In recent years, a strange and frustrating issue has taken over the smartphone world. Users are reporting a single vertical green line appearing out of nowhere on high-end phones. This problem mostly affects devices with OLED screens. Here we will answer Why does your phone have a green line in the display ?
It began around 2020. Reports poured in from users of phones like the Samsung Galaxy S20 series, OnePlus 8 and 9 Pros, and even the iPhone X. Over time, the issue grew worse.
By the time the Galaxy S21 Ultra launched, vertical neon lines especially green ones had become a common complaint. Today, even as we enter the era of the Galaxy S25 and OnePlus 13, these bright, thin stripes still appear. Green is the most frequent color, but pink, white, and purple lines have also been reported.
Many users are left wondering: what is happening to our screens?
Anatomy of an OLED Failure
To understand the root cause, it helps to know how OLED displays work. Unlike LCDs, which use a backlight, OLED panels rely on millions of tiny self-emissive pixels. Each pixel is controlled by thin-film transistors (TFTs) and delicate circuitry.
When even one transistor fails, the result can be dramatic. For example, if a green sub-pixel column gets stuck in the “on” state, it creates a solid vertical green line across the screen. This is not a software glitch. It is a physical defect.
Experts agree these lines are symptoms of hardware failure. In many cases, the cause is a bad solder joint or a weak display connector. Sometimes, there is a flaw in the panel itself that only shows up after months of use.
Heat can also play a role. Thermal stress from charging, gaming, or software updates may push a vulnerable component past its limit.
Software Updates: A Trigger, Not the Cause
Ironically, one of the most reported triggers for green lines is a software update. Many users say their screens failed right after an over-the-air (OTA) update.
However, this link is likely coincidental. Updates stress the system. They require reboots, recalibrate display drivers, and can briefly raise internal temperatures.
If your OLED panel is already close to failing, this extra stress might be enough to cause visible damage. The update itself is not to blame. It acts more like a stress test that reveals an existing weakness.
Which Phones Are Affected?
The list of affected devices is long. Samsung’s Galaxy S20, S21, and S22 series are among the most impacted. The S20+ and Note 20 Ultra became symbols of the issue.
Reddit threads and Samsung forums are full of users sharing photos of glowing green lines on their screens. OnePlus phones are also heavily affected. Models like the 8T, 9R, and 9 Pro saw widespread failures.
In response, OnePlus launched a lifetime display warranty in India. Apple wasn’t immune either. Some early iPhone X units suffered from what users called the “green line of death.”
Apple treated it as a hardware defect and offered replacements under warranty. But the problem isn’t limited to one brand or region.
Pixel 6 users, along with owners of Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi phones, have reported similar issues. All these devices share one thing: an OLED screen.
Manufacturing Defects Behind the Lines
Another possible cause is inconsistency in manufacturing. As companies push for thinner displays and higher refresh rates, production challenges increase.
Some batches of OLED panels may be more prone to failure than others. Even a tiny flaw during production can lead to problems later.
For example, a hairline crack in the circuitry or a misaligned flex cable might not cause issues at first. But over time, it can turn into a bright, unwanted line on the screen.
There is also evidence that climate plays a role. Reports spike in hot, humid regions like India and Southeast Asia. OLED panels are sensitive to moisture and temperature changes.
Extended exposure to harsh conditions may speed up wear and tear. This could explain why some areas see more cases than others.
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What Can You Do About It?
Here’s the hard truth: there is no software fix for green lines. Once the line appears, it is almost always permanent. The only real solution is a full screen replacement.
Some manufacturers have taken responsibility. Samsung has offered free display replacements for certain Galaxy models in India. OnePlus’s lifetime warranty covers display issues in select regions, even after the standard warranty ends.
But these programs are not available everywhere. Many users are left to deal with customer support on their own. Repair costs can be high, especially for out-of-warranty devices.
A Wake-Up Call for the Industry
The green line epidemic has become a wake-up call for smartphone makers. OLED technology delivers stunning colors and deep blacks. But long-term reliability is now a growing concern.
Manufacturers are under pressure to improve durability. They must ensure screens last beyond the first few months of use.
There are reports that newer AMOLED panels, starting from 2024, include design changes to reduce this type of failure. These improvements may help future devices avoid the same fate.
But for now, users with a green line on their screen are left with few options. All they can do is hope their display stays intact—and keep their fingers crossed.
