iPhone 6: Apparent backlight uniformity issue

My new Verizon iPhone 6 64GB exhibits a darker region on the top 1/8th of the display. It is most evident when displaying a white background. It is difficult to tell whether it's a chromaticity issue (AMLCD issue), a luminance uniformity problem (backlight), or something else all together.


Anyone else notice this effect on their new phone?

iPhone 6, iOS 8, Verizon 64GB

Posted on Sep 20, 2014 6:25 AM

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259 replies

Dec 24, 2014 6:12 PM in response to Brown1428

Because my replacement screen still has this issue - but less so - I'd say wait until next year to see if they fix whatever is wrong with the backlight. I am surprised though that people are getting replacement phones for this problem: the Genius I worked with saw the problem easily, but would only replace the screen (it had been about a month since I bought my iPhone 6).


Also something to note: after my repair was done no one went over the fix with me to demonstrate that it was actually fixed. So, I wasn't in a great position to tell them the problem was still there, as they were all running around being busy with other stuff. It gave me the impression that whoever replaced the screen didn't understand what the problem was or at least didn't compare it to the original screen (the Genius had written down that there were dead pixels on my screen causing the problem, which wasn't the case).

Dec 31, 2014 11:37 PM in response to rottenfuji

Massage to remove dark cloud and bleeding - learned from a YouTube video posted by a kid to fix his laptop display backlight.

Apple should pay me for testing and providing workaround.


on white napkin, before and after massage (massaged battery area):


User uploaded fileUser uploaded file


max brightness, black picture.

bleeding before and after massage, right edge bleeding disappeared and bottom right is noticeably better:


User uploaded fileUser uploaded file

Jan 1, 2015 6:38 AM in response to rottenfuji

Hi. I tried massaging my first screen that had the dark blob areas in the middle (and dim in upper right hand quad) and I could get them to move and morph around and they would subside a little and eventually creep back to their original state. So I sent it back. Apple told me they found nothing wrong and they sent a replacement. The first replacement had the FaceTime camera problem right out of the box and more dark areas on the screen. They were more prominent in the upper right quadrant and very noticeable by the battery indicator. Sent it back. Got my 2nd replacement two days ago week 48. I was all excited getting the more recent week number thinking they had fixed this issue (first phone week 40- first replacement week 39) but the upper right hand quadrant is still noticeably darker than the rest of the screen on white backgrounds! My gut feeling is they are all like this based on what people have posted in this forum and all the 6's I've seen! So I'm going to stick with this one for now! I suppose I'll try massaging my dark corner and see if it will permanently go away but I doubt it! Is yours still really better and uniform? I don't think I should have to massage a screen right out of the box to make it look right. Disappointed with this years iPhone 6 screen! 😟

Jan 1, 2015 9:47 AM in response to imagineadam

I'm from engineering background too. And most likely this is a design defect.

The problem is all around extruding camera. Massage proves it to be uneven pressure beneath screen.


It creeps back means some components below, camera or antenna have too much impact on screen.


IPhone 6+ is better for the same reason, due to more space to even out pressure.

But the camera is still too tall, thus upper right is still dark, worst under battery % - under the camera.


My 6+ has a small streak of cloud, very thin and dispersed but noticeable while bottom a very bright line.

Those are are structure and design flaw so will be there unless recalled back and fixed with a new design.

Jan 1, 2015 10:13 AM in response to rottenfuji

i'll see if genius got us some newer crops week 50-52, doubt it.

Otherwise, Samsung or HTC or LG or Nexus might be an answer to our inquiry or end to our ordeals.


this is a very well known issue among retailers, some say "Apple cannot get their act together", some underrate it by saying "it is overrated"


if a seller knows a wildspread issue, it is never overrated. It is an ordeal for both sellers and buyers, ignoring time and money wasted.

Jan 4, 2015 3:02 PM in response to LudwigJ

So how is your screen now? Was the apple specialist right about it being adhesive that needed to dry or cure? The whole left side of my screen goes from a yellow to a white color temperature. Dark upper right corner. Dimmer more yellowish blotch in the keyboard area keys QWERTASDFZXC- the rest of the keys are a nice normal blueish white like it should be along with the whole right half of screen. Week 48 space gray 64 GB.

Jan 4, 2015 7:12 PM in response to imagineadam

6+ has better screen quality than 6. mine has very subtle dark cloud at the top, most obvious at top right corner.

also a white blotch to the right of volume buttons, not very eye catching either.

6+ darkness might be getting lighter over time. but not 6, which has yellow tone barely changed within 14-day exchange period.


I did see someone's 3-month 6+ having a rainbow book spine near right edge (visible on white screen but only 1-mm wide), from battery icon down to bottom. It might have been developed over use. hopefully not universal but one isolated case or two.

Jan 5, 2015 4:42 AM in response to rottenfuji

Hi,


I have already exchanged iPhone 6 4 times in applestore. Every unit had a problem with screen uniformity and coloration. Now my 4th device is a bit yellow tinted on the top of the screen like most of devices u described. The 3rd one was just dim in one corner. Really no idea what to do. I am really disappointed with their quality now. I would like to pay a high price for apple device however it doesn't come with high quality. At the same time I exchanged 2 MBPr 15" with top specs due to screen problems. I am sure i will not keep the MBPr with such a problems for the price.

Jan 5, 2015 7:13 AM in response to Brown1428

I have been through five iPhone 6s now and they've all exhibited this problem. I have given up and bought an iPhone 6 Plus, the screen on which is perfect; even lighting, no dark smudges, no yellow tints.


I think there's so much packed into the chassis of the 6, there's pressure on the screen. The internal design of the Plus might be a little roomier and therefore there's no pressure points at the edges of the screen causing light distortion.


Overall, I preferred the portability of the 6, but I constantly found my eye wandering to the dark patch and it drove me nuts. the 6 plus is a beast but it's a pleasure to look at compared to the 6.

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iPhone 6: Apparent backlight uniformity issue

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