Google’s new Pixel 2 XL is a great phone with a lot to like and offer, but it’s not perfect. No phone, even if some get pretty close. A major area of concern is the screen and unfortunately problems Keep pile up. Here’s what you need to know about Pixel 2 XL screen problems or complaints, and Google’s response to the situation.
Is the Pixel 2 XL’s screen bad? Can it be fixed and should I still get one? Potential buyers have a lot of questions and know what to expect. Especially when paying $850 for a smartphone. What’s the problem? A few things for some.
Recently, the web has flooded about the quality of Google’s display, a display made by LG. Reports reddit and XDA Developers It suggests the Pixel 2 XL’s display has a few issues. Including poor or under-saturated colors, grainy images, burn-in, and a blue tint or color shift. Most of these aren’t real “issues”, but Google taking a step anyway to fix things.
Google Pixel 2 XL Display Problems
When a phone is almost entirely on the front, the quality of the screen is extremely important. That’s why so many complaints are starting to surface. Before we get into whether you’ll notice these “issues” or break deals, here’s what you need to know.
Most of the complaints are about a blue tint on the screen when not directly displayed. When looking at the Pixel 2 XL from an angle, the screen starts to turn blue. If you don’t look directly, you’ll see a change in colors. This is basically a point of view issue. However, it’s not exclusive to the Pixel 2 XL. Other phones like the LG V30 that use the same 6 inch OLED screen also have this issue.
Galaxy S8+ (left) and Pixel 2 XL (Right) showing color shift
This is an issue on the Pixel 2 XL, but a minor one. We see a similar shift in angles on any LED display, like the original Pixel XL and most phones. It’s worth noting that even the Galaxy S8 has some color shift. Although it is not as severe and requires a larger angle for the colors to shift to blue. Some devices change colors to yellow, others to purple. Most people look directly at a phone so this is not an issue.
Another common complaint is that colors are not vibrant and look washed out on the Pixel 2 XL. Colors are rich, bright and not oversaturated like the Samsung Galaxy S6, S7, S8 or Note 8. Samsung screens are extra saturated, so colors pop and pictures or videos are rich and vibrant. This is a choice Samsung made.
Yes, the Pixel 2 XL looks boring next to the Galaxy S8+, but that’s how Google calibrated the screen. They tweaked it to match common RGB color space. The problem is that the Pixel 2 XL doesn’t have the options to turn off this calibration or change the colors like Samsung and other manufacturers offer. So we’re stuck in RGB mode and the “Vivid colors” option in the display settings doesn’t do much. A fix is coming and we have more details below.
Then we see grainy colors or complaints of banding and bleeding around the edges of the screen. If you turn the screen brightness all the way down, images will look oddly grainy, textured. You really have to look to see it, and on some phones it’s only visible at around 15-20% brightness. The only way this is likely to be a problem is if someone is reading in bed late at night with the screen brightness off. Again, only a few users are experiencing this issue, so get a new Pixel 2 XL without worry.
And finally, the last complaint is potentially the worst. Some owners have something called “burn-in” or ghosting on the Pixel 2 XL screen. Firstly Spotted by AndroidCentral, burning is where buttons or images on the screen remain visible after changing the screen to something else. Leftover remnants of on-screen keys can be seen when watching a video in full screen. The picture below is a great example.
This happens with almost all LED displays, but it’s usually used after a few months or even years, not just a few days. Things like keys or the date on the screen are permanently “lit” on the screen and don’t disappear, but are barely noticeable. Google actively seek This issue and confirmed today that the Pixel 2 XL is on par with other LED displays on the market. However, they take steps to minimize this over the life of the device.
The other issue is edge banding or backlight bleeding. We see very few comments about it here and there, but that’s it. We’ll update this post if more complaints start popping up as more users get the Pixel 2 XL.
Pixel 2 XL Screen Fixes
So, is the Pixel 2 XL’s screen bad? No, no it’s not. It’s not perfect, it’s not bad, and it’s not the best on the market. Google did some research and said it’s comparable to most LED displays on the market in terms of color shift, color management and potential burn-in. Read the full report herewhich gives you a great understanding of how Pixel 2 XL displays color and how it will get better in the next update.
The faded colors issue is that millions of users come from a Samsung device. Phones with saturation went into action with full blast. If you remember Galaxy S8 had red color issueand they have released an update that gives users full control over the color spectrum.
The sRGB color mode on the Pixel 2 XL is the problem here and there is no way to switch to a different color mode or profile. Samsung gives users full control and Google will release an update with similar options in the next few weeks. Added full customization, the ability to turn off sRBG mode, and a new “saturated” mode to the display settings. This will ensure that the Pixel 2 XL screen matches the colors of the original Pixel and most phones on the market.
As for the screen burn-in issue, Google has confirmed that this is an issue faced by all LED displays and they have taken steps to minimize it. The always-on screen moves very slightly every few minutes so the same Pixels don’t stay up all day. A similar little gesture happens with the navigation buttons. Additionally, Google will allow on-screen keys to switch from white to black more often, depending on an app color theme, to reduce potential burn-in later on. Not to mention that the softkeys will change to a lighter brightness when not in use, to further reduce the possibility of burn-in.
Google Pixel 2 Warranty
We have some good news from this whole situation that has become disproportionate. The Pixel 2 XL’s display is on par with other displays on the market, and Google has found no evidence that displays burn faster than they should.
But Google doubles the standard warranty for every Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Giving each owner a 2-year full warranty instead of one. So if something breaks or you find it burned next year, you’re covered by the extended 2-year warranty.
what’s next
If you already own the Pixel 2 XL, your next step is to wait for a “soon” software update, according to Google. When it arrives, head to Settings > Display > and select the new “saturated” mode, preserve RGB for more accurate (but less vibrant and saturated) colors, or customize it entirely to your liking.
For those of you who don’t have the Pixel 2 XL yet but still want one, check out these Pixel 2 deals. It’s still a great phone and we see no reason not to recommend it. Especially following the results of Google’s investigation into the display.
Another idea is to wait a little longer to see if more reports continue to emerge. We’ll be keeping a close eye on Pixel 2 XL screen status and we’ll let you know if we see any other issues.
