Ever since the Google Pixel 2 XL arrived, reviewers have been laying into its OLED display. The OLED panel used by the Pixel 2 XL is made by LG and, for the most part is inferior, to the OLED produced by Samsung.
The reason for this, however, is fairly simple: Samsung has a massive lead on OLED in the phone space. LG is simply experiencing problems Samsung solved about four years ago. The issues are related to overall quality and the level of detail present on the display when it is active.
But Google has a solution, apparently, and it will be coming via a software update very soon. Here’s the official line via The Big G:
“On the topic of colour saturation, we designed the Pixel 2 XL to take advantage of multiple facets of the innovative new pOLED technology, including QHD+ resolution with 538 pixels per inch and a wide colour gamut. One of our design intents was to achieve a more natural and accurate rendition of colours. We know that some people prefer more saturated colours, so both Pixel 2 phones already include an option to boost colours by 10% for a more vivid look. And based on the recent feedback, we’re adding a new mode for more saturated colours, which will be made available via a software update to both Pixel 2 phones in the next few weeks.”
Google isn’t admitting there are issues with the display per se; rather, it is suggesting that its choice to use a more natural palette of display colour might not have worked as planned. Fortunately, this can be fixed rather easily via an update.
The other issue, which I don’t think can be fixed via a software update, are the reports of screen burn-in on certain units. Google has commented on this, however: “Pixel 2 XL display shows that its decay characteristics are similar to OLED panels used in comparable products.”
Which is basically saying: yeah, OLED panels do burn-in sometimes, so deal with it…
In order to get around any potential PR disasters, Google is now offering a two-year warranty on all Google Pixel handsets, so if something does happen to your handset’s display you’re covered.
I’ve been using the Pixel 2 XL for a couple of weeks now and I am very happy with the handset. I get the issues some have levelled at the display, but to my eyes, it looks fine. And I haven’t had any issues with OLED burn-in, either.
The update for the display should be landing inside the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned for that.
