[BLuEWeed]

iPhone Users Notice a Big Difference in Touchscreens
Thu Aug 2, 2007 3:53AM EDT
See Comments (82)
If you've been toying with the idea of buying an iPhone, here's something you want to read. Computerworld recently came across complaints that some iPhone touchscreens are better than others. Several iPhone users have posted images of side-by-side phone comparisons that show screens on iPhones with Panel ID 7 are darker, fuzzier, and display a visible grid of dots across the screen. Those who have noticed a significant difference in their iPhone's screen quality have taken their complaints to Apple's support forums, and some even went as far as exchanging their iPhone.

One way to find your iPhone's screen information is by tapping in *3001#12345#* on the phone keypad and hitting the Call button, which puts it into Field Test Mode where you'll find the "LCD panel ID" number. Phones with a panel IDs that start with 7 are the ones people are complaining about, while the those that begin with a 5 are brighter, sharper, and don't show a grid pattern. Computerworld says users have several theories about the faulty touchscreens, such as registration problems between the touchscreen and overlay to differences between screen suppliers. Toshiba, Sharp, Epson, and Matsushita Display Technology all supply Apple with screens for the iPhone, according to reports, so who knows which company is supplying the dimmer screen.

iPhone Users Notice a Big Difference in Touchscreens : Gina Hughes : Yahoo! Tech

[Nodnarb]

Ok, so mine starts with a 7. Haven't really noticed any problems with it, but I also haven't had another model to compare it to. Anyone think I have anything to worry about?

[BLuEWeed]

i have a 7 also and leave my brightness halfway (just so I know i can go brighter if i need (safety barrier i guess)) nothing to worry about i guess but the field test is interestin and would like to know more about what it all means.. also interesting to note the various maufacturers of the LCD screens.

[DigitalEl]

I have the 5 .. lucky me, I guess.

[dawho9]

I also have a 5 and I stood in line on Friday to get it. So maybe regional?

[Earth Mk. II]

I have a 7 and keep my brightness around 1/4 of full. The 5s must be blinding....

[BLuEWeed]

i got my 7 in Meridian Mississippi

[stray8]

I had a 7 but had the dead touchscreen issue and got swapped out for a 5. I like the fact that there's no grid, but I liked the colors on the 7 better. The 5 is just insanely bright and vivid. I guess I'll get used to it. I keep it on auto brightness tho.

[Cadaver]

I haven't taken the time to see what screen revision my iPhone is or my wife's, but I can say that there is a definite difference.

Mine was bought on intro Friday. Wife's is 2 days old. My screen is darker at the same brightness slider level, but appears to have better contrast; Wife's is brighter, but doesn't have as good black level (background black is slightly grey) and is a bit more "pixel-y" in appearance.

I prefer the screen in my iPhone to my wife's, despite the fact hers is brighter at the same slider level; mine looks better when I turn up the brightness to a similar level.

So brighter isn't always better.

[dbranham]

In that Yahoo! article, the right-side (brighter) iPhone is too bright for my taste.

[mutelight]

I wasn't even aware there was a difference. I checked mine and it is a 5 at some point I will check some of my friends' and see if I can notice a discernible difference.