iPhone 3G S has yellowish tint

You are trying to call me out for making assumptions yet you do exactly the same thing. You are assuming that I am defending the ones who bring in their phones because they "think" their phone is slightly yellow. I'm talking about people who have genuine problems. You are also assuming that I think those people don't exist.

No where did I say/defend these people. The other day someone came back 3 minutes after buying their phone to return it because their apple sign in the back had a tiny scratch. That is THEIR prerogative and I am not here to judge. No one is naive enough to think this category of buyers does not exist.

You tickled a bone in me with your statement because you clearly insinuated that some of us are just paranoid, picky, prone to online forum propaganda... what have you. I'm telling you that despite the ones that DO over react, there ARE people who have problems. Coming into a thread and saying "mine doesn't have that issue, you guys are paranoid" brings nothing to the topic at hand and only makes you look like a fanboy that is over defensive about his/her apple product.

I love apple products, that's why I'm here to relate/help. That is why I'm buying them over and over again. However, I REFUSE to blindly defend apple. If people are saying they have a problem and since I've experienced it as well, I have no choice but to give them the benefit of the doubt. You have nothing to prove against them, nor do I have anything to prove for them.

To me, those of you coming in telling us that there is nothing wrong or saying "apple has excellent QA/QC" are the ones being defensive. Forums are used to discuss problems. In case you haven't noticed, this forum is a sub forum of "Support/Discussions". It doesn't matter if only 1% are defective. If 1 million phones were sold and 1% were defective and only 50% of those actually post about it, we'd have WAY MORE PEOPLE POSTING HERE. The truth is, the actual failure/defect rate may be LOWER than 1%, but that is not the argument here. The people are coming here to say they DO have a problem. Those of you defending the phone and calling out phonies seem to think this thread has a million unique posters (implying 1 million defects). Please... what are you trying to defend? the amount of people complaining in here clearly fall under the 1% who, statistically, will have problems. Calling the people out in here is

1.) pointless as this is a support forum

and

2.) defensive and fanboy like.

To those of you who have perfect phones and are calling us (buyers with defects) out... do you realize how ridiculous you look being in the 99% of non defects calling out to the other 1% to be liars?

Once again you are reading way too much into what I've said and being way, way defensive when you don't need to be!

I have not called anyone out, but if that is the way you choose to take it that is about you! What my post looks like to folks defensive like you, I honestly have no control over. I made a simple statement and I stand by it 100% rather you like it not.

You have no evidence to the contrary that all this stuff with the display hasn't made some folks paranoid about their own iPhone's and I'd be willing to say that some have simply not purchased one because they are afraid of getting a bad one.

I've made no assumptions, I've simply read the thread and folks have proven my point over and over, just as you are now.

No where can you show me where I've said that some do not have real legit issues. I think they do, but like I said if you believe that some folks have not become paranoid about their own phones and even been put off buying, then I am not the fanboy here. I own one product by Apple which is my recently purchased iPhone. I'd hardly call that a fanboy! Quit being so defensive now you are just grasping at straws!

In my opinion those with legit issues should have them taken care of as that is Apple's responsibility. Yet there are others that really have no issues, but aren't sure if they do or not because of all this stuff. So they are taking their phones back just for the heck of it. No assumption, I've seen the post and Apple stores have confirmed this. It actually helps if you take the time to read what people post, clearly from your replies you do not.

You seem to have taken this so personally when my post was a general statement, not directed at any single one nor or they meant to call anyone out. Take a chill pill! Go exchange your iPhone again or something! LOL

OrangeMarlin wrote:
I've watched three different launches of the iPhone here, and there are always a bunch of people who exaggerate their claims ... if .1% have a defect (which is outstanding quality control), that means, that's a lot of phones that have real hardware problems ... 99.9% of these phones are perfect. The remaining may have any number of issues including user mistakes.

Yes, I agree with this sentiment. Even though I am one of the people who genuinely has a defectively over yellow and dim screen, I do agree that in many cases very minor problems are being exaggerated.

(Perhaps even to the point that we can suspect people with partisan support for rival companies doing a little muck raking...)

I too have had iPhones since launch day in 2007, recommended them to countless people, and followed their issues in forums.

This model, the 3GS, has been my personal worst purchase, but having seen the perfect screen models of two models bought by relatives alongside mine, I know it is not universal, and that the defective unit is just (un)luck of the draw.

OrangeMarlin wrote:
Apple Stores have been more than helpful to everyone. This thread is ridiculous.

That's where I disagree. Some Apple Store employees are not always helpful when it comes to fixing "cosmetic" problems, whether from an attitude of superiority to the customer, or from misplaced loyalty to their employer, or from policy directives high up to increase profit margin by issuing fewer replacements.

