iPhone 3G S has yellowish tint

Ok, I am on my 2nd 3Gs and this one is tinted yellow towards the bottom. To summarize:

1st 3Gs: completely yellow, washed out screen, short battery life.

2nd 3Gs: Bottom 30% of the screen tinted yellow. It's about 20% the strength of the yellow tint on the first phone (if that makes any sense).

There's clearly a problem with these phones. All posts about paranoia and perfectionism are complete BS. We paid for a product that should be perfect. The screen is also arguably the most important aspect of the phone. Imagine you got a TV that was half yellow and washed out. Would you live with it? It's a completely ridiculous statement to make.

I am not sure what I'll do next as I am convinced I will get another crappy phone if I ask for a replacement. I think I'll have them note that I complained about the issue and wait a couple of months. If anything I could swap the screen from my 3G into the 3Gs...if possible 🙂

I just got my first 3GS replaced with "refurb" unit in my local Apple store.

It took a lot of persuasion and talking to the manager to convince them to do anything - they said there were no known problems and therefore this was just a costmetic issue which would not warrant a replacement.

Sometime later after name dropping a couple of technology journalists they agreed to open up a regurb unit and if I liked it to do the swap. Note that they said they'd only do this one time.

So. Here I am with a new (well it looks that way) device - so how does it compare?

Well, it's still warmer than the old 3G but not as much as 1st 3GS.
Most obviously is the difference in polarization qualities and viewing angle - tilt the device and it stays bright way longer than old one.

This ones a keeper

Good luck to everyone with remaining problems on this thread

Bill

I'm not suggesting some forum members decided to settle for substandard phones, I'm saying so. One user in particular (who I'd bother to find out specifically if I cared enough) said that they are keeping their replacement although they can see the issues specified in this forum thread.

Also, lets be realistic - if the problem WEREN'T as widespread as I and some others think, how is it that there are quite a few here (myself included) who have had their handset replaced multiple times from different locations in my case and have noticed the exact same problem on ALL replacement models. In the end, even I came very close to "settling" for a phone with a noticeably uneven yellowness to the bottom third. This is my point. I'd guess that most people feel in a position of weakness when attempting to have a phone exchanged/returned for some subjective defect or other. Also, it's a pain in the *** to have to explain the issue over and over - especially when your handset is continuously replaced with further faulty handsets.

The chances of there NOT being a relatively widespread issue are low, when if there isn't an issue, the chances of having the EXACT same problem multiple times from multiple people on multiple CONTINENTS is also very low.

It shouldn't be some kind of "lottery" when you buy a handset, and I'll say again: if you care about the quality of your shiny new iPhone 3GS then hold off buying one until all the dross has been snapped up and KEPT by people who either don't care or don't care enough to be bothered by FAULTY hardware that doesn't prevent their day-to-day use of the phone.

Message was edited by: alsheron

rlsavage wrote:
Someone please post a picture of this mysterious 20 - 30% yellow tint issue!

No one will post pics because they are probably not near as bad as people on this thread are making them out to be, and the few pics that where posted are obviously altered to be mad to look worse.

I have been following this thread since it started, and it has turned into with out a doubt the most ridiculous thread I have ever followed on any forum I have ever been on.

People returning their phone 3, 4, 5, 6 times complaining about how they are being treated by Apple, and bla... bla... bla.

I can guarantee that these people are the type of people who complain about everything in their whole life and blame everyone else for it, and treat the Apple employee's like dirt and expect them to treat them nice in return.

This thread is pathetic and needs to be removed.

Just my 2 cents...:)

+"No one will post pics because they are probably not near as bad as people on this thread are making them out to be, and the few pics that where posted are obviously altered to be mad to look worse."+

Obviously altered to be made to look worse???? Well, congrats on making the #1 ranking for the most inconsiderate, ignorant Apple fanboy that suffers from psychological denial and projection in stubborn defense of a product and brand that is not infallible.

I posted pics that were NOT altered in any way, and were not "manipulated" with angle or tricks to try to present something that is not true. In fact, as explained, they do not do justice in demonstrating just how bad the dim, yellow-brown and polarized screen is on my defective 3G S, while in comparison, my wife's 3G S is the proper bright & "warmer" version that was "intended".

