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OLED TVs are renowned for their excellent picture quality, but their longevity still raises questions. The latest analysis from RTINGS points to an issue different from classic panel burn-in. In a long-term test, as many as 14 of the 16 WOLED TVs showed signs of pixel degradation at the edges of the screen. Interestingly, none of the three QD-OLED models tested exhibited similar damage.
What is edge rot? A problem different from burn-in
RTINGS researchers term this phenomenon "edge rot", meaning degradation of the panel edges. It manifests as dead pixels, dark patches or clusters of damaged pixels along the edges of the screen.
Unlike classic burn-in, the issue is not related to prolonged display of static image elements. A possible cause is moisture seeping through the panel's protective layers or contaminants introduced during manufacturing. However, the exact mechanism remains unconfirmed.
18,000 hours of testing. QD-OLED performs better
As part of an accelerated test, the televisions ran for 18,000 hours, which corresponds to roughly 10 years of typical use in a US household.
Damage was detected in nine of the ten TVs with the older WBC WOLED panel and in five of the six models with the newer WBE WOLED. Meanwhile, the three QD-OLED TVs tested, the Samsung S95B, Samsung S95C and Sony A95K, did not show similar problems.
Should owners of new OLEDs be concerned?
The study covered televisions from 2020 to 2023. RTINGS notes that newer generations of panels may have received design improvements that reduce the risk of degradation. Importantly, the 2023 LG G3 did not exhibit this problem.
The results therefore do not mean that all OLEDs are prone to similar damage. The sample was small, and the researchers emphasise that it does not allow them to predict the longevity of any particular television.
Sources: RTINGS, FlatpanelsHD
