Reported by 2 outlets
The story so far
AI summary of the reporting below · Updated · How we work
Long-term hardware testing by RTings discovered widespread pixel degradation, dubbed edge rot, creeping across older LG WOLED screens. The outlet found that 14 of 16 tested LG sets developed the issue to varying degrees, representing an 87.5% failure rate in its sample. TechSpot noted the longevity testing ran displays up to 18,000 hours, equivalent to roughly a decade of typical US household usage. [1][2]
The defect causes pixels to steadily darken along display borders in patterns resembling mold, occasionally accompanied by edge delamination. RTings, citing industry experts, pointed to possible manufacturing contamination or failing encapsulation layers that permit moisture to compromise the organic panel materials. In response, LG maintained that the issue arises in only a very small number of units subjected to prolonged exposure to harsh environments like high heat and humidity. [1]
The flaw predominantly affects sets manufactured between 2020 and 2022, leaving most owners outside of typical warranty protections. LG covers five-year panel repairs only for select high-end G, Z, and M series models made since 2021. Meanwhile, three Samsung QD-OLED units in the same test avoided the defect, which Samsung attributed to its proprietary Thin Film Encapsulation system. [1]
The findings come from RTINGS, whose accelerated longevity test kept each TV running until it hit 18,000 hours, or roughly a decade of use in a typical US home. Of the 16 WOLED sets from 2020 to 2023 in that group, 14 came out with what the outlet calls edge...
via TechSpot
LG WOLED TV panels made around 2019 to 2023 may be susceptible to edge rot — almost all of RTings' WOLED test units show clear signs of degradation
via Tom’s Hardware