Report: Some Older Samsung Devices Develop Green Line Issue After Software Updates

Several reports are surfacing online about a display issue affecting some older Samsung Galaxy devices. Dubbed the “green line issue,” it manifests itself as a thin vertical green line that disrupts the screen, potentially hindering the functionality of the phone. This issue appears to primarily affect Galaxy S21 series phones, with the Galaxy S21 Ultra and S21 FE models being the most commonly cited.

Some users seem to have encountered the green line by chance, while others attribute it to software updates or heavy use, like gaming sessions. An X/Twitter user said they noticed the line immediately after installing a software update on their Galaxy S21 FE, while another I encountered it after installing the April patch on their Galaxy S21 Ultra (model number SMG998B).

The exact cause of the Green Line problem remains unclear. While it could just be a software issue, software-related issues usually need to be fixed with a simple reboot or factory reset. The fact that the problem persists for some users suggests a potential hardware defect.

What is the cause of the green line problem?

The most likely cause of the green line problem appears to be a faulty display connector or flex cable. These internal components connect the screen to the main circuit board of the phone, and any damage or looseness inside them can cause the display to malfunction.

While it’s easy to dismiss the fact that this issue occurs with or around software updates as a coincidence, a Rapid search on social media platforms reveals that many users have faced similar issues with their older Samsung models. Most of these cases were also related to software updates.

One possible explanation is that software updates, combined with environmental factors, could generate enough heat (especially on phones with Samsung’s Exynos chipsets) to cause or accelerate a pre-existing hardware defect within the device. ‘display. Some hypothesize that this heat could loosen the glue that holds the screen components together, leading to the green line problem. However, this theory is not entirely conclusive, as intensive activities like gaming also generate significant heat but are less commonly linked to the problem.

Over the past year, the green line issue has also affected older AMOLED smartphones from other manufacturers. OnePlus, in response to similar complaints, has started offering its customers in India a lifetime screen warranty on its own affected devices.

Although Samsung is yet to officially acknowledge this issue, the company has offered repairs and replacements for similar issues encountered by Galaxy S20 series users in the past. If you experience a similar issue on your Galaxy device, it is advisable to proactively document your problem with photos or videos and present your case to a Samsung representative.