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Did Apple eliminate the dreaded finger print and smudges?

M

Myiphone7

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 18, 2010
848
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I remember when the 3G came out we got those cleaning cloths to wipe off smudges and grease.

Now, with the new iPhone 5, finger prints are no more!

This metal backing gets NO smudges or finger prints.

The oleo-phobic coating is really good (until it wears).

Let me just say, I do keep my hands washed and only use non oily soaps with no moisturizer or creams to help keep them dry.

Thanks Apple!
 
Myiphone7 said:
I remember when the 3G came out we got those cleaning cloths to wipe off smudges and grease.

Now, with the new iPhone 5, finger prints are no more!

This metal backing gets NO smudges or finger prints.

The oleo-phobic coating is really good (until it wears).

Let me just say, I do keep my hands washed and only use non oily soaps with no moisturizer or creams to help keep them dry.

Thanks Apple!
Click to expand...

The 3GS was the first iphone to get oleophobic coating. However, it will wear off eventually after a few months of use. Also, all the coating will do is make it easier to clean fingerprints off, not prevent them from happening.
 
Zedsdead185 said:
The 3GS was the first iphone to get oleophobic coating. However, it will wear off eventually after a few months of use. Also, all the coating will do is make it easier to clean fingerprints off, not prevent them from happening.
Click to expand...

I hardly get any but. I keep my hands clean
 
Are you sure? A lot of the black iPhone 5's that I've seen in the store have fingerprint smudges on the back.
 
I have to wipe my otterbox defender a couple times a week I can't believe people actually touch naked phones:eek:
 
My black does as well. I always thought I just produced an insane amount of oil as I am constantly wiping mine down for fingerprints.
 
Blorzoga said:
We don't. My naked phone actually hovers right near my ear so I don't have to touch it.
Click to expand...

Lolz. I only do this when I'm outside on extremely hot summer days. But I'm actually going completely nude on this phone. No screen protectors or nothing.
 
Zedsdead185 said:
The 3GS was the first iphone to get oleophobic coating. However, it will wear off eventually after a few months of use. Also, all the coating will do is make it easier to clean fingerprints off, not prevent them from happening.
Click to expand...
"A few months?" I got mine in Dec 2009 and used it 'til Dec 2011 with no screen protector, and the coating is still completely intact!

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vastoholic said:
My black does as well. I always thought I just produced an insane amount of oil as I am constantly wiping mine down for fingerprints.
Click to expand...
Well that's kind of why Steve Jobs didn't let a black anodized MBP go out, because the palm rests didn't take long to look greasy from skin oils.
 
wgnoyes said:
"A few months?" I got mine in Dec 2009 and used it 'til Dec 2011 with no screen protector, and the coating is still completely intact!

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Well that's kind of why Steve Jobs didn't let a black anodized MBP go out, because the palm rests didn't take long to look greasy from skin oils.
Click to expand...


Forgot about that, but I was meaning more about my screen than anything. My glass back on my 4 and 4s aquired many more fingerprints than the aluminum 5 (but it still does get fingerprints). Hopefully this can maintain its look for at least a year or two.
 
wgnoyes said:
"A few months?" I got mine in Dec 2009 and used it 'til Dec 2011 with no screen protector, and the coating is still completely intact!
Click to expand...


How do you know? Its not visible, and it is also still possible to clean the screen with just a few wipes without it being present. I can't see how you can backup your claim that it is 'completely intact'?
Its fact that an oleophobic will wear off over time with use of the touchscreen. think about it. You will literally be rubbing it off gradually with every touch. Apple even backed this up with this disclaimer:

'Please note that the ability of this coating to repel oil will diminish over time with normal usage, and that rubbing the screen with an abrasive material will further diminish its effect and may scratch your screen. —Apple'
 
I have OCD so I use a stylus to avoid finger prints.
Thinking of cotton gloves as well. ;)
 
you must be taking accutane or something, because the phone clearly smudges and will do so as long as humans touch it. not as bad as my iphone 4 did though
 
InfinitiG said:
you must be taking accutane or something, because the phone clearly smudges and will do so as long as humans touch it. not as bad as my iphone 4 did though
Click to expand...

My hands aren't greasy bc I keep them washed.

The key is to use soap that Doesn't contain oils or lotion like Dove.

I will tell you what I use - dial. No oils or grease at all. Perfect.
 
I don't even like eating anything and then touching my phone. Even it's just an apple or carrots or something simple. I still have to wipe my hands down before I touch my screen.

But some KFC sounds kind of good.

mmmmmm, chicken.
 
Myiphone7 said:
My hands aren't greasy bc I keep them washed.

The key is to use soap that Doesn't contain oils or lotion like Dove.

I will tell you what I use - dial. No oils or grease at all. Perfect.
Click to expand...

It's not a matter of having clean hands. Human skin secretes oil. If yours doesn't, then I suggest you see a doctor.
 
Zedsdead185 said:
How do you know? Its not visible, and it is also still possible to clean the screen with just a few wipes without it being present. I can't see how you can backup your claim that it is 'completely intact'? --<snip>
Click to expand...
Because it exhibits the same characteristics as when I got it (not that I feel any particular compulsion to "back up my claim"). I can plant my thumb directly on it and not see a fingerprint. Exactly as on my much newer 4S. When it finally does show some smudging (which takes awhile), a single wipe or two makes it all go away. That qualifies as completely intact to me, and therefore it DIDN'T wear out in just a few months. Thank you.

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vastoholic said:
Forgot about that, but I was meaning more about my screen than anything. My glass back on my 4 and 4s aquired many more fingerprints than the aluminum 5 (but it still does get fingerprints). Hopefully this can maintain its look for at least a year or two.
Click to expand...
Well, one thing is I picked white. If there are fingerprints on the back (and of course there are), the color masks them a whole lot more effectively than would black.
 
Last edited:
I dont have greasy hands, by any means. But the back of my Black iPhone 5 is covered with fingerprints and smudges, which take quite a bit of effort to remove. The glass back of the iPhone 4 was a lot easier to wipe clean, albeit less durable.
 
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