What is screen burn-in?
Screen burn-in (sometimes called burn-in or image retention) is permanent, faint discolouration on a display caused by the same image or UI element remaining on screen for long periods. It's a genuine hardware issue specific to OLED and AMOLED screens — the display technology used in most modern flagship phones, including iPhone Pro models and most Samsung Galaxy devices.
What causes it
OLED and AMOLED screens work by lighting individual pixels rather than using a backlight. Each pixel is essentially a tiny organic LED that degrades slightly every time it's used — and it degrades faster the more it's used. If the same static element (a keyboard, a navigation bar, an always-on clock display, a game's HUD) sits in the same position for hundreds of hours over time, those specific pixels wear down faster than the pixels around them. The result is a faint, permanent "ghost" of that shape visible even after the actual content on screen changes.
Common causes:
- Always-on display left running for months without adjustment
- Navigation bars or home indicators that sit in a fixed position
- Games or apps with a static HUD used for extended sessions daily
- Maximum brightness used constantly — burn-in progresses faster at higher brightness levels
Can it be prevented?
Largely, yes, with sensible habits:
- Keep brightness at a moderate level rather than maximum where possible
- Enable auto-brightness so the display isn't running unnecessarily bright indoors
- Turn off or dim the always-on display feature if you don't need it
- Most modern phones include built-in pixel-shifting or refresh routines designed to reduce burn-in risk automatically — these run in the background and don't require anything from you
Can it be fixed once it happens?
Not genuinely. A handful of apps and manufacturer tools claim to reduce burn-in visibility by cycling bright colours across the screen to "even out" wear, and this can help marginally with mild cases. But once pixels have degraded unevenly, that's a physical change — there's no software fix that restores them. The only true fix is replacing the screen entirely.
Does screen burn-in affect resale value?
Yes, if it's visible under normal use. When you request a quote from a UK recycler, you're asked to grade your device's condition — typically Excellent, Good, or Faulty/damaged. Visible screen burn-in is a legitimate reason for a recycler to grade a device down, since it's a genuine display defect, not cosmetic wear like a scratch on the back glass.
The impact varies by device and recycler, but expect a drop of roughly £20-£60 compared to an identical device without burn-in, depending on the model and how visible the burn-in is. Always declare it honestly when requesting your quote — recyclers inspect every device on arrival, and an undeclared defect risks a revised, lower offer after you've already sent the phone.
How to check your phone for screen burn before selling
Display a plain grey or off-white background at a moderate brightness level (full white can hide subtle burn-in; full black can hide it too, since burn-in usually only shows against mid-tone colours). Look carefully for:
- A faint outline of your keyboard shape
- A shadow where the status bar or navigation bar normally sits
- A ghost of an app icon or widget that stays in the same spot
If you don't see anything under these conditions, it's unlikely a recycler's inspection will flag it either.
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