I called *3001#12345#* went to Versions, went into LCD Panel ID.
and I have LCD Panel ID : 7455232
But, fortunately, my screen is perfect.. I even tested it out with various brightness settings just to make sure..
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iPhones with the negative black screen issue
- Thread starter atari1356
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I called *3001#12345#* went to Versions, went into LCD Panel ID.
and I have LCD Panel ID : 7455232
But, fortunately, my screen is perfect.. I even tested it out with various brightness settings just to make sure..
The build week is listed in the serial number. The 4th and 5th numbers from the beginning indicate the build week. Example.... serial of 1235678, the production week would be week 56.
To find the lcd panel id, dial *3001#12345#* on the phone. When the field test menu comes up, select versions.
I have the same LCD numbers and mine is fine too. I dont know what panel ID the previous one had. Didnt think to look before I returned it for this one.
Your average joe iphone user won't quite notice the problem we've all been having.. so I'm pretty sure there are less complaints than there are praises... Apple will ship out what ever they having knowing that some of their iphones have problems.... sucks... good luck with your iphone. It took me three tries before I got a good one. I have a stuck pixel but I don't feel like taking it back anymore..
If this thread/story makes it to major news organization then the average joe will start looking at their iphones much more closely and they will see the defect.
I don't have the issue. Just checked my serial #, it is a 7 and was apparently from a week 29. I'll check the ones we bought for my dad and sister too. Looks like Week 30 onwards seems to have this problem.
If you are trying to show someone at an Apple store that your screen has the inverted black problem, you may also want to try this test:
http://techmind.org/lcd/greyscale.html
The block marked "00" (on the far left) should be the blackest black. If you have the inverted black problem, the block marked "10" will be blacker than the block marked "00" (on my defective display, the block marked "00" was a lighter greyish greenish color in comparison to the block marked "10").
This is easy to see if you pull up the same link on two Iphones (assuming the other Iphone has a non-defective screen). I had a 8GB Iphone with a good screen and then purchased a 4GB Iphone for my wife that had a bad screen. I saw this link on another site, and it helped me explain the problem to the manager at the Apple store, so I thought I would share it.
http://techmind.org/lcd/greyscale.html
The block marked "00" (on the far left) should be the blackest black. If you have the inverted black problem, the block marked "10" will be blacker than the block marked "00" (on my defective display, the block marked "00" was a lighter greyish greenish color in comparison to the block marked "10").
This is easy to see if you pull up the same link on two Iphones (assuming the other Iphone has a non-defective screen). I had a 8GB Iphone with a good screen and then purchased a 4GB Iphone for my wife that had a bad screen. I saw this link on another site, and it helped me explain the problem to the manager at the Apple store, so I thought I would share it.
Beautiful! Thanks for that link. I was trying to explain to the manager at the local apple store and my credibility went down when he saw it was macrumors.com.
This brings up something that's been bothering me about this whole thing. Whenever you said you've been researching something, they ask in a snide tone, "on the internet?". I'm thinking that at this point in 2007, we've reached a point where the internet is a valid source for information.
Sure, most times it's filled with folks like us that have a problem, and rarely do people with no issues complain. But it's still a valid and reliable source. When I brought up the image in this post, they said they can't take something found on an internet rumor site seriously, like the image was somehow affected by it's source. I offered to bring it up on one of their iMacs but their argument was turned to it having a different LCD and would naturally display an image differently.
They love to ask if I saw the issue on a blog, all snobbish like, but when you state that it was in Mossberg's review they change the subject.
BS.
Now, an update on my screen. I spoke with my phone rep this morning, and her response was that the screens were indeed within spec. I sent her all of the images I have posted here, including the original album art file. She said that all five iPhones she could find in her office looked like mine, and that the art file did the same effect on her phone.
I have no reason to not believe her, so maybe this is a bigger issue than we think. I don't know, really, but it's annoying to see one like infinitethrill's screen be so beautiful and mine so horrible.
My only action from here is:
1. Return them and not look back.
2. Keep the first one and ignore the issue, returning the other.
3. Possibly buy a new one at a local store, if it has the issue, back to step 1 or 2.
I'm thinking step 3 tomorrow, and if it's screen is bad, step 2. Maybe they'll throw in something to make me happier. That's if they'll guarantee that I can return the others with no issues.
I have no reason to not believe her, so maybe this is a bigger issue than we think. I don't know, really, but it's annoying to see one like infinitethrill's screen be so beautiful and mine so horrible.
My only action from here is:
1. Return them and not look back.
2. Keep the first one and ignore the issue, returning the other.
3. Possibly buy a new one at a local store, if it has the issue, back to step 1 or 2.
I'm thinking step 3 tomorrow, and if it's screen is bad, step 2. Maybe they'll throw in something to make me happier. That's if they'll guarantee that I can return the others with no issues.
Make a bigger issue out of it. Get it replaced until you get one with a proper screen. If Apple doesn't already, it should recognize this as an issue on what is considered to be a premium device. In the iPhone's case, the entire device is the screen. It's purpose is to look at album covers and watch movies. If you cannot do that because of an issue like the screen then they should replace it for you.
