The Galaxy A52 is one of the best Samsung smartphones released in 2021. The handset offers almost everything one needs in a smartphone at an affordable price tag. However, with the latest system update, the company appears to have broken a feature of the phone.
Samsung Galaxy A52 HDR Video Playback Brightness Issue
The Galaxy A52 flaunts a 6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED Display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 800 nits peak brightness. This panel is also HDR-certified, and therefore, it is capable of playing HDR videos on YouTube. Anyway, the device lacks certifications for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video like any other Samsung smartphone other than flagships.
But the latest June 2021 security patch update has broken HDR playback support even on YouTube. The issue is sort of weird. The YouTube app shows HDR options, however, the handset’s display does not brighten up.
I randomly came across this bug. While discussing with several other users on a Telegram group dedicated to Galaxy A52, I found out that I wasn’t the only one facing this issue.
At first, I thought the latest system update might have affected DRM certification. Hence, I installed the DRM Info app to check the status. As you can see from the screenshot, the app clearly says that the phone’s screen not only supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG but also has Widevine L1 certification.
I did come across a workaround for this bug. Unfortunately, it did not work for me. Nonetheless, it did for others, but albeit for a short period of time.
Samsung Galaxy A52 HDR Video Playback Brightness Issue Workaround
In case you have a Galaxy A52 with HDR brightness not kicking in on YouTube or while playing local videos, then follow these steps.
- Enable ‘Developer options’
- Settings > About Phone > Software information
- Tap 7 times on Build number
- Go to Settings, search for ‘Disable HW overlays’, and enable this option
This method should fix HDR brightness issue on the Galaxy A52 or any other Samsung smartphone for that matter. Anyhoo, your mileage may vary and it may not work for a long time.
Samsung Galaxy A52 HDR Video Playback Brightness Issue: What is the solution?
I think only Samsung can fix this bug via the next system update. But if you have any workaround, then do let us know in the comment section below.
Until then, all we can do is hope for Samsung to fix it with the July 2021 security patch update next month.
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