Check a used phone screen before you buy

The screen is one of the most expensive parts of a phone. This checklist helps you spot its defects in minutes, right from the phone's browser — no app needed.

Runs right here in full screen — nothing is uploaded. Press Esc or ✕ to exit.

Before you start

Set brightness to max and turn off night mode and blue-light filters.
Remove the screen protector if you can — it may hide scratches or cause touch issues.
Clean the screen so you don't confuse dust with dead pixels.

The checklist

Dead and stuck pixels: show white, black, red, green and blue full-screen and check every area. Open the color test.
OLED burn-in: on mid gray, look for faint permanent shapes of the navigation bar or keyboard. Common on older phones and not fixable. Open the burn-in test.
Touch response: swipe over the entire screen, especially edges and corners. Any dead area means a faulty touch layer. Open the touch test.
Backlight bleed and uniformity: in a dark room, show black, then gray. Bright or yellowish patches can mean a non-original or pressed screen. Open the uniformity test.
Sharpness: thin lines should look crisp and separate. Open the sharpness test.
Color and brightness: compare white with another phone. A clearly yellow or green tint can point to a replacement screen.

💡 Save the result as an image from the "Screen info" card and share it with the seller if you find a problem — it's clear evidence when negotiating the price.

Red flags

A visible difference in white between the top and bottom of the screen.
Lag or jumpy touch when typing fast.
The seller won't let you open a browser or run a full-screen test.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the full check take?

About five minutes: one minute for the quick check, then a closer look at touch, burn-in and sharpness. It's short enough to do in front of the seller.

What if the seller won't let me test?

Treat it as a warning sign. A screen replacement is one of the most expensive phone repairs, so a short check is a reasonable request before paying.

Does a perfect result mean the screen is original?

Not always. The tests find visible defects. For originality, also compare colors and brightness with a known original, check the settings for parts history where available, and read our guide on telling an original screen from a replacement.