Samsung Tablets hit with screen “oil slick” issues

Abe Olandres August 27, 2011 · 3 min read

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Right on the heel of the release of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Samsung Galaxy S WiFi 5.0 in the Philippines, we received a couple of reports of an “oil slick” problem appearing on the screen of the tablets.

This problem has been reported in other countries before and was documented earlier here and here.

The “oil slick” or “Newton ring” is some sort of liquid blotch that appears on the screen as shown in the photo below:

The issue appears to be caused by heat from the device and becomes worse with prolonged use.

We got some customers sending us emails about this issue. This one is for the Galaxy Tab 10.1:

Have you heard of the oil slick or newton ring issue on the Galaxy 10.1 which was released about a week ago? I’ve seen a number of reports about it since July from other countries. I got a unit during the launching and I found out that I have the same issue, in addition to a dead pixel. – Macjune

Here’s another one:

Currently, the “oil slick” is about 3.5″ long by 0.5″ wide. For the first unit I got last Sunday (21 Aug) from GB5, I only discovered the problem on Tuesday (23 Aug) when I removed the original “plastic” cover. It’s almost the same size right now.

The replacement (second) unit I received last Tuesday evening doesn’t have the “oil slick” problem when they released it to me. However, the next day after just a few hours of use, the problem re-appeared starting at the center and expands to the left and right of the screen. It slowly increased its length from just 0.5″ to 3.5″ now.

The problem is quite annoying if you’re running an app with white or black background or if the LCD is off. However, the performance of the tab is not affected somewhat. Although there are apps that I installed which seems the tab is not responding to touch like the Pumpkins vs Monsters and sometimes even using the Android Market app. – Edwin

These could have been isolated issues and may happen to a small batch of units shipped to the Philippines so we’ve sought comment from Samsung Philippines about this. Will update once we get official word.

Update: Samsung Philippines responded to our inquiry and admitted that they are aware of the issue:

Samsung Electronics Philippines Corporation is aware of limited number of customers who have experienced “watermarks” appearing on the screen of their GALAXY Tab 10.1. Affected customers are encouraged to contact the Samsung customer service center at 5805777 to receive further assistance. Samsung is committed to providing a high-quality experience for its mobile users and fulfilling our complete commitment to customer satisfaction.

We received a few more comments from people affected with the same issues on their tablets since we posted this story. I suggest contacting Samsung on the number provided above.

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

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192 Comments

jason · 15 years ago

have the same problem here.. What if i bought this from amazon in the states? Do you think samsung philippines would still replace the product? Wala pang 1 month ito nagamit at ganito na siya may oil slick problem sa gitna…

Mustafa · 15 years ago

I purchase the tab 10.1 in Dubai and just after three weeks, this problem of “oil slik” appear in the middle of screen. I given this tab to service center, they will reply me after two days ie 27-sep-2011. Let see whats they say….

rain · 15 years ago

we bought 11 units 2 weeks ago in makati, 5 has this oil slick. samsung promised to pick-up the units today. if you happen to be unaware that this is a manufacturing defects, you’ll end up taking lousy excuses from Samsung. Thanks to websites like this. I just hope they’re not re-issuing defective pulled-out units.

Klein · 15 years ago

I have purchased the 10.1 in Germany where I live. 3 weeks later the oil slick developed. The dealer refused the 1:1 exchange. The service lady at the dealer greeted me by saying, “you too have this problem?”. 1 week after giving the Tab back for service, no response yet. The problem is that Apple has managed to get a court ordered stop on sales in Germany and the dealer will not get any replacement units due to the court order. Hence no 1:1 exchange from the dealer!

pops · 15 years ago

I am one of the victims! It appeared just today. I purchased the tab last thursday. 5days! Wow! Wonderful device! Anyway, some are lucky to get their replacements but some are not. What’s the official Samsung stand in this problem?

iamwill · 15 years ago

Hi.. does anyone have a 10.1 without any issue?? I had my unit replaced @ fonestyle sm north.and they told me that they can only replace unit once..but then the 2nd unit have newton’s ring.. im planning to return it and ask for other products or for a refund if this will materialize. Im so pissed with samsung! They should have not released those defective products!

