Screen burn-in on the OnePlus 15 can be worrying, especially when faint icons, navigation bars, or app outlines stay visible even after switching screens. This usually develops gradually and becomes noticeable on light backgrounds. While burn-in cannot always be fully reversed, there are effective ways to reduce its visibility and prevent it from getting worse.
Why Your OnePlus 15 Has Screen Burn-In
- Static elements like navigation buttons or status icons stay on the screen for long periods.
- Screen brightness is set too high for extended use.
- Certain apps display fixed layouts for hours without change.
- Display timeout is set too long.
- OLED pixels naturally age unevenly over time.
Reduce Screen Brightness and Use Adaptive Brightness
High brightness accelerates pixel wear on OLED displays. Lowering brightness reduces stress on individual pixels and helps slow down further burn-in.
Open Settings, and then tap Display.
Tap Brightness level, and enable Adaptive brightness.
After enabling it, manually lower the brightness to a comfortable level. This helps the system adjust brightness automatically based on lighting conditions, which protects the screen long-term.
Shorten Screen Timeout
Keeping the screen on for long periods allows static images to wear into the display. A shorter timeout ensures the screen refreshes more often.
Open Settings, and then tap Display.
Tap Screen timeout, and choose a shorter duration such as 30 seconds.
This reduces how long static content stays visible. Over time, it can lessen the appearance of burn-in shadows.
Enable Dark Mode System-Wide
Dark mode reduces how intensely OLED pixels are used. Black pixels are effectively turned off, which gives the display time to recover evenly.
Open Settings, and then tap Display.
Tap Dark mode, and turn it on.
Use dark mode consistently across apps when possible. This is one of the most effective ways to slow burn-in progression.
Hide Navigation Buttons or Use Gesture Navigation
Static navigation buttons are one of the most common causes of burn-in. Switching to gesture navigation removes those fixed icons from the screen.
Open Settings, and then tap System navigation.
Select Gesture navigation, and confirm the change.
Once enabled, the bottom navigation bar disappears. This prevents further pixel wear in that area.
Use a Pixel Refresh or Burn-In Reduction App
Some apps display color-cycling patterns designed to balance pixel wear. These cannot fix severe burn-in, but they may reduce mild image retention.
Install a trusted burn-in reduction app from the Play Store.
Follow the on-screen instructions and run it for the recommended duration.
Use these apps cautiously and avoid running them at high brightness. They are best used occasionally, not daily.
Avoid Static Content for Long Sessions
Burn-in often worsens due to habits rather than defects. Changing how you use your phone can make a big difference over time.
Avoid leaving the same app open for hours.
Rotate apps, enable auto screen-off, and lock the phone when not in use.
These small changes help distribute pixel usage more evenly across the display.
Screen burn-in on the OnePlus 15 is usually the result of long-term usage patterns rather than a sudden fault. By adjusting brightness, navigation style, and screen habits, you can reduce its visibility and protect your display from further damage.
FAQs
Can screen burn-in on the OnePlus 15 be completely fixed?
Severe burn-in is permanent, but mild burn-in can often be reduced with brightness control, dark mode, and pixel-refresh techniques.
Does warranty cover screen burn-in on OnePlus phones?
In most cases, burn-in is considered normal wear and may not be covered. It is best to check your local warranty terms.
Is screen burn-in the same as image retention?
No. Image retention is temporary and fades quickly, while burn-in is permanent pixel wear that remains visible over time.
