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Arghh! Dead pixels on iPhone. What to do.
- Thread starter DaftUnion
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My iPhone just randomly popped me up a stuck red pixel, but it was flickering in different apps as to what color it needs to be. Looks normal in the keyboard, red on the homescreen, pissed me off oh so very much. Tapped the screen super hard in its general area and its gone for now 
<offtopic>
It's one of those idioms that I think a lot of people learned/heard incorrectly and just kept on using it that way. The other day, I read a post where the person kept writing (verb) of instead of (verb) have, I guess, because that's how the contraction sounds. "Could of" is not "could have," just as "should of" is not the same as "should have.
</offtopic>
When you get the stuck pixels you usally can tap them back to place, stuck pixels are the colored ones, deadpixiels usually never change or show up, they cant be fixed.
Looks like I've got a stuck pixel as well. And I think mine just came out of nowhere. I'm pretty sure I would have noticed this before. None of these techniques worked for me. Also, I couldn't figure out how to load that video into iTunes since it is a google video.
If it is true that this stuck pixel just suddenly appeared, is it just as likely that it will go away on its own?
If it is true that this stuck pixel just suddenly appeared, is it just as likely that it will go away on its own?
Here is a link to a video that will load right up in iTunes that flashes green, yellow, and red. So far, it hasn't gotten rid of my stuck pixel, but I thought I'd at least give the link in case someone else can have better luck.
http://www.psp-vault.com/Article168.psp
http://www.psp-vault.com/Article168.psp
Quick Way To Solve The Problem
Here's a quick fix for your dead-pixel problems... Take it back and get a new one.
I started having a problem last night with a dead, blue pixel in the bottom half of the screen, right between Notes and Settings. This morning the pixel was a solid blue, but by afternoon it was kind of flickering on and off. It disappeared for a few hours and then came back only to disappear again.
I took it to the Apple store, told them my issue, and they replaced it no questions asked... even when the problem wasn't happening while I was at the store. I was in and out of the store in 10 minutes.
Don't keep a defective device, even if it seems like a minor deal. We all paid at least $536 for these things, make 'em give you one that works correctly.
Here's a quick fix for your dead-pixel problems... Take it back and get a new one.
I started having a problem last night with a dead, blue pixel in the bottom half of the screen, right between Notes and Settings. This morning the pixel was a solid blue, but by afternoon it was kind of flickering on and off. It disappeared for a few hours and then came back only to disappear again.
I took it to the Apple store, told them my issue, and they replaced it no questions asked... even when the problem wasn't happening while I was at the store. I was in and out of the store in 10 minutes.
Don't keep a defective device, even if it seems like a minor deal. We all paid at least $536 for these things, make 'em give you one that works correctly.
Just got back from the Apple store for the second time this week and I'm happy to say that with the third phone I got, it looks like this one is fine (finally) and there are no messed up pixels on this one. Even if there is...the hell with it. No matter what happens to the phone (unless it's on the death bed) i'm not returning this one.
Seriously though, as other members have said, if you have screen anomolies and they bother you, just exchance the thing and get a replacement.
Seriously though, as other members have said, if you have screen anomolies and they bother you, just exchance the thing and get a replacement.
did not get as lucky as you guys. Just got out of the apple store and they wouldn't exchange it. Said the display was within specifications. I asked him how many dead pixels qualify as being out of spec and he didnt have an answer for me. This kinda sucks. You pay $600 for a phone you kind of want it to be flawless. Might be worth it to go to the other apple store in my area and see if they have the same story.
I just went and replaced my iPhone that had three dead pixels, one on a cornor and two in the middle. The apple store people replaced it just fine.
mine has about 20+ stuck pixels...I think they actually have to be dead for apple to do something...I don't really care tho, 'cause the pixels are so small it doesn't make much of diff.
I had one (1) wonky pixel - and it was one of those intermittent "sometimes it's fine, sometimes it turns random colors for no reason" ones.
I got a Genius appointment for today at the SF Stockton St store and had it changed on the spot hassle free - even tho the problem only manifested itself for a very, very short time while I was in store.
If I had 20 I would be going spare.
The Genius bar had its own cache of iPhones for replacement even though the store was sold out.
I got a Genius appointment for today at the SF Stockton St store and had it changed on the spot hassle free - even tho the problem only manifested itself for a very, very short time while I was in store.
