Tag: samsung touchscreen

The Evolution of Samsung Aftermarket Screens: From Incell LCD to Advanced 1:1 OLED

For years, Samsung aftermarket screens were often associated with poor display quality, missing functions, and unreliable performance. Many repair shops treated them as low-cost emergency solutions rather than serious alternatives to OEM displays.

Driven by advances in OLED manufacturing, panel engineering, and aftermarket supply chains, nowadays Samsung aftermarket screens have evolved into highly capable repair solutions for different business scenarios. For repair shops, distributors, refurbishing facilities and buyback businesses, understanding the differences between screen grades is critical.

In this article, we break down the evolution of Samsung third-party screens — from basic Incell LCDs to advanced 1:1 OLED displays — and explain which option best fits different repair needs and budgets.

Side-by-side comparison of Incell LCD, Aftermarket OLED, and 1:1 OLED screens showing differences in bezel thickness

Budget Repair Option: Incell LCD Screens

The earliest mainstream Samsung third-party screens focused primarily on affordability and functionality recovery. For many repair scenarios, Incell LCD screens still serve an important purpose today.

Widely used for:

Budget repairs
Data recovery
Temporary replacement
Low-cost resale preparation

However, their limitations are clear due to the fundamental LCD structure. Unlike OLED panels, Incell LCD displays cannot support self-emitting pixels. As a result:

True blacks appear grayish
Power efficiency is lower
Contrast performance is weaker
AOD functionality becomes limited or unavailable

Comparison of screen structures showing Aftermarket OLED with three layers and Incell LCD with five layers

More importantly, Incell structures cannot properly support Samsung’s under-display fingerprint sensor technology. This is one of the biggest compromises for users accustomed to flagship Samsung devices.

Physical construction is another challenge. Due to IC packaging and panel design limitations, Incell LCD screens often feature:

Wider bezels
Thicker chins
Smaller viewing areas
Less precise frame fitting

Mainstream Repair Option: Aftermarket OLED Screens

As market demands increased, the aftermarket industry reached a major turning point: the rise of aftermarket OLED screens. This generation significantly improved both visual quality and feature compatibility.

Because OLED technology closely mirrors OEM display architecture, these screens deliver major improvements in:

Black depth
Brightness & contrast ratio
Color saturation & color gamut
Under-display fingerprint sensor
S Pen responsiveness
Ambient light sensor function

Comparison of Incell LCD and Aftermarket OLED screens, showing the OLED's thinner bezels and more vibrant colors

A finger activates the under-display fingerprint sensor on a Samsung smartphone with an aftermarket OLED screen

For repair customers, the experience immediately feels more “premium,” meanwhile the OLED screens became the sweet spot between performance and cost.

However, early aftermarket OLED generations still had one noticeable compromise: the viewing area. Compared to original Samsung displays, this slightly reduced the active viewing area and created subtle visual differences around the corners and borders.

Comparison showing an Aftermarket OLED screen has slightly thicker bezels and a smaller viewing area than an OEM Used screen

Best For:

Mainstream repair businesses
Mid-to-high-end device repairs
Customers wanting original-like functionality
Shops prioritizing value and reliability

Premium Repair Option: Aftermarket 1:1 OLED Screens

As aftermarket technology matured, manufacturers pushed toward a new goal: achieving a true OEM-like visual experience, which led to the development of the latest innovation: aftermarket 1:1 OLED screens.

REWA aftermarket 1:1 OLED screen replacement for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra next to its packaging

Unlike earlier OLED generations, these panels feature:

Narrower chins
True 1:1 viewing areas
True right-angled corner structures
OEM-like border proportions

Side-by-side comparison of phone screens highlighting the narrower bottom bezel on the 1:1 OLED display

Comparison of two smartphone screens showing the thicker bottom chin on the left versus the narrower chin on the right

According to REWA Lab testing, the latest third-party 1:1 OLED screens demonstrate virtually no noticeable difference from OEM screens in areas such as:

Under-display fingerprint sensor
S Pen pressure sensitivity
Display performance
Ambient light sensor

For repair professionals, this represents a major evolution in aftermarket display technology. Of course, newer technologies come with higher initial manufacturing costs. This generation of OLED displays cost highest than previous ones.

