N85's OLED Screen

[DreamCatcher]

Hello all!

I am almost set on purchasing the N85 for myself. However just as I was browsing for last minute reviews, I came across a fact stating that the OLED screen on the N85 (and in general) have very low life, compared to conventional, backlit LCD displays.

The article mentioned that the OLED screen in N85 would last for -at the most- 2 years, and then I might have to move on to a new phone.


Is this really true?! Just 2 years out of a phone seems unlikely, since I have owned Nokia phones only in my life, and each of them works till today, the oldest one being 8 years old.

Thanks a lot!

[Gaz]

truth is nobody really knows yet but if after two years the only thing you need to replace is the screen then it is still nothing to worry about compared with N95

[DreamCatcher]

Do you think it is economically feasible to just replace the screen? I have noticed that a new screen accounts for over 50% of the cost of the entire device.

I usually change phones every 3-4 years (I am a poor college kid), so a long lasting phone is important! As I said, I was all set with N85 until I heard about this, and now I have a feeling that I may also have to look at either N95 8GB US or N79.

[step11angelo]

take the n82 or n95 8gb, best for price and both all around phones and so many things you could do with them without spending too much or none at all

[Moz]

Any decent insurance policy would cover this anyway chaps.

[radical24]

fact is that noone truly knows what will happen with oled down the road. Gaz is right. i am only counting on my n85 to survive approx 12 months, if i get more out of it i will be very happy if not, oh well. also keep in mind that the average 'lifespan' of a cell phone is at max 2 years. anything beyond that is a great bonus. phones are not meant to last forever. i would still go for n85 no matter what, its a brilliant phone

[Moz]

I think that as part of the Nokuia testing they'll have an OLED LCD running 24/7 and some running on and off over 24 hours.

When the results are known, we'll know.

But I persume they're basing the lifespan on the OLED LCD TV's which have been sent into production.

[mrpuppy]

The N85 is not Nokia's first OLED device, the 8800 Arte was. Since it is probably going to be hard to find Arte users, even if the phone is over a year old, it is hard to use that as a benchmark... Though, I am sure if it was giving Nokia a lot of headaches in that device they never would have put it in the N85. Also, new screens are cheap. I don't know where the idea that most of the cost of a phone, or at least over half is coming from a screen. For example, at http://www.cnn.cn a replacement N85 screen is listed at $40 (and erroneously marked as LCD, though that could just mean they’re listing the wrong display). In any case, replacement parts aren’t going to cost you an arm and a leg for the device in the future, distant or not.

Will the device’s screen only last 2 years? Maybe, but as was stated before… if that is a concern, take out insurance on the device. You’ll be covered regardless of what happens for a few bucks a month. I’m still on the fence with a N85 purchase myself. I have a N82 that still works like a champ, but I like shiny new things.

[Moz]

You won't be dissapointed MrPuppy. Awesome device.

[Gaz]

Originally Posted by mrpuppy

The N85 is not Nokia's first OLED device, the 8800 Arte was.

Not true ,the 7900 Prism was
We have not had to replace any Oled LCD on any model ,ever