If I had 20 I would be going spare.
The Genius bar had its own cache of iPhones for replacement even though the store was sold out.
iPhone ZERO Tollerance for Dead Pixels
Just wanted to give everyone my experience with a dead pixel on my iPhone:
I had one dead pixel right in the middle of my 8GB iPhone. I took it in to the Topanga Apple Store in California and the Genius went in back to check to see what the policy was on dead pixels. He came out 5 minutes later with a brand new box and said "I Love Apple" I asked why and he said that they have a "Zero Tollerance for dead pixels on the iPhone" So that was music to my ears and 5 minutes later I was on my way with my brand spankin new iPhone, the way it should have been a week ago.
I had brought along my box with everything still packed up in it and they said that that was easier for them to just give me a whole new box.
They did keep my same sim card that they took out with a paper clip. That's the only thing "old" about my new iPhone. They would have just swapped out the phone part if I didn't have all the other stuff. They were happy that I did bring the whole thing in, but it wasn't necessary.
Thank you Apple!!
Reaffirms my love of the company!
Just wanted to give everyone my experience with a dead pixel on my iPhone:
I had one dead pixel right in the middle of my 8GB iPhone. I took it in to the Topanga Apple Store in California and the Genius went in back to check to see what the policy was on dead pixels. He came out 5 minutes later with a brand new box and said "I Love Apple" I asked why and he said that they have a "Zero Tollerance for dead pixels on the iPhone" So that was music to my ears and 5 minutes later I was on my way with my brand spankin new iPhone, the way it should have been a week ago.
I had brought along my box with everything still packed up in it and they said that that was easier for them to just give me a whole new box.
They did keep my same sim card that they took out with a paper clip. That's the only thing "old" about my new iPhone. They would have just swapped out the phone part if I didn't have all the other stuff. They were happy that I did bring the whole thing in, but it wasn't necessary.
Thank you Apple!!
Reaffirms my love of the company!
Hmmm....this is exactly opposite the story I was told. That my dead pixel was within the spec for the phone. I wonder if there is any documentation from Apple saying that there is a zero tolerance policy. I'd love to print that out and come show them that. Not a big fan of having a dead pixel. Seems like these genius bar guys don't have their story straight.
Guys. We all need to get over it. I returned my first iPhone for worries about stuck pixels. I got a new iPhone...with different stuck pixels. I examined all the iPhones on display in the store. It is near impossible to find a single one without at least one "stuck" pixel when displaying a black image. Most of these depend on the angle you are viewing, and disappear as soon as you get off the color black. You really have a problem with a stuck pixel if it appears red/green/blue while using the apps on the iPhone or browsing the web.
But every iPhone I have come into contact with (10+) will have some very lightly stuck pixels on a black screen
For those of you who returned yours and got one back "without any stuck pixels," you just aren't looking hard enough. I am a perfectionist; I will find it in 2 seconds. I am just learning to cope, since no amount of returning/exchanging is going to give you the perfect phone.
-i
P.S. According to the Apple Store I went to, Apple DOES have an official policy regarding stuck/dead pixels and the amount necessary to warrant a return, but ultimately it depends on the representative you get. I happened to get two guys at the genius bar who hated stuck pixels and were all too happy to switch it out. There are other reps who will stick to Apple's strict standards and turn you away. If that's the case, and you still really want an exchange, go to a different Apple Store. It doesn't matter where you bought yours, they'll exchange it anywhere (so long as they like you).
Calm down.
But every iPhone I have come into contact with (10+) will have some very lightly stuck pixels on a black screen
For those of you who returned yours and got one back "without any stuck pixels," you just aren't looking hard enough. I am a perfectionist; I will find it in 2 seconds. I am just learning to cope, since no amount of returning/exchanging is going to give you the perfect phone.
-i
P.S. According to the Apple Store I went to, Apple DOES have an official policy regarding stuck/dead pixels and the amount necessary to warrant a return, but ultimately it depends on the representative you get. I happened to get two guys at the genius bar who hated stuck pixels and were all too happy to switch it out. There are other reps who will stick to Apple's strict standards and turn you away. If that's the case, and you still really want an exchange, go to a different Apple Store. It doesn't matter where you bought yours, they'll exchange it anywhere (so long as they like you).
Calm down.
My iPhone Story, and the dead pixel issue.
