The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, renowned for its exceptional display, is facing a new issue for some users. After installing the April security patch update, a concerning green line has been appearing permanently on the screens of several Galaxy devices, including the S21 series, Z Flip 3, M21, and M52 5G.
While users have not reported any touch input or functionality problems, repair expert Ricky Panesar suggests that this issue could indicate a broken display panel, potentially requiring an expensive fix. Panesar states that this appears to be a hardware issue related to OLED damage, but it’s unusual that it has surfaced after a software update.
Samsung has previously resolved similar green tint display issues on older smartphones through software updates, but Panesar has not yet seen a manufacturer successfully fix a green line fault like this with a patch. Similar display issues with green tints have been reported on Samsung, Apple, Motorola, and OnePlus smartphones in 2020 and 2021, attributed to the quality of screen materials.
However, this new fault is different, manifesting as a distracting line on the screen rather than a subtle hue affecting the entire display. The exact cause remains unclear, with some users experiencing the green line immediately after the software update and others encountering it randomly after heavy usage.
Samsung has a history of addressing display issues. In 2023, the company offered free screen replacements for Galaxy S20 and Note 20 models that displayed green and pink lines. On Reddit and Samsung’s support forums, users have been discussing this green line issue as a “known problem” for over a year.
Samsung India has announced that it will provide free screen replacements for affected devices, including the Galaxy S20, S21, Note 20, and S22 ranges. This offer is valid for three years from the device’s purchase date and includes battery and replacement kit repairs. The deadline for Indian Galaxy smartphone owners to claim their free replacement is April 30th.
It remains to be seen if Samsung will extend this offer to users in other countries. The persistent nature of this issue and the lack of a software solution suggest that it is a hardware problem. We will monitor the situation to see if Samsung expands its repair program to a wider range of affected users.