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Screen interlacing still present on 5S

I will share my experience so far.

I bought the 5S a week ago, as I started using it I noticed the interlacing on the screen, booked an appointment with the geniuses. When the genius was looking at my phone she told me that it was normal and the screen was supposed to look that way... She even showed me her 5S and guess what, she had the same issue. I went ahead and checked EVERY demo phone and most of them had the interlacing. I was arguing and denying that this was NOT normal. A senior manager took over and told me that he would replace it BUT that I would be unable to swap it again if the same "nonexistent" issue came up. I went ahead and played the lottery, and guess what, still the same issue!
At this point going to the genius bar is futile so I called apple support, spoke with a senior advisor and I explained to him the situation, I emailed him this thread with the pictures that you guys provided, so he sent a replacement phone that I will be receiving wednesday and hoping for the love of mother earth that I will receive a working unit, as it would be my third phone.

I will keep you guys updated.
 
My first 5S had it, and my second one has it too. If I can't get used to it, I will go back and replace it again. They only had one 64GB gold iPhone when I went in last time, and it's not something you can tell until they actually get the phone running (because you can't really see it on white or black). It's definitely been worse on blue. None of my original iphone, 3GS, 4S or 5 had it.

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Inksworth said:
They don't all have this problem, thankfully. My fiance's silver 32 5s doesn't have the issue. However, my gold 64 5s does. I'm going to ask about my options when I go in for my genius appointment tomorrow. I managed to grab pictures of the effect as well.

The photograph actually makes it look worse than it is, but you can definitely see the scan lines even though it's a smaller photo than the silver.

I'm going to the Apple store tomorrow and hope they have some experience with the matter — it only really bothers me when I'm looking around the screen or moments of high motion -- I swear it's interlacing the frames for games like Infinity Blade. It makes them a lot less fun to play.
Click to expand...

I had this exact problem with a 64GB Gold 5S as well... and my second one has it also. I'm worried all the 64GB Gold will have it. Is yours unlocked?
 
alia said:
My first 5S had it, and my second one has it too. If I can't get used to it, I will go back and replace it again. They only had one 64GB gold iPhone when I went in last time, and it's not something you can tell until they actually get the phone running (because you can't really see it on white or black). It's definitely been worse on blue. None of my original iphone, 3GS, 4S or 5 had it.

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I had this exact problem with a 64GB Gold 5S as well... and my second one has it also. I'm worried all the 64GB Gold will have it. Is yours unlocked?
Click to expand...


Nope. Mine's AT&T. Also, I went back to the geniuses today and they didn't have a different phone for me to try. They offered to order me a replacement, but what I'm going to do is wait a few weeks for the current batch to be "flushed" out. The genius I spoke to had a 32 gold that DIDN'T have the aliasing -- my guess is all 64 Golds are going to have this problem at least for a while. At least the DN series, that is.
 
Inksworth said:
Nope. Mine's AT&T. Also, I went back to the geniuses today and they didn't have a different phone for me to try. They offered to order me a replacement, but what I'm going to do is wait a few weeks for the current batch to be "flushed" out. The genius I spoke to had a 32 gold that DIDN'T have the aliasing -- my guess is all 64 Golds are going to have this problem at least for a while. At least the DN series, that is.
Click to expand...

I will probably wait a bit to go back as well. My replacement was pretty much identical to the one I already had. My genius told me he couldn't see the problem, but he was still nice enough to replace it and told me that I could come back again if I was still having problems with the replacement.
 
Does anyone with a 32GB Space Gray have the issue?

This thread is kind of depressing me because I've always hated the horizontal line issue on my previous iPhones. However, I managed to get a good iPhone 4 and I don't want a downgrade in display quality by getting a new phone.

I hate trying to explain to the geniuses that I'm not crazy and that there is a problem.
 
How do test to see if I have this? I tried to look for this interlacing on a solid color background but I don't seem to notice anything. Maybe I don't have it but just wanted to be certain that I don't
 
shafnitz said:
She hadn't heard of anyone else bringing in their phone complaining of it, though.
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I'm pretty sure they're trained to say this, even if the very last person they helped before you had the exact same problem.

farmD said:
How do test to see if I have this? I tried to look for this interlacing on a solid color background but I don't seem to notice anything. Maybe I don't have it but just wanted to be certain that I don't
Click to expand...

