A long-term study examined the burn-in risk of three OLED TVs and one LCD model over 19 months. While early OLED technology faced issues with static images causing luminance reduction, advancements now include protective features. Testing revealed slight brightness variations in OLEDs, particularly from static elements, but overall, they managed static imagery well. For prolonged use displaying static content, LCDs may be a wiser choice, while modern OLEDs are suitable for gaming and regular viewing with proper maintenance.
In a comprehensive long-term study lasting nearly 19 months, we rigorously tested three OLED televisions alongside one LCD model at our dedicated test facility. Our objective was to investigate the potential risks associated with the sustained display of static images on modern OLED screens.
The phenomenon known as the OLED burn-in effect occurs when OLED pixels maintain high brightness levels for extended periods, leading to a reduction in their luminance. This concern was particularly prevalent in the early stages of OLED technology, which discouraged their use as computer and gaming monitors.
Fortunately, advancements in OLED technology have introduced several protective measures against this issue. Contemporary OLED models are equipped to detect static images and mitigate burn-in risks through enhanced heat dissipation techniques, pixel shifting, dimming, and various maintenance routines designed to refresh the display during idle periods. To help preserve the screen’s integrity, it’s advisable to allow the television sufficient time in standby mode.
Our extensive testing at the facility evaluated the performance of three 55-inch OLED televisions—LG OLED55CX9LA, Panasonic TX-55HZW2004, and Philips 55OLED935—alongside the LCD TV Samsung GQ55Q95T. Each model underwent over 6,700 hours of operation, simulating approximately 4.6 years of real-world usage based on an average of four hours of daily viewing.
For a thorough breakdown of our testing methodology, please refer to our introductory piece on the burn-in risks associated with OLED TVs.
Understanding the Visibility of the Burn-In Effect
Throughout the testing phase, our selected OLED models had plenty of opportunities to undergo the automatic regeneration processes recommended by their manufacturers. The LG OLED55CX9LA completed 1,230 short refresh cycles and six extended maintenance sessions, while the Panasonic TX-55HZW2004 performed 2,022 short refreshes and four comprehensive ones. The Philips 55OLED935 executed 1,096 short refresh cycles and seven long maintenance sessions. Despite all models utilizing LG display technology, each manufacturer has its own approach to refresh protocols.
As anticipated, the Samsung GQ55Q95T LCD display remained completely unaffected by the testing stress, exhibiting no lasting issues even during brightness measurement tests. Initial observations of the OLED models also indicated no visible signs of burn-in. However, upon closer inspection, slight brightness variations were discernible in a white test image, likely attributed to remnants of a news ticker.
The subtle effects became evident in the brightness measurement results when focusing on the top 20 percent of the display. All three OLED models demonstrated visible remnants of the news ticker and certain elements from the game StarCraft II in the lower regions of the brightness measurement graphs. It’s important to clarify that these graphs represent a grid of 1,380 by 1,030 measurement points rather than direct photographic evidence of the screens.
Interestingly, bright pixels did not show signs of diminished brightness over time. Contrary to our expectations that bright pixels would degrade, the testing revealed that the darker background pixels exhibited structural changes. The LG OLED55CX9LA demonstrated the most pronounced differences, with the news ticker background measuring approximately six cd/m², or nearly 3.8 percent, darker than the overlaid text. This discrepancy is marginally above the initial brightness distribution established at the beginning of our long-term test, reflecting nearly five years of simulated usage.
Similar patterns were observed in the measurement assessments for the Panasonic TX-55HZW2004 and Philips 55OLED935, showing differences of 2.3 percent and 3.3 percent, respectively.
Enjoy a Worry-Free Gaming Experience
Although we noted the emergence of permanent structures in our measurements, our long-term evaluation indicates that modern OLED screens effectively manage static image elements. Provided usage remains within reasonable limits, these displays are perfectly suitable for gaming and showcasing images. With adequate time for regeneration, they are unlikely to present ghosting issues throughout their typical six-year lifespan.
For scenarios where the screen is predominantly used to display news, sports programs, or as a server monitor for extended periods, opting for LCD technology would be a more prudent choice.
CHIP Test Center: Robert KraftEditorial: Martin Jäger