iPhone 3GS Oleophobic Screen Coating Wearing Off?

[Blacklabel34]

what is the fuss about?

I have never put so much as a screen protector on any of them, its not needed.

Sure enough, my 3g which is now over a year old still looks like new, I knew I was never going to simulate intentional screen scraping with keys like that guy did even with the phone in constant pocket use!

Why people tarnish their phones with those horrible screen protectors is beyond me, they always peel a bit or get contamination in and make the phone look worse. As for that Oleophobic coating, I wish Apple would give the option not to have it because I'm not that interested in that when I come to the end of my 3g contract in a few months and plan to get the 3gs.
I may consider waiting for the next iPhone and skip the 3gs in the hope that Apple drops the coating too.

well put, couldn't agree more. I have both iphones (1st gen & 2nd gen) since the beginning. Never put a case or screen protector on either. Half the time my keys end up in the same pocket as my iphone (I can't help it) and I rarely get a blemish here and there. I can live with it. But they are hardly noticeable. I'm actually impressed with the quality of the screen (thank you apple). I don't have the newer 3GS but I'd be interested in seeing what the fuss is all about over this new coating. If it comes off with minimal use maybe apple just expects that most people will buy a screen protector anyways and never experience the product the way it was intended. Ohhh well.

 

[MacFly123]

Huh, the oleophobic coating is pretty cool... Hope this wearing out isn't normal case scenario!

 

[shortcrust]

who in ther right mind buys an iPhone and doesn't put a screen cover on it immediately anyway. i never even touched my screen to try out the coating b4 i put a cover on. My original iphone had the same screen cover on for 2 years

this one post says all you need to know about these forums

 

[retroneo]

Hmmm. Saucepan manufacturers have been able to stop oleophobic coatings from coming off saucepans for years.

There should be a solution to this...

 

[mixel]

I kept my iphone 3G in a case until the 3GS was announced. I agree with a lot of people's sentiments here I think.. I'm not planning on ever reselling it, so what am I actually protecting it against minute cosmetic damage for? Im making it bulkier and uglier to keep it immaculate for what purpose? If it's never outside of the case (as it was until a couple of weeks ago) it seems.. silly.. I'd never see it's shiny undamaged-ness anyway. Schrodinger's iphone.. It could've looked like anything inside that case, how does it make any difference?

Saying that, I'm finding some games a lot harder to grasp in portrait orientation without the case to hold onto, so i can see a good argument for cases for gamers.. Never had a screen protector though, never thought i needed one. The coating really shouldn’t be coming off like that. That could be pretty embarrassing for apple. If i'd rubbed a hole in it like that I'd start looking into how to safely remove the rest of the coating.. The standard 3G glass isnt that bad for smudges..

 

[djgamble]

no way he's used the iphone more in 2 weeks than it was meant to be used in 2 years. this is a problem.

True... I've never played the game, but the 3GS is new!
I'm guessing he's an extreme case (has sweaty fingers or something and takes the game really seriously, so twirls more than needed...etc) but still! This shouldn't bust the guy's iPhone in 2 weeks! It's not his that some weird type of screen coating that I've never heard of falls off!

 

[0098386]

who in ther right mind buys an iPhone and doesn't put a screen cover on it immediately anyway. i never even touched my screen to try out the coating b4 i put a cover on. My original iphone had the same screen cover on for 2 years

In other news the iPod Touch my mother got for Christmas a couple of years ago is in perfect condition. My DS that has been 'touched' since 2006 is in perfect condition. My 5.5G iPod doesn't scratches on the back and none of my stuff is damaged. I don't keep them in cases either...

 

[Shasterball]

It's going to have a finite life. If some saddo wants to twirl his finger 24/7 then he's to blame. I'm sure in normal use the coating would easily stand up to reasonable use for the life of the phone.

Apple made the phone. Apple approved the app!!!! How can Apple escape having to replace the phone? I don't think they can.

 

[Shasterball]

Who in their right mind would buy a screen cover for their iPhone when it shouldn't be necessary.

In fact, I was told by Apple to NOT put a screen cover on!

 

[studiomusic]

He could have used a drill or dremel tool to try and reel the fishies in faster... thus, the wear and tear...?

 

[phaggard]

I kept my iphone 3G in a case until the 3GS was announced. I agree with a lot of people's sentiments here I think.. I'm not planning on ever reselling it, so what am I actually protecting it against minute cosmetic damage for? Im making it bulkier and uglier to keep it immaculate for what purpose? If it's never outside of the case (as it was until a couple of weeks ago) it seems.. silly.. I'd never see it's shiny undamaged-ness anyway. Schrodinger's iphone.. It could've looked like anything inside that case, how does it make any difference?

