White smudges on Note9 screen

[Android Central Question]

On the screen of my Note9, I am noticing white smudges in a very particular area of the screen when viewed under direct light (like sunlight) with the screen off. When I rub the phone with a cloth, the pattern goes away temporarily, but as soon as I use it, it comes back.

Is this a failure of the oleophobic coating? Will it get worse? Since it's only visible under bright light now I can live with it, as long as it doesn't get worse.