I must agree with you on this one. Here is my iPhone story. For anyone who plan to make an exchange, you may want to read this:
I have been on my FIFTH iPhone now. Yes, you've heard that right, 5TH! And here is the outline:
iPhone #1: Purchased on Saturday (2nd day after the launch). Battery could not be fully charged. Tried soft reset, hard reset, restore, draining battery to dead status ... you name it, I've tried it, also some dark pixels. Exchanged about a week later.
iPhone #2: Physical damage at the central part of the screen right out of the box. The damage is visible even if the screen is turned off; the affected area is equivalent of 2 ~ 3 pixel-size. Exchanged.
iPhone #3: Physical object stuck behind the screen glass of the upper right corner part of the screen, also right out of the box. The size of the object is visible while screen is turned off; the affected area is equivalent of 5 ~ 6 pixel-size or even larger. Exchanged.
iPhone #4: Sleep/Power button is loose. Had to press VERY FIRMLY in order to register a click, also some dark/white pixels. Exchanged.
iPhone #5: This is my current unit, still some dark/white pixels: 2 white pixels are visible WITH NAKED EYES when using black background, 2 more white pixels are barely visible using black background. 3 dark pixels are hardly visible when using white background. AND I AM GOING TO KEEP THIS PHONE because these pixels don't bother me that much.
And here is my point:
1. If you think you got a perfect screen w/out dead pixels, chances are: you haven't examined your screen carefully enough to discover them. (Just like invocatus said couple posts ago.)
2. If you indeed have a perfect screen, good for you!
3. You're unlikely to be happy if you are seeking for perfection on any LCD screens.
4. LCD screens in general will develop dead pixels anyway over time when the screen gets shocks, and for a cell phone screen, shocks are unavoidable. (If there is dead-pixel-free LCD technology exists, educate me! But I don't think I am wrong here.)
5. Have you accounted for all the finger prints and dust sitting on the iPhone screen during the normal course of use? They are just as bad IMO.
6. Knowing that there are at least some of us in this forum who have iPhones with 3+ dead pixels should make those of you who believe you have 2 or less feel better
Take it easy when making your exchange in the store!
I must agree with you on this one. Here is my iPhone story. For anyone who plan to make an exchange, you may want to read this:
I have been on my FIFTH iPhone now. Yes, you've heard that right, 5TH! And here is the outline:
iPhone #1: Purchased on Saturday (2nd day after the launch). Battery could not be fully charged. Tried soft reset, hard reset, restore, draining battery to dead status ... you name it, I've tried it, also some dark pixels. Exchanged about a week later.
iPhone #2: Physical damage at the central part of the screen right out of the box. The damage is visible even if the screen is turned off; the affected area is equivalent of 2 ~ 3 pixel-size. Exchanged.
iPhone #3: Physical object stuck behind the screen glass of the upper right corner part of the screen, also right out of the box. The size of the object is visible while screen is turned off; the affected area is equivalent of 5 ~ 6 pixel-size or even larger. Exchanged.
iPhone #4: Sleep/Power button is loose. Had to press VERY FIRMLY in order to register a click, also some dark/white pixels. Exchanged.
iPhone #5: This is my current unit, still some dark/white pixels: 2 white pixels are visible WITH NAKED EYES when using black background, 2 more white pixels are barely visible using black background. 3 dark pixels are hardly visible when using white background. AND I AM GOING TO KEEP THIS PHONE because these pixels don't bother me that much.
And here is my point:
1. If you think you got a perfect screen w/out dead pixels, chances are: you haven't examined your screen carefully enough to discover them. (Just like invocatus said couple posts ago.)
2. If you indeed have a perfect screen, good for you!
3. You're unlikely to be happy if you are seeking for perfection on any LCD screens.
4. LCD screens in general will develop dead pixels anyway over time when the screen gets shocks, and for a cell phone screen, shocks are unavoidable. (If there is dead-pixel-free LCD technology exists, educate me! But I don't think I am wrong here.)
5. Have you accounted for all the finger prints and dust sitting on the iPhone screen during the normal course of use? They are just as bad IMO.
6. Knowing that there are at least some of us in this forum who have iPhones with 3+ dead pixels should make those of you who believe you have 2 or less feel better
Take it easy when making your exchange in the store!
