iPhone 7 faint lines in/on screen

[spooned12000rpm]

After scrutinising my iPhone 7 screen for the usual things (dead/stuck pixels, backlight bleed etc) I've noticed a new (for me) phenomenon...

With a bright background (Settings App or a blank Safari tab) I can see faint lines over the entire screen. They don't appear to be on the LCD itself but almost like its in the glass or the olephobic coating as it sort of 'moves' if I move the phone around. I've tried to photograph it but its not picking up on a camera.

I've compared the screen to that on my 6 which sort of has the same effect but much less noticeable, this is like theres a constant layer of grease or something over the screen. Just wondering if anyone's seeing the same thing or if I'm going mad?!

To test, turn up the brightness and go in to General within Settings. and holding the phone 20-30cm away focus on the background and begin to tilt the phone, it then looks as though there's a fine mesh over the screen and you begin to see these flickery vertical lines.

Not sure what the cause is or if it's considered normal? I know on the older phones you used to be able to see the touch layer as a fine grid over the screen at certain angles/lighting, and if what I'm seeing here is the same sort of thing in one of the laminated layers?

 

[Newtons Apple]

I believe it is the grid that senses where you finger is.

 

[spooned12000rpm]

I hope so, just not sure why I'm noticing it more on the 7 than the 6, 3D Touch perhaps (though I thought that was under the screen)?

 

[frifra]

I remember those lines being on the first or second MacBook Air. But there it was always visible on the color white, no matter what angle. All of them had it and I gave mine back right away.

 

[mrcel]

You are not going mad. Same visual effect here.

 

[spooned12000rpm]

You are not going mad. Same visual effect here.

Thanks this combined with the backlight bleed I've discovered may be enough to force me towards an exchange. Might wait until things quieten down and see how the store units compare.

 

[GaryLiao]

Apple won't exchange for this. They may for one instance but that's it. They don't consider this to be an issue since it isn't really visible from normal usage distance unless you're focusing specifically on it. For reference go check past forums about "iPhone 5s Screen Vertical Lines" or "iPhone 5s screen interlacing."

I'm really surprised that this still occurs even on this generation. My advice would be to either try to get used to it, since exchanging might mean you can get another panel that is worse when it comes to this and other things such as uniformity etc.

If you really can't stand it, there's one surefire solution which is to get the Plus models. At 401ppi, it's really difficult to spot this sort of imperfection even if it's present.

 

[spooned12000rpm]

Apple won't exchange for this. They may for one instance but that's it. They don't consider this to be an issue since it isn't really visible from normal usage distance unless you're focusing specifically on it. For reference go check past forums about "iPhone 5s Screen Vertical Lines" or "iPhone 5s screen interlacing."

I'm really surprised that this still occurs even on this generation. My advice would be to either try to get used to it, since exchanging might mean you can get another panel that is worse when it comes to this and other things such as uniformity etc.

If you really can't stand it, there's one surefire solution which is to get the Plus models. At 401ppi, it's really difficult to spot this sort of imperfection even if it's present.

You're right, the lines I can probably ignore, as long as I know they're somewhat normal/part of the design then fine. The weird shadows on the screen edge I need to see how much they interfere with normal use. Again it boils down to spending £600 and expecting a certain degree of perfection or at the very least, equal quality and a supposed improvement over the 2 year old phone I'm replacing!

 

[GaryLiao]

You're right, the lines I can probably ignore, as long as I know they're somewhat normal/part of the design then fine. The weird shadows on the screen edge I need to see how much they interfere with normal use. Again it boils down to spending £600 and expecting a certain degree of perfection or at the very least, equal quality and a supposed improvement over the 2 year old phone I'm replacing!

If your backlight is uneven then definitely replace it, but the vertical lines are really a hit or miss.

Apple won't admit that this is actually a problem, but I am sure has hell that it is, because back when I had a 5s, a lot of them had this issue, I went through many replacements for various issues and each one would show varying degrees of this phenomena. The funny thing is the display models in my local store never had this issue!

 

[spooned12000rpm]

If your backlight is uneven then definitely replace it, but the vertical lines are really a hit or miss.

Apple won't admit that this is actually a problem, but I am sure has hell that it is, because back when I had a 5s, a lot of them had this issue, I went through many replacements for various issues and each one would show varying degrees of this phenomena. The funny thing is the display models in my local store never had this issue!

Here's my light bleed issue: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-7-screen-bleed.1998024/ not really sure what to do as there doesn't appear to be any stock to exchange with at the moment

 

[GaryLiao]

Here's my light bleed issue: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/iphone-7-screen-bleed.1998024/ not really sure what to do as there doesn't appear to be any stock to exchange with at the moment

If you're set on sticking with the iPhone 7, it's alright if you wait till the 14 days are over. They aren't going to really have any "refurbished" replacement stock for a while. And even if you wait later, the refurbished stock have typically gone through more hands on QC than new devices anyways.

The backlight bleed you highlight there seems really minimal, but that's at daytime. Use the phone and night and see if it bothers you, if it does then go for a replacement.

 

[numbchicken]

I noticed the exact same thing, and I thought I was going mad! When I posted about it on reddit and the apple forums people thought that I was just trying to make up issues with the iPhone 7. But I noticed this too! And I requested Mobile send me a replacement in case this is just an issue with a few of the phones

 

[spooned12000rpm]

Well as an update (and to add some closure to this thread) I tried to make a genius bar reservation regarding my screen bleed issue, but there was nothing available at any of my local stores. Then I tried an online chat with support but the best they could do was suggest that I visit a store. In the end as I'm still within the 14 day period I've requested a replacement and sent my existing phone back.