The times when they are not helpful in resolving a customer's concerns (for an expensive purchase with a high markup) deserve to have attention drawn to them. While certain posts may be ridiculous in their exaggerated claims, as a whole this thread is a useful means of comparing experiences.

I have not yet had my defective screen addressed yet, mainly as I bought it from an Apple Store 300 miles away and have to wait until I return in a few days. When I do, I'll report my experiences, and they will be objective.

Dabomb I totally agree. If users don't have the issue why are they even reading the thread!? Absolutely ridiculous responses. We have paid a small fortune for these devices (£550 or $900 for a PAYG 32GB here in the UK) and if we are not happy about something we **** well have a right to get it fixed. I personally upgraded from my old 2G and the screens on these 3GS models are awful in comparison. $900 for a phone I expect absolute perfection. Sorry.

In all I've had three 3GS phones now. The first 16GB was badly yellow, the second 16GB was less yellow but had a faulty compass and the third 32GB is as yellow as urine. It is so annoying as the functions and speed of the phone are great and I just want to start using it properly. It needs to be sorted, and ASAP.

Since when has it become manditory to have a problem in order to post a general opinion on a topic?

One thing you do is admit you expect absolute perfection, good luck with that!

The fact is many have posted in this thread trying to figure out if they have the problem or not. I did the same thing, I was like wow all these folks having these issue. Let me check mine out, so I did side by side comparisons and checked out every aspect of my iPhone. While mine is slightly warmer than I'd like it to be, I like others do not expect perfection because that will never happen. I and I think many just want to make sure that our phones aren't defective, some have carried that to the extreme by bringing them back regardless to make sure, only to end up getting another phone that was worse than the first one they had.

I'll repeat it one last time, no one is saying there aren't legit issues. I am just saying some of have grown paranoid because they are unsure if theirs has an issue or not. That does not mean those of you that KNOW you have an issue are paranoid.

I respect your opinion about people's paranoia, but once again you keep misreading my posts. Here is my point:

Let's assume that there are no known issues and 100% of the people on here are paranoid. Let's define paranoid: "Paranoia is a thought process characterized by excessive anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion". Now let's assume that the YELLOW SCREEN is the problem all of these paranoid people "think" they have.

Now... Do you think 100% of these paranoid folk will walk in to the store and demand a new phone right off the bat? Common sense dictates that if the yellow screen is what they are worried about, they most likely will COMPARE FIRST with the large amount of demo phones in apple stores... or with their friend's devices. OF COURSE THEY WILL. They are just as paranoid to get an even worse phone with other issues because by our previous assumption, they are paranoid. Therefore, they will make absolutely sure they are not just being paranoid about the yellow before they swap it out. I'm not saying that some people won't just go and return it, claiming their device is yellow without confirmation but I imagine that group is slim because like you say, only a paranoid person would do that... and a paranoid person would not risk getting a "worse" phone without first confirming they have an issue.

Sounds to me like you are arguing about people demanding perfection then. That is another debate altogether. Let me just summarize the thread for you as you seem to think I didn't read.

A.) The thread is not about demanding perfection
B.) The thread is not about paranoia
C.) The thread is not about all iPhones having different "range" of screens
D.) The thread is about possible yellowing defects which clearly show different ranges of yellowing from top to bottom... Which is not the norm, especially compared to the apple store demo devices.

Spend an hour or two at the apple store if you live near one. Someone will come in with the yellow screen complaint. Ask them to compare their phones to the demo phones in the store. There is something wrong with a small percentage of phones. I have experienced it personally. Technically, I have more of a right to defend these people than you. You came in here with the defense of "I have a perfect one, and I think some of you are paranoid".

And I'm glad you can separate between the paranoid and those who have issues... but what exactly are you arguing about then? If we agree that 1% of the devices have issues, people will post. When people post issues, others will try to see if they have the same issues. If not, they ignore it. If maybe, they will further investigate. Are you telling people "not to post" because it makes people "paranoid" about if their phones have issues? Do you not think that most people have the IQ and intelligence to make a logical test to see if they have problems or do you think most people will read anything on the internet and freak out? My point is, even if this thread makes people paranoid, so be it. You have not personally seen someone read the thread, get paranoid, and return their phone in the next minute without checking out their phones. Why then, are you characterizing some people as such or even creating such a class of people?

I got your point, but you keep coming at me as if I am attacking you and that is just not true. I made a statement, you decided it was necessary to defend your position and it was not necessary!

