This story was updated on April 22. Updated below.
Samsung Galaxy users are complaining about a new demo issue, which arose after the April security patch was deployed.
Spotted by Android Authority, Galaxy owners are reporting that a green line is permanently displayed on the screen after the update. The Galaxy S21 series of phones appear to be among those most impacted, particularly the Galaxy S21 Ultra and S21 FE models. But, according to SamMobile, other devices, such as the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy M21 and Galaxy M52 5G have been affected too.
Users report any issues with touch input or functionality, but the green line may simply mean a damaged demo panel, potentially meaning an expensive fix. Repair expert Ricky Panesar, founder of iCorrect. co. uk, told me it looked like a hardware problem.
“This looks like OLED damage, but it doesn’t make sense that it’s happening after a software update. OLED screens with green tints have previously been resolved through software updates in older Samsung and Apple smartphones. But I’m yet to see a manufacturer resolve a green line fault like this with a patch.” Panesar explained.
Panesar refers to disorders demonstrated in smartphones released in 2020 and 2021 through Samsung, Apple, Motorola and OnePlus. All of those devices were the subject of owners’ court cases involving green-tinted screens. At the time, Panesar told me this was likely due to the quality of the screens’ materials, which could have been affected by pandemic-related production delays. Watch my video about it below.
But this fault is another. It’s more of an annoying line on the screen than a subtly different tone taking over the entire screen, and the precise cause is proving difficult to pin down. Some users found that the green line appeared without delay after installing a software update, while others found that it appeared randomly after heavy use and persisted after a reboot.
This isn’t the Samsung’s first rodeo. Back in July 2023 the company offered free screen replacements following complaints that the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 were displaying green and pink lines.
On Reddit, users began describing it as a “known factor” in several threads, most of which were posted last year. Galaxy S21 users on Samsung forums also posted articles about the demo factor. I checked with Samsung to see if they are aware. of the green line demonstrates the factor and I will update this story if I get a response.
Update April 22: Samsung India is providing free screen updates for phones affected by the line demo bug, according to Tarun Vats, the company would update the screens for Galaxy owners. S20, S21, Note 20 and S22 ranges.
According to the messages, this is a one time replacement and the device must have been bought in the last three years. Samsung will also replace the battery and replacement kit for affected users, which is the same deal it offered to Indian users last year, who also struggled with the green line problem. It looks like Indian Galaxy smartphone owners have until April 30th to get their free replacement, but there’s no word from Samsung if this offer will be extended to users in other countries.
This is a long-standing challenge and there does not appear to be a software solution, as evidenced by the fact that Samsung India is willing to offer loose hardware repairs. We’ll have to see if Samsung extends this offer to more affected users.
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