Returning S24 Ultra due to display color issues

[Members_He6BcFe]

The most discussed and frustrated part on S24 Ultra is that display colors seems to be dull. The lack of vibrant colors is clearly visible, even when compared with my S21 Ultra. Even many people said that there S10+ display colors looks much better than S24 Ultra. 
Some have suggested few solutions that improved it a bit, but for most of us those solutions didn't work or not improved it to a level where it's noticed. 
Initially Samsung team acknowledged that they are looking into it and a software update might fix it. But now, they have changed their stance and saying that users have to use various display options available in the settings to adjust the colors to their liking. Here's the link to that reply (solution as per Samsung) - https://us.community.samsung.com/t5/Galaxy-S24/S24-colors-washed-out-and-AOD-missing-options/m-p/279...

Being a Samsung ecosystem owner (Buds 2 Pro, Watch 5, S21 Ultra), this is not acceptable to me, and I'm sure it won't be acceptable to many others. I am returning my S24 Ultra. This is the only way to let Samsung listen to this issue and resolve it in an acceptable way. We can only make them listen via our wallets.

[BJR2]

I bought two S24 ultras and I am extremely disappointed that they took away the vivid display option.  They left the option to select vivid but it does very little.  Why not leave it the way it was?  Those that want natural can select natural and those that want vivid can select vivid.  Why take the consumer's ability to choose away?  It is upsetting to hear Samsung's official response that basically says we made it that way, we know better than you regarding what you want.  I am strongly considering returning my phones.  I feel let down by Samsung.  I am now beginning to look at other smartphone companies.

[Notamech]

Honestly Samsung saying that this is intended behaviour sounds like BS to me. If they wanted people to experience more real colours, isnt that what the "natural" setting is for? I feel like it may be some sort of hardware issue/ manufacturing defect that they're trying to cover up by saying its intended to be this way.

[Notamech]

Theres no need for that condescending tone. You might be ok to compromise after spending thousands of pounds others are not. To each their own. Also its not acknowledged or confirmed by samsung that they will be releasing a fix for this. That article from forbes where they say there will be a fix was based on one chat with a chat agent. There are many posts here where chat agents have said the contrary.

[uz_2024]

I think they've messed up and do not want to accept their mistake

[GalaxyKing]

Agreed this is true. Just watched 8k Peru on YouTube side by side with my S21U vs S24U and the colors/contrast/imagine detail in the background such as clouds, trees, water, etc noticeably clearer on S21U. Watched it with 3 other friends who unanimously agreed. Color and contrast is muted on S24U. You are correct in that sometimes it is more or less noticeable, but almost 100% noticeable with ALL content. Another month of user testing and this will be confirmed.

I honestly did not want this to be the case but it is absolutely true that S24U screen is a downgrade from last 3 years of phones at minimum. Probably has at least something to do with the Corning glass as glossy TVs typically offer more vibrant colors and it's makes sense due to the simple physics of light refraction and polarization that only clear glass would give the best color. Additives like extra coatings will cause more refraction and possible polarization, limiting light pass through. It's really only a matter of how much these things comprimise the final image of the screen. This is likely why Samsung has said little to nothing about this issue because it is not really fixable.

A software update could "boost" vivid colors by increasing contrast and pushing the screen harder much like turning up the OLED light on your TV but this would be at a cost of battery life and device heat and will increase the rate of screen failures. Also, such an adjustment would only somewhat fix this issue as again the refraction and polarization effect cannot be stopped. Without independently testing the new Corning glass for these parameters then it is hard to know exactly how much these play a role. One would assume that if it was an easy fix then samsung would have already released a quick update to resolve the issue.

Sad the Samsung has not really responded on this issue but seems fairly obvious that they don't want a massive recall situation on their hands and are hoping that the dust settles with minimal fallout. Would be nice to see them make an official statement to put this to rest.

[Members_Fu3ObIy]

I agree the screen is awful and washed out, but you need to write a review https://www.samsung.com/uk/smartphones/galaxy-s24-ultra/reviews/ I have done a review check it out (simondodd86), the more people who complain and/or write a one-star reviews the more Samsung will listen, they have to because people base their purchases on the basis of other customer reviews, and yes I'm still returning my S24 Ultra and getting my S23 Ultra back.

[StartMeUp]

Ditto.  I returned my S24+ on Thursday for this and two other flaws.

I wrote a Reddit post called, "24 Reasons Why I Returned my S24+", which included a YT video about 20 flaws in its design, plus others I found.

I have an S22+, so I could compare side by side.  The S24 display was flat, grainy, sterile.  Unacceptable

[AnthonyT11]

I'm in the same boat here. The screen and camera is trash compared to the S23U

[StartMeUp]

Such a shame.

At least for me, I have a upgrade path of S22+ --> S23+.

Or, hope they fix it with the S25+.

[Njguy1]

I have decided to return my S24 Ultra also. Samsung corporate has been deafeningly silent on the entire dull washed out vivid mode on the S24 Ultra. Its odd that a company that prides itself on manufacturing bright vivid television displays would decide to mute the tones on their flagship mobil phone screen. After all it is exactly those bright vivid eye popping screens which fueled their corporate success and reputation. The often quoted Spanish Samsung statment about having " intentionally toned " the S24 Ultra screen doesn't really sound valid , since a natural mode already exists on the phone for that reason . In actuality they have simple taken away the users choice to view the S24 Ultra in Natural or Vivid mode. Since a great deal of their loyal customer base purchases Samsung products because of their bright vivid screen displays , I believe this move will eventually cause them to lose customers throughout their ecosystem. I know I had ordered a Samsung watch along with my phone ( which I am also returning ), plus I have decided not to purchase a new 85" QN900C television this month as formally planned. If nothing else, Samsung owes their customers a definitive corporate stance on the issue.