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iPhone 4S: Screen not as white
- Thread starter designaholic
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Exchanged mine out today.. Genius pulled another yellow out didn't even bother giving it to me, pulled another one and it was cool to my liking. Now happy
How did you make them check the new replacement in store? I thought once they open the replacement box its yours.
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It's not a guarantee. Your mileage will obviously vary as some employees at Apple stores are cooler than others.
It's not a guarantee. Your mileage will obviously vary as some employees at Apple stores are cooler than others.
I am now on my 3rd 4S unit and at this point I think I have seen it all with these screens. First unit was green tinted and washed out and replaced for that reason (also had the static sound in the earpiece). Second unit was blue tinted and a bit washed out but looked almost ok in isolation -- it was replaced for functional reasons (earpiece not working or distorted and front glass was separating from body).
The third unit is actually both blue and yellow at the same time even though the white point looks better than the first two. It's got a cloudy area at the top of the screen that is yellow and dimmer, the left side of the screen has a blue/purple tint to it, and the right side has a yellow tint to it.
At this point I am extremely upset with the overall quality of these phones. I am coming from a 3GS which I have had for over 2 years without any problems and it is a fantastic phone. Moving to the 4S seemed like a no-brainer -- specifically for the "better" high-resolution screen -- but so far it has been a huge disappointment.
I am going to give it a few more days to see if the screen uniformity improves at all, but I am pretty sure that I am done with the 4S.
The third unit is actually both blue and yellow at the same time even though the white point looks better than the first two. It's got a cloudy area at the top of the screen that is yellow and dimmer, the left side of the screen has a blue/purple tint to it, and the right side has a yellow tint to it.
At this point I am extremely upset with the overall quality of these phones. I am coming from a 3GS which I have had for over 2 years without any problems and it is a fantastic phone. Moving to the 4S seemed like a no-brainer -- specifically for the "better" high-resolution screen -- but so far it has been a huge disappointment.
I am going to give it a few more days to see if the screen uniformity improves at all, but I am pretty sure that I am done with the 4S.
Join the club!
Last year I had to replace my iPhone 4 5 times before I got the right one! Unfortunately, that perfect one started malfunctioning 2 weeks ago and, thanks to AppleCare, I got it replaced a week ago. Well, the current one has an uneven screen in terms of backlight uniformity: it's disgustingly dim at the top. But I guess, I'm sticking with it, 'cause I don't wanna go through all this hassle over and over again.
I was thinking about upgrading to the 4S, but reading all these posts on the 4S and its issues makes me wanna forget about it once and for all.
Don't get me wrong, I love Apple (check my signature), but Apple's QC leaves much to be desired nowadays.
Can anyone detail the process for going to an Apple Store and having them open up iPhone's until you find one you like? When I asked to do this the other week the guy said he couldn't just open a bunch of them and I pick out which one I want.
I'm guessing the guy was just lazy or didn't really know what he was or wasn't allowed to do. Maybe I should ask to speak to a manager? Do Apple Stores have managers? Or is it just the "Mega Genius"?
I'm guessing the guy was just lazy or didn't really know what he was or wasn't allowed to do. Maybe I should ask to speak to a manager? Do Apple Stores have managers? Or is it just the "Mega Genius"?
Am I the only one happy with my screen? I've got the white 4S, and the screen seems great! I was concerned by the white thing, so I got a white screen up, put it next to my iMac and they both seemed very white, and there was little between them. I haven't compared with the 4 yet, but I'm not expecting to see much different. There's always something to complain about, isn't there?
I'm extremely happy with my screen. It's my brother's that's the problem. It was mine when the iPhone 4 came out in June 2010, but my iPhone 4S that I received 2 weeks ago is golden (or should I say, white).
It is a case-by-case basis. Some employees are just more lenient than others and it is by no means a guarantee. Just be polite and friendly and tell them you want to leave a happy and satisfied customer and they should go out of their way to ensure that.
You're not the only one. I'm happy with mine as well (white 4S). I compared the screen to my iPhone 4, the 4S was slighty warmer (yellow), but overall, it's tremendous.
