How to Fix the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Grainy Display

Like earlier models, the Samsung Galaxy S25 is not immune to display issues. In fact, some users have already reported display problems with their newly bought devices. It’s a load of glitches, such as blinking screens, thin horizontal lines, or a grainy and pixelated screen.

A grainy display is when the screen is not as clear as you expected. The graphics on your display appear rough and grainy, and darker screen areas reveal unclarity. This may make you feel as if the premium display you paid for the Galaxy S25 has been compromised.

If you’re here because you’re facing this problem, we have easy fixes you can try to address the Galaxy S25 Ultra grainy display.

The Samsung Galaxy grainy display issue was previously reported in the S25's predecessor– the S24 Ultra. Users noticed a grainy effect on the screen when viewed at low brightness levels, particularly in dark environments. This issue was highlighted by tech tipster Ice Universe, who had previously criticized Samsung for this flaw.

Fortunately, the Galaxy S25 Ultra’s display no longer exhibits this graininess at low brightness. Samsung may have already addressed and corrected the problem in their latest model. While Samsung has not officially commented on the root cause of the initial issue, this improvement is a positive development for users who frequently use their devices in low-light conditions.

It’s currently unclear whether this display enhancement applies solely to the Ultra model or extends across the entire Galaxy S25 lineup. Further testing is anticipated to confirm the extent of this fix. Nonetheless, this update represents a meaningful enhancement in the user experience for users sensitive to screen quality in dim settings.

If you notice your screen has a “noisy” texture, like a low-quality image, you might be experiencing a grainy display. Some users describe it as a “sandpaper effect” and is noticeable in dark or low-light settings. If you leave it unattended, the problem might worsen and become hard to ignore.

Three major areas can address the grainy display issue on your mobile phone:

• Display settings

• Software fixes

• Hardware check

Below are nine easy tips to fix the grainy screen issue and restore the stunning clarity of your device.

Many grainy display issues occur when the brightness is too low. Try increasing the brightness slightly to see if the graininess reduces. To do this:

Step 1: Unlock your Galaxy S25 Ultra and navigate to the home screen.

Step 2: Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the notification panel.

Step 3: Tap on the gear icon to open the Settings menu.

Step 4: In the Settings menu, scroll down and select Display.

Step 5: Within the Display settings, you'll see a Brightness slider at the top.

Step 6: Drag the slider to the right to increase the brightness. Aim for a level that reduces the grainy appearance without causing discomfort to your eyes.

Changing the Screen Mode on your Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra can enhance your display’s color and clarity. This can potentially reduce any grainy appearance. To change your screen mode:

Step 1: Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the notification panel.

Step 2: Tap the gear icon to enter Settings.

Step 3: Scroll down and select Display.

Step 4: Tap on Screen mode.

Step 5: Choose Vivid to enhance color saturation.

Step 6: If available, tap on Advanced Settings. Here, you can fine-tune the White balance and RGB settings to your preference.

Switching to Vivid mode and adjusting the advanced settings can achieve a more vibrant and clearer display on your Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Galaxy S25 Ultra’s Extra Dim feature reduces screen brightness beyond the usual minimum. If you’re experiencing a grainy display, it’s advisable to disable this feature, as it can contribute to the issue. Here’s how you can do it:

Step 1: Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel.

Step 2: Tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Step 3: Scroll down and select Accessibility.

Step 4: Tap on Visibility enhancements.

Step 5: Find Extra dim in the list.

Step 6: If it's toggled on, tap the switch to turn it off.

If your phone supports variable refresh rates (VRR) or LTPO tech, the screen might behave differently in low light. Try switching between:

• Adaptive refresh rate (variable)

• Standard refresh rate (fixed, e.g., 60Hz)

To switch between refresh rates:

Step 1: Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the notification panel.

Step 2: Tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Step 3: Scroll down and select Display.

Step 4: Tap on Motion smoothness.

Step 5: Select Adaptive to allow the refresh rate to adjust up to 120 Hz for smoother visuals.

Step 6: Tap Apply to save your settings.

Adjusting the refresh rate can improve the display performance of your Galaxy S25 Ultra.

