If you’ve ever noticed a stubborn bright spot on your phone screen that refuses to go away, you’re not alone. I first ran into this issue while using my phone on the Tube in London, when a pale circular glow near the top corner became impossible to ignore, especially in dark mode. At first, I assumed it was just an app glitch. It wasn’t. Bright spots are one of those problems that look minor but often point to deeper display issues.
This article breaks down why bright spots appear on phone screens and, more importantly, which fixes are genuinely permanent and which ones are just temporary distractions. Everything here is written from real-world use, testing, and long-term observation, not spec sheets.
A bright spot is a localised area of the display that appears lighter than the surrounding pixels. Unlike dead pixels (which stay black) or stuck pixels (which show a single colour), bright spots usually show up as white or pale patches.
In my experience, they’re easiest to notice when:
I’ve seen users in Manchester and Birmingham describe them as “cloudy circles” or “light leaks”, which is actually a useful clue about their origin.
This is the big one. Bright spots are very often caused by pressure on the screen. Not dramatic drops, but slow, repeated pressure over time.
Real examples I’ve personally seen:
The pressure damages the display layers, especially on LCD panels, causing uneven backlight diffusion. Once this happens, the bright spot is usually permanent.
On LCD screens, bright spots often come from backlight bleed. The LED backlight behind the panel stops spreading evenly due to:
I noticed this on an older device after long navigation sessions around Leeds using mobile data on EE, where the phone stayed warm for extended periods. Heat doesn’t help displays age gracefully.
OLED screens don’t have backlights, but they still get bright spots. In this case, it’s uneven pixel ageing.
Common triggers:
Interestingly, OLED bright spots often appear as the inverse of burn-in: areas that look brighter because surrounding pixels have degraded faster.
Excessive heat can permanently alter screen behaviour. I’ve seen this after:
Heat accelerates pixel wear and weakens display adhesives, both of which can cause bright patches.
Even phones with water resistance aren’t immune. Moisture can seep into display layers and cause uneven light diffusion.
A common mistake I’ve seen users make is assuming a phone is fine because it still works after rain. Weeks later, a bright spot appears, usually near an edge.
These apps can sometimes reduce the visibility of minor OLED inconsistencies. I tested a few while travelling between London and Reading on O2. Result? Minimal improvement, and only in very specific lighting conditions.
They do not fix hardware damage.
These are often recommended online, but they only help with stuck pixels, not bright spots caused by pressure or backlight issues.
If the bright spot is visible even on a white screen, these videos won’t help.
This hides the problem, not solves it. Many users on Three do this unconsciously and only realise the issue months later when reselling the phone.
If the bright spot is caused by physical damage, pixel degradation, or backlight bleed, the only permanent solution is replacing the display.
From what I’ve seen across repair shops in London and Sheffield:
This is the solution most AvNexo users eventually settle on once temporary fixes fail.
If the bright spot appears without drops or pressure marks, and the device is under warranty, it may qualify as a manufacturing defect.
Under UK consumer law, you may have options beyond the standard warranty period if the fault can be shown to be inherent.
I’ve seen successful claims from users in Nottingham and Leicester where the screen was replaced free of charge.
Once a bright spot forms, you can’t reverse it, but you can stop it spreading:
This matters if you’re planning to keep the phone for another year or pass it on.
One user I spoke to delayed action for months, only to find the bright spot doubled in size by the time they sought repair.
Yes, from a functionality perspective. Bright spots don’t usually affect touch input or performance. But visually, they often become more noticeable over time.
If you’re selling or trading in the device, expect a reduced value. UK buyers are particularly sensitive to display flaws.
Bright spots aren’t random, and they’re rarely fixable with tricks. They’re physical evidence that something in the display stack has changed.
From everything I’ve tested and observed while reviewing devices for AvNexo, the key takeaway is simple: once a bright spot appears, decide early whether the phone is worth a screen replacement. Waiting rarely improves the outcome.
If you’re careful with pressure, heat, and long-term brightness habits, you can often prevent this issue entirely on your next device.
Meta description: Bright spots on phone screens explained. Learn real causes, UK user experiences, and which fixes actually provide permanent solutions.
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