Green lines on smartphone displays have become an increasingly common issue, particularly affecting OLED and AMOLED screens. These vertical or horizontal streaks can appear suddenly, leaving users frustrated and wondering what went wrong. Understanding the root causes can help you prevent this costly problem.
Main Causes of Green Lines
Manufacturing Defects
One primary reason is a manufacturing defect in the OLED panels. When manufacturing these displays, a slight misalignment of the pixels or impurities in the organic compounds can lead to the appearance of the green line. This explains why some devices develop green lines without any apparent damage.
Hardware Damage
Hardware defects may arise from physical damage to the display’s thin-film transistor (TFT) layer or the electrical pathways connecting the pixels. This often happens over time or after minor drops or pressure on the screen. Even seemingly minor impacts can cause internal damage.
Connection Issues
The green line issue is a hardware problem when the display connector or flex cable connecting the display to the motherboard gets loose, damaged, or defective. These connection problems create permanent display damage.
Why OLED Displays Are More Prone
The issue primarily affects phones that have AMOLED displays. The S20+, OnePlus 8, OnePlus 9, Google Pixel 8 and many other affected phones have one thing in common: AMOLED screens. Even Apple devices weren’t immune when they switched to OLED technology with the iPhone X.
| Display Type | Susceptibility | Common Brands Affected |
|---|---|---|
| OLED/AMOLED | High | Samsung, OnePlus, Google Pixel |
| LCD | Low | Older iPhone models, budget phones |
| Super AMOLED | High | Samsung flagship series |
Can Green Lines Be Fixed?
Unfortunately, the green line issue on phones is a hardware problem that cannot be fixed by software. The display of the affected phone needs to be replaced, and depending on the phone model, such repair can possibly include the display assembly and the motherboard.
Repair Options:
- Screen replacement: The most common solution
- Warranty claim: If device is still under warranty
- Laser repair: Repair professionals have now created a laser that can magically wipe off green lines from OLEDs in seconds, all without needing to switch out the display.
Prevention Tips
While you can’t completely prevent manufacturing defects, you can reduce risk:
- Use quality screen protectors for physical protection
- Avoid excessive pressure on the display
- Handle devices carefully to prevent drops
- Keep devices away from extreme temperatures
- Avoid water damage
Industry Response
Smartphone manufacturers must focus on improving the OLED and AMOLED display manufacturing process. Brands precisely (Samsung) should come forward with 2 or 3 years warranty. Consumer pressure is pushing manufacturers toward better quality control. For more smartphone troubleshooting guides, check our complete mobile repair guide.
FAQs
Can software updates cause green lines on phone screens?
No, green lines are purely hardware-related issues and cannot be caused by software updates.
Is the green line issue covered under smartphone warranties?
Most manufacturers cover green lines under warranty if they appear due to manufacturing defects, not physical damage.
