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OLED TVs are known for their excellent picture quality, but their durability still raises questions. The latest analysis by RTINGS points to a problem different from traditional panel burn-in. In a long-term test, as many as 14 out of 16 WOLED TVs showed signs of pixel degradation at the screen edges. Interestingly, no similar damage was observed in any of the three QD-OLED models tested.
What is edge rot? A problem different from burn-in
RTINGS researchers call this phenomenon "edge rot," meaning degradation of the panel edges. It appears as dead pixels, dark spots, or clusters of damaged pixels along the edges of the screen.
Unlike traditional burn-in, the issue is not related to long-term display of static image elements. A possible cause is moisture penetrating the panel's protective layers or contamination introduced during manufacturing. The exact mechanism, however, remains unconfirmed.
18,000 hours of testing. QD-OLED performs better
As part of an accelerated test, the TVs ran for 18,000 hours, which corresponds to about 10 years of typical use in an American household.
Damage was detected in nine of ten TVs with the older WBC WOLED panel and five of six models with the newer WBE WOLED. Meanwhile, the three QD-OLED TVs tested, Samsung S95B, Samsung S95C and Sony A95K, did not show similar problems.
Should owners of new OLED TVs be worried?
The study covered TVs from 2020 to 2023. RTINGS notes that newer generations of panels may have received design improvements that reduce the risk of degradation. Importantly, this issue was not detected in the 2023 LG G3.
Therefore, the results do not mean that all OLEDs are prone to similar damage. The sample was small, and the researchers emphasize that it does not allow predicting the lifespan of a specific TV.
Sources: RTINGS, FlatpanelsHD
