Google will address Pixel 2 XL screen burn-in and color issues with software updates

After numerous reports of screen burn in problems and the muted colors on Google's Pixel 2 XL, Google has announced that it will be issuing software updates to protect it against screen burn-in and expand its color gamut.

In a post in the Google Pixel support forums, VP of product management Mario Queiroz, said:

Extensive testing of the Pixel 2 XL display show that its decay characteristics are comparable to OLED panels used in other premium smartphones. The differential aging should not affect the user experience of the phone, as it’s not visible under normal use of your Pixel 2 XL. We understand, however, that it can be concerning to see evidence of aging when using a specialized display test app, so we've taken steps to reduce differential aging through software. We’re currently testing a software update that further enhances protections against this issue by adding a new fade-out of the navigation bar buttons at the bottom of the Pixel screen after a short period of inactivity.



In addition, we're working with more apps to use a light navigation bar to match their app's color scheme. The update will also reduce the maximum brightness of the Pixel 2 XL by a virtually imperceptible 50 cd/m2 (nits), thereby significantly reducing load on the screen with an almost undetectable change in the observed brightness.

Queiroz also stated that Google will be adding a new "saturated" color mode to the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, which should expand their color gamut:

We’re adding a new mode for more saturated colors, which will be made available via a software update to both Pixel 2 phones in the next few weeks.

It's worth noting that Queiroz did not address the Pixel 2 XL display's graininess, blue tint when viewed off angle or color banding issues. These problems are likely at the hardware level and are inherent to the LG-made pOLED display Google is using, which unfortunately means, they can't be fixed by software updates.

Source: Google Pixel support forums

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