Why Your Phone Screen Shows Shadows or Ghost Images
Notice faint icons or colour stains that don’t disappear?
Your screen may have a permanent image retention issue — often called “burn-in.”
Here’s what causes it, how to recognise it, and when replacement is worth it.
At EziRepair, we specialise in screen shadow ghost image repairs for iPhone, Samsung, and Pixel devices across NZ — restoring your display to its original brightness and clarity.
Quick Summary
- Screen “shadows” appear when some pixels wear out faster than others.
- They often look like ghost icons, navigation bars, or keyboard outlines.
- Temporary image retention may fade — true burn-in will not.
- Once visible on bright backgrounds, it’s permanent physical wear.
- Replacing the display restores full brightness and colour accuracy.
Screen Shadow Ghost Image: What It Is and How We Fix It
Our technicians diagnose screen shadow ghost image issues, separate temporary retention from true OLED burn-in, and recommend the right fix for long-term clarity.
We See This Problem Every Week
Many visitors come in saying, “My screen looks yellowish,” or “I can still see the YouTube bar after closing the app.”
It’s common on iPhone OLED models and Samsung Galaxy S series.
At EziRepair, we diagnose and replace these panels daily using OEM-grade OLED screens
that restore your phone’s brightness and contrast to factory condition.
Easy to Miss at First
Most people think the wallpaper looks slightly off or that their screen is “dirty.”
The ghost images appear faintly on light backgrounds and worsen over time.
Even after restarting or lowering brightness, they remain.
That’s because individual pixels have already degraded —
a slow, irreversible process.
Recent Replacement Cases
• iPhone 13 Pro Max — status-bar and keyboard ghosts → replaced with OEM OLED panel ✅
• Galaxy S22 Ultra — YouTube navigation bar shadow → new display installed ✅
• Pixel 7 Pro — always-on display imprint → panel replacement and colour re-calibration ✅
After replacement, the screen regains full brightness, accurate colour, and zero residual marks.
What Actually Causes Screen Burn-In?
OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) displays light each pixel independently.
When one area shows the same static image for long periods, those pixels degrade faster.
Blue sub-pixels wear first, shifting colour balance and leaving faint shadows.
The degradation is physical — it accumulates hour by hour of use.
Apple and Samsung use pixel-shifting algorithms and brightness control to slow it down,
but no software can reverse chemical pixel wear.
“Anti burn-in” apps can help only with temporary image retention —
not with true burn-in where the organic layer has aged unevenly.
At EziRepair, we provide expert screen shadow ghost image diagnosis and OLED burn-in repairs — restoring brightness, colour accuracy, and display quality across iPhone, Samsung, and Pixel devices.
When Replacement Makes Sense
If you see shadows clearly on a white background, or if the screen tint shifts to yellow or pink,
replacement is usually the only permanent fix.
Waiting longer won’t damage the phone’s system,
but the display will keep darkening and affect resale value.
Once replaced, brightness and uniformity return immediately.
Book a free screen inspection at EziRepair — Christchurch or Auckland branches offer same-day replacement for most models.
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- Cracked Phone Screen: What to Do First
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For professional screen shadow ghost image repairs in NZ, visit EziRepair — trusted by thousands across New Zealand.