I just got my iPhone 3G S today and noticed that it has a distinctly yellowish tint to the screen. Doesn't matter what app I am using, and I've tried adjusting the brightness with no success.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
I've got my 1st iPhone 3GS some days ago. After activating the phone I was really shocked. Compared to my iPhone 3G the screen was less bright the colors not as vivid and there was this yellow tint all over the screen. And as described in the posts before it was even yellower in the lower third of the screen. Beside this the phone has had some more "defects" and therefore I decided to contact Apple to get it exchanged.
I've got a new one and I was really surprised when I noticed that the new one has had an even yellower screen than the 1st one. I remembered a post at the very beginning of this thread where someone mentioned that the yellow seems to fade away after some time. I got the suspicion that the screen of my 1st iPhone 3GS has lost some of it's yellow color.
So I did the following. I kept the 1st phone for one more day. I took photos from both phones showing a background image with brightness up to 100% and auto brightness switched off. At the beginning of this experiment the new iphone 3GS was much yellower as the 1st one. For the new one I bought an App which switches the screen completely white. I plugged the 2nd iPhone 3GS to my Mac, disabled the auto lock function (don't know how it is named in the english version of the phone) and started the app which makes the screen completely white. I've left it like this for some hours.
After doing so I've compared the two background images again and the yellowish screen of the 2nd Iphone 3GS was not as yellow as before. Still noticeable but much less than before. Overall the difference between the two screens was much less noticeable. Since I've had to return the 1st phone I continued the experiment and compared my iPhone 3GS with the 3G of my colleagues.
Today I can say that the screen of my 2nd iPhone 3GS is definitely much less yellow than before.
And so I've seen two iPhone 3GS where the yellowish tint has faded away after some time of usage.
(I think it is more related to the permanent usage than to the white screen app.) There is still a slight difference between my 3GS and the 3G of my colleagues but it depends on the brightness setting and the environment lights. I will stay with this phone as the other "problems" I've had with the first one are not or nearly not visible on the 2nd one.
Interesting. I had mentioned that I thought my yellow tint seemed to be fading away. Sometimes I notice it more then others. Maybe it was just the room lighting that made it look less yellow.
I really shows up in sunlight. It would be nice if the problem corrected itself.
In case anyone is wondering I did not come across this topic and then suddenly realize that my screen looked yellow. I noticed it straight away after activating it. I started posting in this topic because I have a yellow screen. Well yellow at the bottom at least. I do have the right to feel somewhat disappointed.
So, I went today to the apple store and picked up my 4th replacement, and...the screen was SO much beter! Built 927 the screen looked like the previous 3G screen but not as vivid. It was evident that the other 3GS was also brighter but with the yellow tint which washed out the other colors (blues were purple). The apple staff also saw the same difference. It took four times but now I have a phone I can feel good about and I was very impressed by how apple helped me work out this issue.
SecretNY wrote:
So, I went today to the apple store and picked up my 4th replacement, and...the screen was SO much beter! Built 927 the screen looked like the previous 3G screen but not as vivid. It was evident that the other 3GS was also brighter but with the yellow tint which washed out the other colors (blues were purple). The apple staff also saw the same difference. It took four times but now I have a phone I can feel good about and I was very impressed by how apple helped me work out this issue.
Never settle for less.
Guess apple really liked you, lol but they didn't honor me a 2nd replacement, Now I'm just patiently waiting for a refund.. I didn't want a $430 phone that didn't have a descent screen which a main function of a phone. Good Luck to those who've also been through this..
I know I have seen a post somewhere that tells you how to work out in what week the phone was built, but I can't find it. Can anyone help me and explain it to me, please.
