This isn't the first time we've heard
of display issues with a new Apple product launch, but hopefully it
will be the last. There are reports
from around the web that Apple's latest “magical” device, the
iPhone 4, is suffering from yellow spots on its high
resolution Retina display.
In some cases, the discoloration is
showing up as yellow spots in various places on the iPhone's screen.
In other cases, yellow lines are seen running across the screen.
According to Mac
Rumors, some customers who have taken the iPhones to Apple's
Genius Bar for replacements have been told to hold off until the
phone is officially launched tomorrow. Given the supply
issues that Apple is currently having with the iPhone 4, getting
a timely replacement likely isn't guaranteed.
If you recall, Apple had problems with
yellowed displays when the current generation iMac launched earlier
this year. After numerous reports flooded the net from concerned
customers, Apple finally acknowledged the problem in late February.
Apple's iPhone 4 sells for $199 for the
16GB model and $299 for the 32GB model.
Updated 6/24/2010 @ 8:00 am
There are now numerous reports that there are also issues with the iPhone 4's cell signal dropping out when you hold the phone in your hand a certain way due to the external antenna. Conveniently, some people are suggesting that using Apple's colorful $30 "bumpers" solve the problem.
Updated 6/24/2010 @ 8:44 am
Here's another interesting tidbit of information regarding the yellow screens on the iPhone 4 (and possibly explains why some people are seeing the yellowness go away magically after using the phone for a while). An Apple Insider forum poster, austingaijin, stated the following:
Apple is using a bonding agent called Organofunctional Silane Z-6011 to bond the layers of glass. Apparently, Apple (or more likely Foxconn) is shipping these products so quickly that the evaporation process is not complete. However, after one or two days of use, especially with the screen on, will complete the evaporation process and the yellow "blotches" will disappear.
How do I know? I was involved in pitching Z-6011 to Apple.
So if you do have an iPhone 4 and are having problems with yellow spots on the screen, give it a few days and see if it goes away.
