Nintendo Switch OLED went through 1,800 hour break-in test, here’s what happened

In a word: In addition to the disappointment some felt with last year’s Nintendo Switch OLED for not having supported 4K, upgraded hardware, or DLSS, there were concerns that its OLED display might be sensitive to the burn-in, but a YouTuber proved the concern unwarranted after letting his handheld display a static image non-stop for 75 days.

Youtube channel Wulff den performed the experiment by leaving a screenshot of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild on its 24/7 full-brightness screen. The original idea was to run the screen for up to seven days, but it ultimately lasted 11 weeks, totaling over 1,800 straight hours.

To prevent the switch from turning off the screen, Wulff attached a third-party Hori Split Pad Pro controller that continuously performed automatic button presses. He also kept the device plugged in at all times; The OLED Switch’s battery lasts between five and nine hours on a single charge.

The results should alleviate any concerns OLED switch owners, or potential owners, might have about image retention. Wulff said that not only was there no visible indication of a burn, but he also found no significant difference in any of the color tests he performed.

“The only difference you can see is the white in the ceiling of the sanctuary, it’s very slightly darker, and the bluish white has a slight green tint,” Wulff said.

“If you’re worried about OLED burn-in on your Switch because you’ve got around 2000 hours in a game, I think you can relax a bit,” he added. “I don’t think that’s a practical concern for anyone.”

Some OLED displays still exhibit image retention – watch the Linus Tech Tips video above – but TV companies have introduced features designed to limit the problem. LG’s Screen Shift moves the screen slightly at regular intervals to preserve picture quality, and its Logo Luminance Adjustment detects static logos on the screen and reduces the brightness there. Luckily for OLED Switch owners, it looks like burn-in won’t be an issue – the bigger issue might be finding one of the machines.