iPhone 12 Pro Yellow Screen/Tint? Display seem "Warm"? Check here first!

[jntdroid]

But..this whole issue is with true tone off. Let me guess, didnt take the time to read?

If its super cool with TT off, you dont have this issue. Also, sell one of us your phone.

I actually have read 90% of this 44 page thread, including the OP. But I've also had three of these myself (12, 12, and 12p), from three separate sources (online and local retail), and taken them and compared them (using the OPs test) to display models at a couple of large local retailers as well (all in the DFW area). Not a single one looks yellow when True Tone is off. Are some a tad warmer than others? Sure, but the differences have been minimal and difficult to see. Maybe "warm" equates to "yellow" for some people. And when compared to a cooler white LCD screen, that's understandable.

The screen is either better or it isn't. Yellow and dingy isn't better, end of story.

Every OLED out there is going to look at least a little warmer on whites than a good LCD panel, and more "contrasty" as well. So if you prefer LCD to OLED, which is fine, then none of these panels are going to be ok to you. I have a hunch a decent number of the people dealing with this issue are coming from an LCD panel from the 11, Xr, or earlier like the 7 which was very cool due to not having True Tone.

IMHO these displays are too warm, but I don't necessarily see this as a massive widespread problem. It likely is a problem with a small segment of devices, as is often the case with new devices and OLED panels. But the problem is being skewed larger due to so many people coming from LCDs saying, "Yeah, now that you mention it, my screen does look yellow. Wth?" - when their screen is likely as intended, they're just not used to the warmer OLED look.

 

[klamchop]

Just received the replacement, it is brighter than my current one but much yellower...
I do notice that it might belong to an earlier batch, replacement serial starts with DNPDJ.... my current one starts with DNPDK...

I tried my best to replicate the tint in attached pic (left is my current 12pro, mid is old iPhone X, and right is replacement)

 

[kre62]

I actually have read 90% of this 44 page thread, including the OP. But I've also had three of these myself (12, 12, and 12p), from three separate sources (online and local retail), and taken them and compared them (using the OPs test) to display models at a couple of large local retailers as well (all in the DFW area). Not a single one looks yellow when True Tone is off. Are some a tad warmer than others? Sure, but the differences have been minimal and difficult to see. Maybe "warm" equates to "yellow" for some people. And when compared to a cooler white LCD screen, that's understandable.



Every OLED out there is going to look at least a little warmer on whites than a good LCD panel, and more "contrasty" as well. So if you prefer LCD to OLED, which is fine, then none of these panels are going to be ok to you. I have a hunch a decent number of the people dealing with this issue are coming from an LCD panel from the 11, Xr, or earlier like the 7 which was very cool due to not having True Tone.

IMHO these displays are too warm, but I don't necessarily see this as a massive widespread problem. It likely is a problem with a small segment of devices, as is often the case with new devices and OLED panels. But the problem is being skewed larger due to so many people coming from LCDs saying, "Yeah, now that you mention it, my screen does look yellow. Wth?" - when their screen is likely as intended, they're just not used to the warmer OLED look.

Way to restate what we are saying - a batch is defective.

And the OP said to compare to another OLED to be sure, not an LCD.

 

[kre62]

Just received the replacement, it is brighter than my current one but much yellower...
I do notice that it might belong to an earlier batch, replacement serial starts with DNPDJ.... my current one starts with DNPDK...

I tried my best to replicate the tint in attached pic (left is my current 12pro, mid is old iPhone X, and right is replacement)

That one on the right is complete trash. Just goes to show, it can always be worse when you play the swap game.

 

[Bstephens]

What kind of gray uniformity do these have?

 

[klamchop]

That one on the right is complete trash. Just goes to show, it can always be worse when you play the swap game.

Yea seriously! Good thing I work from home at the moment so I can deal with the replacement procedures...

Trying to get another replacement now and this rep still thinks it's software issue 🙄

 

[theliellama]

Just received the replacement, it is brighter than my current one but much yellower...
I do notice that it might belong to an earlier batch, replacement serial starts with DNPDJ.... my current one starts with DNPDK...

