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| OLED TVs last longer than LCD televisions according to a longevity test by Rtings |
After running 102 televisions non-stop for three years in a punishing accelerated test, Rtings.com has revealed findings that challenge common beliefs about TV reliability. The results show that while burn-in remains a concern for OLED TVs, a surprising number of LED/LCD televisions suffered from catastrophic failures, with 20 TVs dying completely and another 24 becoming barely usable.
What's perhaps most shocking is the type of TVs that failed most often. According to Rtings' extensive data, the most vulnerable TVs were thin, edge-lit LED models without local dimming, where nearly 60% developed serious defects.
Image for illustrative purposes: The Rtings test revealed cracked components and LED failures in many models.
How the Grueling Test Worked
To simulate years of extreme use, Rtings ran all TVs at maximum brightness for over 18,000 hours. They displayed a live news feed featuring a persistent, static news ticker at the bottom of the screen—conditions designed to stress both OLED panels (risking burn-in) and LCD backlights (risking heat damage).
The test's duration equates to more than a decade of normal use for the average viewer, providing a unique look at long-term durability that most consumers never see until it's too late. You can explore the complete, detailed findings and see the raw data for yourself in Rtings' full longevity test report.
The Biggest Loser: Edge-Lit LED TVs
The investigation pinpointed a clear and major trend: edge-lit LCD TVs are prone to premature failure. These models, prized for their thin designs, showed significant durability issues.
- Common Failures: Rtings found problems like warped reflector sheets, cracked light guide plates, and burnt-out LEDs, all linked to concentrated heat building up in the slim chassis.
- A Single Point of Failure: In many cases, the failure of just one individual LED was enough to trigger a protection mode that rendered the entire television unusable. This was observed in models like the Sony X90J and Toshiba C350.
OLED vs. LCD: A Tale of Two Failure Modes
The test highlighted the different aging processes of the two dominant panel technologies:
- OLED TVs: As expected, they showed increased burn-in over time, particularly from the static news banner. However, Rtings notes a crucial detail: burn-in was not an issue when watching dynamic content like movies or sports. Furthermore, OLED TVs had the fewest complete hardware failures, suggesting a longer functional lifespan aside from the burn-in risk.
- LED/LCD TVs: These sets faced a different battle. Instead of image retention, they succumbed to physical backlight degradation. LEDs burned out, quantum dot layers failed (turning reds pink, as seen in the TCL S546), and components cracked from heat. Unlike the gradual image retention on OLEDs, these failures often led to sudden, complete darkness in parts of the screen.
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| OLED burn-in can still be an issue, but it will take a long time to show up with normal usage |
Key Takeaways for Your Next TV Purchase
After three years of brutal testing, Rtings' data offers clear guidance for consumers who want a TV that lasts:
- Prioritize Cooling and Build: If you're choosing an LED/LCD TV and care about longevity, avoid basic edge-lit models. Opt for sets with better heat distribution, such as direct-lit or Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) TVs, which spread LEDs behind the entire panel.
- Understand the OLED Trade-Off: OLEDs offer superior picture quality and, in this test, suffered fewer outright failures. The risk of burn-in is real but is primarily a concern if you plan to watch the same channel with static logos for many hours a day. For varied viewing, it's less of an issue.
- Price Isn't a Predictor: Perhaps one of the most surprising conclusions is that there was no clear connection between a TV's price and its lifespan. Expensive models failed, and budget models survived, with brand reliability showing limited statistical significance in this sample.
The Final Verdict
Rtings' landmark test provides a rare, long-term look at TV durability that goes beyond spec sheets and short-term reviews. While most modern TVs will easily survive 10,000 hours (over 3 years at 8 hours daily), the path to failure depends on the technology inside.
For a worry-free experience that lasts, the evidence suggests steering clear of thin, edge-lit LED TVs and paying close attention to the backlight design. Meanwhile, OLED buyers can be reassured by the technology's general resilience, provided they mix up their content and use built-in pixel-refreshing features.
What's your top priority when buying a TV: peak picture quality, budget price, or long-term reliability? Share what matters most to you in the comments below.