The Problem With Samsung’s Super AMOLED Displays…

Super AMOLED displays have long been praised for their vibrant colours, deep blacks, and exceptional resolution. However, one glaring issue persists—durability. This issue has been highlighted repeatedly, including a recent case that came into my repair shop.

A customer brought in their phone because the display had stopped working. At first glance, the glass itself appeared intact, but upon closer inspection, it became clear that the Super AMOLED display underneath had failed. This is a pattern I’ve seen far too often with Samsung devices using these panels.

A Tale of Fragility That Began With My First Phone

My first smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S4, introduced me to this problem years ago. It was a fantastic device for its time, but the Super AMOLED display was its Achilles’ heel. A slight drop, and even if the glass survived, the display underneath was often irreparably damaged. It’s shocking that nearly a decade later, this issue remains unresolved. The technology has evolved in terms of brightness and resolution, but durability has seemingly been left behind.

You can see the cracked Amoled Display If You look closely at the top left corner.

Is the Visual Upgrade Worth It?

There’s no denying the appeal of Super AMOLED displays. They deliver stunning visuals unmatched by older LCD technology. The rich contrast and sharpness elevate the user experience. But when these displays are so prone to breaking—even without visible damage to the exterior glass—it raises the question of whether the trade-off is worth it.

In many cases, repairing or replacing a Super AMOLED display costs nearly as much as the phone itself. For users, this can be a frustrating and expensive ordeal, especially considering that other display technologies, like LCD, are far more resilient. LCD screens might not offer the same visual brilliance, but they provide a much-needed advantage in durability.

Super Amoled Schematic From Samsung

Time for a Change?

If this is the reality of Super AMOLED displays, Samsung might need to reconsider its priorities. It’s not unreasonable to ask if Samsung should transition back to LCD technology for the sake of reliability and cost-effectiveness. The visual upgrade provided by Super AMOLED screens doesn’t seem justified when the underlying technology is so prone to failure.

Durability should be just as important as visual quality in today’s smartphones. Until Samsung addresses this issue, users may find themselves paying the price—literally—for fragile technology.

What are your thoughts? Would you trade vibrant visuals for a phone that lasts longer? Share your experiences with display durability in the comments below.