I tried my best to replicate the tint in attached pic (left is my current 12pro, mid is old iPhone X, and right is replacement)

Eww...wtf, that's horrible.

Can you do this fun experiment and report your results? Turn off the screens of both the iPhone 12s and compare the reflection of something like a white wall on them. Does the reflection of the wall look yellower in one? If so, then the screen itself is yellow and not the calibration.

 

[AndrewR23]

Just received the replacement, it is brighter than my current one but much yellower...
I do notice that it might belong to an earlier batch, replacement serial starts with DNPDJ.... my current one starts with DNPDK...

I tried my best to replicate the tint in attached pic (left is my current 12pro, mid is old iPhone X, and right is replacement)

def keep the one on the left if you had too, interesting note about serial number. wish it meant something but ive seen two side by side phones in this thread with vastly diff screens and the serials were nearly identical

 

[Supra Mac]

I love me a conspiracy story so I think it’s all a plot for people to turn off TT as a behavioral optimization to save battery. But seriously, how many people with 12s will turn TT off that used it previously.

 

[jntdroid]

Way to restate what we are saying - a batch is defective.

I guess? 🤷‍♂️ I was just replying to you. And my bigger point was that it might not be as widespread as your original post, or this thread, makes it seem. Obviously I could be wrong as well, but this is a discussion forum, so...

And the OP said to compare to another OLED to be sure, not an LCD.

Right, if that wasn't clear in my previous reply, that's definitely what was done.

 

[kre62]

Eww...wtf, that's horrible.

Can you do this fun experiment and report your results? Turn off the screens of both the iPhone 12s and compare the reflection of something like a white wall on them. Does the reflection of the wall look yellower in one? If so, then the screen itself is yellow and not the calibration.

For a dude that makes it a point to laugh at everyone’s post, you sure seem like you are admitting it’s an issue. And yes I know you tried to say in a post you think it is. Itd just be a lot more productive to add and support the convo vs laughing at posts.
Edit: couldn’t resist huh ya cheeky bastard

 

[Robbosan]

So is max and mini going to be a lottery too? Don't think i could win it twice haha

 

[thadoggfather]

So is max and mini going to be a lottery too? Don't think i could win it twice haha

You’ll never know if you don’t play. It’s a lottery with everything

—
I hope I’m wrong too but of the few mini hands on the screen colors look a little faded and not so saturated. Could be the lens could be the lottery not sure

The max looks like a good 12 pro inky colors

 

[alisalem]

Coming from a bright high quality LCD like the Xr or 11 and you're going to think it's yellow every time. If you come from another OLED it's probably much less noticeable or an issue. It might be worth trying for a few days without looking at any of your previous phone screens and see how your eyes adjust. I've had two 12's and a 12p and all three have looked identically yellow, and it's definitely noticeable coming from the Xr... but that's also because my Xr is sitting right next to it half the time as well... I don't know.

I've a OnePlus 5T that is significantly cooler than the iPhone. It's a tad warmer than my iMac and MacBook Pro, so it never bothered me. The iPhone on the other had was completely off.

 

[alisalem]

There's gotta be at least a couple of iPhones without a yellow tint 😂

 

[klasma]

There's gotta be at least a couple of iPhones without a yellow tint 😂

“Subscribe for more”

Thanks, I’m good.

 

[jntdroid]

If this was posted here already, sorry I missed it. Some interesting analysis. Will also be interested in Anandtech’s analysis when it comes out.

 

[kre62]

If this was posted here already, sorry I missed it. Some interesting analysis. Will also be interested in Anandtech’s analysis when it comes out.

Posted many times. Again, this only proves these things about the exact 2 phones she has, not all phones. And its not the issue at hand. Scroll up to see two 12s, one with a tint all over one without. Tinted screens are the problem, be that yellow, purple, pink, green.

 

[jntdroid]

Posted many times. Again, this only proves these things about the exact 2 phones she has, not all phones. And its not the issue at hand. Scroll up to see two 12s, one with a tint all over one without. Tinted screens are the problem, be that yellow, purple, pink, green.

