Samsung Note 20 Ultra Dotted Panel

A screen that has a dot or grid pattern is often a sign of one of the following problems:

• Physical or internal damage: Dropping the phone can cause the internal components of the display to break, resulting in black, white, or colored spots and lines that spread across the screen over time.
• Wear and tear (burn-in): If a static image is displayed for too long, it can leave a permanent “ghost” image or pattern on the screen. The dotted pattern you see could be the faded grid of a past interface element.
• Manufacturing flaws: Some OLED and AMOLED displays can have minor imperfections that appear as a faint grid or other flaws. These are sometimes referred to as “B-grade” displays.
• Water or moisture damage: Exposure to liquid can interfere with the display’s internal connections, causing visual artifacts like lines or dots.
• Screen protector issues: A low-quality screen protector can sometimes have a faint grid of dots that is only visible in certain lighting conditions. This is not damage to the phone itself. 

What to do about a dotted panel

• Assess the cause: Check if a screen protector is causing the issue. If it is, removing and replacing it may solve the problem. If you dropped your phone, the panel is likely internally damaged.
• Check your warranty: If the phone is relatively new and you did not drop it, contact Samsung to see if the issue is covered under warranty as a manufacturing defect. Be aware that Samsung’s warranty typically does not cover physical damage.
• Seek professional repair: If your phone is out of warranty or the damage was self-inflicted, a screen replacement is the only way to fix a physical panel defect. A professional repair service, such as uBreakiFix, can run a diagnostic to confirm the problem.
• Consider DIY repair: There are also guides and parts available for do-it-yourself screen repair. However, this is a very difficult process for an inexperienced person and could lead to further damage.