Screen Defect Found In Some iPhone 3Gs

[Edward Kirk]

<div id="inlinead" class="inlinead"><IFRAME src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/13894/222/viewHTML?pool=13886&type=3158&pos=20&zone=5000" width="300" height="250" align="middle" frameborder=0 marginwidth=0 marginheight=0 scrolling=no><script language="JavaScript" src="http://adserver1.backbeatmedia.com/servlet/ajrotator/13894/222/viewJScript?pool=13886&type=3158&pos=20&zone=5000"></script></IFRAME></div><div class="nodecontent"><img src="http://www.iphonealley.com/images/storyimages/july08/screendefect.png" align="right"/>

A possible defect on some of the iPhone 3G's out there may have been spotted. One user on the MacRumors forums who upgraded to an iPhone 3G today from an old iPhone noticed a difference <a href="http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=5786040&postcount=307" target="_blank">in the tint</a> of the screen, reporting that they were strangely yellower than the older models in tint.<!--break-->

It's not known if it is a firmware difference or faulty hardware. Not long after posting the issue, one user was able to return the device. Others with the same issue claimed that restoring the iPhone 3G to default factory settings would change it to normal.

More comparison shots of the odd tinted screen versus a normal one are available <a href="http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=5786040&postcount=307" target="_blank">here</a>.

[via <a href="http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=516792" target="_blank">MacRumors forums</a>]</div>

[Michael DeLisi]

The guy that originally posted that returned it and got one that's "crisper, sharper, and vivider" than the old one and the first-gen iPhone screens. He said the only real way to tell is to compare it to the demo iPhones at The Apple Store. From the comparisons, the good screen looks a lot better than the screen on the first iPhone. That's one of the things I was looking foward to in the iPhone 3G, a better screen, and the comparisons really make it look like Apple delivered.

The worst part about the screen "defect"? Mostly everyone on MacRumors had the worse screen...

[WatersWest]

I wonder sometimes if there is a little psychology at work with issues like this. I wonder if people would otherwise say "My screen is great," until they hear about the yellowing issue and then suddenly it's, "My screen is yellow." Just a thought. I hope this gets sorted out quick. Wasn't there a similar screen issue with the first-gen iPhone??

[Michael DeLisi]

The truth is that the "defective" screens are cheaper to make, and the average person will stick with it. If you want the best, the other screen is supposed to be a lot better than the this "defective" one. So it's good to know if you want to get the most for your money.

[Edward Kirk]

I wonder sometimes if there is a little psychology at work with issues like this. I wonder if people would otherwise say "My screen is great," until they hear about the yellowing issue and then suddenly it's, "My screen is yellow." Just a thought. I hope this gets sorted out quick. Wasn't there a similar screen issue with the first-gen iPhone??

Interesting thought. I hope I'm not helping spark paranoia! :P
There was an issue with the other ones. Some were darker and had dots visible on the screen. Apple acknowledged them as a defect and replaced them.

[Kevin Dunahee]

No no no, the new yellowy screen is a feature! Seems strange to me, but that's apparently what Apple claims.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/08/07/12/apple_says_yellow_tinted_iphone_3g_screen_delibera te.html

If you currently own an iPhone 3G and suffer from xanthophobia, your physician may perscribe http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=517938 .

(Many claim the above link fixes yellow screen syndrome)

[Snoop1990]

Just follow the updated story here. (http://www.iphonealley.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7191)

[iswenson]

yea the software update is supposed to fix the problem.

[gravesit]

but you have to restore and that takes forever with the new backup.

[Unregistered]

yea the software update is supposed to fix the problem.