iPhone Dead Pixel Test

iPhone Display Types — OLED vs LCD

Apple switched from LCD to OLED starting with the iPhone X in 2017. Since iPhone 12, every model uses an OLED panel. The display technology matters for how dead pixels look and how easy they are to find.

On OLED iPhones, each pixel emits its own light. A dead pixel is perfectly black on every background — pure white, red, green, blue. It is a pinpoint of absolute darkness that stands out sharply. On the LCD iPhone 11, a dead pixel blocks the backlight but doesn't eliminate it, so the dot may appear dark grey rather than true black and can be nearly invisible on a black test screen. Test LCD iPhones on white and red.

Pro and Pro Max models have ProMotion (1–120 Hz adaptive refresh) and slightly higher peak brightness. Display defect behavior is the same across tiers.

Apple's Dead Pixel Policy and Warranty Coverage

Apple does not publish a minimum dead pixel count for warranty replacement, unlike most PC monitor manufacturers. Instead, Apple authorizes repair or replacement on a case-by-case basis. In practice, any bright stuck pixel near the center of the screen — especially within the first 14–30 days — is typically approved for service.

For a full breakdown of dead pixel coverage thresholds across all major brands, see our dead pixel warranty guide.

How to Check Your iPhone Under Warranty — Genius Bar Process

1. 1

   Document the defect

   Run this test and photograph the dead pixel on each background color. A photo of a bright pixel on a black screen is especially compelling. Note when the defect first appeared.

2. 2

   Check your coverage

   Go to Settings → General → About, note your serial number, then check coverage at apple.com/support/coverage. Confirm whether you're within the standard warranty or AppleCare+ period.

3. 3

   Book a Genius Bar appointment

   Book via the Apple Support app or apple.com/retail. Describe the issue as a display defect with a stuck or dead pixel. Bring proof of purchase if you bought the phone less than 90 days ago.

4. 4

   At the appointment

   The technician will run Apple Diagnostics. Show your photos — the test software may not trigger the pixel the same way. Technicians have discretion; being polite and specific about when the defect appeared (and that it was not from a drop) helps.

5. 5

   Outcome

   If approved, Apple will either replace the display at an Apple Store or send the device to a repair centre. Same-day display replacements are available at most Apple Stores for OLED iPhones.

How to Fix a Dead Pixel on an iPhone

Truly dead pixels — permanently dark — cannot be revived by software. But if your pixel is stuck (glowing red, green, or blue at all times), rapid color cycling sometimes stimulates the sub-pixel back to normal. Use our stuck pixel fix tool from a desktop browser and run it for 10–20 minutes with the iPhone screen nearby, or run the tool directly on the iPhone in Safari.

The pressure method — powering off the phone, applying very light pressure with a microfibre cloth over the affected pixel for 30 seconds, then powering back on — has anecdotal success on stuck pixels. Do not press hard enough to create pressure marks on the OLED panel; these are permanent.

iPhone Dead Pixel FAQ