Brown Screen? - X 2014 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So I received my 2nd Gen Moto X last Friday. I upgraded from a 1st Gen Moto X which I absolutely love. One of the weird things that I've noticed between the two phones, is the color of the screen when it's off.
The screen on my 1st gen looks almost completely black, but the screen on the 2nd gen has a dark brown tint to it.
I've noticed this when both screens are off and I have them laying next to each other under identical lighting conditions.
Has anyone else noticed this on their phone, or have some type of explanation as to why the screen looks a dark brown instead of a dark black?
Thanks!

hacku said:
So I received my 2nd Gen Moto X last Friday. I upgraded from a 1st Gen Moto X which I absolutely love. One of the weird things that I've noticed between the two phones, is the color of the screen when it's off.
The screen on my 1st gen looks almost completely black, but the screen on the 2nd gen has a dark brown tint to it.
I've noticed this when both screens are off and I have them laying next to each other under identical lighting conditions.
Has anyone else noticed this on their phone, or have some type of explanation as to why the screen looks a dark brown instead of a dark black?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea, the screen is not fully black when off for some reason.

edwardgtxy said:
yea, the screen is not fully black when off for some reason.
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Click to collapse
More pixels. Look at a galaxy s5 (another 1080p amoled). No amoled screen looks completely black in certain light. My s2 looked blue, nexus s looked like a rainbow.

qwerty12601 said:
More pixels. Look at a galaxy s5 (another 1080p amoled). No amoled screen looks completely black in certain light. My s2 looked blue, nexus s looked like a rainbow.
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Click to collapse
I'm curious if you know why having more pixels changes the color of the screen when it's not on.

qwerty12601 said:
More pixels. Look at a galaxy s5 (another 1080p amoled). No amoled screen looks completely black in certain light. My s2 looked blue, nexus s looked like a rainbow.
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Click to collapse
using s5, s5 screen is totaly black equals to 0, if you see it in dark room or mid night without any light, you will found screen is not working but in reality its true black thats my fav part, its new amoled technology, unlike moto using oldest tech..

My blacks are... black? lol.
There is sometimes a slight yellow tint on pure white depending on the viewing angle, but I chalk that up to AMOLED and the price to pay for true black.

Mandeep148 said:
using s5, s5 screen is totaly black equals to 0, if you see it in dark room or mid night without any light, you will found screen is not working but in reality its true black thats my fav part, its new amoled technology, unlike moto using oldest tech..
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Click to collapse
That's not what were talking about. And just for reference, the moto x is exactly the same.
He's talking about with the screen off. At the right angle there's a brown tint. After looking at it further, turning the phone the tint turns to blue like all the other amoled panels. It just has something to do with the pixel layout.

qwerty12601 said:
That's not what were talking about. And just for reference, the moto x is exactly the same.
He's talking about with the screen off. At the right angle there's a brown tint. After looking at it further, turning the phone the tint turns to blue like all the other amoled panels. It just has something to do with the pixel layout.
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Click to collapse
oh gotcha, yea you are absolutely right.. every amoled is same

Mandeep148 said:
oh gotcha, yea you are absolutely right.. every amoled is same
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Click to collapse
Not true, my 1st gen Moto X which also has an AMOLED display is completely black when the screen is off, no matter which way you look at it. Hell, even my old Samsung Galaxy Nexus with a Super AMOLED display is completely black.
I'm wondering now if there's something wrong with the display or what. I'll have to find a couple of other Moto X's to compare them I guess.

hacku said:
Not true, my 1st gen Moto X which also has an AMOLED display is completely black when the screen is off, no matter which way you look at it. Hell, even my old Samsung Galaxy Nexus with a Super AMOLED display is completely black.
I'm wondering now if there's something wrong with the display or what. I'll have to find a couple of other Moto X's to compare them I guess.
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Click to collapse
i know the reason, previous moto phones had black tint on glass on screen, means glass is black, but in s5 and other phones have no tint on glass thats why it looks brown and more bright..

Mandeep148 said:
i know the reason, previous moto phones had black tint on glass on screen, means glass is black, but in s5 and other phones have no tint on glass thats why it looks brown and more bright..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not buying it. The black tint would have to be pretty dark to get rid of the brown, which would also make all the colors really dull on the screen.

