Since Apple launched the iPhone 15, it seems like every new week has brought a new set of issues that ruin the flagship smartphone.
Unfortunately for the Californian technology giant, this is no exception.
This is because users have reported encountering serious “screen burn-in” issues that leave ghost images on the screen.
Apple customers have taken to social media to share images of their £1,499 ($1,823) devices showing how commonly used screen elements, such as the keyboard, had been “etched” into the screen.
Screen burn-in or “burn-in” in which parts of the screen become permanently discolored due to extensive use has been associated with the OLED displays used in iPhones, but is rarely this serious.
Owners of the new iPhone 15 have taken to social media to share their issues with serious screen burn-in on the new model.
To test if your phone is affected, users suggest displaying a gray image on the screen which should make any burn visible.
So far, user reports show that only the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the most expensive model, is affected by the issue; However, it is unclear exactly how widespread the problem may be.
Although the new iPhone was only released in September, users are now sharing screen discoloration that should only be caused by hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of prolonged use.
The most commonly affected areas are those that remain static for long periods of time, especially the keyboard and home screen icons.
This well-known problem is why moving screensavers are common on desktop computers, and most modern OLED displays include measures designed to minimize their impact.
Screen burn-in must also be distinguished from image afterglow, an impermanent effect that can cause some OLED displays to leave persistent traces of bright images.
If the afterimage effects shared on social media are truly permanent, it could indicate a serious display flaw.
Several images were collected and shared by an
X users shared their dismay with the new iPhone 15 Pro Max, with some expressing surprise that screen burn-in could have developed so quickly.
“This is one of the worst burns I’ve ever seen on a phone. I wonder how people use their phones to burn themselves so badly,” wrote one X user.
While another asks: ‘Already???? It hasn’t even been a month, let alone YEARS…’
“Wow, these new 15 pros are really taking a beating, it might be time to retire them,” another added.
If you’re worried that your phone may suffer from screen burn-in, experts say the best way to check is to select a gray image and zoom in so it fills the entire screen.
Against the gray background, the remaining images should be clearly visible.
If there is permanent burning, the problem cannot be solved. However, many users who experienced the issue reported that they were able to get refunds under Apple’s one-year warranty.
To avoid burn-in effects, the best solution is to keep the brightness as low as possible, change the wallpaper whenever possible, and shorten the screen off timer.
All of these steps reduce the amount of time and brightness spent on any part of the screen, encouraging slower, more even wear.
Negative comments about the iPhone 15 Pro series include dangers of overheating, the metal changing color, and the device bending easily in the hand.
However, this is far from the only problem facing the new iPhone, as users have reported everything from overheating to discoloration.
Last week, Apple had to release a new iOS update to fix a software bug that caused some phones to reach temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit after just a few minutes of use.
Despite the update, MailOnline has confirmed a number of cases where users’ phones are still overheating despite installing the update.
A video posted on YouTube showed the new iPhone 15 Pro Max breaking and breaking easily with the reviewer’s bare hands.
YouTuber JerryRigEverything, real name Zack Nelson, tested Apple’s latest products to the point of destruction in his ‘Durability Test’ feature.
With a slight tilt from Mr. Nelson, the back glass of the iPhone 15 Pro Max shattered.
He said the shot was “abnormally fast” and that he was “a little stunned” by his test results.
Apple fans were also disappointed to discover that the titanium body of the Pro range quickly discolored due to routine handling, while others discovered dust inside the camera of their new phones.
What is screen burn and how to avoid it?
While not an actual “burn-in” in any sense, screen burn-in is an effect that causes afterimages to remain on some screens.
Screen burn-in occurs when areas of the screen remain static at high brightness levels, which can take hundreds to thousands of hours of use depending on the device.
To avoid being affected by this problem, you must follow some simple steps:
- Use dark mode whenever possible; a darker screen helps the screen last longer
- Lower the brightness when you don’t need the screen to be very well lit
- Shorten the screen off timer, this will prevent your phone from displaying static images for too long
- Use a dark wallpaper and try to change it after a while to prevent static images from building up.
Screen burn-in may infrequently affect OLED displays due to prolonged use; Try not to display a static image for extremely long periods of time to avoid this.
