Galaxy S9+ Black Crush and Gradient Banding Issues

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

Not asking for a screenshot. It's not that I don't believe you. You want to know if this is an issue in other propels phone so to test you would need to provide a baseline photo that doesn't have a gradient and banding in the photo itself. The then we can look at it on our phones and let you know if the problem also exists for us...
 
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.
I suspected the replacement would be the same. I think its all S9+. Users just haven't noticed it yet.
 
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.
Actually, that's due to contrast shifting.

My old LG G4 used to do the same
 
terrible gradient banding even with the official wallpapers. tried all the display modes and resolutions but it didn't seem to improve. compared my device with another one displayed at FNAC (French retail chain), I was sure it was the issue of my device cause the one at display looked much smoother when shifting from bright to dark colors, no visible lines or grains. Called Samsung and they proposed an exchange. got the new one three days later but the screen has exactly the same issue with the old one. I don't know what to do now...
 
terrible gradient banding even with the official wallpapers. tried all the display modes and resolutions but it didn't seem to improve. compared my device with another one displayed at FNAC (French retail chain), I was sure it was the issue of my device cause the one at display looked much smoother when shifting from bright to dark colors, no visible lines or grains. Called Samsung and they proposed an exchange. got the new one three days later but the screen has exactly the same issue with the old one. I don't know what to do now...
If you like the phone other then this issue and you can live with it, wait it out. If it's hardware then they may recall, however if it's software they may issue an update which fixes it.

I'm in the same position as you. Although I haven't gone through with the exchange as I've read people getting their replacements are having the same problem so not much point.
 
I think it's safe to say current batches have issues with their displays.

I'd perhaps wait it out and see if newer batches suffer from the same
 
I think it's safe to say current batches have issues with their displays.

I'd perhaps wait it out and see if newer batches suffer from the same
Hopefully. If all goes as intended I'm getting mine first week of April. It would probably be a diffetent batch by then.
 
This. I'm gonna wait it out now, wait for more batches to hit the shelves and approach Samsung again.

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.

Just to update regarding Samsung customer support.

So I am now dealing with someone else over email from the Samsung Online Shop. They have finally admitted that there are two processes:

"This email is in regards to the conversation that you have with one of my colleague regarding the replacement process of Samsung Shop Website. We do have options for our customer for replacement, first is with us that the customer needs to return the first device and within 10-14 days after we receive it we will be sending a new device. This can only be done within 28 days of return period from the time of the delivery.

The second option is from our Technical Team, they can replace the handset ahead and receive the faulty one and that is their own process. This is advised to our customers if the device was already passed the 28 days of return period. It is also under the customer's discretion if they will be contacting Technical Team for this request and the department will allow it under their process. "

Seems a bizarre method of operation. You'd think if anything, it would be the other way around. Phones less then 28 days old - instant replacement. Phones older then 28 days - 14 day turnaround.

I'm now dealing with the technical team via email as a separate conversation. I'm going to give them as much information, such as this thread and others, to digest and explain to them that the current replacements are experiencing the same problem. See what they say.
 
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The problem is being investigated over at Samsung. Hopefully they'll be able to do some software magic to lessen the issue at least.
 
28 days are quite long. i sent back mine this monday and got the replacement this wednesday.
 
28 days are quite long. i sent back mine this monday and got the replacement this wednesday.
They're not asking people to wait 28 days for a replacement, its just two different processes based on whether the phone is less or greater then 28 days old.
 
Went to T-Mobile to compare and, as someone else previously mentioned, it was not possible to reproduce in normal lighting on the display device or my device. The salesman told me I could return near closing and they would turn off the lights so we could compare. I might try that tomorrow.
 
This is the issue on my S9+ compared to my old S7 edge, and I must say it looks pretty pretty pretty bad:

Galaxy S7 edge
20180322_225344.jpg

Galaxy S9+
20180322_225023.jpg
 
This is the issue on my S9+ compared to my old S7 edge, and I must say it looks pretty pretty pretty bad:

Galaxy S7 edge
View attachment 281383

Galaxy S9+
View attachment 281385

Wow, that looks just like the Pixel 2 (non-XL) phones I tried and returned that had horrible black crush resulting in blotches and blockiness. Yuck. Google still hasn't fixed the Pixel 2, hopefully Samsung will fix the S9+.

On my regular S9 I get some banding in the Display Tester app (when set to Basic color profile, less / minimal banding when set to Adaptive) but don't experience anything like your photos when watching videos or any other content.
 
I've had further communication from Samsung today stating that they have escalated this to their highest level (this in response to me emailing them links to the various topics on the web about the issue). They've assigned me a reference number and have asked me to provide a suitable date and time for a callback. Not sure what they will want to discuss but its good that this has been escalated.
what app or video player are you using?
are you streaming the video or local file?
what is the resolution of the video file?
All irellevant.

People need to stop trying to justify this as something to do with video codecs, video properties or compression. Its a fault with the phone, most likely how its calibrated.
 
That's good to hear at least. This is definitely widespread. I've tried 4 separate units now and all have the issue, all are plus models.
 

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