Some people can never be pleased. To each their own. I got a 4S that has no issues whatsoever. I'm not about to start picking at it to find something wrong with it either. Siri won't like that.
I took my 4S in and got it exchanged yesterday for uneven backlight (looked like a shadow under the glass on the right side halfway up). The Genius didn't see what I was talking about although I think it was pretty obvious; in any event it was driving me crazy when trying to read anything on a white background. The Genius swapped it out for a new one. Unfortunately my replacement has the same issue, maybe even a bit worse. Toward the right side of the screen, there are areas that are lighter and then darker. This is especially evident when looking at the phone at an angle with the phone tilted so that the top is further and the bottom closer to you, if that makes sense. Very frustrating. But I will probably wait a few weeks to go back in the hopes that a new round of stock might be less prone to have the backlight issue. Also, both phones had the static in the earpiece issue; hopefully that can be fixed with a software update.
My 4S is significantly warmer than my 4. Notice I say warmer rather than yellow. If some of you remember the 3GS fiasco, those pieces of **** were truly yellow. In this case, I've determined my iPhone 4 is extraordinarily blue.
That being said, it doesn't mean I'm perfectly happy with my 4S...I do wish it was a tad more neutral and had cleaner whites. The funny thing is, the colors on the warmer 4S are lightyears better than the colors on the 4. The cold blue of the 4 really takes away from the overall image quality.
So the takeaway here is don't hope for an "old" blue screen like your iPhone 4 and also don't hope for an overly warm iPhone 4S. Cross your fingers for something in between.
That being said, it doesn't mean I'm perfectly happy with my 4S...I do wish it was a tad more neutral and had cleaner whites. The funny thing is, the colors on the warmer 4S are lightyears better than the colors on the 4. The cold blue of the 4 really takes away from the overall image quality.
So the takeaway here is don't hope for an "old" blue screen like your iPhone 4 and also don't hope for an overly warm iPhone 4S. Cross your fingers for something in between.
I decided yesterday to have my Iphone 4S returned after not being able to live with the so called 'yellow' tinted screen. I tried my best to live with it, but due to having access to numerous other iPhones from past generations and other family member iPhones; it became clear to see the 'differences' of this particular unit.
I think the main issue is regarding what the 'majority' of the screens are made up of; yellow or the more blue-tinted screens? For me and my own experiences I think the vast majority screens are of the cooler type and it was bugging me that I might end up being stuck with something that whilst being 'in spec' from Apple .. was not really the majority display.
Also, because the screen is so small the yellow feels more more 'in your face' than it does if your profile of your main computer is set to a similar spec (with a bigger screen). I mean, we generally know what colour white *should* be and expect it to be, with slight variances.. and when we are faced with something thats smokey yellow .. on a small display, it just does not look perfectly right. There is just too much variance between displays..
It was much more easier for me to return as I already had the iPhone 4.. and I don't think I am missing out *that* much in day to day use.. Siri, fine that it is.. was hardly ever used. The camera, no more than before.. and the speed, I never ever noticed any real speed increase the whole time I was using it.. But I noticed that yellow screen, the washed out colours every single time it was on!
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I really don't think you can say 100% that it will become 'whiter' over time. I know this from experience with previous units. The only thing that changes over time is the screen may become more dimmer on the same setting; thats my view.
I think the main issue is regarding what the 'majority' of the screens are made up of; yellow or the more blue-tinted screens? For me and my own experiences I think the vast majority screens are of the cooler type and it was bugging me that I might end up being stuck with something that whilst being 'in spec' from Apple .. was not really the majority display.
Also, because the screen is so small the yellow feels more more 'in your face' than it does if your profile of your main computer is set to a similar spec (with a bigger screen). I mean, we generally know what colour white *should* be and expect it to be, with slight variances.. and when we are faced with something thats smokey yellow .. on a small display, it just does not look perfectly right. There is just too much variance between displays..
It was much more easier for me to return as I already had the iPhone 4.. and I don't think I am missing out *that* much in day to day use.. Siri, fine that it is.. was hardly ever used. The camera, no more than before.. and the speed, I never ever noticed any real speed increase the whole time I was using it.. But I noticed that yellow screen, the washed out colours every single time it was on!