Sorry, I’ve read through probably 35 of these pages and missed it.

I saw the post above.

And regarding what she says - yeah I know, I just thought the color analysis was interesting, especially the points about red/blue loss on that scale. And she clearly states her X (which is OLED) is a more pleasing and cooler white, and her cameras don’t do the difference justice, which helps to affirm that there are going to be a lot of false positives on this issue. And yes I know she has True Tone on.

Do you actually want people interacting with you on this thread or do you only want people that reaffirm your somewhat sensationalized OP?

edit: I apologize, that comes across rude... it just seems like any time someone brings in a different narrative here you simply try to shut it down.

 

[Baconhouse]

Well, as a first time iPhone owner, I certainly wasn't expecting a yellow screen... I always thought Apple had immaculate displays, as I adore the screen on my iPad Pro, but according to this thread I was simply wrong.

I returned my yellow iPhone 12 today and am now re-evaluating my decision to switch. Partially, I did it because I think I'd prefer the smaller Mini, but also because I couldn't stop thinking about how yellow this thing was, even after 14 days. Both my old Pixel 2 and 3 had closer white points to 6500K than the iPhone did. The Pixel 2 was even a launch unit. I work heavily in design and have my PC monitors calibrated using a colorimeter, so I have an excellent point of reference to compare from. I honestly really wish I didn't know/care about this, but once pandora's box has been opened there's no turning back.

If this is indeed an issue that only exists around launch, how long should I wait before buying to receive a decent screen?

 

[kre62]

Well, as a first time iPhone owner, I certainly wasn't expecting a yellow screen... I always thought Apple had immaculate displays, as I adore the screen on my iPad Pro, but according to this thread I was simply wrong.

I returned my yellow iPhone 12 today and am now re-evaluating my decision to switch. Partially, I did it because I think I'd prefer the smaller Mini, but also because I couldn't stop thinking about how yellow this thing was, even after 14 days. Both my old Pixel 2 and 3 had closer white points to 6500K than the iPhone did. The Pixel 2 was even a launch unit. I work heavily in design and have my PC monitors calibrated using a colorimeter, so I have an excellent point of reference to compare from. I honestly really wish I didn't know/care about this, but once pandora's box has been opened there's no turning back.

If this is indeed an issue that only exists around launch, how long should I wait before buying to receive a decent screen?

Glad to hear someone who knows 6500k chime in on this. After 10 years of calibration warriors trying to say this is simply moving down a bit in calibration its good to have someone who knows what they are talking about.
Id wait at least 6 weeks launch to try again

 

[ghosttrooper]

Glad to hear someone who knows 6500k chime in on this. After 10 years of calibration warriors trying to say this is simply moving down a bit in calibration its good to have someone who knows what they are talking about.
Id wait at least 6 weeks launch to try again

I'm just gonna keep mine since its only "warmer" not severely yellow tinted, and if they get better later I'll get the screen replaced under warranty. This may be the first year I opt for AppleCare.

 

[jntdroid]

Glad to hear someone who knows 6500k chime in on this. After 10 years of calibration warriors trying to say this is simply moving down a bit in calibration its good to have someone who knows what they are talking about.
Id wait at least 6 weeks launch to try again

Amen to that. Though I’m a little more cynical and tend to think Apple intends them to be this warm and aren’t paying as much attention to the 6500k scale this year. In other words, I worry this won’t change in 6 weeks or 6 months (and they’ll probably claim it’s theoretically better for our eyes).

 

[kre62]

Amen to that. Though I’m a little more cynical and tend to think Apple intends them to be this warm and aren’t paying as much attention to the 6500k scale this year. In other words, I worry this won’t change in 6 weeks or 6 months (and they’ll probably claim it’s theoretically better for our eyes).

The existence of good screens proves you otherwise

 

[jntdroid]

The existence of good screens proves you otherwise

Ok. 🤷‍♂️

For your sake and all of the others dealing with this issue, I hope I’m wrong and you’re right. Time will tell.