You are the 2nd fanboy that has jumped in to try to dismiss the valid concerns of not just another victim, but ALL of us in one foul swoop. Oh...what I'd give to see you forced to swap your 3G S with one of ours, then for each of us victims to be the Genius reps you come to for a replacement so that we can explain to you it's all your imagination and how you're just trying to tell lies and get attention. Then we'd give you a replacement that's worse and laugh in your face as we tell you it's all good, this one is per spec just like the perfectly good one you just exchanged had been...

Your attempt to, what, "defend" Apple?? in this manner only hurts Apple all the more. If any of the other unfortunate victims feel the same as I do, then you've certainly strengthened the resolve of many to just return their phones to get satisfaction.

I personally don't care what you are suggesting or saying. Anyone can make a blanket statement based on their individual experiences and that doesn't make it so for everyone else. There have been over a million of these phones sold and I just don't buy that this thread is representative of everyone.

Now we have people making threats to kick people in the nads and stuff. Honestly some of you need to take a step back. We are all adults here so making threats and getting all puffed up is what juveniles do.

I do think there are some legit issues out there, but I do think there are also some so nit picky that no matter what you won't be satisfied. Saying that folks are setting for substandard phones because you are so nit picky you won't settle for anything makes no sense to me. I appreciate your opinion, but I strongly disagree and until you can provide REAL proof, you are just whistling Dixie.

I hope those that do have legit issues get them resolved. Certainly by now Apple is aware and maybe we'll see an announcement or at least see them get 3.1 out sooner rather than later to address some of the other issues being reported with the battery etc.

I am not going to threaten anyone or call any one names, if folks can't converse without going there they need to exit this thread! I am not a mod though, that is just my opinion. Some of you don't want any opinions shared in this thread except those that agree with yours.

Ok I went out and purchased another six(!) 3GS's today. That means in total I've had eight phones to do proper side by side comparisons. One has already gone back to Apple for being urine yellow, one has been sold and that had the best screen I had seen up until today. I've also seen many (over 25) display models and only 2 or 3 had good screens. However it's hard to properly compare in a brightly lit store.

The result of all this fun is that I can see there is a massive variety of screens out there and there are definitely good ones, they are just very rare at the moment. Out of all the phones I have seen only one has had a perfect screen (more on that in a minute). When I say perfect I mean on par with my old first generation iPhone, which I don't think is too much to ask.

Out of the six I have left two have a tinted yellow screen, two have horrible unrine coloured screens (this is not an exaggeration - they really are awful screens), one is near perfect but still has a slight yellow tint and the last is absolutely prefect! At last! I have also compared black levels and the screen that has proper whites also has the best blacks - no back light bleed and the blackest black. The two horrible yellow screens are quite clearly from a different manufacturer as the viewing angles are completely different from the others. Even when viewing a completely black screen you can see the horrible yellow colour!

So there you have it. If you want a good screen you need to buy at least eight iPhones :P I just hope there is nothing else wrong with the good one. By the way it's from China and is week 23. I will be posting some photos of all six lined up next to each other and their manufacturing details once my Canon G9 is charged.

To those who come to this thread and pick fights, arguments, etc. ask yourself why are you here? These are support forums. The person who started this thread had an "issue" with their phone and was seeking advice. Others (like myself) came here looking for someone who had the "yellow" tint on the phone and discovered other people shared in the complaint. Now, this thread has become something different. If you don't have the issue, good for you. Other people have it (I've gone to the genius bar three times and every time it has been confirmed by the apple staff) and wish to learn possible fixes for it. By coming here and trying to dismiss these issues and "removing the thread" serves no purpose other than creating conflict. Bottom line, you (you guys) are not moderators of this board. You are free to post anywhere, but why purposely pick fights with people on the internet? If you don't have the issue or think it's BS, good for you. Other people have it. Let them come here for support since this is what these forums are for.

Everyone else, do what you have to do to make it right. My Apple store ordered a new phone for me. I'll get it later this week. I'll keep you posted.

Good day.