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I really don't think you can say 100% that it will become 'whiter' over time. I know this from experience with previous units. The only thing that changes over time is the screen may become more dimmer on the same setting; thats my view.
Mine is warmer than my 3GS was, and warmer than my GF's 4S. But not yellow by any means. I would prefer ever so slightly cooler, but everything else on the phone is perfect, so I'll stick with it.
I dont have an iPhone 4S but I can relate to this thread. The home button wasnt registering properly on my iPhone 4 (purchased at launch) so I swapped it out for a new iPhone 4 last week (I dont want to upgrade to the 4S Im going right to the next generation whenever that is released).
So, when I walked out of the Apple store with my new (black box) iPhone 4 replacement, I immediately noticed that the display wasnt only on the yellow/green tint side, but it was also washed-out. The iPhone 4 that I handed in had a beautiful color-rich display with bright whites and accurate vibrant colors (not overly blue).
I tried to deal with it for a couple of days, but staring at those drab colors and that dingy yellow/green/brown haze/tint over the screen really ruined the user experience for me. So, I walked over to the SoHo (NYC) Apple Store after work last night and showed the very friendly genius (that was assigned to me) the horrific screen. I explained that it was just swapped over the weekend, but the display was horrible. He took his iPhone 4 out and agreed that the difference between the two was night and day.
Since we just discussed the variances between Apples display suppliers, he said that hed open several iPhone 4 (black) boxes until I was satisfied as he wanted me to leave the store a happy customer. This genius was very friendly, smiled throughout the session and never once pushed back. Quit the contrast from the rude and cocky d!ck that I dealt with in a Mall Apple Store over the weekend.
So, he opened two iPhone 4 boxes and we laid them down on the counter with my previous replacement, and his iPhone 4. He offered to open more, but I said that it wasnt necessary one of the two that he opened looked just as good as my first (turned in) iPhone 4, only with better contrast! The color vibrancy and contrast was clearly superior to all the others on the counter (the genius even joked and said thanks, now mine looks washed out in comparison!)
So, good displays are out there so are good, friendly and helpful Apple Geniuses. Unfortunately, getting either is quite the gamble these days.
So, when I walked out of the Apple store with my new (black box) iPhone 4 replacement, I immediately noticed that the display wasnt only on the yellow/green tint side, but it was also washed-out. The iPhone 4 that I handed in had a beautiful color-rich display with bright whites and accurate vibrant colors (not overly blue).
I tried to deal with it for a couple of days, but staring at those drab colors and that dingy yellow/green/brown haze/tint over the screen really ruined the user experience for me. So, I walked over to the SoHo (NYC) Apple Store after work last night and showed the very friendly genius (that was assigned to me) the horrific screen. I explained that it was just swapped over the weekend, but the display was horrible. He took his iPhone 4 out and agreed that the difference between the two was night and day.
Since we just discussed the variances between Apples display suppliers, he said that hed open several iPhone 4 (black) boxes until I was satisfied as he wanted me to leave the store a happy customer. This genius was very friendly, smiled throughout the session and never once pushed back. Quit the contrast from the rude and cocky d!ck that I dealt with in a Mall Apple Store over the weekend.
So, he opened two iPhone 4 boxes and we laid them down on the counter with my previous replacement, and his iPhone 4. He offered to open more, but I said that it wasnt necessary one of the two that he opened looked just as good as my first (turned in) iPhone 4, only with better contrast! The color vibrancy and contrast was clearly superior to all the others on the counter (the genius even joked and said thanks, now mine looks washed out in comparison!)
So, good displays are out there so are good, friendly and helpful Apple Geniuses. Unfortunately, getting either is quite the gamble these days.
CONFIRMED: my 4s's yellow screen is definitely fading!
Received mine on 10/20 and today's 10/26. Comparing to my brother's 4 it definitely had this yellow tint problem. I was going to ask for a replacement right away but many people said replacements also had yellow tint, and I didn't want a refurbished one since the one I have right now have pretty good backlight and zero dead pixel.