I'm just not sure why it matters what color the screen is when its off? Don't you usually use it when the screen is on ?

kvillafana said:
I'm just not sure why it matters what color the screen is when its off? Don't you usually use it when the screen is on ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mainly I just want to check to see if everyone's screen is like this (brown tint), or if it's just a few because there was a bad batch of screens or something.

hacku said:
Mainly I just want to check to see if everyone's screen is like this (brown tint), or if it's just a few because there was a bad batch of screens or something.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is like that when I look at it at a sharp angle in the light when the screen is off. It's simply just the type of screen, it is not a defect.
kvillafana said:
I'm just not sure why it matters what color the screen is when its off? Don't you usually use it when the screen is on ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think you're using this phone right. Most of the functionality that makes this phone awesome is that I use it a lot when the screen is off

i have one question, i used s3 s4 and s5,
s3 display black level was deeper but not true black like no pixel is working, like on s4 and s5 which have perfect black with 0 opacity, (im not talking about off display)
is the display which is in moto x 2014 and in nexus are also good, they have perfect black or like s3 ?

Mandeep148 said:
i have one question, i used s3 s4 and s5,
s3 display black level was deeper but not true black like no pixel is working, like on s4 and s5 which have perfect black with 0 opacity, (im not talking about off display)
is the display which is in moto x 2014 and in nexus are also good, they have perfect black or like s3 ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol they're all deep black. My first amoled was the nexus s, then galaxy s2 . the pixels shut off, its as black as can be. Maybe because of the resolution you'd notice some color fade from illuminated pixels, but the black ones were off.

I was looking around for this info and this thread was the only thing I could find about this observation. Even though I don't have the Moto X, I've noticed this on other phones, specially with amoled screens. There's a difference between screens on the same phones when they are turned off, you can notice it under direct light. Side by side, for any reason the black phones tend to have a brown tint and the white phones are completely dark. I only notice this when displays are turned off. I'm comparing two sets of identical phones, just different bezel colors. I don't think this is an issue at all, It's just an observation, however they look the same when they are on.

Related

[Q] My moto x have purple color at low brightness

Good morning guys!
When I set my brightness to all low I get purplish Grey colors, is that normal? Anyway I'm going to shop some moto x's today at mall to see if they behave the same way.
Thanks in advance.
Yes, normal. I believe its just cuz of the amolded screen. I've noticed same thing first night I bought it brand new out the box.
Sent from my XT1055 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Normal I think to a certain degree of course.. The phone comes equipped with a Super AMOLED screen which displays pure blacks. The screen is basically off when its displaying black that's why a lot of the menus and active notify is black to reduce power consumption. :thumbup:
I've read in some reviews that the screen behaved like this, with purple in Grey areas.. But I was wondering why Motorola would do that in their top shelf phone, when the brightness is on the minimum value it's a clear purple color when I drag the notification bar down in the messages app.
Idk maybe cause I'm outside but the notify bar is black to me. Maybe you got a lemon
Anthony445 said:
Idk maybe cause I'm outside but the notify bar is black to me. Maybe you got a lemon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The bar is black but the shadow it makes in the background when you start dropping it is purple in mine.
Could be.. Looks a little bluish purple to me too that's just the screen I think. The nexus 5 has a LCD IPS screen they display true blacks like the iPhones.:thumbup:
My X has the same purple color.
---------- Post added at 10:53 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:52 AM ----------
Anthony445 said:
Could be.. Looks a little bluish purple to me too that's just the screen I think. The nexus 5 has a LCD IPS screen they display true blacks like the iPhones.:thumbup:
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Click to collapse
That's probably the only benefit over the X.
I dig the super Amos they are power savers and durable. Screen quality is adqueate enough to be high end its a 720p Samsung panel IMHO it's good for the phone and its makes features possible.
I'm coming from an iPhone 5 and the moto x has waaay deeper black than the iPhone, everything is really gorgeous on the screen except for that purplish at low brightness levels. I personally prefer low brightness at night for eye comfort when using the phone lying in the bed. I'll try to take some pictures and post up here for a comparison.
Anyone else with this purple color too?
When the brightness is either all the way or almost all the way to the minimum, my Moto X and Droid Maxx both look this way. I just don't use auto brightness and keep it bumped up until it's no longer purplish.
Just shopped some phones today at mall. They all had the same purple color at low brightness. This was such an disappointment for me, I really loved the screen but this ruined my experience a bit.

