iphone 4S camera blinking flashing flickering

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Level 1

7 points

iphone 4S camera blinking flashing flickering

Hi all,

My iPhone 4S' front facing video camera often blinks (or flashes or flickering or whatever term that is synonymous) such as when using Facetime. This problem happens about 50% of the time and starts as soon as I press the Facetime button. I have been on my WIFI network as well as other WIFIs so it's not my network. It happens with everyone that I Facetime (they are mainly on non-4S equipment). It happens when I initiate the FT or if they call me. It happens in normal light such as a sunny day while in my kitchen or outside or even in very bright rooms. It is not just FT...if I simply start the Camera and use the front-facing video, sometimes it will blink.

I called Apple back in mid October a few days after receiving the 4S and they had not heard of the problem (of course...because the 4S was so new) and said it could either be a software bug or hardware. I have never heard of a solution for this, yet if you Google the problem there are tons of reports with 0 solutions. There are tons of Youtube videos showcasing the problem.

Does anyone know if this has been solved by Apple and what the solution is? I see nothing on the entire Apple website regarding iPhone 4S front-facing video camera flashing/blinking/flickering during use.

Youtube example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDHJBEexcWw at 2:38 and beyond

Thanks in advance!

-Eric

Posted on Jan 26, 2012 8:34 AM

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Answer 1

ericinboston Author

Level 1

7 points

Feb 2, 2012 7:33 PM in response to ericinboston

anyone? any ideas? I've recorded the issue tonight and posted on youtube for you to see. Thanks in advance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b10TT4d2fBA

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Answer 2

Feb 15, 2012 6:46 AM in response to ericinboston

Same problem here. Reading through the various threads on this topic, general consensus seems to be that it's a hardware fault.

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Answer 3

ericinboston Author

Level 1

7 points

Feb 16, 2012 7:06 PM in response to @MuDaeBoJongShin

I am going this weekend to get my phone replaced.

1)Apple STILL (after 4+ months of release and millions sold) claims they have never, ever heard or seen this problem.

2)Apple refuses to acknowledge if they have viewed my Youtube or the various other Youtube videos showcasing the problem.

3)Apple simply tells me to come to the store. Which is a convenient 45 minutes away at best. We're not all 14 year old kids with 0 responsibility in life.

Not a happy Apple customer who spent $400 + 2 years of lock-in service for a phone that touts "the most amazing iPhone yet" and brags at length about the camera(s) functionality and finds that days after ownership it's a defective hunk of junk. Not to mention Apple simply tells me "we've never seen the issue" over and over and over...

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Answer 4

H3nry

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2012 12:24 AM in response to ericinboston

I have the same problem. Just bought the iphone 4s few days ago. Someone says this is the software problem. It;s solved if update to 5.1.1. But i didnt try it yet. Going to ask the shop today 😟

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Answer 5

ericinboston Author

Level 1

7 points

May 9, 2012 6:10 AM in response to H3nry

Please keep us in the loop!!

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Answer 6

H3nry

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2012 6:21 AM in response to ericinboston

@ericinboston

Did u try to update to FW 5.1.1?

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Answer 7

ericinboston Author

Level 1

7 points

May 9, 2012 6:42 AM in response to H3nry

No I did not try the latest firmware/iOS 5.1.1...I am not a believer of "just upgrade and see if it fixes it". If Apple posts a formal statement that 5.1.1 fixes the/a problem, sure, I'll upgrade. 🙂 But not as a shot in the dark...not to mention what OTHER things the new upgrade may break or disable or change or "improve".

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Answer 8

H3nry

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2012 6:49 AM in response to ericinboston

Me too. I just went to the shop but whatever i tried the problem didnt show up. But when i came home then the front camera starts show up the blinking and some time it turn dark. Im not sure it's because the light on the shop is brighter than my home or not 😢

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Answer 9

H3nry

Level 1

4 points

May 10, 2012 9:55 AM in response to ericinboston

I got the new phone. And i think it works ok now. Need some days for testing 🙂

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Answer 10

ericinboston Author

Level 1

7 points

May 10, 2012 10:02 AM in response to H3nry

I wouldn't count on it. I got a replacement 4S in February, it worked fine for a few Facetimes, then one day in April it started again.

This is obviously some kind of major design flaw...Apple still refuses to read/comment on this thread, Apple refuses to view my Youtube video showcasing the problem (they also refuse to answer WHY they will not view my video but WILL confirm they refuse to watch it)...Apple also refuses to look at other Youtube videos showcasing the same problem and Apple also refuses to Google the problem.

Apple's stance on this is obvious: they know it's a problem and refuse to acknowledge it...likely in fear of a mass recall.

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Answer 11

H3nry

Level 1

4 points

May 13, 2012 11:10 AM in response to ericinboston

I didnt try facetime but i tested with video chat on skype and it's ok. I aggreed with u abt Apple doesnt want to acknowlege this. Look like we have to deal with it. And hope this is just a software problem. I didnt upgrade to 5.1.1 because there are some bugs after upgrade. Just wait for sometime then 😝

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Answer 12

Jun 27, 2012 10:32 AM in response to ericinboston

I have the same problem with my iPhone 4S. The flickering occurs mainly during FaceTime calls. I have the feeiling it might be a problem with overheating. Whenever I placed the phone on a cold surface (even during the call) it quickly stopped flickeing. I still hope this can be fixed by a new firmware though (maybe iOS 6?).

Let me know if the cold surface works for you too.

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Answer 13

Sep 16, 2012 12:15 PM in response to ericinboston

I have the same problem. It started happening when my phone was about 6 months old. I dont' use Face Time but I make a lot of video messages to send to my granddaughter when I am away from home. It is worse in bright light but it even happens indoors.

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