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Steam Deck's OLED version suffers from visible burn-in after 750 hours of use in HDR mode at max brightness

Valve's OLED Steam Deck shows signs of burn-in after 750 hours in HDR and 1,500 hours in SDR modes. (Source: Own)
Valve's OLED Steam Deck shows signs of burn-in after 750 hours in HDR and 1,500 hours in SDR modes. (Source: Own)
Despite advancements in reliability, concerns persist regarding OLED technology, particularly regarding issues such as image retention and burn-ins. Early testing of the Steam Deck’s OLED version revealed potential risks associated with prolonged usage, including significant image retention in HDR mode after only 750 hours of use and slight burn-in effects in SDR mode after 1,500 hours of use.

Concerns regarding OLED technology persist despite advancements in display reliability, particularly regarding issues such as image retention and burn-ins. Initial findings from early testing of the Steam Deck’s OLED version by popular YouTuber The Phawx have uncovered potential risks associated with its prolonged usage.

Just last month, Phawx developed a software tool to assess the Steam Deck's OLED screen performance in terms of reliability after prolonged usage. In HDR mode running at 1000 nits, significant image retention was observed after approximately 750 hours of continuous operation, with blue subpixels displaying greater susceptibility to burn-in, followed by red ones. Moreover, YouTuber Wulff Den reported signs of burn-in on the OLED Steam Deck after a 1,500-hour stress test, featuring a screenshot from The Legend Of Zelda in SDR mode at 600 nits.

Blue pixels were the worst affected, followed by red. (Source: The Phawx via YouTube)
Blue pixels were the worst affected, followed by red. (Source: The Phawx via YouTube)

These findings are certainly worrisome for users who engage in long gaming sessions or prolonged device usage, especially if it involves static elements. The risk of image retention and burn-ins may disproportionately affect heavy users, particularly those who focus on a single game for extended periods. It's important to note that such issues may only become apparent after the expiration of the 1-year warranty period provided with the Steam Deck OLED, making life even harder for the unfortunate ones who face it.

In OLED displays, burn-in usually occurs when certain pixels age differently from others, resulting in permanent discoloration or even ghosting of images. This phenomenon is mostly caused by asymmetric pixel usage, with static images or elements displayed for prolonged periods being more prone to causing burn-ins.

To reduce the risk of burn-in, users should attempt to diversify their usage habits and avoid prolonged exposure to static images or elements. Simple practices such as using screen savers and periodically changing displayed content can help distribute pixel usage more evenly, potentially extending the lifespan of OLED displays. Additionally, reducing display brightness and utilizing dark mode wherever possible will further enhance the longevity of OLED displays.

Purchase the Spigen Thin fit Pro for Steam Deck/Steam Deck OLED on Amazon

Source(s)

The Phaux, Wulff Den via YouTube

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 03 > Steam Deck's OLED version suffers from visible burn-in after 750 hours of use in HDR mode at max brightness
Sambit Saha, 2024-03-10 (Update: 2024-03-10)