Why LCD Incell Screens Are Often the Culprit

If you’ve recently had your smartphone screen replaced and are now dealing with frustrating ghost touches, random screen taps, or unresponsive areas, you’re not alone. One of the most common reasons for these issues stems from the use of LCD Incell screens — a popular but problematic alternative to original OLED displays.

At Dead or Alive Technology, we see this scenario far too often. Customers visit us after getting their screens replaced elsewhere with parts that seemed like a bargain. Unfortunately, these so-called savings often come at the cost of performance, battery life, and overall user experience.

What Is LCD Incell?

LCD Incell technology is a cheaper alternative to OLED screens used in many modern smartphones. While the name may sound technical, here’s a simple breakdown:

• Incell refers to the touch digitiser being embedded within the LCD panel itself, rather than layered separately.
• It’s often used in replacement screens because it costs significantly less than original or premium OLED options.
• It can appear to function correctly at first glance — but the problems usually start to show after a short period of use.

The Ghost Touching Phenomenon

Ghost touching refers to random or phantom inputs on the screen — as if the phone is being tapped or swiped without anyone touching it. This behaviour can make a phone nearly unusable, especially when typing, unlocking, or navigating apps.

In our experience, ghost touching is far more likely to occur when LCD Incell displays are used, particularly in phones that were originally designed with OLED screens. Why?

1. Touch Sensitivity Mismatch

Incell LCDs often struggle to replicate the fine-tuned responsiveness of OLED displays. The digitiser integration can be inconsistent, leading to misreads or missed touches.

2. Interference and Poor Calibration

Low-grade LCD Incell panels may suffer from electromagnetic interference, causing the screen to register false inputs. Poor calibration during manufacturing can also cause erratic behaviour.

3. Increased Power Drain

These screens typically draw more power from the battery due to inefficient backlighting. This not only shortens your battery life but can also cause performance dips and heating — both of which contribute to ghost touches.

Why LCD Incell Is Commonly Used (But Rarely Advised)

Many third-party repair shops use LCD Incell panels for one reason: they’re cheap to buy and easy to source.

Compared to:

• OEM Soft OLED (original quality, flexible and accurate)
• Aftermarket Soft/Hard OLED (high-quality alternatives)
• OEM Hard OLED (rigid but still true-to-original)

…LCD Incell screens can reduce part costs by up to 50%. For some repair shops, it’s a way to maximise profit — but the customer ends up paying the price in frustration, lost time, and future repairs.

What Are the Downsides of LCD Incell?

Let’s break it down further:

Feature	OEM/Soft OLED	LCD Incell
Touch Accuracy	Excellent	Often poor
Display Quality	True colour, deep blacks	Washed-out colours
Battery Impact	Minimal	High power usage
Ghost Touch Risk	Very low	High
Longevity	Long-lasting	Prone to failure

Our Recommendation: Don’t Settle for Less

At Dead or Alive Technology, we never compromise on quality. If your device was originally built with an OLED screen, we strongly recommend replacing it with either:

• Genuine OEM Soft/Hard OLED, or
• Premium aftermarket OLED (soft or hard, depending on availability and model)

We understand that budget matters — but saving a few pounds today with an LCD Incell screen often results in repeat repairs, poor battery life, and unusable touch functionality tomorrow.

Been Burned by Ghost Touching?

If you’ve had a screen replacement and your phone is now ghost tapping, lagging, or overheating — we can help.

📍 Visit our repair centre in Wishaw, North Lanarkshire, or
📦 Book a nationwide mail-in repair service with tracked and insured delivery.

We offer free diagnostics for all ComputerRepairMan.co.uk customers and only use high-quality, tested components that are guaranteed to work seamlessly with your device.

Final Thoughts

Not all screen replacements are created equal. While LCD Incell displays may appear to be a good deal, they often lead to recurring issues, especially on OLED-native devices. For lasting performance and a frustration-free experience, always choose OLED when replacing an OLED — your phone (and your sanity) will thank you.