Update. Although my replacement phone had no dead pixels, it did have the white checkered screen problem that some are experiencing, a squeaky and loose black plastic part, a misaligned chrome bezel, the power button on top was difficult to push, and it never logged usage/standby stats.
Overall, I kind of wish I kept my original phone. I returned this second one and got a new one that doesn't have any of the build quality issues, but now I'm back with a few stuck pixels again. I think I am just going to live with it now. I bet there is no such thing as a perfect iPhone. And I can live with a few stuck pixels that are only visible on a black screen over the serious build quality issues of my last phone.
Overall, I kind of wish I kept my original phone. I returned this second one and got a new one that doesn't have any of the build quality issues, but now I'm back with a few stuck pixels again. I think I am just going to live with it now. I bet there is no such thing as a perfect iPhone. And I can live with a few stuck pixels that are only visible on a black screen over the serious build quality issues of my last phone.
This seems as if it is an epidemic.
I've had five separate handsets now. Three with stuck pixels and one that dropped calls incessantly. The one I have now has a few stuck pixels, but the call quality is fantastic. I'm probably just going to keep this one and mark it up as a first generation disappointment.
:-/
I've had five separate handsets now. Three with stuck pixels and one that dropped calls incessantly. The one I have now has a few stuck pixels, but the call quality is fantastic. I'm probably just going to keep this one and mark it up as a first generation disappointment.
:-/
I had to do a exchange today too. Do you know if the 2yr service agreement renews again from the day you activate your replacement unit?
End of my story on my replacement iPhones:
Phone #1: Two dead pixels on the screen. Exchanged.
Phone #2: Two dead pixels as well in different spots and scuff on back of metal. Exchanged.
Phone #3: No dead pixels, but six white hot spots on the top of the screen screen and had a squeeky black plastic part. Exchanged.
Phone #4: One dead pixel, and less than the last one six white hot spots on the top of the screen. Harder to see though.
From my personal experience with four iPhones, I've come across no such thing as a perfect iPhone. Some better than others, but seriously once you start using the thing, it doesn't really matter. I as well as others are treating this thing like the holy grail or an art piece or something and it's a damn phone. In six months I think all of us will care less about this (for those that do) and care more about using and getting the most out of the device instead of putting it under the 500x microscope when we receive it. I guess that's how it is with Apple products though: we expect perfection.
Phone #1: Two dead pixels on the screen. Exchanged.
Phone #2: Two dead pixels as well in different spots and scuff on back of metal. Exchanged.
Phone #3: No dead pixels, but six white hot spots on the top of the screen screen and had a squeeky black plastic part. Exchanged.
Phone #4: One dead pixel, and less than the last one six white hot spots on the top of the screen. Harder to see though.
From my personal experience with four iPhones, I've come across no such thing as a perfect iPhone. Some better than others, but seriously once you start using the thing, it doesn't really matter. I as well as others are treating this thing like the holy grail or an art piece or something and it's a damn phone. In six months I think all of us will care less about this (for those that do) and care more about using and getting the most out of the device instead of putting it under the 500x microscope when we receive it. I guess that's how it is with Apple products though: we expect perfection.
My iPhone just randomly popped me up a stuck red pixel, but it was flickering in different apps as to what color it needs to be. Looks normal in the keyboard, red on the homescreen, pissed me off oh so very much. Tapped the screen super hard in its general area and its gone for now
I just had this same problem but it was a Neon Green pixel it flickers on and off. It disappeared this morning as soon as a made an appointment at the apple store, hasnt come back yet.
While I totally agree with your advice about learning to live with dead pixels, I will say that finding good iPhones without dead pixels is possible. Chances are though, they're going to be display models at the Apple Store. as they try hard (or at least the one near me does anyway) to present products that are as perfect as possible.
That said, I picked up my iPhone yesterday. After doing the pixel test that can be found here, I have been unable to find any dead or stuck pixels. However, I do have a series 7 screen with the grid pattern that I can see if I look carefully enough. It's not something I care to return my phone over, however.
In the end, I'll say this: it's a phone. A collection of glass, metal and silicon that is not something we should me too overly obsessed with perfection over. Yes, it costs $500-$600, and so people may look at a teeny flaw and be up in arms over it, but if it has one bad pixel, keep it in perspective: there are 153,599 other teeny tiny electronic bits flashing on and off just perfectly, and just a few years ago, nothing even close to the iPhone would have been possible. That alone makes the experience worth it to me.