Galaxy S23 owners are beginning to report an alarming screen issue after installing One UI 8.5. The complaints point to sudden vertical lines in neon green or pink, cutting through displays that were previously normal.
The timing has made the problem especially concerning because the Galaxy S23 is still widely used and has not yet been treated like an outdated device. For many owners, any display defect that appears after a system update immediately raises questions about whether the software triggered it.
Reports are mounting across user communities
The issue has surfaced in posts across Reddit, Samsung community forums, and X, where users have linked the appearance of the lines to the One UI 8.5 update. The complaints suggest more than an isolated failure, even though not every Galaxy S23 unit appears to be affected.
Current reports mention the standard Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra. So far, there have been no clearly identified reports pointing to the Galaxy S23+.
That uneven spread has led to the idea that the problem may not affect every model or every device in the same way. If heat plays a role during installation, the outcome could vary depending on the condition of each handset at the time of the update.
A thermal theory has emerged
One of the most discussed explanations is thermal stress during the update process. In that scenario, heat generated while the software is being installed could damage or loosen the display connector.
That explanation remains unconfirmed, and no official technical cause has been announced. Still, the fact that the issue appears after the update has made many users cautious about moving to One UI 8.5 too quickly.
SamMobile has also highlighted the wave of complaints, adding wider attention to what started as scattered user posts. The growing visibility has turned the matter into a broader concern among Galaxy S23 owners.
This is not the first time Samsung screens have shown this pattern
Green or pink vertical lines on Samsung devices are not a new phenomenon. Similar display problems have been reported on other Samsung phones before, including earlier Galaxy S23 units.
Because of that history, the latest wave of complaints is drawing extra concern. When a familiar issue appears again soon after a new update, users naturally worry that a recurring hardware or software trigger may be involved.
For daily users, the impact can be severe even if the phone continues to function in other respects. A permanent vertical line can disrupt the experience enough to make the device difficult to use normally.
What Galaxy S23 owners should do now
Owners who have not yet installed One UI 8.5 are being advised to hold off for now. Waiting appears to be the safer option until Samsung provides a clear explanation or a remedy for affected users.
Those who have already updated should watch the display closely and document any change as soon as it appears. Clear records of the symptoms may help when contacting after-sales support.
Samsung previously offered free display replacements for Galaxy S23 devices affected by a similar issue, with that program reportedly running until 2025. However, it is still unclear whether a new repair policy will be opened for complaints connected to One UI 8.5.
Until that becomes clear, many users are left balancing the benefits of the update against the risk of an unexpected screen defect. For a device still in active use, the safest move for now is caution.