They couldn't tell me when the replacement would arrive so I'm back to my 4 year old iPhone 5 for the foreseeable! 4 inches feels so small (pun intended!).

I'll report back if the new screen displays the same issue.

 

[numbchicken]

Well as an update (and to add some closure to this thread) I tried to make a genius bar reservation regarding my screen bleed issue, but there was nothing available at any of my local stores. Then I tried an online chat with support but the best they could do was suggest that I visit a store. In the end as I'm still within the 14 day period I've requested a replacement and sent my existing phone back.

They couldn't tell me when the replacement would arrive so I'm back to my 4 year old iPhone 5 for the foreseeable! 4 inches feels so small (pun intended!).

I'll report back if the new screen displays the same issue.

I just received my replacement iPhone 7, and I will update on how the screen looks after I get home. Fingers crossed this issue isn't there

 

[mrcel]

So, how did it turn out?

 

[numbchicken]

I received my replacement, and it has the exact same issue. So I decided to see the display model iPhone 7's in best buy and the apple store and all of them have the same issues. I picked up the phones and looked at them the way I do with my iPhone 7 and they all have this issue, I guess it isn't visible to everyone since it depends on the light source your using it might take a different angle or you have to move the phone closer to you, but its definitely in all the display iPhone 7's I've seen and the replacement and original i received.

 

[frifra]

I received my replacement, and it has the exact same issue. So I decided to see the display model iPhone 7's in best buy and the apple store and all of them have the same issues. I picked up the phones and looked at them the way I do with my iPhone 7 and they all have this issue, I guess it isn't visible to everyone since it depends on the light source your using it might take a different angle or you have to move the phone closer to you, but its definitely in all the display iPhone 7's I've seen and the replacement and original i received.

Check the 6s, if it has the same "issue" it is likely due to 3D touch.

 

[mustu]

Interlacing issue?

 

[appleincognito]

[removed]

 

[spooned12000rpm]

I must admit I forgot to update this thread. My replacement 7 arrived two days before my wedding so I didn't have a lot of time to scrutinise it. The new handset resolved the issue of screen bleed/spotlighting I had with the first one, has a warm yet less noticeably yellow screen, but introduced a more pronounced hiss/buzz, though you have to have your ear to the back to notice. In regards to this issue, I can still see the mesh effect in the screen close up however the faint lines (whilst visible in the right conditions) are less visible during normal usage so I'm much happier. Like most iPhone issues it seems all handsets have the same problems (no iPhone is perfect) it's just that some show those issues more!

 

[raf46]

Absolutely no doubt about my minutes old iPhone 7 is displaying the same lines. They disappear for a while and then come back. I'm updating to 10.0.1 and I'll see if it's still there. The screen looks fine for a few moments in the sense that it's as good as my iPhone 5S. There are also intermittent line flashes across the screen at random timings of a few seconds.

 

[appleincognito]

[removed]

 

[Chelseaginn]

After scrutinising my iPhone 7 screen for the usual things (dead/stuck pixels, backlight bleed etc) I've noticed a new (for me) phenomenon...

With a bright background (Settings App or a blank Safari tab) I can see faint lines over the entire screen. They don't appear to be on the LCD itself but almost like its in the glass or the olephobic coating as it sort of 'moves' if I move the phone around. I've tried to photograph it but its not picking up on a camera.

I've compared the screen to that on my 6 which sort of has the same effect but much less noticeable, this is like theres a constant layer of grease or something over the screen. Just wondering if anyone's seeing the same thing or if I'm going mad?!

To test, turn up the brightness and go in to General within Settings. and holding the phone 20-30cm away focus on the background and begin to tilt the phone, it then looks as though there's a fine mesh over the screen and you begin to see these flickery vertical lines.

Not sure what the cause is or if it's considered normal? I know on the older phones you used to be able to see the touch layer as a fine grid over the screen at certain angles/lighting, and if what I'm seeing here is the same sort of thing in one of the laminated layers?

[doublepost=1479056779][/doublepost]My iPhone also has faint lines on the screen. Originally I was told it was field to updating but no current updates are being ran on my device. This is happening quite frequently, the first time it happened I had to reset my phone. But this time did not work. Did you get your screen sorted?

 

[SlytherinPrefect1]

I must admit I forgot to update this thread. My replacement 7 arrived two days before my wedding so I didn't have a lot of time to scrutinise it. The new handset resolved the issue of screen bleed/spotlighting I had with the first one, has a warm yet less noticeably yellow screen, but introduced a more pronounced hiss/buzz, though you have to have your ear to the back to notice. In regards to this issue, I can still see the mesh effect in the screen close up however the faint lines (whilst visible in the right conditions) are less visible during normal usage so I'm much happier. Like most iPhone issues it seems all handsets have the same problems (no iPhone is perfect) it's just that some show those issues more!

I just got the iPhone 7 like 2 weeks ago and mine has the line/mesh issue and it's been months since the original release so I'm guessing it's vaguely there on all of them and some people just don't notice, mines not terribly noticeable in fact I had the phone almost a week before I noticed it and at that it's only when I hold it very close to my face. Holding it at (what I assume to be) a normal distance they're not really noticeable unless the screen is tilted almost flat or some other awkward angle. It's probably best I don't hold it 5 inches from my face anyway, considering the change in my eye contact prescription this year lol. About the warmer screen I noticed that right away when holding it next to my 6, is that normal for it to be this way?