Saying that, I'm finding some games a lot harder to grasp in portrait orientation without the case to hold onto, so i can see a good argument for cases for gamers.. Never had a screen protector though, never thought i needed one. The coating really shouldn’t be coming off like that. That could be pretty embarrassing for apple. If i'd rubbed a hole in it like that I'd start looking into how to safely remove the rest of the coating.. The standard 3G glass isnt that bad for smudges..

I wasn't ever planning to sell my 1st gen Iphone until I sold it for $480 and bought my 3G for $199. I was never going to sell my 3G until I sold it for $395 and bought my 3GS for $199. At least for me, never say never.

 

[kingtj]

Uh, me for one!

I bought a screen protector for my original iPhone, since it seemed like everyone was doing it and recommending it. Honestly, it was a big waste of $20 or so.

I realized from all the informal tests in people's youtube videos and everything else that even keeping an unprotected iPhone in one's pocket with a full set of keys wasn't scratching up the glass screen.

So when I bought my 3G? I passed on the screen protector. I bought a Slider case for it, mainly because it's the model with a built-in 2nd. battery to double the time between recharges - but the screen has nothing on it, and so far, no scratches at all! I think smudges and fingerprints actually wipe off easier than they did when they got on the plastic film protector sheet!

who in ther right mind buys an iPhone and doesn't put a screen cover on it immediately anyway. i never even touched my screen to try out the coating b4 i put a cover on. My original iphone had the same screen cover on for 2 years

 

[Willm]

Thanks, iHateMacs!

It's going to have a finite life. If some saddo wants to twirl his finger 24/7 then he's to blame. I'm sure in normal use the coating would easily stand up to reasonable use for the life of the phone.

Thanks for your comments. I was initially concerned. The new iPhones have only been out a few weeks and several have already had this issue. I was imagining what my display could look like after a year or more. However, you learn something new everyday, and I feel much better. As long as I don’t misuse my 3GS by playing those addictive games too much, I’ll be fine.

Just to clarify, if the “saddo” used his iPhone normally, the coating wouldn’t be messed up and would easily stand up for the life of the phone, and it wouldn’t be his fault. Is that right?

I love my iPhone and want to preserve it as best as possible. I Googled like crazy but wasn’t able to find any definition of “normal use.” Well, that was until today. Any more details and guidelines for normal use would be really helpful and appreciated. Please elucidate us.

When I say us, I mean developers as well. This way, they can develop applications that hold up to the “normal test.” To play it safe, they may want to stay away from the swiping motion and from developing anything that iPhone lovers might be inclined to play or use frequently. Heck, even Apple needs to be careful! Calculator, texting, or swiping through photos could be used (or misused ) so often the oleophobic coating wears off.

Even Apple Marketing and Legal should take note. When they tout the amazing apps and the iPhone as the best handheld gaming system ever, they should let consumers know that it does need to be used/played according to normal use, and, if it’s not, serious blemishing can occur which would drastically affect one’s enjoyment of the device and ability to read its display, and, as importantly, that this misuse is not covered under warranty.

Anyway, thanks again!

 

[deannnnn]

The differences of opinion here are actually really interesting...

 

[wackymacky]

who in ther right mind buys an iPhone and doesn't put a screen cover on it immediately anyway. i never even touched my screen to try out the coating b4 i put a cover on. My original iphone had the same screen cover on for 2 years

What is the piont of a special coating on the screen if you have to put a screen protector on it?

Defeats the whole purpuse doesn't it.

 

[locust76]

I think the people here who don't use cases and swear their iPhones dont have a single scratch need glasses. My old iPhone 3G was caseless for about 2 weeks and the backside had all sorts of scratches all over it, just from being in my pocket!

I guarantee that if you drop your naked iPhone on the concrete, you will have all kinds of damage and scratches. Maybe the cheap plastic backing will crack or your trim will dent or chip. Heaven forbid it fall and hit the face. In that case, you WILL have scratches on the face, maybe even pits and chips. Your best hope is that the screen doesn't outright shatter.

I use cases because:
A) I can see, and therefore can see how easily the iPhone body gets scratched up

and

B) I don't feel like paying through the nose for a replacement phone if I drop it or it falls, whereas the 20 bucks to replace a broken case is more reasonable

 

[admanimal]

Hmmm. Saucepan manufacturers have been able to stop oleophobic coatings from coming off saucepans for years.

However, those coatings aren't required to be see-thru nor thin enough to allow a touch screen to work beneath them.

