21-Month OLED Monitor Tests Show Users Have No Reason to Panic

Recent long-term testing by Monitors Unboxed has provided a new update on the durability of QD-OLED screens, specifically the MSI MPG 321URX model. After running the monitor for approximately 5,000 hours over a period of 21 months, the results suggest that average users have little cause for concern regarding burn-in. The test involved rigorous usage without the protective features typically enabled by consumers.

In this latest check-in, the most noticeable change was a slight decrease in maximum brightness. The panel dropped to 237 nits, representing a loss of about 5 nits or 2% from its original state. This marks the first time since the experiment began that brightness degradation has been recorded, though the drop is minor.

The testing revealed that earlier signs of burn-in, such as static lines from the Windows taskbar and split-screen boundaries, have become more defined. However, the rate of deterioration has slowed significantly compared to the initial months of use. The areas that showed wear at the 18-month mark have not worsened dramatically in the intervening time.

Technical analysis shows that the green subpixels have suffered the most degradation, followed by blue, with red pixels remaining the most resilient. Despite this unequal wear, the monitor’s color temperature has remained relatively stable since the previous update. This stability implies that the visual quality remains acceptable for most tasks despite the heavy workload.

It is important to note that this experiment represents a worst-case scenario where the screen is pushed to its limits without standard mitigation tools. Under normal daily usage with burn-in protection features active, an OLED monitor would likely last much longer before showing similar defects. These findings confirm that while organic LED technology does degrade, it is robust enough for years of standard enjoyment.

We are curious to hear if these long-term results make you more or less likely to purchase an OLED display, so please share your thoughts in the comments.