RAY · 15 years ago

I went to so moa today, until now wala padin replacement unit ko, I was by head office 3-5 days lng, its been more than a week na.

gora · 15 years ago

I guess medyo maswerte pako, pinalitan sa sm north yng unit ko with rings, tinanong k nung pinapalitan nila kung same batch pa din yng replacement, sabi nila hinde na coz this one came from a different dealer- since having it replaced one week after the pre-launch, wala pa ding rings! Un lang nagnetwork sim lock na after 2 weeks, pero ok na to kesa me newton rings uli! (ano ba yan, nagse-settle na lang tayo sa sub-par service o product! ).

gora · 15 years ago

Alex Zee · 15 years ago

I guess I’m the luckiest guy who owns a TAb 10.1!

I got my 1st unit from Greenbelt5, then have it replaced due to dead-pixel just after 4 days, NOW, it’s been 4 days that my tab has stopped accepting any simcard and giving “SIM network unlock PIN” error, after Googling a bit, I noticed there have been numerous reports of network-sudden-lock issue on Galaxy TAB 7″ series as well!

The device, right after 7-days of being factory-unlocked, starting to lock itself to an unknown carrier/network !

So I had to go to Samsung North-EDSA, again, and was told that they have to do a software-update along with an IMEI override of sort, in order to have it unlocked!

Yeah! I’m feeling so lucky! And oh, the dealer just told me that I’m the 3rd clients with this issue in past few days, however Samsung rep told me that I’m the 2nd one who has brought their P7500 to their branch with network-lock issue.

I can’t wait to see when am I going to have that infamous oil-slick-thingy as well to make my collection complete!?

Helen K · 15 years ago

@paul – complete rubbish isn’t it? I am from the UK and called them this morning – they just kept asking me to try completely obvious and non-working ‘resets’ and call back, as if I have hours of my day to waste on hold. From what I can see on google there are plenty of UK people reporting the problem, they just aren’t LOGGING the issue. When is the UK going to follow in the Philipppines footsteps and put customer service first!!?

Paul Maidment · 15 years ago

Just called Samsung in the UK, they say that nobody in the UK has reported this issue, would be interesting to see other UK users posting the date on which they contacted Samsung to verify or discredit the claims made by Samsung.

Ray · 15 years ago

Just been in moa and requested for unit replacement, they told me, it wil take 3 weeks for approval, really pisses me off, they told me this is normal, that’s bull. Samsung need to do something about this. Samsung korea already acknowledge this problem as manufacturing defects, they also mention that users can exchange defective devices within 14 days of purchase.

cute_drew · 15 years ago

San shop sa MOA mo nabili? Am goin to MOA later to return mine for the 2nd Time..

Ray · 15 years ago

I got mine from greenbelt 5 last aug, 21 advance sale ng samsung, i reserve online, its been 12 days kc kya i decided to go nlng sa samsung branch mismo,

samsung_regret · 15 years ago

wow sobra na tong samsung.

i also made my reservation for the pre order launch of samsung galaxy tab 10.1. but after my experience from their pre launch of samsung galaxy s2 phone last july in rockwell, i decided not to go.

im not from manila. so when my phone had an issue, SOBRANG HASSLE to come back from baguio-manila-baguio (round trip) just to get a replacement of my phone. tapos pressure pang habulin yung “7 days outright replacement” or else for repair na sa service center yung unit. who wants to have a recently bought-week old device na for repairs agad? buti sana kung abutin lang ng isang araw yung repair.

i sympathize with those people who bought their units with issues. nabasa ko pang may mga shops na walang 7 days replacement nakow! i know some people don’t have a problem earning P30K, pero come on samsung, people worked hard for that money. the least samsung could do is to make their purchase worth it. with those kind of prices, your products shold be considered as “premium” quality.

from now on, i’m staying away from Samsung products, to think i was supposed to buy my LED TV. SO DISAPPOINTED. Samsung lost one customer in me.

Good luck to those with problems. Hope your issues would be resolved soon.