[Q] AMOLED grays - Prospective Buyer

I am a prospective buyer of the Moto X and have my heart set on this phone. However, after using a friend's piece for a while today, I have concerns about the display.
I found the AMOLED display did not render the grays very nicely. They we very reddish brown in my opinion. I understand this is an AMOLED problem, but the X is supposed to have one of the best AMOLEDs out there.
Is this a problem generally in the X or was that perhaps a problem with that particular piece? Is this problem solvable via software?
Thanks!
rebeleagle said:
I am a prospective buyer of the Moto X and have my heart set on this phone. However, after using a friend's piece for a while today, I have concerns about the display.
I found the AMOLED display did not render the grays very nicely. They we very reddish brown in my opinion. I understand this is an AMOLED problem, but the X is supposed to have one of the best AMOLEDs out there.
Is this a problem generally in the X or was that perhaps a problem with that particular piece? Is this problem solvable via software?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's most likely your friends piece.. No reddish brownish grey colors here.
XAlexander_AlexanderX said:
It's most likely your friends piece.. No reddish brownish grey colors here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so the grey's look grey? for example the news/forum/wiki bar near the top of this site? or the quoted text in this post?
rebeleagle said:
so the grey's look grey? for example the news/forum/wiki bar near the top of this site?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Dude. I think I see what you're talking about. Comparing to my dad's note 3, his is more grey and mine looks brownish grey. I've never notice that..
XAlexander_AlexanderX said:
Dude. I think I see what you're talking about. Comparing to my dad's note 3, his is more grey and mine looks brownish grey. I've never notice that..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry Bro
rebeleagle said:
Sorry Bro
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Click to collapse
I mean the greys are a bit harder to distinguish on his phone but I see the reddish brownish like greys on mine. *sad face*.. He's still jealous over my phone so I still win lol. The note 3 has a larger display and higher ppi so there are going to be differences.
Strange I don't see reddish brown s in mine , the shades of grey I find better than on my sons s4 active.
I've noticed that the greys gets brownish when the display is set to the lowest brightness
Browning and reddish, yep. It doesn't really bother me. My pictures look nice and i can't tell the difference from another screen. I think this is more noticeable in the system UI. Everything else is just fine.
Grey looks grey on my device. I've compared it to about 20 different devices I own (all with different display types) and I haven't noticed any different beyond greys being a tad darker on AMOLEDs, which isn't surprising.
The only time I found there to be an exception was when I set the brightness to 25% or less and held it up to my (far brighter) LED TV. There's an extremely subtle yellowish tint to it that I only see in this case. Immediately moving it away from my TV it looks perfectly fine again.
Long story short: You should be ok, and I wouldn't consider it a reason to not pick up the phone. Even if it were an issue, the device's pros far outweigh that minor detail. Plus you'd likely get used to it over time. Personally I think the screen looks incredible, better than on most other devices I've used.

[Q] Moto X White and Gray "rectangles" on the screen.

After some time with the Moto X I start now to see some bad coloring on the screen I don't know how to explain but a blank page on chrome for example, I can notice little rectangles in what should be plain white like inside that rectangle color changes a little bit to a bit darker or a bit lighter compared to the rectangles around.
just I notice it ? Is it a flaw of the amoled tech or what ? (the effect is less visible with brightness on maximum and almost not visible on vibrant colors, but pretty noticeable on white and gray)
I absolutely see it, while I was browsing on Chrome today noticed it for the first time. On light background it's extremely annoying, and bad. I don't know if they are rectangles or not, but on mine there are horizontal vertical lines all over the panel. Yes it won't be visible on colourful images / background but not every background is like that, nor should be.
This is not a very good Samsung panel Moto chose here. With the kind of obsession I have about displays I don't know, this might become a deal breaker. Sad
PS : The easiest way to notice if your phone has same kind of annoyance or not is to just zoom in in a grey or white area of a webpage, keep the brightness at auto or at 50% and then fix your eye at one certain point of the X's screen and then scroll that white area of the page vertically, and keep doing that for about 15-20 seconds, it should be easily noticeable then.
devilsdouble said:
I absolutely see it, while I was browsing on Chrome today noticed it for the first time. On light background it's extremely annoying, and bad. I don't know if they are rectangles or not, but on mine there are horizontal vertical lines all over the panel. Yes it won't be visible on colourful images / background but not every background is like that, nor should be.
This is not a very good Samsung panel Moto chose here. With the kind of obsession I have about displays I don't know, this might become a deal breaker. Sad
PS : The easiest way to notice if your phone has same kind of annoyance or not is to just zoom in in a grey or white area of a webpage, keep the brightness at auto or at 50% and then fix your eye at one certain point of the X's screen and then scroll that white area of the page vertically, and keep doing that for about 15-20 seconds, it should be easily noticeable then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After a little research I discovered that this is a flaw of the AMOLED technology more specifically of the Pentile Matrix of Samsung's Note 2 (that is the same as in the Moto X), the effect is pretty noticeable on white/gray/light blue and dark green :/ Is just sad that Motorola chose a so poor screen tech on high end smartphone...
MrBridgeSix said:
After a little research I discovered that this is a flaw of the AMOLED technology more specifically of the Pentile Matrix of Samsung's Note 2 (that is the same as in the Moto X), the effect is pretty noticeable on white/gray/light blue and dark green :/ Is just sad that Motorola chose a so poor screen tech on high end smartphone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well yeah. Had the Note 2 but don't really remember if it had the same problem or not. But Pentile was there on the S4 too and I am quite sure I didn't notice this on the S4, maybe because it had way better PPI, don't know.
devilsdouble said:
Well yeah. Had the Note 2 but don't really remember if it had the same problem or not. But Pentile was there on the S4 too and I am quite sure I didn't notice this on the S4, maybe because it had way better PPI, don't know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check here: Page five of anandtech's review of the Moto X (I can't post any links sry)
Note 2 and the Moto X are exactly the same with non symmetrical pixels (both have the issues that we are talking about), the S4 has symmetrical pixels, might explain why it does not have.

