The OLED Burn-In Test: Six Month Update

[Vanderlinde]

Interesting.

I always knew that leaving a screen turned on would visually over time affect the image. Because of that for years I run in power saving mode - which turns the thing off after a certain amount of time and inactivity. Additional a screensaver which simply turns the screen blank and thus automatically off when not in use.

 

[StrikerRocket]

Just got a new LG 34GN850P-B less than a month ago, a 4 year old monitor that used to sell for around $1000, I got it for a little more than half that, and I'm totally happy with it.
It's a Nano IPS (LG's term for Quantum Dot), and once calibrated, it's on par witht the best for colour accuracy, and no risk of burn-in whatsoever.
I have and OLED, but it's a 55" Sony used to watch movies exclusively.
Burn-in is a real turn down for me, so OLED for PC? Nah... If the screen becomes unusable in, say, 5 years, then what, it ends up in a landfill? Not very appealing I think, so I'll stick to fast IPS screens and live with the little led bleeding on the edges and the not-so-black blacks.
Granted, image quality is exceptional, but the game is not worth the candle for me.

 

[McMurdeR]

I'd rather buy a new OLED every single year than go back to an IPS. It's that much better. In any case, when the prices start falling this will be less of a concern.

We have a three year old LG OLED that the kids have abused by leaving it turned on.. no sign of damage whatsoever.

Just use a suitable screensaver or sleep timer. It will be fine.

 

[LimyG]

I am surprised that Nano IPS (Quantum dot) seems to have taken a bit of a back seat. It has a better gamut than IPS, no burn in, decent brightness, excellent for gaming.
I have the AOC AG273QXP/11 (Japanese domestic market version). 27" 1440p. It was released at least 4 years ago. Mine has a production date of Sept 2022, even though there are now the 274 and 275 later models.

My point is that of course it's not going to compete with an OLED, but it really is an excellent monitor, especially after calibration. The price point (low) and the quality overall (high) 170Hz refresh, with popping pleasing colours. Decent blacks too.

The only useless thing is the HDR 400 which is just a joke, but for a smaller (27") gaming monitor I have no complaints.

Not comparing to the latest and greatest, but AOC produce some really decent stuff. My model is the top of the AG AGON 273 series hence the Nano IPS. I blows away my previous Acer 271 IPS which I thought was excellent (it was for it's time) until I got this cheaper, but far superior NANO IPS.

It's a keeper until I upgrade my RTX ROG STRIX 3080ti gaming OC GPU, but currently with the state of NV drivers I feel no need, especially at 1440p.

Errrmmm...Sorry, a rather long post just to say that I am surprised NANO IPS didn't catch on as the tech 2nd best to OLED. Of course screen size doesn't need to be 42" either.

 

[TomCat42]

Such burn in after six months only is very disappointing.

Even for gaming the technology seems unfit for purpose with many games featuring static HUDs and being played for hundreds of hours.

Add to that the text clarity issues with all OLED panels I'm aware of (at least for non-4K displays), and it's a big NO from me to OLED monitors.

Imagine you are working on an image/design and your are compensating for some burn in issue (that won't appear uniformly because of different content brightness levels), thus ruining the image /design for everyone with a monitor that does not share the same display defects.

 

[user478318]

Entire internet: OLED sucks at brightness
Me: using my PG32UCDM at 30% brightness

 

[Fanboiism101]

Yeah, with such short life span I don't think it's worth to jump into OLED unless it cost <$500 at 4K.

 

[Squid Surprise]

Yeah, with such short life span I don't think it's worth to jump into OLED unless it cost <$500 at 4K.

But it doesn’t have a short lifespan… and what math did you do to come up with $500 as your max?

 

[Fanboiism101]

But it doesn’t have a short lifespan… and what math did you do to come up with $500 as your max?

6 months is a short lifespan for a >$1000 display to show a sign of degradation in a normal use case.

 

[Squid Surprise]

6 months is a short lifespan for a >$1000 display to show a sign of degradation in a normal use case.

It’s barely noticeable - completely unnoticeable for the vast majority of people… still would love to see your math…

 

[Fanboiism101]

It’s barely noticeable - completely unnoticeable for the vast majority of people… still would love to see your math…

The first 6 months? Sure, it's barely noticeable. And what if I'm using my monitor for +4 years before even considering a replacement or an upgrade.
There are a lot of 4K for ±$500 out there. U2723QE is especially on my radar.
Fix the short lifespan because of the burn in, and their price is justifiable.

 

[Squid Surprise]

The first 6 months? Sure, it's barely noticeable. And what if I'm using my monitor for +4 years before even considering a replacement or an upgrade.
There are a lot of 4K for ±$500 out there. U2723QE is especially on my radar.
Fix the short lifespan because of the burn in, and their price is justifiable.

We don’t know what it will be like in 4 years though….