If you don't notice it, don't go looking for it. Just enjoy your phone. It's one of those things -- once you see it, you can't stop seeing it.
 
farmD said:
How do test to see if I have this? I tried to look for this interlacing on a solid color background but I don't seem to notice anything. Maybe I don't have it but just wanted to be certain that I don't
Click to expand...

If you don't notice it, please do not look for it because it will bother you for the rest of eternity and you wouldn't want that. I wish I could un-see it.
 
I finally heard word back from the Engineering Depot which is located in Cupertino, California.

Let me just start by saying they are not easy to get in contact with.

The chain of command with AppleCare is as follows:

AppleCare Representative > Senior Adviser > Customer Relations > Customer Relations Senior Adviser > Engineering.

A Senior Adviser of any kind has to make contact with Engineering. It is not something you can be transferred to. It is up to the Senior Adviser's discretion to relay Engineering's response to you. I fortunately had one that was kind enough to do so.

You ready for the worst part?

Engineering's response is as follows after seeing my device in person and seeing upclose pictures of it:

The screen in question on the device is considered normal. Please do not issue service replacements to customers regarding this issue.
Click to expand...

I was then told by the Adviser that the service process is "HIGHLY automated and the most they do with your actual device is put the sticker on the box and ship it to you".

Needless to say I feel absolutely sick to my stomach.

FOR ANYONE DOING AN APPLECARE REPLACEMENT FOR THIS ISSUE, THEY ARE NOT INSPECTING YOUR NEW PHONE.

You are literally doing a blind coin toss.
 
So I had to take my iPhone in yesterday as it crapped out in me. Got it replaced and I'm back to the scan line display again I give up I'm just gonna live with it throw an anti glare screen protector on it and go on with my life
 
11bE5 said:
So I had to take my iPhone in yesterday as it crapped out in me. Got it replaced and I'm back to the scan line display again I give up I'm just gonna live with it throw an anti glare screen protector on it and go on with my life
Click to expand...

Same here. I gave up. Just enjoy the phone an move on
 
adoglolwut said:
I finally heard word back from the Engineering Depot which is located in Cupertino, California.

Let me just start by saying they are not easy to get in contact with.

The chain of command with AppleCare is as follows:

AppleCare Representative > Senior Adviser > Customer Relations > Customer Relations Senior Adviser > Engineering.

A Senior Adviser of any kind has to make contact with Engineering. It is not something you can be transferred to. It is up to the Senior Adviser's discretion to relay Engineering's response to you. I fortunately had one that was kind enough to do so.

You ready for the worst part?

Engineering's response is as follows after seeing my device in person and seeing upclose pictures of it:



I was then told by the Adviser that the service process is "HIGHLY automated and the most they do with your actual device is put the sticker on the box and ship it to you".

Needless to say I feel absolutely sick to my stomach.

FOR ANYONE DOING AN APPLECARE REPLACEMENT FOR THIS ISSUE, THEY ARE NOT INSPECTING YOUR NEW PHONE.

You are literally doing a blind coin toss.
Click to expand...

That's about what I figured — there's no way they'd use those panels unless they're within "acceptable ranges." I'm sure it's a numbers game where they'll accept variance in panels in order to meet demand.

On the other hand, it's no surprise Engineering would say something like that. I mean, it was *someone's* decision to use the panels and they're probably high enough on the totem pole that their decisions will be defended.
 
I purchases a Sonly RX100 camera at bestbuy last year and it had this problem but the scan lines were horizontal. I swapped it out and the replacement was a bit better but still does it. I purchased a Sony RX1 and the display also does it. You can really see it if you crank up the brightness esp on blue and grey. It does not ruin the ultimate experience which are the photographs produced by these cameras.

Unfortunately with high end mobile devices where the experience/use comes from the screen this is not acceptable. Its a shame Apple says not to replace these devices. In the past I just had Apple send me a replacements and swap it out. I didn't not bother with the genius bar as they can't see it and think we are crazy.

im 100% convinced its some sort of tuning issue with these screens. Ive never seen it on an IPad or computer monitor but it has plagued mobile LCDs for years.
 
The only time that picture flickers on my 5S is when the "Set Lock Screen"/"Set Home Screen"/"Set Both"/"Cancel" dialogue box pops up.
 
