We've been stress-testing our 4K OLED for over a year with nonstop productivity use. Here's how 18 months of static content has affected the panel, and whether burn-in is finally becoming a problem.
The OLED Burn-In Test: 18-Month Update
- Thread starter Scorpus
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Thatsdisgusting
Posts: 512 +592
Theinsanegamer
Posts: 8,724 +17,786
That's weird. I was ASSURED by some of the peanut gallery here that OLED burn in was a thing of the past and surely wouldnt keep happening, that I was merely uninformed.....
Looks like I was right. Huh. Imagine that. OLED still has a burn in issue.
Looks like I was right. Huh. Imagine that. OLED still has a burn in issue.
wiyosaya
Posts: 11,572 +12,669
I don't think there's a absence of burn-in for an OLED, however, if it takes what amounts to an extreme use-case to demonstrate or encounter OLED burn-in, most non-professionals, IMO, will never "Torture" their displays like what is being done for these tests, and thus most non-professionals will never see OLED burn in.
As well, the technology keeps improving. I still don't think that an LCD is going to match an OLED for picture quality. The LCD might not burn in, but the OLED still has better PQ.
As far as lack of burn-in goes, perhaps the only tech that will not exhibit it is Micro-LED, and presently, that is out of the price range of mainstream consumers.
Burty117
Posts: 5,993 +5,086
QDEL is probably the next big display technology that won't exhibit burn-in but be as good as OLED. They've shown off working examples for a few years now, they've shown off how much easier they are to make, they've even shown off the manufacturing facilities being built or are already built.
Micro-LED is going to take a longtime to get cheap, it's just very difficult to make.
OLED for a computer monitor is not wise. I have them but just for Movies/TV no longer game on them. TN/FAST ISP are the best for that. ZERO burn on my older monitors early burn on my OLEDS.
Friends don't let friends use OLEDS for computer monitors.
Friends don't let friends use OLEDS for computer monitors.
wiyosaya
Posts: 11,572 +12,669
In each case, I think it is going to depend on the user's specific use-case. What's good for you may not fit another user's use-case and their experience may be completely different from yours.
wiyosaya
Posts: 11,572 +12,669
We'll see.
Here's a couple of articles I found -
https://www.tomsguide.com/tvs/could-qdel-replace-oled-yes-and-it-might-happen-sooner-than-expected
This is more dated, but more in depth.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/202...-tech-that-could-replace-oled-in-premium-tvs/
Just like with OLED, blue QD seems to have similar difficulties.
EDIT: Unfortunately, part of this article is behind a pay-wall, however, it demonstrates, like other technologies, that research and improvements are ongoing in OLED Tech. https://www.oled-info.com/stacked-oleds-past-present-and-bright-future-multi-layer-displays
wiyosaya
Posts: 11,572 +12,669
An interesting article on a Micro-LED watch that Garmin has released. It's pricy, but demonstrates continuing Micro-LED research - https://www.oled-info.com/garmin-launches-first-microled-smartwatch-round-14-4500-nits-display
Burty117
Posts: 5,993 +5,086
It's cool, but £2000 for a 1.4 inch screen, is that progress? I wonder what the sales numbers are.
Tams80
Posts: 229 +178
It's one of their premium products, so they can afford to put more cutting edge technology in it. I doubt they expect to sell many, but it'll make a profit.
I was tempted to buy an OLED, but I'm glad I went with LCD. I work from home, so I use my monitor for both work and gaming. While it wouldn't be subjected to the extremes here, I didn't want to pay more than $100/year on a monitor (when you take its cost and divide it out over the years of usage I expect to get out of it before the next upgrade), so a 3-4 year lifespan would've been a bit too short for my liking.
Maybe the next time I do upgrade (estimated 5-6 years from now, depending on when I decide to upgrade my now 6 year old secondary), OLEDs will be free from burn in, or we'll have another technology entirely.
Maybe the next time I do upgrade (estimated 5-6 years from now, depending on when I decide to upgrade my now 6 year old secondary), OLEDs will be free from burn in, or we'll have another technology entirely.
This just shows how inadequate 2025 OLED panels still are for office work (or TVs that are on the same channel for hours) and despite being extremely expensive, just two years after normal office work they present severe changes, while a LCD would cost much less and be after two years almost as on day 1. For TVs for mixed content, HDR movies and tv shows, OLED is a must though...
Starfals
Posts: 334 +302
Yep, so it aint good enough for me too. Until I dont see any burn within 8-10 years, this tech is just not for me. I dont really care how gorgeous it is either. If it doesnt last LONG, I dont like it or want it.
Starfals
Posts: 334 +302
Hahaha, here they dont even care if you got 30 dead pixels on a brand new TV. I doubt they would respect that if the monitor turns on... at least our retail stores wont care. Im in Europe, and yes... with all the protections of the customers, thats 1 thing that is often overlooked in my own country.
None of these tests really mean anything. They all push the monitors to their limits to see how quickly they see a problem. People don't use their monitors/laptops like this so yes it is an extreme case and if you applied this to regular use, it would probably take 5-7 years for anything to show up. By then you would be considering a new laptop/monitor anyway. Rtings.com has been testing TVs for months now and they also use an extreme test with CNN tickers always displayed on the screen so of course there is some burn-in but who does that? If you get an LCD panel, their tests show the side lights and back lights all burn out before you would typically see burn-in on an OLED. I've been using OLEDs for a couple of years now and haven't seen any sign of any issues so far. And I refuse to "turn down" my monitor. I spent extra money on getting a bright display so I will use it at 100% brightness when I need it for gaming or photo editing. No issues...I still think this is all way overblown.