Visible pixels

Just noticed that I can visibly see the LED pixels on the screen.. Anyone else have this happen after having the phone for a bit?
It's 493ppi so seeing 1 OLED pixel seems out there even for most people. I have 20/10 vision correct with contacts and I can't see them even if I try. Maybe if I had a dead pixel I could see it, but normally I can't see anything.
My display looks like Christmas tinsel
born_fisherman said:
My display looks like Christmas tinsel
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Click to collapse
Can you take a picture of it with another phone? If it looks like that I would RMA it.
Pilz said:
Can you take a picture of it with another phone? If it looks like that I would RMA it.
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Click to collapse
I couldn't get the other phone to focus on the pixels. I put in a request with AT&T for a replacement under warranty.. Just concerned with the build quality of the device since I've only owned it for a couple weeks and have this issue. Its a damn expensive device to have issues like this.
born_fisherman said:
I couldn't get the other phone to focus on the pixels. I put in a request with AT&T for a replacement under warranty.. Just concerned with the build quality of the device since I've only owned it for a couple weeks and have this issue. Its a damn expensive device to have issues like this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I didn't have that issue on my first Nexus 6 but I did have a camera issue. My second one is excellent no issues so far. I had my first one for 7 weeks before I had to RMA it.
I have perfect vision (my optometrist is jealous) and I can't resolve individual pixels on the display when held at "normal" distances.
After using the Nexus 6 though, I can resolve the pixels on my N7 LTE under certain conditions, after never having noticed it before. Drives me nuts.
TheAmazingDave said:
I have perfect vision (my optometrist is jealous) and I can't resolve individual pixels on the display when held at "normal" distances.
After using the Nexus 6 though, I can resolve the pixels on my N7 LTE under certain conditions, after never having noticed it before. Drives me nuts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's how it is when I use Mt wife's S5 it's almost annoying because I can see them sometimes when I didn't used to. That started after having my G3 for the past 7 months
So just to be clear, when y'all are looking at the screen with a white background, you don't see red, blue, and green dots, correct?
born_fisherman said:
So just to be clear, when y'all are looking at the screen with a white background, you don't see red, blue, and green dots, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that's correct.
born_fisherman said:
So just to be clear, when y'all are looking at the screen with a white background, you don't see red, blue, and green dots, correct?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not corrected. I can see them also. It is mostly because of the uneven pentile pixel layout. Coming from an LG G3 which is stripe RGB you will definitely see a difference in quality. G3 is much more ordered and cleaner vs N6 a bit grainy with slight pink side. However, in my opinion it is an illusion because of a vertical vs diagonal layout. In both cases the blend is even.
My guess is that your new unit will not be any different.
obsanity said:
Not corrected. I can see them also. It is mostly because of the uneven pentile pixel layout. Coming from an LG G3 which is stripe RGB you will definitely see a difference in quality. G3 is much more ordered and cleaner vs N6 a bit grainy with slight pink side. However, in my opinion it is an illusion because of a vertical vs diagonal layout. In both cases the blend is even.
My guess is that your new unit will not be any different.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My previous device was the G2 and in certain lights you can see the pixels with the screen off, especially outdoors. However, I don't see the pixel arrangement with the screen off on the N6; and I don't recall seeing the pixels prior to today.. Maybe it wasn't evident at first and maybe my eyes are now focused on the pixels, but I don't think you should be able to see RGB light reflections when viewing the phone display straight on. My HP laptop has the same affect when the screen has some wet spots; but the fact is, I can wipe dry those spots and the RGB reflections are gone. I don't have time to go to a brick and motor store to view the phones on display, and the new device should be in my hands mid-week.
Here's a thought - I installed the Skinomi Techskin a few days ago (probably a week now). Wondering if this screen protector is causing this?
born_fisherman said:
My previous device was the G2 and in certain lights you can see the pixels with the screen off, especially outdoors. However, I don't see the pixel arrangement with the screen off on the N6; and I don't recall seeing the pixels prior to today.. Maybe it wasn't evident at first and maybe my eyes are now focused on the pixels, but I don't think you should be able to see RGB light reflections when viewing the phone display straight on. My HP laptop has the same affect when the screen has some wet spots; but the fact is, I can wipe dry those spots and the RGB reflections are gone. I don't have time to go to a brick and motor store to view the phones on display, and the new device should be in my hands mid-week.
Here's a thought - I installed the Skinomi Techskin a few days ago (probably a week now). Wondering if this screen protector is causing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are you talking about seeing pixels when the screen is on or when the screen is off?
The die of the pixel arrangement will be visible under certain angle in just the right light when the screen is off.
Also, screen protectors can cause this to be amplified for sure. It all depends on the quality of that screen protector.
This characteristic is just one of those things you have to put up with when you're dealing with resolution cheating samsung crappy pentile amoled displays. I was hoping that the QHD would be enough to overcome the pentile, but that doesn't seem to be entirely the case for some.
At least (if tmo ever decides to actually ship it) it won't be as bad as my last cheating samsung amoled... a 4" 800x480.
I figured going into this, that the display would be pretty crappy. Too big, and amoled pentile... but after suffering with non-nexus devices for a few years (last one was a "nexus zero" -- ADP1...), I just don't feel like fighting with the thing, so fact of being a nexus > crappy display.