EDIT: send her that link that was just posted with the LCD test, that makes it much more clear that the black is not a true representation of black.
I've sent her the link to this thread, the actual photos of my phone, and will send her that link right now.
Official word, according to every Apple employee that I've spoken to, is that this is within spec., if only because so many screens have the issue.
It absolutely blows me away how some of us are able to swap out for a new one with ease, and how some of you are given the run around. I mean, LOOK AT THESE 2 PICS HERE!! First one was my old phone straight on. Next one is the one that replaced it. There is an OBVIOUS problem. How could any manager or genius deny there is a major difference between the 2 screens??
I guess your only and best option is just to keep at it until they replace your defective unit. You shouldnt have to settle for a screen like that, regardless if they say its "within spec" or not. Thats bullcrap and we all know it.
The sad thing it, I think Apple at this point it just expecting people to live with it. Thats what I was going to do, I told myself and even said in my first post on this thread "its really not that bad." Well, now that I have a new unit with a perfect screen I realize it WAS that bad.
I guess your only and best option is just to keep at it until they replace your defective unit. You shouldnt have to settle for a screen like that, regardless if they say its "within spec" or not. Thats bullcrap and we all know it.
The sad thing it, I think Apple at this point it just expecting people to live with it. Thats what I was going to do, I told myself and even said in my first post on this thread "its really not that bad." Well, now that I have a new unit with a perfect screen I realize it WAS that bad.
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Wow, thanks for those photos, that good one really is a night and day difference. I sent those to my apple rep as well.
Yes! Thanks so much for that link. It clearly shows the issue. I'm on my way to the Apple Store tomorrow for a problem with my MacBook, so I'll have them look at my iPhone while I'm there. This will come in handy.
I just got my phone replaced via AppleCare (called the Apple phone number, got a temp phone, etc.) for a bad case of the white-dot grid issue.
However, now I've got negative blacks. And somewhere between 2-6 dead pixels at a glance. Haven't looked all that closely yet.
Is there any chance at all that I can call in the issue to Apple? There's no Apple store in my state, so I can't bring it in to show anyone.
Has anyone called in the negative-black issue yet? Or has everyone brought it in directly to an Apple store?
However, now I've got negative blacks. And somewhere between 2-6 dead pixels at a glance. Haven't looked all that closely yet.
Is there any chance at all that I can call in the issue to Apple? There's no Apple store in my state, so I can't bring it in to show anyone.
Has anyone called in the negative-black issue yet? Or has everyone brought it in directly to an Apple store?
I called it in on mine. It arrived and Apple replaced it and sent it back to me on the same day. It's supposed to be at my house later on today, so hopefully I get a good phone, would be a bummer to get another with the same type of issues.
I have LCD Panel ID : 7455232 on my 4g week 32 and I'd dare to say it looks as good or better to my eyes than anything posted in this thread.
I know I went through three bad iPhones from the Apple Store - one was a refurb, two were straight from a brand new, sealed box.
This is getting fun. Just went into the Apple Store in Southlake, TX. They said nothing was wrong with the phone, even though the guys phone was good and compared side by side to mine, they denied it. Another customer said he couldn't see mine either.
They finally agreed to change it out, but that that would be the last time, they'd make sure of it in the notes.
They went to exchange it, but noticed the fact that it was activated when they took the sim out. Again, the Dallas store gave it to me activated. I told them that, and they said, no, never. They called me a liar, and a hacker in front of about 5 other people and my 9yo nephew. The phone has never even been plugged into my computer.
I'm on the phone with the Dallas store now, but this is the last straw I'm afraid.
They finally agreed to change it out, but that that would be the last time, they'd make sure of it in the notes.
They went to exchange it, but noticed the fact that it was activated when they took the sim out. Again, the Dallas store gave it to me activated. I told them that, and they said, no, never. They called me a liar, and a hacker in front of about 5 other people and my 9yo nephew. The phone has never even been plugged into my computer.
I'm on the phone with the Dallas store now, but this is the last straw I'm afraid.
The Dallas Store straightned it out with the Southlake Store, and I got a brand new never before used phone.
Serial # 7R739
LCD Panel - 7455232
Verdict - Just as bad, maybe worse.
Conclusion - No phone is worth this much trouble. That's phone #4, and trip #4 to Apple Stores where I've been told the screen is normal and have even been accused of hacking and when I denied that, called a liar.
I'm sending it back and will turn away now.
Serial # 7R739
LCD Panel - 7455232
Verdict - Just as bad, maybe worse.
Conclusion - No phone is worth this much trouble. That's phone #4, and trip #4 to Apple Stores where I've been told the screen is normal and have even been accused of hacking and when I denied that, called a liar.
I'm sending it back and will turn away now.
Firmware fix?
Does the new firmware address the screen issue? Someone in the update thread said his looks perfect now.
Does the new firmware address the screen issue? Someone in the update thread said his looks perfect now.