Screen Burn-in Test

Screen burn-in also called image persistence or image retention happens when parts of a display age unevenly because the same bright UI elements stay on screen for long periods. Navigation bars, status icons, keyboards, game HUDs, news tickers, and paused video frames are common culprits. Over time those areas can look ghosted, dimmer, or discolored even when you switch to a new image. Understanding that difference between temporary retention and lasting wear is the first step toward a useful diagnosis. 

Modern phones use OLED, AMOLED, and LCD panels. OLED and AMOLED light each pixel individually, so static bright content can accelerate wear on those pixels. LCD panels use a backlight and liquid crystals; true permanent burn-in is less common, but temporary image retention and backlight unevenness still appear. That is why we publish dedicated guides for an OLED screen burn-in test and an LCD screen burn-in test so you can match the method to your panel type. If you own an Apple device, start with our iPhone screen burn-in test. Android users should follow the Android screen burn-in test. Prefer a general walkthrough that covers any handset? Use the phone screen burn-in test and Phone Screen Burn-In Test pages for step-by-step checks, solid-color sweeps, and grayscale inspection tips. Each guide uses the same careful visual method so your results stay comparable from one device to the next.