Where is the light sensor on the iPhone 4?

HarryT · 07-03-2010, 07:19 AM

I've discovered that the leather case I have for my iPhone 4 obviously covers up the light sensor since, when it's in the case, the screen is on minimum brightness. Does anyone have a picture showing where the light sensor is, so that I can punch a hole in the case in the correct place?

Thanks!

GeoffC · 07-03-2010, 08:43 AM

I googled this ... Any use ?

http://www.tested.com/news/how-iphon...low-light/396/

GeoffC · 07-03-2010, 08:44 AM

mmm perhaps not, that relates to the camera - sorry ....

GeoffC · 07-03-2010, 08:49 AM

Camouflaged behind the black glass where you can't see them except with a bright flashlight are two more sensors: a proximity sensor that shuts off the screen illumination and touch sensitivity when the phone is against your head (it works only in the Phone application), and an ambient-light sensor that brightens the display when you're in sunlight and dims it in darker places.

Apple says that it experimented with having the light sensor active all the time, but it was weird to have the screen get brighter and darker all the time. So the sensor now samples the ambient light, and adjusts the brightness; it does this only once--each time you unlock the phone after waking it.

You can use that tip to your advantage. By covering up the sensor (just above the earpiece) as you unlock the phone, you force it to a low-power, dim screen-brightness setting (because the phone believes that it's in a dark room). Or by holding it up to a light as you wake it, you get full brightness. In both cases, you've saved all the taps and navigation it would have taken you to find the manual brightness slider in Settings.

GeoffC · 07-03-2010, 09:04 AM

probably not correct ... ?

Looks like you're going to have to try and work it out by covering parts of the case and seeing if there is any reaction .....

HarryT · 07-03-2010, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffC

Camouflaged behind the black glass where you can't see them except with a bright flashlight are two more sensors: a proximity sensor that shuts off the screen illumination and touch sensitivity when the phone is against your head (it works only in the Phone application), and an ambient-light sensor that brightens the display when you're in sunlight and dims it in darker places.

Yes, it's that ambient light sensor that I'm referring to. My problem is that I don't know where it is

.

Bremen Cole · 07-03-2010, 11:22 AM

Interesting because the case I use for my old 3G covered the sensor. I got the leather case for an insane low price, and I think that was part of the reason.... a design flaw.... anyway, I cut a little hole in the leather, and it's been great for almost 2 years now.

The sensor is not visible on the 3G ether. I discovered it by calling a number and putting my finger around on the screen... on mine the sensor is just to the left of the "speaker" at the top, where you put your ear....

Kolenka · 07-03-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Yes, it's that ambient light sensor that I'm referring to. My problem is that I don't know where it is

.

On the 3GS, the proximity sensor and light sensor were both right above the speaker on the top. They seem to be in roughly the same spot on the iPhone 4.

HarryT · 07-03-2010, 12:00 PM

So would you think it's around where I've put the red blob on the attached picture?

Kolenka · 07-03-2010, 12:14 PM

Roughly, yes... the proximity sensor is there, and the ambient light sensor is usually right next to it.

Bremen Cole · 07-03-2010, 02:25 PM

Before cutting your case I highly recommend testing as I did to be 100% sure of the location.

FourOhFour · 07-03-2010, 03:48 PM

Look at the pictures of the white iPhone, the sensor appears silver. It's about half the width of the earpiece, centered in the space above the earpiece. Under bright light, it appears dark red on the black iPhone.

HarryT · 07-03-2010, 03:54 PM

Thanks for that. After reading your post I tried shining a torch onto my iPhone and you're right - it's visible through the glass as a narrow red horizontal strip, about 2/3 of the distance up between the earpiece and the top of the phone.

I'll cut a "notch" in the top of my case to expose it to the light - that should fix the problem.

GeoffC · 07-04-2010, 05:16 AM

Eagerly waiting to see if all has been solved ....

HarryT · 07-04-2010, 05:22 AM

Yes, that's worked beautifully

.

07-03-2010, 07:19 AM	#1
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Where is the light sensor on the iPhone 4? I've discovered that the leather case I have for my iPhone 4 obviously covers up the light sensor since, when it's in the case, the screen is on minimum brightness. Does anyone have a picture showing where the light sensor is, so that I can punch a hole in the case in the correct place? Thanks!

07-03-2010, 12:00 PM	#9
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	So would you think it's around where I've put the red blob on the attached picture? Attached Thumbnails

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07-03-2010, 08:43 AM	#2
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	I googled this ... Any use ? http://www.tested.com/news/how-iphon...low-light/396/

07-03-2010, 08:44 AM	#3
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	mmm perhaps not, that relates to the camera - sorry ....

07-03-2010, 08:49 AM	#4
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Camouflaged behind the black glass where you can't see them except with a bright flashlight are two more sensors: a proximity sensor that shuts off the screen illumination and touch sensitivity when the phone is against your head (it works only in the Phone application), and an ambient-light sensor that brightens the display when you're in sunlight and dims it in darker places. Apple says that it experimented with having the light sensor active all the time, but it was weird to have the screen get brighter and darker all the time. So the sensor now samples the ambient light, and adjusts the brightness; it does this only once--each time you unlock the phone after waking it. You can use that tip to your advantage. By covering up the sensor (just above the earpiece) as you unlock the phone, you force it to a low-power, dim screen-brightness setting (because the phone believes that it's in a dark room). Or by holding it up to a light as you wake it, you get full brightness. In both cases, you've saved all the taps and navigation it would have taken you to find the manual brightness slider in Settings.

07-03-2010, 09:04 AM	#5
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	probably not correct ... ? Looks like you're going to have to try and work it out by covering parts of the case and seeing if there is any reaction .....

07-03-2010, 11:22 AM	#7
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	Interesting because the case I use for my old 3G covered the sensor. I got the leather case for an insane low price, and I think that was part of the reason.... a design flaw.... anyway, I cut a little hole in the leather, and it's been great for almost 2 years now. The sensor is not visible on the 3G ether. I discovered it by calling a number and putting my finger around on the screen... on mine the sensor is just to the left of the "speaker" at the top, where you put your ear....

07-03-2010, 12:14 PM	#10
Kolenka <Insert Wit Here> Posts: 1,017 Karma: 1275899 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Puget Sound Device: Kindle Oasis, Kobo Forma	Roughly, yes... the proximity sensor is there, and the ambient light sensor is usually right next to it.

07-03-2010, 02:25 PM	#11
Bremen Cole Wizard Posts: 1,115 Karma: 2718 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Texas Device: iPad	Before cutting your case I highly recommend testing as I did to be 100% sure of the location.

07-03-2010, 03:48 PM	#12
FourOhFour HTTP Error Posts: 85 Karma: 3000000 Join Date: Oct 2006 Device: Kindle Paperwhite	Look at the pictures of the white iPhone, the sensor appears silver. It's about half the width of the earpiece, centered in the space above the earpiece. Under bright light, it appears dark red on the black iPhone.

07-03-2010, 03:54 PM	#13
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Thanks for that. After reading your post I tried shining a torch onto my iPhone and you're right - it's visible through the glass as a narrow red horizontal strip, about 2/3 of the distance up between the earpiece and the top of the phone. I'll cut a "notch" in the top of my case to expose it to the light - that should fix the problem.

07-04-2010, 05:16 AM	#14
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,600 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	Eagerly waiting to see if all has been solved ....

07-04-2010, 05:22 AM	#15
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	Yes, that's worked beautifully .