OLED Burn-in Test

Detect image retention and burn-in on OLED displays with specialized gray-level patterns

How to Use This Test

Important: This test is specifically designed for OLED displays. LCD/LED monitors don't suffer from permanent burn-in but may show temporary image retention.

Test Patterns:

  1. 1.
    5% Gray: Reveals severe burn-in
  2. 2.
    10% Gray: Shows moderate burn-in
  3. 3.
    20% Gray: Detects mild burn-in
  4. 4.
    50% Gray: General uniformity check
  5. 5.
    Moving Bar: Tests for temporary retention
  6. 6.
    Checkerboard: Pattern break test

What to Look For:

  • •
    Ghost Images: Faint outlines of logos, UI elements
  • •
    Color Shifts: Areas with different tints
  • •
    Brightness Variations: Uneven illumination
  • •
    Line Shadows: From status bars or borders

Common Burn-in Sources:

TV Logos
News channels, sports
Game HUDs
Health bars, minimaps
Taskbars
Windows, macOS dock
Static UI
App interfaces, borders

Understanding OLED Burn-in

What Causes OLED Burn-in?

OLED burn-in occurs when organic compounds in the display degrade unevenly. Pixels displaying static content for extended periods wear out faster, creating permanent ghost images.

Burn-in vs Image Retention

Aspect Image Retention Burn-in
Duration Temporary (minutes to hours) Permanent
Severity Mild, barely visible Clearly visible on gray
Fix Display varied content Cannot be fixed
Affects All OLED displays Heavy/improper use

Prevention Tips

  • Use screen savers or sleep mode
  • Hide taskbars and docks when not needed
  • Reduce OLED brightness (especially for static content)
  • Enable pixel shift features if available
  • Vary content regularly
  • Use dark modes to reduce pixel stress

Found Burn-in? What Now?

For Buyers:

  • • Severe burn-in: Avoid purchase or negotiate 50%+ discount
  • • Moderate burn-in: Consider if price reflects the damage
  • • Mild burn-in: May be acceptable for non-critical use
  • • Check warranty status - some cover burn-in

For Current Owners:

  • • Run pixel refresh cycles (built-in feature)
  • • Contact manufacturer if under warranty
  • • Adjust usage habits to prevent worsening
  • • Consider professional panel replacement (expensive)

Burn-in Risk by Use Case:

High Risk: News watching, PC desktop use, same game UI
Medium Risk: Mixed gaming, productivity work
Low Risk: Movies, varied content, casual use

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