Galaxy S9+ Black Crush and Gradient Banding Issues

[MooMooPrincess]

Had the same issue. Makes me wonder how much these reviewing agencies were paid to say the S9 has the best screen.

Color wise yes, brightness wise...no.

 

[Mike Dee]

A software bug that affects devices in different degree? I'd like to believe Samsung but sounds a bit off.

Sounds more like hardware

I don't have the black crush but I do have black smear and THIS SCREEN IS SO DIM. At 30% my pixel 2xl is super bright. My s9+ at 30% so freaking dim.

You can't really compare 30 against 30. How is the S9+ compared to the Pixel at Max brightness?

 

[MooMooPrincess]

You can't really compare 30 against 30. How is the S9+ compared to the Pixel at Max brightness?

Pixel is brighter at Max as well

 

[lucianus_luciferus]

I think it is a software issue.
Try this app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gombosdev.displaytester
And run the gamma test and wide gamut colour test.
My s9+ failed both so i think Samsung forgot to add a proper colour profile for the screen.
If this is true then they can easily fix it with a software update

 

[Tibial]

I think it is a software issue.
Try this app
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gombosdev.displaytester
And run the gamma test and wide gamut colour test.
My s9+ failed both so i think Samsung forgot to add a proper colour profile for the screen.
If this is true then they can easily fix it with a software update

My S8 has failed those tests too but still doesn't have this problem.

 

[akira ambient]

So I got a new phone direct from Samsung this time, and sent my other 2 back to carphone warehouse. This phone has exactly the same problem. not only that, it shifts to a bad red tint when tilted at even a slight angle. I'm kind of over this phone already. Spending that kind of money shouldn't be a gamble on getting a good handset. This one at least doesn't have light leak from the edge, and I guess that's a plus. I swear these reviewers get sent top binned phones. Either that or they just regurgitate each others comments.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Either that or they just regurgitate each others comments.

We see this with problems all the time; it wouldn't be surprising to see it with praise.

 

[Chris_c81]

I've got a UPS update that my handset is arriving tomorrow. I give the courrier my current handset along with the box and all accessories that came with it and he hands me a new one.

They also gave me a call this morning to reconfirm details like IMEI, model number, address etc.

This is very unpredictable behaviour from tech support... Makes me wonder how would they respond if the new handset is also faulty.

If they tell me I have to wait for next time I'm cancelling my upgrade in a wim.

I'm still arguing with a Samsung rep on email. They're not budging and adamant that I have to return mine first. I'm not returning it. The replacement will be exactly the same. I'll wait it out until Samsung decide it's either a software or hardware fault and fix it one way or another.

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

This sounds silly, but if the display options are still there, try changing the gamut from Adapt Display if not done so already

 

[frellingfrakker]

I haven't tried. My wife got a 9+ so I'll check tonight.

 

[Chris_c81]

This sounds silly, but if the display options are still there, try changing the gamut from Adapt Display if not done so already

No disrespect, but I'm sure like me, that was the first thing people tried. It made no difference.

 

[Tibial]

I'm still arguing with a Samsung rep on email. They're not budging and adamant that I have to return mine first. I'm not returning it. The replacement will be exactly the same. I'll wait it out until Samsung decide it's either a software or hardware fault and fix it one way or another.

I've received the new handset and unfortunately it has the same issue.

Can any member with S9+ confirm if their handset doesn't have this problem? I haven't read any issues yet with the regular size model so it would be good to know if only the plus models are affected.

 

[Jaycemiskel]

Pixel is brighter at Max as well

Hmm, that's strange. My Pixel doesn't seem to get as bright as my S9+. Not in direct sunlight, which is where you'll actually see the full brightness of the S9. Can't access it any other way. My Pixel also doesn't get as dim. However, I believe that's because LG oled start to have issues when the display is too dim (V30) so Google made it where it can't go so low so it doesn't look like crap.

 

[MooMooPrincess]

Hmm, that's strange. My Pixel doesn't seem to get as bright as my S9+. Not in direct sunlight, which is where you'll actually see the full brightness of the S9. Can't access it any other way. My Pixel also doesn't get as dim. However, I believe that's because LG oled start to have issues when the display is too dim (V30) so Google made it where it can't go so low so it doesn't look like crap.

If we put auto brightness on I'm sure the s9 will beat the 2xl but when I put both to Max in doors my 2xl is brighter. Colors look better on the s9+

 

[Jaycemiskel]

If we put auto brightness on I'm sure the s9 will beat the 2xl but when I put both to Max in doors my 2xl is brighter. Colors look better on the s9+

That's probably what it is. Google will just let you crank it higher on your own.

 

[Justin Redwine]

I have a T-Mobile US S9 plus. I have the same problem. I can significantly reduce the effect by using Screen Balance, pay for the pro version, RBG color mode, Red, Blue and Green at 255, RGB strength ar 4, contrast and brightness at 100%. I have device display settings set to Adaptive Red ar approx 50%, Green at approx 10%, and Blue at 100%, and Color balance is in the middle (50%). I am using the YouTube trailer for Blade Runner 2049 for testing. I will run by T-Mobile tomorrow to see if display devices have the same issue. If not, I will exchange.

 

[chanchan05]

If we put auto brightness on I'm sure the s9 will beat the 2xl but when I put both to Max in doors my 2xl is brighter. Colors look better on the s9+

Samsung purposefully limits the max manual brightness setting. It only attains the true max brightness of the panel under direct sunlight. As far as I know Google and LG doesn't do this.

 

[CKwik240]

I have a T-Mobile US S9 plus. I have the same problem. I can significantly reduce the effect by using Screen Balance, pay for the pro version, RBG color mode, Red, Blue and Green at 255, RGB strength ar 4, contrast and brightness at 100%. I have device display settings set to Adaptive Red ar approx 50%, Green at approx 10%, and Blue at 100%, and Color balance is in the middle (50%). I am using the YouTube trailer for Blade Runner 2049 for testing. I will run by T-Mobile tomorrow to see if display devices have the same issue. If not, I will exchange.

I tried watching that trailer just now. No noticeable banding on my T-Mobile s9+. I saw one instance in a very dark gradient but I really had to look for it. It was really minor like a remnant of compression. This assumes I was watching the exact same trailer. It might be easier if someone posts a good photo where this is occurring so some of us can sample it on ours.

 

[Justin Redwine]

Here is an example of the gradient issue. This is the stock infinity wallpaper, app drawer, and folder open. Look at the upper left and bottom right corners.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1LFZaK1SezxqLodN_RKnnJSJ-Y5EE-myx/view?usp=drivesdk

 

[D13H4RD2L1V3]

No disrespect, but I'm sure like me, that was the first thing people tried. It made no difference.

Just as I thought.

Seems like the QC at the OLED plant has been slipping.