Regularly updating your software is necessary to help resolve display issues, including graininess. These simple steps below will guide you on how to do it:

Step 1: Swipe down from the top of your screen to access the notification panel.

Step 2: Tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Step 3: Scroll down and select Software update.

Step 4: Tap on Download and install. Your device will search for available updates.

Step 5: If an update is available, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install it.

Tweaking certain developer settings can help improve display clarity and address graininess.

Here’s how to enable Developer Options:

Step 1: Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the notification panel.

Step 2: Tap the gear icon to open Settings.

Step 3: Scroll down and select About phone.

Step 4: Tap on Software information.

Step 5: Locate the Build number and tap it seven times consecutively.

Step 6: Return to the main Settings menu.

Step 7: Scroll down, and you'll see Developer options listed; tap to open.

To adjust pixel rendering settings:

Step 1: Within Developer options, scroll down to the Drawing section.

Step 2: Find and enable Disable HW overlays.

Step 3: Still in the Drawing section, locate the following settings:

• Window animation scale

• Transition animation scale

• Animator duration scale

Step 4: Set each of these to 0.5x to reduce animation lag and improve display smoothness.

Clearing the system cache on your Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra may help resolve performance issues, including a grainy display.

To clear your system cache:

Step 1: Press and hold the Power button.

Step 2: Tap Power off to turn off your phone.

Step 3: Press and hold the Volume Up and Power buttons simultaneously.

Step 4: Release both buttons when the Samsung logo appears.

Step 5: Use the Volume Down button to highlight Wipe cache partition.

Step 6: Press the Power button to select it.

Step 7: Highlight Yes using the Volume Down button.

Step 8: Press the Power button to confirm.

Step 9: “Reboot system now” will be highlighted once the process is complete.

Step 10: Press the Power button to restart your device.

One potential cause of grainy display is OLED burn-in or panel defects.

To help you test for these issues:

Step 1: Open a full-screen image or video that displays a solid color (white, red, green, or blue) on your device.

Step 2: Carefully observe the screen for any persistent images or shadows showing burn-in.

Step 3: Download a reputable screen test app from the Google Play Store, such as Screen Test or Display Tester.

Step 4: Follow the app’s instructions to identify any burn-in or irregularities.

To inspect for panel defects:

Step 1: In a well-lit environment, examine your screen for unusual lines, flickering, or discoloration.

Step 2: Take note of any anomalies that could suggest a hardware defect.

Step 3: Open the phone app and dial *#0*# to access Samsung's diagnostic menu.

Step 4: Select "Red," "Green," and "Blue" to test the display's color accuracy.

Step 5: Observe for any inconsistencies or defects during these tests.

If you identify any burn-in or panel defects, it's advisable to contact Samsung's customer support for further assistance. They can provide guidance on potential repairs or replacements under warranty.

In Safe Mode, only the pre-installed apps run, which helps determine if any downloaded apps affect your display.

To enter safe mode:

Step 1: Press the Power button until the power options appear.

Step 2: Tap Power off and wait for the device to shut down completely.

Step 3: Press the Power button until the Samsung logo appears.

Step 4: Once the logo appears, immediately press and hold the Volume Down button.

Step 5: Hold the Volume Down button until the device restarts.

Step 6: You should see Safe mode displayed in the screen's bottom-left corner.

Use your phone as you normally would and check if the grainy display issue persists. Following these steps can help yodetermine if a third-party application is responsible for the grainy display on your Galaxy S25 Ultra and take appropriate action to resolve it.

If you’ve tried any of the above troubleshooting steps and your Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra still has a grainy display, it may be time to consult a professional. Visiting an authorized Samsung service center guarantees that trained technicians can diagnose and address potential hardware issues. They will be providing solutions that might not be achievable through user-level interventions.

Before seeking professional help, it’s best to check your warranty first. If your phone is new, Samsung may replace the display for free.

A grainy display on your Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a pain. However, it is fixable. You can resolve any screen issues you may be experiencing by adjusting your settings and checking for updates, as long as they are fixable with software upgrades.

If the problem persists after attempting these remedies, Samsung Support is the next best option.