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iPhones with the negative black screen issue

atari1356

atari1356

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 27, 2004
1,582
32
Who else is having the "negative black" screen issue on their iPhone?

Mine was purchased a couple of weeks ago and I noticed the problem while watching the movie "Serenity" (before the iPod Touches even arrived in stores). I wasn't sure what to think of it, until the issue blew up in the iPod Touch forum.

You can check to see if you have the problem by looking at this image on your iPhone/iPod Touch (make sure you're looking at it straight on, and not from an angle):

Jay-z-black-album.jpg


If the parts of the image that *should* be solid black look brighter, then you have the problem. (this thread shows an example of a bad screen)

I'll probably be taking mine back in to the Apple store tonight or tomorrow to try and exchange it.

Update: I also found this thread on the Apple discussion forums about the issue:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1139221&tstart=0
 
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VoodooDaddy

macrumors 65816
May 14, 2003
1,414
0
Ive noticed on videos that have alot of dark scenes that I have to hold it as a slight angle or else there is a shimmer to many parts of it. IMO its not that bad, but at what point is it unacceptable?
 
atari1356

atari1356

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 27, 2004
1,582
32
VoodooDaddy said:
Ive noticed on videos that have alot of dark scenes that I have to hold it as a slight angle or else there is a shimmer to many parts of it. IMO its not that bad, but at what point is it unacceptable?
Click to expand...

Well, on mine if I want to watch a movie I have to tilt it back 10 - 15 degrees before the dark areas look normal. I think having to view things at that sort of an angle for a decent image is unacceptable.

The iPhone works so well in every other way, that it does seem to border on nitpicking to complain... so I'm sure it will be a personal choice for those who do have the problem. I'll be using my iPhone a lot for watching videos - so I'm hoping to get a screen that's better.
 
gkarris

gkarris

macrumors G3
Dec 31, 2004
8,301
1,061
"No escape from Reality...”
atari1356 said:
Well, on mine if I want to watch a movie I have to tilt it back 10 - 15 degrees before the dark areas look normal. I think having to view things at that sort of an angle for a decent image is unacceptable.

The iPhone works so well in every other way, that it does seem to border on nitpicking to complain... so I'm sure it will be a personal choice for those who do have the problem. I'll be using my iPhone a lot for watching videos - so I'm hoping to get a screen that's better.
Click to expand...

The iPod Touch users are getting theirs replaced. I would imagine that iPhone users can too...
 
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VoodooDaddy

macrumors 65816
May 14, 2003
1,414
0
Guess its pretty safe to say mine has an issue. One pic from straight on, one from an angle. Brightness was turned up all the way.
 

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jasonsmith

macrumors member
Jul 20, 2007
52
0
VoodooDaddy said:
Guess its pretty safe to say mine has an issue. One pic from straight on, one from an angle. Brightness was turned up all the way.
Click to expand...

That sucks dude... does it help if your brightness is turned down?

Do you notice anywhere else on the phone ie. home screen or apps?
 
R

Ron21

macrumors 6502a
Sep 6, 2007
951
708
Just to let you guys know my iphone (bought one week ago) also has this issue! I've even went back to the apple store today and exchanged for a new one and it as well has the same issue.
 
atari1356

atari1356

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Feb 27, 2004
1,582
32
VoodooDaddy said:
Guess its pretty safe to say mine has an issue. One pic from straight on, one from an angle. Brightness was turned up all the way.
Click to expand...

Yeah, yours definitely has it. :eek:

Thanks for posting the pictures - that more clearly shows the problem than most other examples I've seen.
 
J

jasonsmith

macrumors member
Jul 20, 2007
52
0
Ron21 said:
Just to let you guys know my iphone (bought one week ago) also has this issue! I've even went back to the apple store today and exchanged for a new one and it as well has the same issue.
Click to expand...

Ok, what screen is it? 7 or 5 series. call *3001#12345#* and go to Versions, there you will see an LCD Panel ID.

oh and go get another one, and keep doing it till they fix this stupid issue.
 