 

[Lordedmond]

peoples fingers differ

a young lady will have soft finger pads ( clean ones )

a builder /mason will have very rough pads ingrained with sand ext. ( and dirty )


so how do you blame the coating when the tool used to perform on it varies so much


a dusty/grimy phone would scratch evan with clean fingers , these things are tools to use not to be put in a glass case

 

[JadeKyle]

Poor screen choice

I have electronic screen OCD. I have used every possible screen protector in the book. With my original iPhone I used a screen protector for months, while my wife used none on hers. After a few weeks, I was looking at scratches all over my protector and my wifes screen had none. I realized that I was willing to look at tons of scratches on my protector every day, why not try going without. After months my iPhone had not one scratch. Now because Apple wanted someone in the Sahara with no access to water to be able to keep the screen clean on their pantleg...I used my 3GS for 2 days before I got my first scratch on this "great" new screen surface. I was livid. I bought a Zagg, and realized that Apple could not have made this very outweighed descision on their own. I suspect the screen protector lobby is stronger than you would think. I think Apple blew this one. Was it really that difficult to clean the old glass-like surface? Were people complaining about how hard this was? Hope they go back to glass without "oil-resistance" on the next model.

 

[JadeKyle]

I bought a screen protector for my original iPhone, since it seemed like everyone was doing it and recommending it. Honestly, it was a big waste of $20 or so.

I realized from all the informal tests in people's youtube videos and everything else that even keeping an unprotected iPhone in one's pocket with a full set of keys wasn't scratching up the glass screen.

So when I bought my 3G? I passed on the screen protector. I bought a Slider case for it, mainly because it's the model with a built-in 2nd. battery to double the time between recharges - but the screen has nothing on it, and so far, no scratches at all! I think smudges and fingerprints actually wipe off easier than they did when they got on the plastic film protector sheet!

This is what I was just referring to. You need an open faced case to protect the back and edges, but if the glass screen was exposed, it didn't scratch. The new coating requires a protector and thus, ruins the purpose of having the coating. Nice going Apple, way to ruin one of the iPhone best attributes.

 

[Shasterball]

I've had my 1st gen iPhone since the first day (2 years!) It's used heavily, for everything from games to the net to standard PDA usage...well over 6 gb of data download (on EDGE no less)...

You are a very patient person.

 

[ratbatblue]

Who in their right mind would buy a screen cover for their iPhone when it shouldn't be necessary. I never even touched my screen with a cover on it and still it hasn't got a single scratch on it despite of heavy use for almost exactly a year.

I win?

Seriously. You. Do. Not. Need. Screen. Covers.
If you do, Apple has screwed up.

I have seen iPhones with scratches on their screens that could've been prevented if something like the PS Anti-glare had been installed. I've ended up (once) with a scratch on my protector that might have left a slight scratch on the screen if the protector hadn't been there. I carry my phone, without a case, in a pants pocket, by itself. I also have a soft cloth underneath it on any hard surfaces I lay the phone on, and I don't, ever, lay it face down on anything. The aforementioned scratch on my screen protector came from, near as I can determine, the phone slipping slightly underneath the backpack I carry my laptop in, while it was on the seat of my car. I assume the metal (or plastic) ring around a ventilation hole did that scratch.

I don't care what anyone says. Not every iPhone's screen is impervious. I wouldn't be so presumptuous as to declare anyone out of their right mind for not using a screen protector, but I wouldn't go without one, myself.

 

[alFR]

The new iPhones have only been out a few weeks and several have already had this issue.

Really? AFAIK this wear pattern (not scratches, a large area of coating apparently worn off) is an isolated issue at this point, with just the single report referred to at the start of this thread. Do you have a link to back up your claim, or are you just trolling?

 

[dbsmith7]

Actually, the coating on my phone is wearing off as well. Albeit not as extensive as mister swirly fingers but as apposed to the first days of use, fingerprints are more noticeable

 

[thewhitehart]

I'm glad I came across this thread. I just had a Mr. Bean moment trying to apply a fresh screen protector to my iPhone. Everything was perfect except for a tiny speck of dust to the left of the screen. I just had to fix it - so I lifted the protector and wiped the screen with some toilet tissue. Of course, thousands of toilet tissue threads accidentally got stuck to the sticky part of the protector. I peeled it on and off, wiped it with a wet cloth, and five minutes later was washing it in the sink under hot water and calling it the c word repeatedly. Needless to say it isn't sticky anymore.

After I destroyed the screen protector I just bought I was curious about whether I needed one or not. I came across the YouTube video of the guy abusing the screen with a key. So I tried the same thing with my iPhone. No scratches.

I am now convinced that the screen protector is unnecessary. This Ars Technica article pretty much proves it.