I upgraded to the 64gb space grey 5s a week after launch. I went to Best Buy since they were the only place that had any 5s devices. My 1st unit had the interlacing. Not only that but the screen flickered and the device rebooted constantly. They swapped it out and the 2nd unit had the interlacing and a yellowish tint at the top of the screen. I went back and showed them but denied my swap cause they couldn't see the issues. Even when compared with their floor unit. So I contacted Apple instead and did the Express Replacement option. I received my 3rd unit and it too had the interlacing but this time the yellow tint affected the whole screen. BTW, all these devices began with an F2 serial number. I couldn't stand it and made the trip to an Apple store. Being 2+ hours away, I had to make it worth it. The Genius immediately saw the yellow tint, the lines and with a diagnostic test, seen that my phone had also been crashing. He swapped it out right away. My 4th device is FINALLY perfect! No tint nor interlacing. I can say it is all worth it! No more headaches from the ugly yellow tint and interlacing. My 4th unit begins with a DN serial number.
 
ydeezy said:
I upgraded to the 64gb space grey 5s a week after launch. I went to Best Buy since they were the only place that had any 5s devices. My 1st unit had the interlacing. Not only that but the screen flickered and the device rebooted constantly. They swapped it out and the 2nd unit had the interlacing and a yellowish tint at the top of the screen. I went back and showed them but denied my swap cause they couldn't see the issues. Even when compared with their floor unit. So I contacted Apple instead and did the Express Replacement option. I received my 3rd unit and it too had the interlacing but this time the yellow tint affected the whole screen. BTW, all these devices began with an F2 serial number. I couldn't stand it and made the trip to an Apple store. Being 2+ hours away, I had to make it worth it. The Genius immediately saw the yellow tint, the lines and with a diagnostic test, seen that my phone had also been crashing. He swapped it out right away. My 4th device is FINALLY perfect! No tint nor interlacing. I can say it is all worth it! No more headaches from the ugly yellow tint and interlacing. My 4th unit begins with a DN serial number.
Click to expand...

The iPhone I'm getting tomorrow is a DN serial. This gives me a little bit of hope (especially since the iPhone 5 I bought a little while ago was an F2 and it had interlace lines).
 
Triangle Man said:
The iPhone I'm getting tomorrow is a DN serial. This gives me a little bit of hope (especially since the iPhone 5 I bought a little while ago was an F2 and it had interlace lines).
Click to expand...

Let us know how the screen is when you get it! I'm waiting a little bit before I head back in one more time. I may try this Friday or next.
 
All 3 of my defective models have started with a DN. So don't expect that to mean anything. This is called the iPhone lottery for a reason.

I simply can't stress over this anymore. I'm done. Never again will I buy from apple. 3 phones in a row and a "this is normal" response to show for it? I'm out.

You all have fun playing the iPhone lottery. I can't do it anymore.
 
adoglolwut said:
All 3 of my defective models have started with a DN. So don't expect that to mean anything. This is called the iPhone lottery for a reason.

I simply can't stress over this anymore. I'm done. Never again will I buy from apple. 3 phones in a row and a "this is normal" response to show for it? I'm out.

You all have fun playing the iPhone lottery. I can't do it anymore.
Click to expand...

I'm on my 3rd one as well because the other 2 had yellow spots and yellow tint syndrome but no interlacing issues. Now... I only have this issue and I consider myself lucky. It is unfortunate that Apples product QC has gone down in the gutter ever since Jobs left but what can we do about it really?
 
adoglolwut said:
All 3 of my defective models have started with a DN. So don't expect that to mean anything. This is called the iPhone lottery for a reason.

I simply can't stress over this anymore. I'm done. Never again will I buy from apple. 3 phones in a row and a "this is normal" response to show for it? I'm out.

You all have fun playing the iPhone lottery. I can't do it anymore.
Click to expand...

Now I'm depressed again. I honestly don't want any other phone. I don't think I'd be happy with anything else, plus I have iTunes Match and almost everything I have is through Apple. I just can't switch to anything else. So I either have to get used to it, or not have an iPhone at all.
 
Triangle Man said:
The iPhone I'm getting tomorrow is a DN serial. This gives me a little bit of hope (especially since the iPhone 5 I bought a little while ago was an F2 and it had interlace lines).
Click to expand...

Let us know how that iPhone works out! Crossing fingers for you! Good luck!
 
Weird. My really cool tinted iPhone 5 has this screen flicker (using that grey pic) but my warm screen 5S has no flicker.
 
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