel without burn in, even after a decade. AS you pointed out, they fixed the burn in problem there, to where you must abuse them to cause burn in now. Clearly, OLED isnt there yet,

If you trade out monitors every 1-2 years, then yeah it is no longer an issue. If you keep them 5+ years though, like most people, it is still a proper concern to have.

Look, I dunno what to tell ya, I personally don't have an OLED monitor yet, but I do have a few years old OLED TV, all my recent phones have been OLED, same with my smart watches, I'm personally yet to see an OLED fail. I do have a few friends who jumped on the OLED monitor bandwagon, two of them are programmers, another uses excel a lot, all three use their monitor during the day for work and for gaming in the evening, none of them have complained about burn-in, and their monitors are years old and first / second gen panels.

I just don't think it's anywhere near as big-a-problem as some make it out to be, especially if you're just a normal human being, and not a business displaying some statistics on the screen 24/7.

Everyone happily jumped on the LCD hype train when it had burn-in issues, and LCD didn't even look better than CRT. OLED is a massive upgrade over LCD, LG's been making OLED panels for a long time now.
it's mad to me that some people's extreme tests to force some burn-in to happen, is the defining factor on whether to buy it or not.

Are you staring at a completely still image for 3000 hours straight? No? Then burn-in probably isn't going to be a problem.

 

[BogdanR]

I like “mostly none” attributed to OLED burn in. Sounds a bit like “slightly pregnant”.