I compared my new 32GB 3GS to a couple of in-store 16GB 3GSs. The 16GB models had cooler, acceptable displays, compared to my yellowish 32GB model. The store manager agreed to replace my 32GB with one new one although he didn't want to open multiple boxes until I found one I liked. I do understand his concern and to his credit he was supportive. The replacement one was perhaps even a bit more yellow but by then it had already been registered with AT&T so I stayed with it.

Anyway, a wee bit of anecdotal evidence that the problem may be related to the 32GB models.

Although the original iPhone is perhaps a bit too bluish it is better--in my opinion--than the yellowish tint. I calibrate my laptop and Cinema display so I'm perhaps a bit touchy about calibrated color!

Despite understanding from a psychological point of view the need of the few here who have some sort of problem with people complaining about their faulty screens, I don't agree with this attitude because like many others, it's utterly irrelevant and nonsensical to me.

This thread is specifically (has become) somewhere where people with faulty sub-standard screens are grouping and discussing their problems. This does mean that collectively of course, the issues here are not necessarily representative of "all", "most" or even "many" of the new iPhone 3GS's. But it takes a certain kind of mind to dismiss not only the people here (sort of understandable) but ALSO many of their experiences with MULTIPLE units. I just read the post of the guy who bought 10 units (or more?) and most of them were faulty in some way. We're talking EXPONENTIAL unlikelihood that there ISN'T a SIGNIFICANT problem with new iPhone 3GS screens in terms of quality control. So why aren't we seeing reports in the press and hearing of returns in droves if this is true? Who knows, but because we aren't doesn't disprove a very sound logical conclusion. The simplest explanation is that it's very often a slight fault - the screen is "livable" and in those cases - probably most of these cases - the owner will want to avoid the hassle of returning it and just keep it. And then OF COURSE, some screens (as reported also) will be virtually perfect (I think comparing it to previous iPhones is an excellent way to judge). Average out the whole lot and you end up with this thread.

Now that's out the way (again) I just want to encourage those with screens they are unhappy with (a few recent posts) to relax, take your unit back to the Apple store and be very calm and assertive and simply point out the fault. People who work in shops who handle returns do often have chips on their shoulders but they are only trying to cover their backs - most of the time you'll find them very helpful as long as you can show them the problem - and lucky you - with a screen problem, this should be relatively easy. If they deny something that is clear, and you already have a second opinion - then ask for the opinion of another "Genius". If in the end you settle for a faulty unit - the bottom line is that it's your responsibility not "their fault". Just make the effort - you PAID for this thing!

I for one certainly have no issue with folks binding together in a common thread to voice their opinions and concerns about their ideas and thoughts as it relates to the new displays. This is exactly what these forums have been intended to be all about.

Now with that said, my only exception would be where folks are making assumptions that all phones are bad and that if one decide to keep theirs they are somehow contributing to the problem by keeping an inferior phone. I have to call nonsense to that, because not everyone looks at their display and sees or even has this issue. Again this is not to say that some do not, I am pretty sure they do.

The other aspect of this is individually we all have to make a decision for ourselves. So, I look at my display and I see no issues therefore I am happy. The next guy comes along and sees his display and says... wait a minute I am not happy with this. Where the lines cross is if this same guy had my phone which I am totally happy with and says. OH NO THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! Is that phone really inferior or is this guy too nit picky? I have no clue and it really doesn't matter.

My point is and has been that because some of you feel this is a huge issue, doesn't represent what everyone else is feeling about their individual phones. Mine in my opinion looks great, but I can't help but wonder if one of you had it would you feel the same? I honestly doubt it, I think some of you would find it is as you've said inferior, the big question comes down to IS IT REALLY? I think that should be left up to each individual and folks reading through these threads should not walk away wondering if their phone is inferior because some of you say it is. Each person needs to look at their display and make that decision for themselves and if they are happy with it, then their phone is NOT inferior at all, nor is it defective.

I honestly hope all of you that have this issue get what you want! Some of you that have refunded that is the right decision for you. This is what anyone should do that isn't happy with a product. By the same token those that are happy, shouldn't be bringing these things back because they are repeatedly told ALL THESE PHONES ARE INFERIOR! If you are happy then GREAT! Enjoy and Use your phone!

