14 DAY TRIAL // Google paid close attention to what that people are saying about the displays on the Pixel 2 XL and decided to provide a software update that should fix most of the problems.
The Google Pixel 2 XL launch didn’t go all that well for the company as the users have reported various problems with the display that range from uneven lighting for backgrounds to some more serious OLED burn-ins.
As it turns out, there is not OLED burn-in two weeks after the launch, but a simple case of image retention. This is a common problem for OLED devices, but it’s a little more evident for Pixel 2 XL because it has a navigation bar that doesn’t go away that easily.
The most significant issue that users have noticed was the fact that the colors on their displays seemed somewhat muted, but Google explained that’s happening because the phone is now using a proper color profile, sRGB. It should offer users colors that are more similar to reality, but they also seem less saturated.
The problem is in the eye of the beholder
Since other devices don’t use color profiles, like Samsung, their colors look more vibrant. Google explains that users will soon be able to choose on their Pixel XL 2 between sRBG with real colors, and a Saturated mode with “fake” and more vibrant colors.
“Through a software update to Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, we will soon be adding a new ‘saturated’ color mode. The saturated mode puts the display into an unmanaged configuration, similar to how the Pixel 1 operates. The colors will be more saturated and vibrant, but less accurate (similar to most other smartphones which display more vibrant colors),” wrote Seang Chau, VP Engineering at Google.
This is not the only change that will be made available to the Pixel 2 XL. Furthermore, a new fade-out effect for the navigation buttons will be added, which will ensure that they don’t stay on the screen too long. The so-called “burn-in” problem should go away.
Also, Seang said something about the new update that will get people a little bit upset. The overall brightness of the screen will be reduced by 50 cd/m2 (nits), to lighten the load on the display. He underlined that it would be virtually imperceptible, but be prepared to see lots of videos and pictures with displays side by side, with and without the update.
On the last note, Google also chose to extend the warranty to two years, for devices bought from the Google Store or an authorized retailer.