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Help Dark Screen blotches!

R

radicalgel

Newbie
Hi,

I got my S2 a couple days back and was watching a movie in a completely darkroom and noticed that the screen wasn't truly black when the title were playing. I initially thought it was an issue with movie so I tested the screen with a pure black screen (*#0*#) and noticed that the screen glowing a tad lighter than black and I had several black patches on the screen. This is extremely annoying when using apps that have a lot of black or when watching movies. the dark patches and streak is also noticeable in the clock app in the dark grey patterned lower area.

I also noticed that my 3 day old phone already had slight notification bar burn ins and even my google search widget seems to be burning in to the screen. Honestly I am extremely disappointed with these QC issues and this is my second unit as I had the first replaced for other screen issues.
 
Twinn said:
Hmmm, strange, never experienced such issues. What firmware are you on?
Click to expand...

Im on Gingerbread 2.3.3 XWKF3 (India)

If someone could please try this simple test and let me know their results, I would be very grateful.

Test Procedure:

- Find a completely dark room (easier at night)
- goto phone keypad and dial *#0*#
- tap the button that says Black (Vibration)
- now look directly at the screen for a few seconds and let your eyes adjust

At this point do you see?
a) pure black (cannot distinguish btw bezel and screen),
b) an even mild glow, sort of like a backlight
c) a glow along with patches/blotches of pure black?

I see option (c). Could some of you pls do this test and let me know your results. This problem can also be seen, under the same dark conditions, if the clock app is opened. If you have the same problem I have, then you should see dark patches in the grey area. ea.
 
Well here's a photo to better demonstrate my issue. It is a little exaggerated by the camera but still pretty accurate. One can also see that the glow has a reddish tint. It was taken with a DSLR in hi res. You can see just how bad it is. Yes this is not that noticeable if the room isn't really dark but it's pretty damn bad in my room with all the lights out. And thats how I usually read at night. I wouldn't even mind an even glow but the splotches are unacceptable.
 

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Hi radical,

it seems like there are a some people with this issue in the past few months and they are from various countries. A few interesting questions - How common is it really? Will it get worse or better over time? Can it be fixed with a firmware update?

I'd suggest you google these phrases and read through the topics on xda:

site:xda-developers.com SGSII AMOLED screen
site:xda-developers.com Light blobs on black screen

There's also a photo in the first topic, on the second page.

I recently bought an SGSII originally intended for Polish market that had this issue (lighter blotches on the bottom half of the screen, only visible in darkness when displaying dark content). Other than that, the phone and screen was flawless, I seriously considered keeping it, but finally opted for returning it to the store and getting a refund.

Just don't expect to find answers to the above questions. Right now it's just anecdotes and random observations, maybe they really are just a few bad apples. I don't think anyone really knows much about this issue. Besides Samsung that is, and they sure as hell are not going to tell anyone :D. This one thing is certain - even mentioning an issue with the main selling point of their best selling handset would be a marketing disaster.
 
I've got the exact same problem on my phone, was thinking about returning it but it's barely noticeable unless in a pitch black room and looking at a black background. It seems to be a common fault though as two friends also have same issue.
 
well lets see. I've asked for a replacement. Should receive it before they pick up my present handset. I shall compare the 2 and keep the better one. Fed of these issues. Frankly im just earger to start using the phone properly. I hope I get a good piece. :(
 
i've got the same issue in my phone..i got the screen replaced once and it had a white circle in the middle..replaced that again and got another and it also has the previous black spots issue..i'm tired of changing screens and now i guess i will live with it.. Samsung seem to have a big issue in quality control..
 
I have this with my GSII also but it's only noticeable in very dark areas like everyone's mentioning here... I'll probably return it later to get a new one, that is, unless, an update fixes the problem (doubt it though).
 
LostInShanghai said:
I've got the exact same problem on my phone, was thinking about returning it but it's barely noticeable unless in a pitch black room and looking at a black background. It seems to be a common fault though as two friends also have same issue.
Click to expand...

I have this, not as bad as the posted picture through. I have checked my friends phones and they have the same black blotches.
 
Just curious, how many of you use screen protections? Could it be the glue underneath the protective sticker ?
 
Im having the same issues, realized them last night. When going through settings. Not as bad as the one previously posted but still enough to notice them.
SebaKL said:
Just curious, how many of you use screen protections? Could it be the glue underneath the protective sticker ?
Click to expand...

I dont have a screen protector so sort of rules that out.
 
Remembered going through this a month or more ago. Have it too, but you need to be in a dark room with a dark screen. Your eyes need to get adjusted and then you can see it. It is sort of like a backlight. People say AMOLED screen is truly black, but I am guessing there is still currents going behind the screen when you are using it so "Black is still a colour" to the phone. If screen is really off, then its really black.

It doesn't bother me though since the screen in my everyday use is still amazing. Mine is not blotches but a very uniform reddish tinge.
 
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