Samsung Galaxy users are experiencing a new display problem after installing the April security patch, with a green line permanently appearing on the screen. This issue seems to be affecting various models, including the Galaxy S21 Ultra, S21 FE, Z Flip 3, M21, and M52 5G. While users are not reporting any touch input problems, the green line could indicate a broken display panel, necessitating an expensive fix. Repair expert Ricky Panesar believes this is a hardware issue related to OLED damage, which is unusual as similar green tinted display issues have been resolved through software updates in the past.
The green line problem is not the first display issue Samsung has faced, as in July 2023 the company offered free screen replacements for the Galaxy S20 and Note 20 due to green and pink lines. Users on Reddit and Samsung’s support forums have also been discussing this known issue, with some experiencing the green line immediately after a software update while others have it appear randomly during heavy usage and persist after a reboot. Samsung has not responded to whether they are aware of the problem, but Samsung India is now offering free screen replacements for affected Galaxy S20, S21, Note 20, and S22 owners.
The offer is a one-time replacement for devices bought within the last three years and includes a battery and replacement kit. Indian Galaxy smartphone owners have until April 30th to take advantage of this free replacement, but it is unclear if this offer will be extended to users in other countries. Given that there does not appear to be a software fix for the green line issue, Samsung India’s decision to offer free hardware repairs suggests that the problem is primarily hardware-related. It remains to be seen if Samsung will extend this offer to more affected users globally.
In the past, display issues related to green tinted screens were attributed to manufacturing delays due to the pandemic affecting the quality of screen materials. However, this specific green line problem is more severe and distracting, making it difficult to pinpoint the exact cause. While some users have found the green line appears after an update, others have noticed it randomly during heavy usage. Samsung has dealt with similar display issues in the past, but this particular fault is proving challenging to resolve with a software patch. As Samsung continues to investigate the issue, affected users are advised to reach out to customer support for assistance.
