Screen burn in (Always On)

[msackey]

My husband has a Series 5 and I have the Ultra. He's had the Series 5 for about 3 years and just yesterday noticed for the first time that his Watch has screen burn in. The Series 5 does have Always On and he does use it. Maybe the burn in shouldn't surprise me but it actually does.

Has the technology for the screen improved between Series 5 and the Ultra?

I wonder what the burn in issue for the Ultra might be. I do use Always On, but I have at least for the time being turned the feature off and maybe turn it back on only during my runs. I got the Ultra when it first came out and have not yet noticed screen burn in.

 

[tuanlouis]

I never encountered burn-in with Apple Watch, even with older generations. That's unusual.

 

[msackey]

I never encountered burn-in with Apple Watch, even with older generations. That's unusual.

Yeah, so he typically uses the modular info screen. (Is that what it is called? It's the screen that has the most information complications). He noticed that some of the circles (like the ones surrounding the face for a contact) has burned in.

It's only noticeable if he changes the watch screen face to where the background is one colour, or in other words, when the background is a fairly uniform hue. When I searched on the internet, it doesn't seem as unusual as one might think. Nevertheless, it seems rather odd to me that you could have the feature of an Always On that will cause some screen burn in.

 

[Howard2k]

Yeah, so he typically uses the modular info screen. (Is that what it is called? It's the screen that has the most information complications). He noticed that some of the circles (like the ones surrounding the face for a contact) has burned in.

It's only noticeable if he changes the watch screen face to where the background is one colour, or in other words, when the background is a fairly uniform hue. When I searched on the internet, it doesn't seem as unusual as one might think. Nevertheless, it seems rather odd to me that you could have the feature of an Always On that will cause some screen burn in.

All screens are susceptible to burn-in.

Changing the face once in a while is a good thing to consider. I use an automation to change the face automatically based on time and day.

Here's an article, but you'll find plenty of others too:

How to Automatically Switch Apple Watch Faces

Use Focus Modes to switch watch faces automatically or set up your own schedule with Shortcuts automations instead.

www.howtogeek.com

 

[msackey]

@Howard2k , thanks for that link. I'll peruse it.

It seems odd that one has to manage this technology to such detail. I'm looking forward to the time when the technology has advanced to the point we no longer need to baby it.

 

[chadamorrill]

Wondering if he turns the screen off for a long while if those pixels will deenergize themselves enough to make it not noticeable anymore. Id say change the watch face to something different and then turn on theater mode? Leave it like this for 3-5 days.

I 100% agree with @Howard2k changing your watch face automatically is a good way to combat burn in. I set this up on my watch several months back. I have sleep focus enabled at 10:15pm every night automatically, and my watch changes to a face that shows battery level, activity, and weather only. There are more options to turn off the screen entirely also. Takes maybe 5-10 minutes to do, and then I never have to worry about it again. Definitely worth the time investment.

 

[msackey]

Wondering if he turns the screen off for a long while if those pixels will deenergize themselves enough to make it not noticeable anymore. Id say change the watch face to something different and then turn on theater mode? Leave it like this for 3-5 days.

I 100% agree with @Howard2k changing your watch face automatically is a good way to combat burn in. I set this up on my watch several months back. I have sleep focus enabled at 10:15pm every night automatically, and my watch changes to a face that shows battery level, activity, and weather only. There are more options to turn off the screen entirely also. Takes maybe 5-10 minutes to do, and then I never have to worry about it again. Definitely worth the time investment.

Good suggestions, although I don't think he's interested in not using his watch for 3 to 5 days.

During sleeping hours (say 10 to 6) the Watch screen is turned off totally due to Sleep focus, but otherwise Always On is used.

 

[wilberforce]

I had severe burn in on my S5 from Always On, despite switching faces now and then. It is particularly obvious if you turn on the red flashlight:

I traded it in for an S8, which I'm hoping is improved.

 

[msackey]

I had severe burn in on my S5 from Always On, despite switching faces now and then. It is particularly obvious if you turn on the red flashlight:

View attachment 2187242

I traded it in for an S8, which I'm hoping is improved.

Wow, that is quite the burn in.