Contrast (true blacks)

How well do you know your fifty shades of grey? Rate this thread to express how good the Google Pixel 2's display contrast is. A higher rating indicates that black is true black, rather than a very dark gray.
Then, drop a comment if you have anything to add!
My screen doesn't look truly black even when the phone is completely powered off. Noticable contrast from the black bezels. Annoying. Is this just how they are? My last several AMOLED screens have been much more true black.
mdmogren said:
My screen doesn't look truly black even when the phone is completely powered off. Noticable contrast from the black bezels. Annoying. Is this just how they are? My last several AMOLED screens have been much more true black.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When screens are completely off, the slightly grey dielectric layer is more noticeable. With current technology that layer is never going to be "true black."
The pixel 2 uses a Samsung display, this is the blackest you'll see.
ErikFry said:
When screens are completely off, the slightly grey dielectric layer is more noticeable. With current technology that layer is never going to be "true black."
The pixel 2 uses a Samsung display, this is the blackest you'll see.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On or off, this screen jumps out to me as basically appearing backlit like an LCD, especially from an angle. I have had nothing but oled since 2012 and haven't noticed this on previous phones.
because they were so cheap and decided not to darken it. cheap move.
rootuser11 said:
because they were so cheap and decided not to darken it. cheap move.
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Click to collapse
uhhh, source please? I've owned a several flagship/midranger LG, Moto and Samsung phones in the past several years and I have never seen a phone where the dielectric layer on OLED displays is pure black.
Regardless this topic is mostly subjective, I can't find any information about display manufactures darkening their dielectric layer.
ErikFry said:
uhhh, source please? I've owned a several flagship/midranger LG, Moto and Samsung phones in the past several years and I have never seen a phone where the dielectric layer on OLED displays is pure black.
Regardless this topic is mostly subjective, I can't find any information about display manufactures darkening their dielectric layer.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
look at galaxy s8 and v30.
rootuser11 said:
look at galaxy s8 and v30.
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Click to collapse
like I said...it is subjective. Unless you can show proof or any article written specifically about what you are talking about. The Pixel 2 display is a Samsung made OLED.
ErikFry said:
like I said...it is subjective. Unless you can show proof or any article written specifically about what you are talking about. The Pixel 2 display is a Samsung made OLED.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think being of the same black colour as the body around the screen gives you a feel that its pure black... Also, the absence of light makes a difference too, with no screen borders visible unlike other LCD phones..
Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

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