iPhone 4S grid on screen (tiny squares)

Question

Level 1

9 points

iPhone 4S grid on screen (tiny squares)

Hello,

I recently purchased an iPhone 4S from the Apple Store. It so happens that while holding it to a bright light source (sunlight, light bulb), tiny squares appear on the touch screen display, even though the phone is off. It's really pronounced since I'm constantly under a bright light source at home and at work and it's a little annoying.

I've inspected other iPhone 4Ss and the same grid pattern does appear but is not that noticable - probably not enough light hitting the display.

I am using a matted touch screen protector which might be making the grid stand out.

I've read other similar posts and they say it's the touchscreen digitizer.

Is anyone else experiencing the same issue?

iPhone 4S, iOS 5.0.1

Posted on Feb 5, 2012 8:36 AM

Reply

Answer 1

modular747

Level 6

19,674 points

Feb 5, 2012 9:01 AM in response to ad2k

My question is whether you see this when actually using the phone - i.e. when the screen is backlit - or just when off and illuminated by "a bright light source"? For me, the answer is no in both situations.

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Answer 2

ad2k Author

Level 1

9 points

Feb 5, 2012 9:10 AM in response to modular747

thanks for the reply. I can see this more pronounced when the screen is off than on but it is irritatingly noticable when on and under a bright light sournce.

the thing is it present in all iphone 4Ss but not that noticable. I can try taking out the screen protector and see if that helps. the glass reflects most light back so probably thats the reason it's not that noticable for others.

please not that the phone has to be at a certain angle as well generally horizonal on your palm

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Answer 3

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Feb 5, 2012 9:15 AM in response to ad2k

What you are seeing is the digitizer grid. It is what receives your touch and communicates it to the processor. All touch screens have them and they can be seen if you look at the screen at just the right angle and lighting conditions. Perfectly normal.

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Answer 4

modular747

Level 6

19,674 points

Feb 5, 2012 9:19 AM in response to ad2k

it is irritatingly noticable when on and under a bright light sournce.

please not that the phone has to be at a certain angle as well generally horizonal on your palm

To paraphrase Steve Jobs (regarding another issue): "Don't hold it that way." Holding the phone horizontally in your palm isn't a natural way to use the phone. Is that how you actually hold it when in use or just to see the grid?

The phone is what it is. The rest of us don't even notice it, but if it irritates you, get another phone or learn to live with it.

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Answer 5

Feb 4, 2013 2:33 PM in response to ad2k

I am in New Zealand and also have a 4S that I purchased in November 2011. Since day one I had a screen protector and never noticed the strange grid of squares until going screen "commando" for a week. Read sans screen protector. Over the week as the screen became dirty the squares were very obvious and a real pain in all light conditions. I rang Apple NZ - and since then I have been to a repair guy for apple (in NZ they do not fix iPhones so I went to my telphone provider who I bought the phone from. To even have a guy look at it costs $50 and then a new screen $$$$$ which they will not cover. The problem is - was this a problem from the outset that I never notices from day 1 because of the screen protector? Is this a known problem? 4 Apple suppliers I spoke to in NZ have never heard of it - however - when I show them my phone they all go whoa and can see what I - nobody knows what to do. HELP

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