Apple iPhone X is the first iPhone ever to have an OLED screen, which Apple calls Super Retina display. While this display comes with amazing brightness levels, the ability to ditch the bezels and amazing colour reproduction, it does make the iPhone X vulnerable to image retention issues. Image retention (or burn-in) is an issue inherent in OLED display technology.
While Apple has innovated in both hardware and software to make sure that this process can be delayed for as long as they can, there is still a possibility that after a couple of months of usage, the screen retention issue might begin to surface. If you are worried about this issue (and the potential cost of purchasing a new screen out of warranty), follow the guide below to avoid this issue on your iPhone X.
What is Burn-in?
Burn-in (or image retention) is a side effect of how OLED displays work. This issue occurs when one particular image stays on the screen for a long period of time (without moving). Burn-in imprints the image onto the screen. And even when the image is no longer displayed on the screen, some parts of it will stick to the screen. This issue is known as ghosting.
Apple has come up with some smart software tweaks to make sure that this issue does not happen with the status bar icons. Apple is using pixel shifting technology to move the icons ever so slightly so that they never remain in a particular spot for a long time. This should help avoid image retention for iOS’s own elements.
Apart from that, there are also extra measures you can take yourself to make sure that you do not experience this issue on your Phone X.
How to Prevent iPhone X OLED Screen Burn-in Issues
#1. Use Latest iOS Software
Apple will keep releasing more software updates for iOS with more ways that can be used to combat the image retention issue over time. The only way you can get these features on your iPhone X is if your device is running the latest software.
#2. Make Sure Auto Brightness is Enabled
By default, Auto Brightness is enabled on the iPhone X. Apple also moved the toggle for auto brightness inside Accessibility -> Display Accommodations. Of course, auto brightness can be annoying sometimes. Especially when it does not identify the correct lighting of the space you are in. However, these small issues are worth the sacrifice on the iPhone X.
Brightness is the main culprit in image retention. If the screen of your iPhone X is left on full brightness for a long time, the image might be retained on the screen. So make sure to enable Auto Brightness and let iOS make sure that image retention issues do not ossur on your device as a result of the bright screen.
#3. Shorten Auto-Lock Time
The auto lock duration for the iPhone X is shorter – 30 seconds. It might seem to be too short but again, it is so to help combat image retention issues. iPhone X uses Face Detection feature to keep the screen awake when you are looking at it (even when you are not interacting with the touchscreen). So, this means the shorter auto-lock time shouldn’t be a big issue.
If you have edited the auto lock time on your iPhone X, we would advise that you bring it back to 30 seconds. You can reduce it by going to Settings -> Display & Brightness -> Auto-Lock.
#4. Do Not Use Full Brightness All The Time
One of the worst ways you can expose your iPhone X to image retention is to use it at full brightness all the time. Even if you do not enable auto-brightness on your device, make sure you are not using the device at full brightness all the time.
#5. How to Fix Image Retention Issues
If you start noticing image retention issues on your iPhone X, you might be able to reverse the damage.
If you have just noticed an image retention issue on your device, just turn of your iPhone for a few hours and then turn it back on. A bit of the retained image may still appear on the screen. But start using it and it might go away (this is usually how image retention works on TV). If the image does not disappear with time, then you should take it to the nearest service station to get the screen replaced.
What Do You Think of iPhone X’s OLED Screen?
Personally, I am in love with the iPhone X’s OLED screen. I do not even notice the notch at all anymore. And I also haven’t experienced any weird retention issues. What about you? Share your feed back on the iPhone X screen with us in the comments section below.
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Thanks for this wonderful Tips.