Why aren't more people calling, my guess is they just don't see this issue in the same light and they aren't going to call about something they don't see as a problem for them. It also verifies that this problem isn't a huge or widespread as many claim. One guy goes out and buys 10 phones? I have to use a phrase my mother use to always use, now there goes someone who has more money than sense. That is if you want to believe it, I'd have to see the receipt myself as I also believe that many have embellished their issue with stuff like this to try and make their points and in reality that was or is not even necessary. If you aren't happy, you have a right to some sort of resolution, it is up to Apple to respond and provide it, if they do not then you can ask for a refund.

I feel like my approach is a common sense one, but of course some of you don't want anyone posting in this thread that doesn't feel the exact same way you do and these forums are about discussion and open dialog in regards to all sides of an issue.

You seem to have a problem, and I'll explain why:

Everyone here IS AND WILL make up their own mind about the iPhone 3GS they have in their possession (who else's exactly are they going to return to the store if there is a problem?) If someone notices a previously un-noticed fault because of what they read here then GOOD - we'll have all done them a great service.

If I'd just bought something I thought might be faulty, I'd sure as **** want to check it out. If I didn't think there was a problem at all with MY handset - I WOULDN'T be here in the first place! Letting us know YOUR handset is fine and that you're happy with it is INTERESTING maybe, but UTTERLY USELESS in helping someone figuring out if what they are SEEING is a fault or not.

Now let's get off our high horses, wasting time and energy about what we ***-ume people are saying or doing and actually respond to what is written here by any given person.

I am not you and if I or anyone else is having an issue with my iPhone then it's dismissive and petty to reject what they are saying because "I'm happy with mine". Guess what? YOURS is not THEIRS and THEY are not YOU.

Message was edited by: alsheron

Message was edited by: alsheron

Message was edited by: alsheron

No, actually I don't have a problem, but unlike you I won't be all defensive. I said what I've said and I stand by it 100%. If you don't like it, too bad!

The only one here on high horse is you!

The fact is folks have read this thread and then wanted to see if theirs was defective and some have grown down right paranoid after being constantly told by some in this thread over and over that they have an inferior phone.

By the way the fact that I am happy with my phone is irrelevant and apparently you being so defensive totally missed my point. All I am saying is don't be swayed by the post in this forum. Check out your display and if you are happy with it then don't be paranoid and don't feel like you have to go run to the Apple store to get it checked out, because some on this forum have basically said these phones are defective and inferior. You really have no argument for that common sense approach, but instead want to just rant and rant about what you think I am trying to say. I think I've been pretty clear! There are some here with real legit problems. There are some that don't have a problem at all, but are unsure. My post rather you find it helpful or not is meant to suggest that if they are happy with it, there is nothing wrong with their phone. You just can't stand the fact that someone would suggest folks not feel like you do.

I have never dismissed any one issues and if you read otherwise, you've got some reading comprehension problems!

I've made my point and so I will leave it at that. I just hope those on the fence and unsure get the just of what I am saying, clearly you don't because you just want everyone to agree with you.

Hi Sirius,

can you just quit this thread so people can post their findings on units which they think have a problem?

I totally agree with the sentiment that people without an issue should not be made paranoid that they have one.

However, I, like many other contributors to this thread, found it by googling 'yellow iphone 3gs' (I may have added tint too - I can't remember) after I discovered an obvious problem with my device

Q.E.D I am reading this thread because I perceived a problem already - maybe many others did too.

I have pointed Apple employees at this thread in the past - but right now I don't blame them for not bothering to read the salient posts because of the high SNR of this thread. BTW this isn't personal - others should just ignore you and not get into rebuttals (myself included 🙂

Lets get back to :

What devices / production weeks are showing
what apple store reps or carriers or other sales people are saying
what you are ending up with in terms of exchange deals etc

ta. Bill

I bought the iPhone 3GS yesterday in white on pay&go, and that was the first thing i noticed. . . the screen seems no where near as vivid as the 3G. . . Is this Apples intention as i dont really think the screen looks as nice as the other 2 versions of the iPhone?! Has anyone been to see a genius about this and any luck?