Best For:

High-end Samsung users
Customers sensitive to display quality
Professional refurbishing businesses
Repair shops pursuing OEM-like results

How to Choose the Right Samsung Aftermarket Screen

Different repair scenarios require different solutions. There is no universal “best” option.

Here’s a simplified comparison:

Comparison of Samsung Aftermarket Screens for S & Note Series

Collection	OEM Used	REWA Selected 1:1 Soft OLED	REWA Selected Aftermarket OLED	Others in the market
Display Size	Original	Original	Near OEM	Small Size
Display Panel	Soft OLED	Soft OLED	Soft OLED	Incell LCD
Display Performance	High Brightness, Wide Gamut, No Color Shift	High Brightness, Wider Gamut, Rich Saturation	High Brightness, Wider Gamut, Rich Saturation	Lower Brightness, Cool Color Tone
Battery Impact	Low	Medium	Medium	High
Fit & Finish	1:1 Fit Near; OEM bezel	Excellent Fit; Near OEM bezel	Great Fit; Narrow bezel	Light leakage may exist; Thick bezel
Resolution	FHD	FHD	FHD	HD
Refresh Rate	120Hz	90Hz	90Hz	60Hz
Touch Response	High-speed response; Supports S pen	Near OEM response; Supports S pen	Near OEM response; Supports S pen	Occasionally delayed response; Unsmooth S Pen
Compatible Models	Limited	Limited	Mainstream	Selective
Supply Stability	Constrained	Steady	Steady	Variable
Price Level	High & Unstable	Slightly High	Medium & Stable	Low, but high customer complaints
Target Use Case	OEM experience, premium resale & high-quality repair	1:1 OEM display size, reliable soft OLED alternative	OEM display performance, cost-effective & stable OLED replacement	No OEM display & touch needs
Overall Rating	☆☆☆	☆☆☆☆	☆☆☆☆☆	☆☆

Frequently Asked Question

What is the difference between Incell LCD and OLED screens?

Incell LCD screens use LCD technology with backlighting, while OLED screens use self-emitting pixels. OLED offers better blacks, higher contrast, and improved compatibility with Samsung flagship features.

Why does under-display fingerprint recognition not work on some aftermarket screens?

Most Incell LCD structures cannot support Samsung’s optical under-display fingerprint technology due to structural limitations.

What does “1:1 view area” mean?

It means a display structure designed to match the OEM screen’s active display size and border proportions.

Are aftermarket OLED screens good enough for daily use?

Yes. Modern aftermarket OLED screens now provide excellent display quality and support many original Samsung features, making them suitable for everyday users.

Why are 1:1 OLED screens more expensive?

They require higher-precision glass processing, improved panel engineering, and more advanced manufacturing standards.

Which aftermarket screen is best for repair shops?

It depends on the customer’s budget and expectations. Most repair shops benefit from offering multiple grades, including budget Incell LCD, mainstream OLED, and premium 1:1 OLED options.

Conclusion

From basic Incell LCDs to advanced 1:1 OLED panels, the aftermarket industry is rapidly narrowing the gap with OEM standards through continuous material innovation and engineering improvements.

REWA selected every tier of screen discussed above on the REWA Online Shop. And it has also obtained the CE certificate. As a global repair supply chain partner, every single display undergoes rigorous inbound and outbound inspection procedures by REWA to ensure it meets REWA strict QC standards.

Technician testing a smartphone screen next to stacks of REWA screen replacement boxes and repair tools

Over the 18 years, we are committed to powering your repair business with reliable and premium products and tailored customer solutions. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

June 9, 2026

Troubleshooting Samsung S10 Touch Issues: A Step-by-Step Guide

Are you having trouble with your Samsung S10’s touchscreen? You’re not the only one. Although it’s one of the most sought-after smartphones on the market, some users have reported issues with the touchscreen. But fret not, we have you covered. This guide includes detailed step-by-step instructions on how to troubleshoot the issue.

