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Apple Says iPhone Discoloration Due To Cases, Plus More iPhone 3GS Problems

Submitted by Cory Bohon on July 5, 2009 - 3:18pm.
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The horror stories of the iPhone 3GS discoloration have been circulating across the Internet since last week, but before you slap a case on your precious device, you might want to read what frenchiPhone.com is reporting about certain cases and the white iPhone 3GS.

According to frenchiPhone.com [Google Translation], an Apple level 3 support (who's an engineer) said the discoloration could be due to the iPhone getting warm and then coming into contact with third-party cases. The simple fix that Apple mentioned is to clean the iPhone with alcohol, which can remove the residue left by the case.

- After numerous calls to Apple technical service and maintenance of contact with a level 3 (engineer) the problem seems to come not from a hot 3GS but contact with some covers! This was evident by ourselves on a device with a small sticker (a warning not to listen to music too loud) remained stuck, part of the hull below remained white.

- A simple solution to the problem is to clean the back of the iPhone with alcohol, tested by myself I can confirm that it works and reassure you it is safe for your precious

Of course the discoloration is one thing, but the iPhone overheating, well that's definitely Apples fault, right? Not so fast, according to an article on the UK Telegraph's website, Apple is blaming the overheating on the weather. According to Apple you should, "Store iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS in a place where the temperature is between -20º and 45º C (-4º to 113º F). Don’t leave the device in your car, because temperatures in parked cars can exceed this range."

The iPhone 3G / 3GS also has a feature that puts the iPhone into a cooling mode if it starts to overheat. According to the support documentation, the device will first stop charging, dim the display, offer up a weak cell signal, and finally place a temperature warning on the screen and only allow emergency calls.

And just when you thought the iPhone 3GS couldn't have any other problems, Engadget is now reporting that the oleophobic coating on the screen has the ability to rub-off over time.

[MacRumors via frenchiPhone.com]

Submitted by Kevin Dunahee on July 5, 2009 - 11:03pm.
Spent the majority of my day trying to navigate with the GPS. I have done this twice before with my 3GS with no issues. Today, my GPS simply would not find my location, via Google Maps or third party applications. I told my friend that it was odd, because the standard trouble shoot maneuver (restarting the phone) would let me get a GPS lock once. Then if I closed the app and relaunched, I would no longer be able to get my location.

I had been completely stumped until reading this article. So, if I understood this right, you are saying that as a 3G/3GS heats up, it slowly loses functionality? If this is the case, it would explain my current predicament.