Samsung Galaxy S9+ Screen Replacement Guide

The Galaxy S9+ (SM-G965) has a curved 6.2-inch OLED screen, so a cracked or black display means replacing the full OLED and digitiser assembly. This guide covers diagnosis, flickering fixes, what the repair involves, costs and how to buy the right screen.

By the E-Tech61 team, Manchester 10 min read

If your Samsung Galaxy S9+ screen is cracked, black, flickering or not responding to touch, the fix is a replacement OLED screen and touch digitiser assembly made for the SM-G965. On the S9+, the curved front glass is bonded to the OLED panel, so you cannot replace the glass alone. The repair means removing the glass back, disconnecting the battery, and heating and lifting the curved screen from the frame, which is delicate work best done by a professional or an experienced DIYer. At E-Tech61, the OEM standard Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965) OLED screen is £75.59 (checked 15 October 2026). This guide explains how to confirm the screen is the problem, quick fixes for flickering, what the repair involves and how to order the right part.

Galaxy S9+ display basics

Samsung released the Galaxy S9 and S9+ in March 2018, as covered in Wikipedia's Galaxy S9 article. The S9+ has a 6.2-inch Super AMOLED Infinity Display with a 1440 x 2960 resolution and curved edges. AMOLED panels light each pixel individually, giving deep blacks and strong contrast; Wikipedia's AMOLED article explains the technology.

The S9+ model code is SM-G965 (UK models usually show SM-G965F). The standard Galaxy S9 is SM-G960F, a smaller phone with a 5.8-inch screen. Their screens are not interchangeable. Check your model in Settings > About phone; it is also printed on the box.

Is it the screen? Diagnose first

Symptom Likely cause What to do
Cracked glass, display and touch still working Broken front glass Full screen assembly replacement (glass is bonded to the OLED)
Black or purple ink-like patches spreading Damaged OLED panel Replace the screen soon; damage often spreads
Green, pink or white vertical lines OLED or display connector damage Reseat the connector; replace the screen if lines remain
Phone rings and vibrates but the screen is black Failed OLED or loose display connector Test with a forced restart first; then screen replacement
Touch dead in areas or phantom touches Damaged digitiser Screen assembly replacement
Flickering at low brightness Software, brightness settings or early panel failure Try the software fixes below first
Screen lifting from the frame Swollen battery or failed adhesive Stop charging; check the battery before replacing the screen

A lifting screen needs care. A swollen lithium-ion battery can push the screen or back glass away from the frame. Do not press it back down or keep charging the phone. Replace the battery first; E-Tech61 lists a Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965F) 3500mAh battery.

How to fix a flickering Galaxy S9+ screen

Before buying a screen for flickering, try these steps. If flickering is caused by software or settings, they can fix it for free:

  1. Restart the phone. Hold Power and Volume Down until it restarts.
  2. Turn off adaptive brightness and set brightness manually above 30%. OLED panels can flicker at very low brightness.
  3. Disable blue light filters and night modes from third-party apps, which can cause flicker on some panels.
  4. Boot into Safe Mode. If flicker stops in Safe Mode, a downloaded app is the cause; uninstall recent apps one by one.
  5. Update the software in Settings > Software update.
  6. Clear the system cache from recovery mode, or as a last resort back up and factory reset.

If the flicker continues after a reset, especially with lines or patches, the OLED panel is failing and needs replacing. Samsung's UK support pages include general troubleshooting steps for Galaxy phones.

What the Galaxy S9+ screen repair involves

The S9+ is glued together on both sides, which makes screen replacement harder than on phones with screws. Here is an outline so you can judge whether to do it yourself.

Tools you need

  • A heat source (heat mat, heat gun on low, or hairdryer).
  • Suction cups and thin plastic opening picks.
  • Phillips #00 screwdriver.
  • Plastic spudger and tweezers.
  • Isopropyl alcohol (high purity) for cleaning adhesive.
  • New adhesive for the back glass and the screen.
  • Eye protection: broken glass and curved OLEDs can shatter when prised.

Outline of the steps

  1. Power off and remove the SIM tray.
  2. Remove the back glass. Heat the back evenly, lift with a suction cup and slice the adhesive with picks. Work slowly around the camera and fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint reader flex runs to the back glass area, so do not push picks in deeply near it.
  3. Remove the wireless charging and NFC coil assembly by unscrewing it and lifting it away.
  4. Disconnect the battery first, then disconnect the display connector.
  5. Heat the screen along the curved edges and work picks under the glass from the edge, keeping them shallow. The curved edges crack easily; even heat and patience are essential.
  6. Feed the display flex out through its slot in the frame and remove the old screen.
  7. Prepare the frame. Remove all old adhesive and glass fragments and clean with isopropyl alcohol.
  8. Test the new screen before gluing. Feed the flex through, connect the screen and battery, power on and check display, touch across the whole screen including the edges, brightness, the proximity sensor and the earpiece.
  9. Glue and close. Apply new screen adhesive, seat the screen, clamp gently while it cures, then refit the coil, reconnect and reseal the back glass with new adhesive.

E-Tech61 recommends professional installation for this screen and asks you to test the part before final installation: applying adhesive or glue to the screen voids change-of-mind returns, though your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for faulty or not-as-described items are unaffected.

Risks to know about

  • Cracking the new curved screen during fitting, usually from uneven pressure.
  • Tearing the display flex when feeding it through the frame.
  • Breaking the back glass during removal; replacement battery covers are available.
  • Damaging the fingerprint sensor flex, which stops fingerprint unlock working.
  • Losing water resistance. The S9+ was IP68 rated when new, but reopening it breaks the factory seals. New adhesive helps, but do not rely on water resistance after a repair.