6 days later, I definitely see that the yellow tint has faded. I put 4 beside my 4s in completely dark room, maximum brightness, auto brightness off, and I no longer see white as yellow. 4 got cooler color but the white background even seems a little blue, rather. What's important here is that the severe yellowness actually goes a way with time. Trust me, it's not my eyes accustomed to this new screen.
Here is what I did:
-I found displayed 4s in Apple Store usually do not have yellow screens (some actually did). I confirmed with a friend who works @ genius bar that they don't purposely select good screen to the display. They just pull randomly selected 4s's out of delivered boxes and put them to display.
-It is true that displayed 4s's in Apple Store got settings set at maximum brightness and auto brightness turned off. And people touch them all day long so screen is almost always on.
-I did the same: For the last 3 days I set the brightness to maximum and turned off the auto brightness. I even brought on pure white wallpaper photo, no auto-lock, and kept the display on for 2-3 hours every day (for the last 3 days). Also played some videos in full screen as well even if I wasn't watching it. Basically I tried to keep the screen on the maximum brightness as long as possible.
Now, I no longer find my phone to be yellow. I believe if I keep using the phone on the maximum brightness for the next few weeks it will get better (though I'm already satisfied with my current screen).
IMPORTANT: Also, when you compare your screen with others, make sure the screen protector is off, especially the anti-glare or anti-fingerprint ones. They DO make your screen look less sharp and some even give yellow color.
Lastly, when screen is seen from the left it's more yellow than facing from the front. When seen from the right, it's more blue. I checked most of 4s from the Apple Store displayed ones, they were all the same in this aspect. My friends' and family's 4's all got this viewing angle difference.
I hope my observation and experience have helped you a little.
Received mine on 10/20 and today's 10/26. Comparing to my brother's 4 it definitely had this yellow tint problem. I was going to ask for a replacement right away but many people said replacements also had yellow tint, and I didn't want a refurbished one since the one I have right now have pretty good backlight and zero dead pixel.
6 days later, I definitely see that the yellow tint has faded. I put 4 beside my 4s in completely dark room, maximum brightness, auto brightness off, and I no longer see white as yellow. 4 got cooler color but the white background even seems a little blue, rather. What's important here is that the severe yellowness actually goes a way with time. Trust me, it's not my eyes accustomed to this new screen.
Here is what I did:
-I found displayed 4s in Apple Store usually do not have yellow screens (some actually did). I confirmed with a friend who works @ genius bar that they don't purposely select good screen to the display. They just pull randomly selected 4s's out of delivered boxes and put them to display.
-It is true that displayed 4s's in Apple Store got settings set at maximum brightness and auto brightness turned off. And people touch them all day long so screen is almost always on.
-I did the same: For the last 3 days I set the brightness to maximum and turned off the auto brightness. I even brought on pure white wallpaper photo, no auto-lock, and kept the display on for 2-3 hours every day (for the last 3 days). Also played some videos in full screen as well even if I wasn't watching it. Basically I tried to keep the screen on the maximum brightness as long as possible.
Now, I no longer find my phone to be yellow. I believe if I keep using the phone on the maximum brightness for the next few weeks it will get better (though I'm already satisfied with my current screen).
IMPORTANT: Also, when you compare your screen with others, make sure the screen protector is off, especially the anti-glare or anti-fingerprint ones. They DO make your screen look less sharp and some even give yellow color.
Lastly, when screen is seen from the left it's more yellow than facing from the front. When seen from the right, it's more blue. I checked most of 4s from the Apple Store displayed ones, they were all the same in this aspect. My friends' and family's 4's all got this viewing angle difference.
I hope my observation and experience have helped you a little.
sorry my White 4S screen is just as crisp as my 4 screen, however one being white and the other being black, the black screen looks a tad blue compared to teh white phone, but both are clear and crisp.
I havent read all of this thread, but why can't Apple add a colour K setting... So those that are not happy with their yellowness/warmness can adjust to suit.
Would save all these iPhones being replaced and save them money.
My i4s is warmer than my wife's i4, but it does not really bother me.
Would save all these iPhones being replaced and save them money.
My i4s is warmer than my wife's i4, but it does not really bother me.