Kitty Price · 15 years ago

It seems so many of us are having the “oil slick” problem.
Is there going to be a recall from Samsung?
You would have thought there were test before the product was released to the public.

laben8 · 15 years ago

just sharing; experience on newton rings issue. two causes for me. temperature and pressure. when you use in direct sunlight, chances are newton rings. when you hold the tablet long enough such that there is pressure in front of the screen, or placed the tablet in a bag, chances are newton rings.

but it comes and it goes. one method i use is to push the four corners of the tablet while it is placed flat on a table top, thus no newton rings, but it comes back again. second is stay in a cold room, i have it with me in the office all day and newton rings does not return. i have not been desperate as to put it on the fridge though.

of course i wish samsung would just recall this and give us those spanking new galaxy tab 7.7, but hey who am i joking. wishful thinking.

by the way, not only the newton rings issue. samsung (albeit, nvidia) promises 1080p playback on this tablet. and guess what, i don’t know anyone who has done that. false advertisement.

but not all is bad, the display is just way ahead at the 10-in tablets. but super amoled plus on 7.7inches, i think it would be better.

Specter_Phi · 15 years ago

NORMAL? don’t try to piss us with this statement samsung. its an expensive gadget and we deserve a better gadget. Don’t pass the problem to us. Its a design defect that needs to be udjusted.

Mac · 15 years ago

The first unit I got at the launch had a dead pixel and that pesky newton ring. The replacement is better and hopefully won’t encounter the Newton ring.

@Abe perhaps you can influence Samsung (media pressure) to provide extended warranty or recall to their faulty product.

cute_drew · 15 years ago

NORMAL?!?! What if I told you that the dent on your Brand New Car is NORMAL!!

At this price range this is unacceptable!

Am on my second unit and having the Newton Rings!

Sana nag Iconia nalang ako mas mura pa…

Planning to return my Tab on Saturday!

luis · 15 years ago

go go go! return mo na yan!

jepoy · 15 years ago

I called Samsung service center in MOA a while ago and they are aware of this issue, however they were advised by Samsung PH that the newton ring is NORMAL for all tab 10.1 and therefore no repair or replacement is needed.

garz · 15 years ago

Sana naman hindi mangyari to sa galaxy s2..

Habib · 15 years ago

mine has this problem too. i brought it to the samsung repair center and they said they gonna replace it.

anony · 15 years ago

did you get the unit at GB-5 pre-launch? Pls give us update on your 2nd unit

Habib · 15 years ago

yup.

Habib · 15 years ago

I just got the replacement of my tab. I asked the customer rep why it occur to many who bought on pre-order unit online, he said that the problem is on the case and they are now fixing it and my new unit ” might ” have been remedied. I hope so.

Ray · 15 years ago

Where did you get ur replacement? Am still waiting for my tab replacement. It’s been more than a week now.

Habib · 15 years ago

At aurhorized repair center here in zamboanga city.

Habib · 15 years ago

At EMC zamboanga

Habib · 15 years ago

My galaxy tab is asking for SIM NETWORK UNLOCK CODE. I’m using globe tatoo prepaid sim. I’ve been using it for a month and suddenly just locked up.
Sir Abe help.

Habib · 15 years ago

Sir Abe help… My galaxy tab 10.1 is asking for SIM NETWORK UNLOCK CODE. I’m using globe tatoo prepaid sim. I’ve been using it for a month and suddenly just locked up.

Alex · 15 years ago

Different story here, my pre-order SGt 10.1 got dead-pixel and based on their experience, I was the first person in the Philippines who had such issue with this batch of Tab 10.1, it happened just after 4 days! However they had it replaced with another one!

Lester Bambico · 15 years ago

papirmahan mo na lang kay Steve Ballmer. “Mr. Ballmer, would you sign my mac?“

lupita · 15 years ago

nakakadisappoint naman! sana un 8.9 alang ganyang prob! :(

toks · 15 years ago

nangyayari yung ganyan kc ndi kagaya ng samsung tab yung screen ng ipad which is bonded yung front glass at lcd. ndi ganun sa samsung kaya kapag uminit ung lcd, dumitikit sa front glass at nag kcreate ng newton rings at oil slick.

FU · 15 years ago

try nyo ilagay sa lagayan ng bigas para maabsorb yang liquid na yan.

John · 15 years ago

samsung = poor quality

natatandaan ko dati yung dalawang phone na ginamit ng kapatid ko from samsung.. yung isa samsung jet, nasira agad yung 3.5mm jack, nasama pati screen, buti my warranty, pero hassle.

simula nun, hindi na kami tumitingin sa samsung.. buti sana kung cheap looking lang ang mga deveice nila, eh talagang cheap materials ang ginagamit.. oo, matataas ang specs, pero kung patibayan lang sobrang bulok nila.