I do not think every soul that has a slightly warm display is trying to get Apple to replace them, I never said that. I said there are many that are bringing them back to the stores because they are unsure if they actually have the problem or not. They've become paranoid because they are unsure. Seems like a pretty simple statement. Also if you actually read through this thread there are many that say they have done exactly that because they don't know if theirs is defective or not. I've also read other say "OH I am holding off because I don't want to get one of these defective phones". I didn't make that stuff up it is in this thread.

Anyone expecting perfection will continue to be disappointed because there are no electronic devices that are ever going to be perfect. No one said the thread was about paranoia, I simply made the statement and it is true.

I've spent plenty of time in an Apple store recently when considering buying a new McBookPro and I seen with my own eyes 3 or 4 people coming in and I heard what they said, this is partly what helped me to draw the conclusion that I did that there are many folks out there unsure and paranoid about there phones. So, all I am saying if you don't KNOW you have a problem, you likely don't! My screen is slightly warmer, but certainly not defective, but I guarantee you that there are some with my screen that would likely bring it back and yet I see nothing wrong with it. So call it what you want paranoid, overly sensitive it doesn't matter.

I am not sure what you are arguing here honestly! I got your point and I made mine.. end of the story! LOL I think we actually agree more than we disagree! hehehe Lets go drink a brewsky and compare displays! LOL

I'm sorry if I was abrasive but I didn't take anything personally, just coming from a different perspective thats all. Such is the internet. I guess I just give people more benefit of the doubt since I've experienced some problems myself.

We're talking about a very small fraction of the people who may have problems... and out of that fraction, only a fraction of them care. And another fraction who are asking too much, and another fraction that... etc etc.

Anyway, cheers and happy 4th. The fireworks sucked this year.

Just to had my fact here : my 32GB 2ng gen iPod touch has a yellow tint to the bottom of its screen which is more pronounced than the yellow tint of my iPhone 3GS (week 22). Yes my iPhone 3GS has a slight yellow tint to the bottom. But let's face it I will have not noticed it if I had not read about all of this here. I am not going to exchange it. I have lived with my iPod touch for more than 8 months without even bother with any possible screen issue.

Perfection is not part of our world, sometimes difficult to admit ...

nobody is looking for perfection, but on a screen that is only a few inches, a visible yellow tint on 1/3rd of the screen is unacceptable. If it is barely noticable for you great, but I have seen so much variation of this issue.

I heard they are replacing screens in the store now. So Maybe you can ask them to do that...

This is some crazy mess right here. I ordered my iPhone 3GS 16gb black from O2 in the UK on June 21st and received it on the 23rd. The first thing I noticed (like a LOT of others here) was that the screen compared to my 2G iPhone was significantly "warmer" although I'm not sure i'd call it "yellow". Anyway, the screen itself seemed even and very unusually for me, I got used to it. I did notice however, another VERY common fault which is the high pitched tone thing at the end of unlock sounds and a few others. It was for the sound issue that I returned it to an Apple store (O2 shirked all responsibility) and the "Genius" there was relatively helpful and arranged a replacement from their "Genius" stock (in a brown cardboard box instead of retail - don't know if there is any difference). I was VERY relieved to get a replacement because I know that if on the day the staff member you're dealing with has a chip on their shoulder they can be very awkward with you sometimes - but no so this time and all seemed well...... Until....

I noticed a distinct yellow gradient from the bottom of the screen up about 2cm of the screen. Once i'd noticed it, I simply couldn't ignore it and booked another appointment at the Apple store local to get it replaced. (The sound issue i've pretty much given up with because almost ALL of the 3GS phones i've heard (about 10) have the issue and I think it's a software issue that should be fixed.

The apple store then gave me a second replacement (I was yearning for the first one back at this point) and the screen was just as bad - the exact same yellow tinge at the bottom of the screen - fairly subtle but quite easily noticeable - certainly not good enough quality control for such a premium device.

So today I took the second replacement back and the Genius (very helpful this time) brought one out and showed it to me before I left. This one was the WORST of all the one's i'd seen for being yellow at the bottom third - and as a sanity check I asked both another guy at the Genius bar and the Genius himself to confirm this - which to my vindication - they did. The Genius then went off and got ANOTHER one for me which was great - and to my surprise, this one was much better than the previous worst one - almost good enough but with very slight yellowness to the bottom quarter of the screen - noticeable now mostly because I was looking for it, but because I'd run out of options I thanked the "Genius" and left.

Upon further inspection, and after reading this thread I am now canceling my 18 month contract with O2 and returning the phone. I've read some posts here about it being down to personal preference etc. and wondering if some of us are being too "picky" or asking for perfection. I don't think for most of us it's that at ALL.

Apple technically should know that most of it's customer base will be either more discerning or of a more technical disposition. In other words, they should know that quality control on the **** iPhone should be top notch - especially given the considerable price. This ain't no Samsung - in fact Samsung screens on phones are consistently excellent.

