One UI 6 Lacks In Screen Burn-in Protection

The recent release of the Android 14-based One UI 6.0 update for various Samsung high-end and mid-range phones has brought a host of new features and design changes. However, it seems to have omitted a crucial functionality: screen burn-in protection for OLED displays. This omission could potentially lead to long-term image retention issues on devices with OLED screens.

Screen burn-in is a common problem with OLED panels, where the prolonged display of static images or UI elements causes the organic material inside the pixels to degrade, leading to reduced brightness and image retention. To combat this, most modern phones with OLED screens employ a pixel-shifting technique. This feature slightly moves certain UI elements periodically to prevent the same image from being displayed continuously on the same group of pixels.

In One UI 5, this pixel shifting feature was evident, as seen in comparison images where the status bar and navigation bar elements were slightly moved to avoid screen burn-in. However, in One UI 6.0, while the navigation bar elements seem to shift, the status bar elements do not. This lack of pixel shifting for the status bar was first pointed out by a Reddit user and has since been confirmed by others.

Samsung has been using pixel shifting since the Galaxy S3 to prevent screen burn-in on OLED screens. The absence of this feature in One UI 6.0, particularly for the status bar, is a significant concern. It’s important to note that devices running One UI 5 still retain the screen burn-in protection feature.

Given the potential for long-term damage to OLED screens without this protection, it is hoped that Samsung will address this issue promptly and release an update to reinstate the screen burn-in protection feature for all phones running One UI 6.0.