EdwinC · 15 years ago

Kahit pala sa gadget – nobody is perfect.

AnneSJ · 15 years ago

Got mine during the prelaunch event @ GB5. I saw this issue a week after buying it and its starting to get really annoying. I called Samsung’s main office already and they just asked me to call a service center for repair. FLASHER (ctr5 during the prelaunch event @GB5) doesn’t accept replacements at all bec they were advised by Samsung that all repairs/replacements should be done bet Samsung’s authorized service centers.

Anyway I got to talk to a tech staff in a service center @ SM Megamall (JANBC) and said they only accept repairs. Replacements should be done between the seller only.

What’s surprising is that they say this issue is NORMAL (wth?!?!) because they have the same ‘oil-slick issue’ with their demo unit as well. I even informed their service crew that in certain countries, this is a recurring issue and that it garners instant replacement.

This is just so sad and upsetting as I’ve waited months for me to get my hands on this product. But now, all I have is a “factory defective” product which I’m now stuck with. There goes my 30k bucks.

I’m now looking for a solution to this. So far, blower and fridge technique isn’t working. Does anyone know of another fix for this? I don’t want to be ‘tab-less’ for a week/month if I turn to a service center.

jepoy · 15 years ago

then goodluck to us :(

Og · 15 years ago

Swertihan lang kung saang store ka napunta nung pre-launch promo… Ako nagpunta sa Cellway, which has great after-sales service, they acknowledged the defect and replaced the tab, no questions asked and very friendly service.
Honestly, kahit di napalitan yung tab k with newton rings ok lang din, di sya visible when you’re using it except when you’re browsing with a black or white background… My iPad2 got shelved in the cabinet, I prefer using the tab now especially with apps like tubemate and gPod

jlapitan · 15 years ago

knina lng dn ngkron ng rings un tab ko, i called the number on my receipt, flasher cp repair and accessories and i ask about the replacement warranty… wala daw…. ddlhin ko dw s samsung service center… the flasher i think was counter #5 during the preorder release on greenbelt last aug21…sana maayos n tong issue n to….

Jepoy · 15 years ago

Same here. I got mine at counter 5 flasher. My 1st unit was sim-locked to smart and have it replaced by flasher. The 2nd unit has this oil slick issue and im still waiting for samsung’s advise.

jlapitan · 15 years ago

for more than a week, my globe sim works on the tablet, and then this morning, bglang ayaw n gumana ni globe sim ko..

nghhnap ng sim unlock pin.. bad3p..

Pinoy shopping guide · 15 years ago

Dapat dito irecall lahat eh… quality issue ito. They should address to it immediately.

Levsky · 15 years ago

bakit di na lang i pa recall ng samsung yung mga products nila na may problema.

tikyo · 15 years ago

i have a ring worm on my stomach about 2″ x 2″ becoz i always rest my ipad on it. :)

laben8 · 15 years ago

ok, just noticed my galaxy tab also suffers from the newton rings problem just today. thinking if i will go to samsung.

TOPZ · 15 years ago

@ Prinz

Why not try going to Fone Style Accessories @ 5th Level SM North EDSA RIGHT NOW. I think you can still haggle with them for a replacement unit or like me you can have it replaced by other Samsung units or even other brands such as HTC Flyer or Blackberry Playbook of course plus an additional cash!

Prinz · 15 years ago

I have this problem too. Can anyone share their experiences having it replaced?

TOPZ · 15 years ago

If it still within the 7 days replacement period you can have it replaced only twice after which if the 3rd unit is still faulty you need to go to the Samsung Service Center for repair or replacement (if approved). I’m quite disappointed that the 2nd unit is still had the “oil slick” that I ended up getting it replaced by two different units – the old trusty Galaxy Tab P1000 and Galaxy Fit plus cash. Not a good bargain though but at least I won’t dare try a 3rd unit which may have the same problem. I’ll just wait until all these hardware issues/problems will be resolved. I should have bought an ASUS Transformer with dock instead 8-(

Prinz · 15 years ago

Thanks for the reply TOPZ. My problem is I got it during the pre launch last sunday and samsung has no office today and it’s a long weekend until tuesday. You think samsung service will accept it? It’s a great tablet, I’m just saddened by the defect.

