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Apple Watch Always on Display and OLED burn-in

Have you got OLED burn marks from AOD on your AW?

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prymitywista

prymitywista

macrumors member
Original poster
Aug 12, 2014
47
86
Hello,
I'm just wondering how AOD (turned permanently on) will affect OLED AW screen in long time period?

I heard about OLED burn in Apple Watch S5 (users checks screen using a flashlight app and looking for burn-in marks) but I saw really serious burned marks from meridian face with turned AOD on less then year (it can be googled really easy - and it looks bad).

Anyone with AOD permanently turned on from about year / few months can chec this case?

Thanks :)
 
Hi - new to Apple watch - Series 6, Space Gray Aluminum, 44mm. Got it about 3 weeks ago.

I'm using the Modular Infographic as my primary face in "Always On" mode, medium brightness. In the upper left, I have the green message bubble complication. Last night when the watch went to sleep, I noticed some afterglow - image retention of the bubble only. It was gone in the morning. Not seeing anything from other parts of the display or complications.

Is this going to create a permanent burn-in spot?
 
This has never been an issue for me. Even on samsung phones this has never been an issue with always on display.
 
I had burn in on my aw5 with aod on at day and off at night. It took less than a year to become visible while using torchlight.

If you use aod day and night I believe you can burn your screen heavily within a year given that you use the same watch face all the time.

Ussualy burn in risk can be mitigated by operating system by moving turned on pixels around however some apple watch faces are so big that there is just no place to move them.

Aw6 should be even worse because it has brigther display.

Apple changed my watch to a new one without issues under warranty. I sold it and now waiting for a new watch with microled screen.
 
I just set up an automation shortcut. "Infographic Modular" during the workday, "Simple" After hours.
 
This I took today, been using AW6 for 5 months and already burned screen. Picture slightly edited to see burn marks.
 

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AW5, it turns 2 this year and I bought it used. However the watch face I’m using is different from the previous owner. I bought it just after the S6 launched. Burn in is much more noticeable in person than the camera makes it appear. I charge the watch overnight so the display is only on during regular hours. The pictures mostly show the burn in of the lower 3 complications but in person you can clearly make out the layout of the weather complication and especially the activity ring.
 

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I never noticed anything but just checked it with the flashlight app… and sure enough I got some burn in marks on my S5 (I use the California watch face pretty much the whole time). But they are hardly visible and actually only the Upper left side of the watch face is burned in…
So I don’t habe any issues with it… ( The scratch I got a couple weeks back is way more troublesome to me… ;-))
 
I've had a Series 6 for a year now and use the always on display. No burn in here. I do switch watch faces quite frequently during the day, and use my watch for messages and other stuff, so my screen isn't constantly showing the same thing.
 
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To be clear, are people only getting replacement devices or free repairs with an Apple Care Plus plan / Within one year of purchase?

It's a tricky one, I wonder how much of it is considered natural wear like the battery, or if they recognise this as a "feature" causing damage. I am considering an upgrade to the S8 but I am yet to use a device with AOD.
 
I’m more concerned that my watch no longer has any battery past 20.00 at night. It just dies and is on 82% battery health since new in March 2020. I can live with the burn in on the screen.
 
I don't see anything on S7.

I primarily use a California face.

I might have had it with S5 or S6 but it not like I'm looking directly into the flashlight.
 
jav6454 said:
How faint? Can you take a picture and it'll show faint?
Click to expand...

It is quite difficult to capture on a photo due to the refresh of the screen going too fast for the camera sensor, but here you go:

29d5d1ea57a29a7072364147361a9ea6.jpg


I use the same watch face and the circular part at the top is burnt into the screen, along with the app shortcuts. I don’t notice it unless I put the torch screen on and look for it. No big deal.
 
The-Real-Deal82 said:
It is quite difficult to capture on a photo due to the refresh of the screen going too fast for the camera sensor, but here you go:

29d5d1ea57a29a7072364147361a9ea6.jpg


I use the same watch face and the circular part at the top is burnt into the screen, along with the app shortcuts. I don’t notice it unless I put the torch screen on and look for it. No big deal.
Click to expand...
Barely noticeable
 
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This is burn in on my S5, using AOD every day for nearly 3 years. Shows up worst with the red flashlight display (in photo below). Notice also the green tinge at the edges - should be red, not green! In real life it actually looks worse than this photo. The green tinge around the edges is permanently visible on all watch faces that do not have a black background.

Note - I frequently change watch faces, it is not as if I just use one face all the time. This is after using California face for only about a week.

Screen Shot 2022-09-21 at 9.34.49 PM.png


I think I am ready to trade it in. Fortunately it is only a base aluminum Apple Watch - I would be more annoyed if it were a more expensive case.
 
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wilberforce said:
This is burn in on my S5, using AOD every day for nearly 3 years. Shows up worst with the red flashlight display (in photo below). Notice also the green tinge at the edges - should be red, not green! In real life it actually looks worse than this photo. The green tinge around the edges is permanently visible on all watch faces that do not have a black background.

Note - I frequently change watch faces, it is not as if I just use one face all the time. This is after using California face for only about a week.

View attachment 2075043

I think I am ready to trade it in. Fortunately it is only a base aluminum Apple Watch - I would be more annoyed if it were a more expensive case.
Click to expand...

Just go get a $79 battery replacement from apple and you’ll get yourself a new (to you) watch
 
No burn in on S6. AOD and max brightness always. I rotate faces a lot, maybe 3x a month, and I also only wear my watch about 10 total hours in a day before it’s just uncomfortable and I want it off.
 
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markyr17 said:
Just go get a $79 battery replacement from apple and you’ll get yourself a new (to you) watch
Click to expand...
Last time I tried that they refused to do so, because battery health was more than 80%.

In any case, this may be a good opportunity to upgrade, as I have been thinking of doing so for a while
 
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