Pixel 2 XL Screen Burn-In is an Actual Thing, Google is “Actively Investigating” the Issues

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have been under scrutiny for dropping the 3.5mm headphone jack, interesting build quality and design (as per JerryRigsEverything’s analysis) and yet we encounter a new issue which is screen burn in. Since Google took on a new OLED panel for their flagship phone many know about the potential screen burn in effect they can experience. This happens when the screen is kept on and a static image or element stays in the same spot (like the home button on screen). After a while a “ghost-like” imprint of that icon or whatever else was on the screen permanently remains on the display. A lot of people who use IPS LCD displays may be taking jabs at OLED people using the Pixel 2 XL but let’s take a deeper look.

It has only been a week or two since the release of the Pixel 2 XL and we are already seeing these issues. If you view a grey image on your display you will see that the navigation bar is beginning to become imprinted on the display. In the notification shade the clock is quite infamous for “burning in”.

How to Check your screen

Depending on the degree of the burn-in it may be difficult to actually see the effect on your Pixel 2 XL. Here is a quick test:

• Open this article in a web browser on your phone.
• Click and open each of these thumbnails and view the images at full screen

With each image opened check around the display at different brightness levels to see if you can make out the navigational keys that would normally be found at the bottom and if the clock is “imprinted” near the top of your display.

Again, depending on your screen brightness and the color of the image shown on the screen we can see varying effects of the “burn-in” effect.

What Can We Do?

The Pixel 2 XL’s we have in our office have seen only about 1 weeks worth of usage with each day seeing about 4 – 5 hours of screen on time. We are not making a world wide claim that all Pixel 2 XL’s will have this issue but given the nature of an OLED panel we are not surprised to see these issues taking hold on some Pixel 2 XL models this early in it’s life. We are starting to see more and more users reporting the same problem.

Google has stated the following:

“The Pixel 2 XL screen has been designed with an advanced POLED technology, including QHD+ resolution, wide color gamut, and high contrast ratio for natural and beautiful colors and renderings. We put all of our products through extensive quality testing before launch and in the manufacturing of every unit. We are actively investigating this report.”

Most likely, if your Pixel 2 XL does suffer from this issue you will be entitled to a warranty repair or replacement from the manufacturer. The 2016 Pixel’s also had a slight problem with this which prompted Google to provide fast replacements to these users.

We will wait for Google to provide more insight into this ordeal and hear them out when they do announce their findings.