Given all of the complaints regarding the 3G (which I never had) regarding the yellow screen issues, this new batch of "yellow" problems is simply not acceptable to a consumer buying premium quality branded goods from a top of it's game technology supplier. I'm getting the impression that Apple simply don't give a **, and I suppose as long as there is a very vocal majority (is there?) out there who also don't give a ** about quality and will buy anything Apple regardless, why should they? They are a BUSINESS, so if they can save some cash on Quality Control - they will do it. Welcome to the world of Good Enough, and I think that we all need to wake up to the fact that Apple seems to be just like any other company in this regard - despite very strong suggestions to the contrary.

Don't get me wrong - I WISH Apple would take notice of it's users complaints first time - investigate them - and then take action. But instead, we seem to be dealing with a lot of PR politics which is to be expected from a company so heavily invested in their BRAND. So in the end it takes melting iPhones (3GS heating issues) it seems before Apple will even BEGIN to take things seriously.

In the end, as usual in electronic consumer product businesses, ALL of this could be avoided - the bad PR, the bad customer experience, the brand damage, the wasted money dealing with all of this crap if Apple simply employed or insisted on higher quality control procedures.

Don't settle for it. (My vain attempt to change this situation because I truly love Apple and want to see it succeed) The more we Apple customers say "no" to sub-standard products, the better it is for everyone in the long run - Apple included.

I'm sending my iPhone back and waiting it out a couple of months before ordering again. Maybe then they will have woken up to this nonsensical situation - and realised that with increasing market share, maintaining quality is probably THE most important thing for them to do for their long term growth and success. Hopefully by then, i'll get the iPhone 3GS without sound issues, with a well lit and EVEN screen and no overheating issues. I recommend all of us here with the option to do so - do the same.

By the way - let's all feedback how and IF the newer batches improve and if indeed these issues get ironed out in the fullness of time. I certainly will - and thanks to everyone who's posted here - you've been a great help.

I totally respect your feelings on this matter. The bottom third of my screen is tinted yellow and that is not what I paid for. It's not really the tint that bothers me but the fact that the screen is not consitent.

Yesterday I went to a party and I was sitting in a tent out of direct sunlight and the yellow was very evident. I have decided to live with it. Perhaps I will have the screen replaced at some point if Apple will alow it.

I have gotten used to the warmer tones of my 3Gs and prefer it to my 2G which I'm using right now. All in all the 3Gs is a great phone and I would hate to be without it. I can overlook its quirks which I believe will be sorted soon.

Good luck I hope you are pleased with the new iPhone in a few months time.

alsheron great post. I feel exactly the same way. I think you might have an issue returning the Apple brown box (refurbished) replacement back to O2 though. Might be worth giving them a ring as the IMEI number will no longer match their records for your contract. I'm sure I read somewhere that as soon as you have done a swap at Apple you can't return it to O2.

I will be getting a 3rd 3GS from the next batch that come in the O2 retail. Hoping this screen issue will be fixed.

I just got my iPhone 3gs replaced w/ a week 27 and I think I received a "Yellow Tint" defective model because my week 21 model worked perfectly except it overheated too much and it had an uneven screen. Now it's really annoying and it kind of stresses my eye just reading an email or something. I should of just stayed with week 21 despite the overheating and uneven screen.

Thanks for the warning - but I've been very fortunate in getting my return authorized by an O2 manager. In fact, a tip i'd like to give is that it seems you can in fact return to O2 iPhones swapped at an Apple shop as long as you both tell O2 you have done this (and include copies of the paperwork received at the Apple store) AND O2 themselves have told you to take it to an Apple Store in the first place (as they did to me). Because of this it seems that it's much better NOT to take your phone to an Apple store unless you are specifically told to do so by O2 themselves.

Another HUGE tip is MAKE sure that you're 100% happy with your phone as soon as possible after getting it. I literally rang O2 to cancel ON the 14th day on my "cooling-off" period, which was a hair-raising experience. Got the return authorised but they did try to play me by saying that the PHONE itself needed to be returned within 14 days in order to cancel the contract, which is a load of nonsense. I got it sorted in the end, but be careful. If you suspect persistent QC niggles, it's best to cancel the contract and wait it out for newer phone batches. I've learned a very important lesson here - avoid getting new phones when they've just come out.

One last thing. On the phone to O2 dealing with returns or matters like this, ALWAYS be polite (not necessarily sweetness and light), ALWAYS get the FULL NAME of the person you're dealing with and if they put "notes" on the system, ALWAYS call back a few minutes later (hopefully to someone else!) and confirm the notes are on the system properly.