iPhone iPhone 4 released with batch of defected screens

[dorino]

http://modmyi.com/forums/iphone-news...ontent=Twitter

Now that people are finally getting their hands on iPhone 4s, a few of them are turning up defective. The Unofficial Apple Weblog passes on news of some new Apple Support discussion threads where users are noticing iPhone 4 screens with some discolored areas. There's no word from Apple yet on this issue, which appears to have been first reported at about 7:45am Pacific time today.

In every new product, manufacturing defects are almost inevitable. The iPhone 4's Retina display, an IPS LCD with the highest pixel density of any smartphone screen on the market, is a different beast than the TFT screens on the iPhone 3GS. It's already been reported that LG Display, the manufacturer of the Retina display, has had some difficulty producing the screens, with "low yields" from their 4th generation manufacturing processes. Upgrades to their assembly lines are expected no sooner than late summer of this year.

One new iPhone owner reports "3 blotches about the size of shirt buttons that discolor the screen a brown/yellow color: on the lower portion of the screen." The user could not identify the subtle discolorations at first; it was only after using the phone for about 45 minutes that the defect became apparent. Another user saw it on the top of his screen and made an appointment for a possible replacement (though it seems unlikely with tight supplies that any store will keep phones on hand just for use as spares). The user whose screen is pictured at the top of this post saw "an orange/brown (almost burnt color) blob at the bottom right corner and top right corner" and " orange/brown smudges across the top."

If you're about to pick up your iPhone 4, check the screen as closely as you can and make a report as soon as possible. Replacements will almost certainly be first-come, first-served.

pic of one defective device in link.

[kjk]

Man, that would definitely suck.

[dorino]

would? does. Considering how cutting edge the display is supposed to be...

[kjk]

Originally Posted by dorino

would? does. Considering how cutting edge the display is supposed to be...

I mean, it would really suck if it were mine

[Bremen Cole]

It's bound to happen with something as new as that screen technology. It is the risk of being the first to get something this new..... sure would be a drag though

[Tamara]

From what I've read, the screen issues are resolving after a couple hours of use.

[drofgnal]

Originally Posted by Tamara

From what I've read, the screen issues are resolving after a couple hours of use.

Screen break in??

[kjk]

Originally Posted by drofgnal

Screen break in??

Manufacturing residue evaporating, possibly. http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/i...a-bit-of-time/

We'll see. The few people I know who got their iPhones don't have the problem, thankfully.

[dorino]

Clarification:

Some users are hearing from Apple Support that the reported yellowing and discoloration of the iPhone 4's Retina display is a temporary condition that will go away in time. This claim is supported by a poster on AppleInsider's forums who says he sold adhesive to Apple that they used to affix the glass covers. However, some support reps are telling people to bring their iPhones in for replacement, indicating (at least) disorganization inside Support.

On the first day of the official iPhone 4 retail launch, a number of problems including reception issues and excessive scratching have been garnering a lot of attention. The screen yellowing began to be reported yesterday, and complaints have multiplied as the first production run of iPhone 4s hits the streets. One AppleInsider poster going by the name "austingaijin" claims that the yellowing is a result of an... used to bond the Gorilla Glass onto the iPhone's case. The poster, saying that he was involved in "pitching" the product to Apple, says they are using a bonding agent called "Organofunctional Silane Z-6011" and that the manufacturer is probably not allowing enough time for the adhesive to fully dry before shipping the units. But, the poster asserts, after "one or two days of use, especially with the screen on" the bonding agent should evaporate and the color should be normal.

A Gizmodo reader sent an email to report that Apple Support made a very similar claim when the reader had called to report screen discoloration. The rep said "that it is residue from the manufacturing process and that they rushed the shipments out to hit deadline... the residue is not dry fully yet and it should clear up within a couple of days." Other support reps, however, are directing users to return their iPhones for replacement. We'll see in a few days whether some Support reps are better informed than others (it does happen) or if the "adhesive" story is just that: a story.

http://modmyi.com/forums/iphone-news...ontent=Twitter

[Javed]

I wonder how scratch resistant the Gorilla Glass is.