Battery work carries its own risk: puncturing or bending a lithium-ion battery can cause fire. Never pry against the battery, and dispose of damaged batteries at a proper battery recycling point.

DIY or repair shop?

DIY Repair shop
Cost Screen, adhesive and tools Screen plus labour
Risk Higher: curved OLEDs and back glass crack easily Lower: experienced technicians and the right equipment
Time Several hours for a first attempt, plus adhesive curing Often same day
Best for People who have opened glued Samsung phones before Most owners

If you buy the screen yourself and take it to a local shop for fitting, agree in advance that they will test it before gluing, so any issue can be raised while the part is still returnable.

After the repair: setup and care

Once the new screen is fitted, give the adhesive time to cure before heavy use, ideally a few hours with the phone resting screen down under light, even pressure. Then check the following: the fingerprint sensor on the back still unlocks the phone, the proximity sensor turns the screen off during calls, auto-brightness responds to light, and touch works right to the curved edges. If you use Edge panels, re-enable them in display settings. Fit a screen protector designed for curved screens, because flat protectors lift at the edges, and use a case with a raised lip. OLED panels can show image retention if a static image stays on screen for long periods at high brightness, so use a screen timeout and avoid leaving navigation apps at full brightness for hours on end.

How much does a Galaxy S9+ screen replacement cost?

The main costs are the screen, adhesive and tools if you DIY, or the screen plus labour if a repair shop fits it. The E-Tech61 Galaxy S9 Plus OLED screen is £75.59 (checked 15 October 2026). Repair shops set their own labour charges, so ask for a quote that states which screen grade they will use. Samsung's own UK repair service is another route; check whether older models are still supported and what it costs.

Because the S9+ is now an older phone, weigh the repair against its overall condition. If the battery is also tired, replacing both while the phone is open saves labour and adhesive. If several parts are failing, putting the money towards a newer phone may make more sense.

Choosing the right S9+ screen

OLED screens for the S9+ vary in grade. E-Tech61's screen for the SM-G965 is OEM standard: an OLED screen and touch digitiser that replaces a cracked, blank or unresponsive screen, covering the display and touch layer in one part. Points to check on any listing:

  • Model code: it must be listed for SM-G965. The S9 (SM-G960F) screen will not fit.
  • Display type: OLED. Some cheaper screens for older Samsungs use LCD or lower-grade panels, which can look duller, use more power and stop the in-display features working as expected.
  • With or without frame: a screen without a frame needs careful gluing into your existing frame; a screen with a frame needs every internal part transferred. Check what is included.
  • Returns policy for testing before gluing.
For Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965) OLED Screen ReplacementBuy now – £75.59

Other S9+ parts you may need

Because the S9+ is glued shut on both sides, every opening carries some risk, so it makes sense to replace any other worn parts in the same session rather than opening the phone twice.

A screen repair is a good time to fix other worn or damaged parts. E-Tech61's Galaxy S9 Plus G965F parts collection includes the 3500mAh battery, battery covers with adhesive in several colours, the front camera, the rear main camera module, the earpiece speaker, the charging port flex, fingerprint readers and the proximity and ambient light sensor flex. For example, if the back glass cracks while opening, a Galaxy S9 Plus battery cover with adhesive replaces it.

If you repair other Samsung models, our guides cover the Galaxy S8 screen replacement, Galaxy S8 Plus OLED replacement, S22 Ultra screen replacement kits and S21 Ultra battery replacement. Newer Samsung parts are in collections such as Galaxy S23 Plus parts.

Ordering from E-Tech61

Orders paid before 4pm Monday to Friday are dispatched the same day from our Manchester warehouse; later, weekend and bank holiday orders go out the next working day. Royal Mail Tracked 48 is free on UK orders of £5 or more (£2.49 below that), Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm is available at checkout, and you can collect from our shop at 33 Moulton St, Manchester M8 8FQ. Unused items can be returned within 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

How do I replace a Samsung S9 Plus screen?

Remove the back glass with heat, take out the wireless charging coil, disconnect the battery and display, heat and lift the curved screen, feed the flex out, then test, glue and close with new adhesive. Professional fitting is recommended.

Can I replace just the glass on a Galaxy S9+?

Not practically. The glass is bonded to the OLED panel, so DIY repairs and most shops replace the full OLED and digitiser assembly. Glass-only refurbishing needs specialist equipment.

How much is a Samsung S9 Plus screen?

E-Tech61's OEM standard Galaxy S9 Plus (SM-G965) OLED screen is £75.59, checked 15 October 2026. Repair shops add labour, so ask for a full quote before booking.

Why is my Galaxy S9+ screen flickering?

Low brightness, adaptive brightness, third-party apps or a failing OLED panel can cause flicker. Try a restart, manual brightness, Safe Mode and updates first; if flicker persists with lines or patches, replace the screen.

Does the Galaxy S9 screen fit the S9+?

No. The S9 (SM-G960F) has a smaller 5.8-inch screen. The S9+ (SM-G965) needs its own 6.2-inch screen.

Summary

A cracked, black or failing Galaxy S9+ display needs a full SM-G965 OLED screen and digitiser assembly. Try software fixes for flickering first, check for a swollen battery if the screen is lifting, and choose professional fitting unless you are confident with curved glued screens. Test the new screen before gluing, and replace the battery at the same time if it is worn.