OLED skeptics often cite burn-in as a reason to steer clear, but a new long-term test might shift that narrative. Monitors Unboxed has now published the 21-month update of its OLED burn-in test, and the results show that while degradation exists, it’s far from catastrophic especially for typical users.
OLED monitor burn-in worsens slightly but stays manageable
Using the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED for more than 5,000 hours, Monitors Unboxed ran the display under conditions that most users wouldn’t replicate. No burn-in mitigation settings were enabled, and static elements like the Windows Taskbar remained onscreen for extended periods.
Expectedly, previously affected areas saw slight worsening of burn-in, particularly where static apps had been anchored. The taskbar, side-by-side app divider, and right edge where the most-used app lived, continue to show signs of wear. Still, the changes remain subtle unless you’re actively hunting for them.
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Color and panel behavior under stress
The monitor’s color temperature stability remained a bright spot in this update. Even though green sub-pixels showed the most degradation followed by blue, then red the screen’s overall tone didn’t shift enough to become distracting.
For the first time, maximum brightness did dip slightly, dropping from 242 to 237 nits. While minimal, this confirms that OLED panels lose luminance over time, especially without compensation cycles or pixel refresh features enabled.
What contributed to the test results?
- Over 5,000 hours of continuous mixed usage
- Only 576 compensation cycles
- Zero use of panel-saving features like pixel shift
- High exposure to static interface elements
OLED monitors hold up well for average users
Despite the stress, the MSI MPG 321URX QD-OLED is still performing impressively. MU notes that for gamers or content consumers who rotate workloads switching between media, browsing, and gaming burn-in should take three to four years to even become mildly noticeable, if at all.
Panel paranoia might be overblown
This 21-month test doesn’t pretend OLED is immune to wear, but it does suggest that the fear of rapid degradation is largely exaggerated. For anyone eyeing an OLED monitor in 2026, the takeaway is simple: burn-in exists, but it’s not the boogeyman it used to be.
