For the last few days, Netflix has been playing every title with heavy pixelation and obvious compression artifacts on my Samsung Galaxy Tab S8+ (SM-X806B). The quality is poor from the start and never improves, even after letting the video buffer. This tablet streamed correctly in 1080p a couple of months ago using the same Netflix account and home network.
My Netflix Standard plan supports Full HD, and DRM Info reports Widevine Security Level L1. Netflix's playback specifications also say the tablet is capable of Full HD. The same account streams normally in 1080p on my phone, while Prime Video and YouTube look fine at 1080p on the tablet. The problem occurs on both Wi-Fi and mobile data and affects every title.
I have cleared Netflix's data and cache, reinstalled the app, tried an older app version, confirmed the per-screen data setting is High, signed out of all devices, tested another profile, tried Chrome, updated Google Play system components, powered the tablet off completely, and reset its network settings. Nothing changed. Netflix support referred me to Samsung, while Samsung referred me back to Netflix.
The tablet is now running Android 16, so I'm wondering whether a recent Android or Netflix update changed how the app handles this device. Has anyone experienced the same issue on a Samsung tablet and found a solution that does not require a factory reset?
2 Answers
This sounds like a compatibility problem introduced by an Android or Netflix update rather than a Widevine certification issue. Since the device still reports L1 and Full HD support, the stream may be getting restricted by the app’s device-specific playback profile. Unfortunately, rolling back the app usually will not help if the server is applying the restriction based on the tablet or OS version.
I’ve seen similar reports from other devices after upgrading to Android 16: Prime Video and other services remain sharp, while Netflix becomes heavily compressed. That points more toward a Netflix-and-Android compatibility regression than a problem with your internet connection, account plan, or tablet display.
The tablet is already on Android 16, and the problem may have started after that update. Unfortunately, it appears to be near the end of its software-support period, so there may not be another system update available to correct the playback issue.