First 4s from apple.com - SUPER yellow.
2nd (replacement) - Perfectly white! But i noticed 2 days later on my first facetime, the front camera was dead
3rd - YELLOW! i refused to leave until they gave me another
4th - same day as 3rd, YELLOW! I didnt have time to argue anymore, so i left.
5 - same day as 3 and 4, different apple store. YELLOW. HUGE argument ensued.
6th - Today, i got the nicest rep ever. He was apologetic, and even told me he had the same thing happen to him with the 4S. He had to swap his personal one. He told me not to worry and that they have plenty in stock, and he wont let me leave until i'm happy. On the first try, my screen was white as snow! Spoke to his manager and told him that he needs to be acknowledged. Thats how you make customers happy and keep them buying your stuff.
I cant beleive i went though six. i went through 5 3GS because of dead pixels.
My iphone 4 was a launch day unit, and never even thought of getting it replaced. it was perfect! Also never had any problems with the original or 3g.
2nd (replacement) - Perfectly white! But i noticed 2 days later on my first facetime, the front camera was dead
3rd - YELLOW! i refused to leave until they gave me another
4th - same day as 3rd, YELLOW! I didnt have time to argue anymore, so i left.
5 - same day as 3 and 4, different apple store. YELLOW. HUGE argument ensued.
6th - Today, i got the nicest rep ever. He was apologetic, and even told me he had the same thing happen to him with the 4S. He had to swap his personal one. He told me not to worry and that they have plenty in stock, and he wont let me leave until i'm happy. On the first try, my screen was white as snow! Spoke to his manager and told him that he needs to be acknowledged. Thats how you make customers happy and keep them buying your stuff.
I cant beleive i went though six. i went through 5 3GS because of dead pixels.
My iphone 4 was a launch day unit, and never even thought of getting it replaced. it was perfect! Also never had any problems with the original or 3g.
I can't believe I'm honestly saying this, but the yellow does fade.
I have also been running my brightness at full blast for the past few days with autolock off and the screen is definitely becoming more neutral. I'm a display snob and calibrate everything, I understand how LED backlighting works and why we get colors we get. I just assumed the color temp on the phone was overly warm and this "glue" nonsense was ********.
It's warmer than my iPhone 4.....rather my iPhone 4 is ridiculously blue and I never noticed it. It makes the UI look good, but everything else is flat. The only issue I'm having now is that the backlight/color is a little uneven. More pink on the left and more green on the right. Hoping this evens out too.
I have also been running my brightness at full blast for the past few days with autolock off and the screen is definitely becoming more neutral. I'm a display snob and calibrate everything, I understand how LED backlighting works and why we get colors we get. I just assumed the color temp on the phone was overly warm and this "glue" nonsense was ********.
It's warmer than my iPhone 4.....rather my iPhone 4 is ridiculously blue and I never noticed it. It makes the UI look good, but everything else is flat. The only issue I'm having now is that the backlight/color is a little uneven. More pink on the left and more green on the right. Hoping this evens out too.
First 4s from apple.com - SUPER yellow.
2nd (replacement) - Perfectly white! But i noticed 2 days later on my first facetime, the front camera was dead
3rd - YELLOW! i refused to leave until they gave me another
4th - same day as 3rd, YELLOW! I didnt have time to argue anymore, so i left.
5 - same day as 3 and 4, different apple store. YELLOW. HUGE argument ensued.
6th - Today, i got the nicest rep ever. He was apologetic, and even told me he had the same thing happen to him with the 4S. He had to swap his personal one. He told me not to worry and that they have plenty in stock, and he wont let me leave until i'm happy. On the first try, my screen was white as snow! Spoke to his manager and told him that he needs to be acknowledged. Thats how you make customers happy and keep them buying your stuff.
I cant beleive i went though six. i went through 5 3GS because of dead pixels.
My iphone 4 was a launch day unit, and never even thought of getting it replaced. it was perfect! Also never had any problems with the original or 3g.
Wow.. sorry to hear that man, but i went through the exact same ordeal with my iPhone 4.. i finally got one that was perfect. neutral colors, tones etc, and ive been protecting it with my life lol.