The new online courses offered by REWA Academy focus on repairing Android phone motherboards. These courses cover various brands such as Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi, and more. Students will learn the step-by-step workflow and troubleshooting techniques that can be directly applied to real repair scenarios. In this instance, we will utilize the Android course content from REWA Academy to address a specific repair case involving the Samsung S10 model.

Diagnosing the Problem

Upon turning on the Samsung S10, it becomes evident that the touch screen isn’t functioning. Even after replacing the screen, the issue persists, pointing to a possible motherboard fault as the culprit.

To get to the root of the problem, we need to remove the motherboard for further testing. Here’s a breakdown of the steps.

1. Detach the Back Cover: Start by gently removing the back cover of the phone.

3. Protect the Camera: To safeguard the camera during the repair, apply high-temperature tape over it.

2. Remove Screws and Cover: Carefully take out the screws securing the motherboard and the cover that holds it in place.

4. Disconnect Components: Begin by disconnecting the battery flex cable and removing the front camera.

5. Disconnect the Display: Next, disconnect the display flex cable.

6. Remove the Motherboard: Carefully extract the motherboard from the phone.

7. Yank the Rear Camera Module: Lastly, remove the rear camera module to avoid any damage during the repair process.

Understanding the Components

Before diving into the repair, it’s essential to understand the key components related to the touch functionality of the Samsung S10. As per the REWA Academy course, these components include:

– HEA12000: The display and touch connector that links the screen to the motherboard.

– U12019: Supplies touch with 3.3 V and 1.8 V voltages.

– UCP5000: Responsible for communication between the screen and touch.

Troubleshooting the Faulty Component

To isolate the issue, we first measured the diode value of HEA12000. Normally, it should read around 600, but in this case, it shows 1 (infinite).

Upon inspection, we find that pin 42 of HEA12000 connects to C12022 and L12010, eventually leading to U12019.

After measurement by the multimeter, The diode value of L12010 is also 1 (infinite), indicating a problem with the inductor or related circuits. Then we remove corner adhesive with Hot Air Gun at 250 °C and airflow 3. We can see that the inductor is completely damaged.

Confirmation of the Issue

To verify that the power IC’s output voltage is normal, we connect the battery and turn on the phone. We measure one end of the inductor and find a voltage of about 3.3 V instantly. We also check the 1.8 V power supply of pin 38, which jumps to 1.5 V instantaneously. This confirms that both output voltages of U12019 are functioning correctly, affirming that the open-circuited inductor is the cause of the touch issue.

Then measure the 1.8 V power supply of pin 38 to see if it is normal. The startup voltage jumps to 1.5 V instantaneously. It indicates the two output voltages of U12019 are working fine. We can confirm now that the open-circuited inductor has resulted in the touch not working.

Repair and Testing

After identifying the problem, we replaced the defective inductor with a fresh one. Add Paste Flux to the bonding pads, then use a Soldering Iron at 380 °C to clean them. Continuously clean the bonding pads with PCB Cleaner.

Use a Hot Air Gun to solder a new inductor at 330 °C with airflow 3. After soldering, clean the bonding pads with PCB Cleaner. Proceed to measure the diode values of both the inductor and capacitor, which are found to be normal. Finally, measure the diode value of the connector, which is also normal.

After reassembling the phone, touch functionality is restored, bringing the Samsung S10 back to life.

Conclusion

Keeping up with the latest advancements and information in the ever-evolving sphere of smartphone repair is vital. At REWA Academy, we offer advanced courses for various Android phone models, providing you with the essential abilities and proficiency to tackle any repair job. Furthermore, when you subscribe to REWA Academy, you will receive complimentary access to newly added tutorials for the duration of your subscription.

November 22, 2021