Several reviewers have been criticizing the display of the Google Pixel 2 XL citing problems such as strange blue tint and poor color reproduction. A fresh report from Android Central claims that its Pixel 2 XL unit that has been in use since a week has encountered screen burn-in issue.
Screen burn-in is usually associated with OLED screens. It happens when a part of the screen remains longer to create a ghost image even after the screen is changed to view something else. The publication has released the following image of the Pixel 2 XL which shows the screen burn-in where the navigation bar is present.
That's some pretty wild OLED burn-in on the Pixel 2 XL after maybe 7 days of full-time use pic.twitter.com/EPJTs6D0Kg
— Alex Dobie (@alexdobie) October 22, 2017
Read More: Google Pixel 2 XL Teardown Unearths Pixel Visual Core Processor, Squeezable Frame Technology
Image retention or ghosting is another phenomenon that is usually related to LCD panels. It also causes certain portion of the screen to remain longer after viewing something new on the display. However, image retention is temporary, but screen burn-in is permanent.
One should be aware of the fact that screen burn-in can also happen on LCD panels and image retention can also occur on OLED displays. There is a possibility that the Pixel 2 XL’s new problem could be image retention. If it so, the issue may not be permanent.
Apart from Android Central, other leading tech portals like The Verge and 9to5 Google have come across screen burn-in issues on their Pixel 2 XL units. Many OLED panels are known to exhibit burn-in over several months or years. Hence, it is a bit strange to see such an issue to appear so soon on Pixel 2 XL.
Google has reached to The Verge to say that it is already investigating on the issue:
“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.”
In the previous year, when users of original Pixel phones met with burn-in and display issues, they were granted with under warranty replacements immediately. Hence, Pixel 2 XL users who are facing screen burn-in problems could be eligible to receive a warranty replacement. However, it is also advisable to wait for Google to finish its investigation as there is no confirmation on whether the issue is temporary or permanent.