R

Ron21

macrumors 6502a
Sep 6, 2007
951
708
jasonsmith said:
Ok, what screen is it? 7 or 5 series. call *3001#12345#* and go to Versions, there you will see an LCD Panel ID.

oh and go get another one, and keep doing it till they fix this stupid issue.
Click to expand...

LCD Panel ID : 7455232

On both phones with this issue.
 
gkarris

gkarris

macrumors G3
Dec 31, 2004
8,301
1,061
"No escape from Reality...”
jasonsmith said:
Ok, what screen is it? 7 or 5 series. call *3001#12345#* and go to Versions, there you will see an LCD Panel ID.

oh and go get another one, and keep doing it till they fix this stupid issue.
Click to expand...

that number doesn't work for mine, I guess for obvious reasons.

You can tell by the pic though. Mine's a closeout 4Gig model ($299) which has a much earlier screen. It's flawless, though, no checkerboard or anything that has been mentioned...
 
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VoodooDaddy

macrumors 65816
May 14, 2003
1,414
0
Just to follow up what was asked earlier. Typically, I dont use with my brightness all the way up. I usually have it set to about 1/3 to no higher than 1/2. I just turned it up to make this more noticable. If I have the brightness down to where I typically keep it you can barely even see JayZ in that picture from straight on.

To me, it really isnt that big of an issue. I just have to tilt the phone a few degrees to make out those dark scenes clearly. But...not only do I have the negative issue, I also have a dead pixel which is clearly visable in the first picture I posted (reposted pic with that marked). That I was just going to live with as well, but maybe since I have 2 separate issues I shouldnt.

Are there iphones out there with absolutely NO negative black screen? I just assumed this was a product of the LCD and the viewing angle. And no, its not noticeable anywhere expect when I watching movies.
 

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VoodooDaddy

macrumors 65816
May 14, 2003
1,414
0
Just took a few more pics. This is at my regular brightness setting, about 1/3.
Again, first straight on, 2nd at a slight angle.
 

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p8ntballguy

macrumors member
Apr 4, 2006
47
0
I have the issue too. If i go the applestore what should I tell them. Anyone else try yet? What did they do?

thanks
 
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bushman1

macrumors regular
Jul 28, 2007
159
0
I got my iPod touch a week agaland i looked at the blach ablum and it looks inversed and reflective I have a week 37.
 
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jasonsmith

macrumors member
Jul 20, 2007
52
0
p8ntballguy said:
I have the issue too. If i go the applestore what should I tell them. Anyone else try yet? What did they do?

thanks
Click to expand...

Tell them to make things right the first time, stop using the public as R&D and give me a new phone.

or.

my screen is broken, can I have a new one pls.
 
gkarris

gkarris

macrumors G3
Dec 31, 2004
8,301
1,061
"No escape from Reality...”
jasonsmith said:
Ok, what screen is it? 7 or 5 series. call *3001#12345#* and go to Versions, there you will see an LCD Panel ID.

oh and go get another one, and keep doing it till they fix this stupid issue.
Click to expand...

Oh duh, I forgot the * at the end.

I have a 5755136, 4Gig, bought last week, according to serial number, week 29. No issues. Sorry, cheap camera, pic on phone looks perfect straight on, no negative blacks until at an extreme angle.
 

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Ron21

macrumors 6502a
Sep 6, 2007
951
708
p8ntballguy said:
I have the issue too. If i go the applestore what should I tell them. Anyone else try yet? What did they do?

thanks
Click to expand...

No point in going to the apple store. Like I said before, I went to the apple store today. I clearly explained the issue (negative blacks), since it is really bright in the apple store the rep didn't see any issues with my phone. However, he allowed me to do an exchange anyway. Upon opening and testing my new iPhone I was disappointed as it had the same exact issue with displaying black colors.

This leads me to believe that all new iPhones have this issue.
 
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