TOPZ · 15 years ago

Beware, too that the Tab 10.1 stock video player can’t play several video formats unlike the old P1000 and there are several apps that won’t run on it. For almost 6 days I have the Tab 10.1 I got disappointed when I transferred some videos from my Tab P1000 particularly matroska files. The Tab 10.1 stock video player can’t play those videos and some divx/avi files too. I had to install MoboPlayer to play these videos but most have problems with the audio-video not in sync. That’s why I negotiated for the Tab 10.1 replacement for a new P1000 and the Fit instead of getting a 3rd unit.

TOPZ · 15 years ago

@ Prinz

Oh, oh…. You don’t have a choice but to go to a Samsung Service Center. I suggest that you go their Greenhills/San Juan Office since there’s not much customers there compared to that in other offices such as that in SM North EDSA. Actually, I already went there in Greenhills last Tuesday (23 Aug) and they told me that if it is within the 7-day period it is better to take it back to the retailer/supplier for immediate replacement since if you opt instead to their service centers it will take at least ONE WEEK for repair or replacement. Note that it will need prior approval from higher ups to have it replaced by a NEW unit.

Prinz · 15 years ago

I think I’ll just have them repair the LCD. I don’t wanna get a 7″ because it won’t run on Honeycomb. Also, my area has HSDPA+/4G which the tab runs on. Bilis! Eh if I return to the 7″ it’s just 3G or H.

Doug26 · 15 years ago

Interesting issue raised there. Still waiting for samsung guys to release statement. It seems that it also raised concern in the UK. http://www.pdfdevices.com/samsung-galaxy-tab-10-1-users-in-uk-tired-of-lag-and-oil-slick/

wengweng2003 · 15 years ago

Basta po ba amoled prone sa ganito? Pati po b ang galaxy s2?

damo · 15 years ago

same problem..
pero sa Ipad naman..
nd ba nila chine-check ang mga
problems..bago i-ship..
hayss.
:(

kapeng puro · 15 years ago

hmmm…i smell some quality check fail at samsung.
this news prevents me from buying any of their gadgets. first, i have read a forum at tipidpc discussing a faulty samsung laptop and how terrible their customer service is. and now, this news! such horrible news.

samsung, you better make sure that your products have successfully undergone a strict quality check before selling it. this makes you no different from those cheapstake china manufacturers.

fr0stbyte · 15 years ago

This a known issue with their laptops. Mas madami ang cases ng faults with Samsung laptops pero for not for the rest of their product line-up. Saw a lot complaints from the members of TipidPC one time.

Mai · 15 years ago

Got this on my SGSII, too

Jepoy · 15 years ago

I have the same issue with my tab 10.1 (pre-order unit at GB5) i hope samsung ph will address the issue properly.

techjunkeez · 15 years ago

Excited pa naman ako sa kahihintay. any news regarding the 8.9″ version? yun ang inaabangan ko eh. thanks.

Luis · 15 years ago

ayan kasi walang ginawa kundi manggaya sa apple… tsk tsk

EAT · 15 years ago

Huh?
O.T. Lang po luis.
Samsung supplied some LCD panels for APPLE.
:)

fr0stbyte · 15 years ago

OWNED by EAT!! High five EAT!!!

john · 15 years ago

@EAT

actually, Apple design them.. sa samsung lang pinagawa.. parang yung nakikita mo sa box ng iphone.. “designed by apple, made in china”

meaning, apple parin ang may hawak kung ano ang materials, cost, etc etc.. parang workers ng apple ang samsung..

Samsun Sucks · 15 years ago

Samsung kasi.. Very unreliable… even their laptops nakdalawang balik ako sa service center just a month after purchase..

jay · 15 years ago

i remember a friend who had the same issue with her phone years back. there was an oil that seems to be stuck inside the screen. and now i have the same problem with my phone. it got bigger and bigger until it covered the entire screen. i just joke around and call it “screen cancer”. i guess samsung really have problems with their screens.

petken · 15 years ago

I have the same issue with my Samsung Jet. The oil slick appears once in a while at the center of the AMOLED screen. It goes back to normal after a while. I got used to it and besides in only appears once in a while.