Anti-reflective coating on iPhone camera lense wearing off

Hello Kevin.

Are you sure the lens isn't dirty with a finger smudge instead?

I clean my iPhone every couple of days but haven't paid much attention to the lens. Noticed a significant smudge on the lens the other day while outdoors and used a q-tip to clean it. As a test, I just touched the lens with my index finger which left a smudge. The lens is only slightly recessed but skin oil from an inadvertent finger touch can easily cloud the lens.

yep. I have the same issue. I noticed it a few weeks ago. I dont clean mine with anything but a damp terrycloth towel.

I'm curious to know who else out there is noticing this with their iPhone and, if so and you've contacted Apple for assistance, what sort of response did you receive? Was it handled under AppleCare, did you have to send it in or was a replacement provided in-store, etc?

I haven't noticed the same yet but depending on the person you speak with at AppleCare, the response can be somewhat different but there should be no question about something like this being covered under warranty so give them a call.

I don't believe iPhones continue to be automatically exchanged on the spot at an Apple Store regardless the problem or problems as was initially done within the first 14 days after the purchase date and doubtful any Apple Store can repair such a problem on the spot.

So your iPhone will be sent in for inspection, testing and repair or possible replacement with a refurbished or new iPhone which is at Apple's discretion. If you ask nicely, you may be able to get the $29 fee waived for a loaner iPhone during this process.

I noticed this occurring on mine a few weeks ago, and posted about it. Nobody else seemed to notice it until now. A good friend of mine is having the same problem.

As long as it doesn't interfere with the quality of the photos, I'm not gonna worry about it. I have however, noticed a little strange lens flare activity- so there's a possibility that I may bring it up to Apple as well.

I have the same loss of "anti-reflective" coating and as soon as the "apple event" of Sept 5 is over I will be "chatting" with the Genius! I am very careful with the lens... is this mentioned in the tech notes or manual?

Sadly, I think the same thing has happened to mine. I've been pretty conscious of keeping the lens clean until now there is an area that looks like a smudge and each time I try to clean it off, it just gets bigger. This is not a scratch either... and the image blooms everywhere there is a bright contrast or light source in the image. Pictures are hit and miss as to clarity now.

I compared side by side with a coworker by just turning on the camera app and aiming both iPhones at a bright light source from a window and you can plainly see the hazy white/blue blooming in my image. On the other iPhone whose lens coating looks perfectly intact the image is actually quite clear and sharp.

Did any of you remove the clear covering from the lens when you first got it ? There is a plastic film on the lens the same as on the face of the iPhone.

I definitely don't have any other cover on the lens. I wish I had... maybe I'll go by the Apple store and see what they can do. When they repair or replace it you'd better believe I'm going to cut out some sort of protector for the lens.

I too have this same issue.. while cleaning my iphone tonight, I was looking at the camera lens, and it looks all black and blotchy around the edges.. I thought, oh gee, thats awful, and tried cleaning it off, but it nope, its not dirt or grime.. had the iphone less than 35 days.. let me know what the mac genius does, as i'd like to have it replaced, not repaired (other issues also)...

Yesterday I made an appt with a genius and we compared my camera with his. Pointed them both side by side at the overhead lights in the Apple Store. We could plainly see the haze on my phone most pronounced on the illuminated signs that say 'Kids', 'Peripherals' or whatever.

The genius said it would have to be sent for repair or replacement - he wasn't sure of course whether they would actually replace the lens or just send me a new iPhone. I'm guessing they'll just send me a new one though b/c it would seem pretty crazy for them to actually repair it. I haven't looked at disassembly photos of the iPhone but maybe the lens cover is part of the back metallic case cover and can be easily swapped out?

Either way I'm sure they'll take care of it. I did get a loaner iPhone and had some minor issues getting that going but that's another story.

Another note - while waiting in the store I checked out another customer's iPhone that was bringing his in for some other problem looked at his lens and it had spots on it that wouldn't come off as well.

While I have the loaner I'm going to experiment with applying some sort of screen protector material to cover the lens so I'm ready to preserve mine when it comes back!

Add me to the list. I noticed a haze on my pictures so I went to wipe off the lens and at first it almost looked like a cracked lens but after looking at the lens in good lighting it seems as though the coating is coming off.

This seems like a fairly big flaw that will occur with most people that use a case(slide-in type.) Has anyone talked to Apple support about this? I am going to call them on Monday.

Yep, you should definitely take it in. If you ask nicely they may waive the fee for the loaner too.

The Apple genius sent my iPhone in for repair on Thursday and I received my new replacement iPhone Fedex Saturday delivery! Lens is perfect of course, pictures look wonderful again (as wonderful as 2MP can get). I like it.

Now the challenge is to get the new lens to stay 'perfect.' Wonder what that's going to entail... At the very least I'm going to try cleaning only with the softest lens cloth I can find and maybe even try compressed air when possible. I'm using the InCase black molded rubber case too which has a healthy lip around the lens.

My original mistake was just cleaning it too obsessively and aggressively. Of course the coating is way too soft!

I'm seeing the same thing. I think mine accidentally got some sunscreen on the lens...but I cleaned it with some cloth and water and it didn't seem to get better. The quality of the pictures has definitely been affected as the ones I take now appear hazy versus the ones I took when I first got it which were crisp and clear. My husband thinks it is scratched but I'm not so sure.

I'm planning to take it to the apple store soon and ask them about it. In the meantime, is there any kind of spray or something that apple recommends you clean it with?

hey guys, i have the same problem on my lens.

it's the AR coating that's wearing off on the lens to cause the problem. and i used to work in the lab for an optometrist, so i know that those AR coatings (anti-reflective) are very delicate, and they cannot endure high heat. when your iphone's lens is exposed to excessive amount of sun light of heat, the AR coating will crack, and the only way to fix this is re-coat the AR coating.

i don't know how apple is going to fix this problem because i am sure everybody's iphone will have chances to be under heat and sunlight, and this problem will occur very often.....