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Eug · Jul 11, 2008, 05:59 PM

iPhone 3G screen yellow

It seems some people are reporting their 3G screens are noticeably more yellow than their previous EDGE iPhones.

Batch problem? Or screen model issue? (A slightly yellower screen might not actually mean there's anything wrong with it. It might just be how the screen was designed... ie. cheaper.) Or could it just be a colour calibration issue?

Ozz_man · Jul 11, 2008, 06:03 PM

This is the second reason I waited to buy one. I want all bugs/glitches/affairs gone and worked out before I upgrade (if 3G ever comes around to begin with)

UltimaLaw · Jul 11, 2008, 06:05 PM

I have one and sat it side-by-side my Edge iPhone, no difference in color, I actually think the 3G screen is brighter....

slpdLoad · Jul 11, 2008, 06:07 PM

I wouldn't doubt that it's a cheaper panel. Remember the whole mess with the iPod Touch vs iPhone screen?

Eug · Jul 11, 2008, 06:11 PM

Yeah, reports are mixed. Some say they look the same, while others report the 3G is yellower.

Might be a batch issue.

moep · Jul 11, 2008, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by UltimaLaw

I have one and sat it side-by-side my Edge iPhone, no difference in color, I actually think the 3G screen is brighter....

probably because the 3G one is new.

Originally Posted by slpdLoad

I wouldn't doubt that it's a cheaper panel. Remember the whole mess with the iPod Touch vs iPhone screen?

Yeah, I think so too. In fact there were rumors that the 3G iPhone would use a (lower quality?) iPod touch screen a few weeks ago. I mean something's gotta give when they are slashing the price in half... we shall see.

UltimaLaw · Jul 11, 2008, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by moep

probably because the 3G one is new.

Yeah, I think so too. In fact there were rumors that the 3G iPhone would use a (lower quality?) iPod touch screen a few weeks ago. I mean something's gotta give when they are slashing the price in half... we shall see.

2 Reasons why your thoughts are flawed. 1) There is no official statement anywhere that Apple went to a different panel, and 2) I'm sitting here looking at it and mine is NOT yellow....maybe the people that are complaining got a bad batch or are just color blind!

Eug · Jul 11, 2008, 06:22 PM

Originally Posted by moep

I mean something's gotta give when they are slashing the price in half... we shall see.

My understanding is the unit price has not be sliced in half. It's the wireless provider's pricing model that has changed.

moep · Jul 11, 2008, 06:24 PM

Originally Posted by UltimaLaw

2 Reasons why your thoughts are flawed. 1) There is no official statement anywhere that Apple went to a different panel, and 2) I'm sitting here looking at it and mine is NOT yellow....maybe the people that are complaining got a bad batch or are just color blind!

Uh sorry for dissing your purdy new toy, no need to get your panties in a bunch.
I never claimed to state facts, it might just be a simple white-balance issue that can be fixed with a software update.

Besides that, if they really downgraded the display — of course they wouldn't announce it officially. "Look guys, we made our flagship product worse to cut the price and help sales. Enjoy!"

Originally Posted by Eug

My understanding is the unit price has not be sliced in half. It's the wireless provider's pricing model that has changed.

True, I forgot that Apple allows carriers to subsidize the phones now.

UltimaLaw · Jul 11, 2008, 07:38 PM

Originally Posted by moep

Uh sorry for dissing your purdy new toy, no need to get your panties in a bunch.
I never claimed to state facts, it might just be a simple white-balance issue that can be fixed with a software update.

Besides that, if they really downgraded the display — of course they wouldn't announce it officially. "Look guys, we made our flagship product worse to cut the price and help sales. Enjoy!"

True, I forgot that Apple allows carriers to subsidize the phones now.

It has nothing to do with my new toy, your the one that is obviously mad that you couldn't buy one, but seriously the "omg 1 person said something so it must be widespread and true" logic is the obvious best choice.....

cSurfr · Jul 12, 2008, 08:06 AM

Originally Posted by UltimaLaw

It has nothing to do with my new toy, your the one that is obviously mad that you couldn't buy one, but seriously the "omg 1 person said something so it must be widespread and true" logic is the obvious best choice.....

It's funny when someone tries to attack another member and doesn't know the difference between Your and You're. BTW, look at the picture in the first post and tell us all there isn't a difference in the color of the screens. Just because YOUR screen looks the same, doesn't mean they all do.

drainyoo · Jul 12, 2008, 07:23 PM

I actually prefer the yellow tint on the new phone. I think it looks a lot better. The first gen iphone screen was way too blue and cold but we never noticed it because we had nothing to compare it to. Now that we have both phones you can see a difference. I think people are overreacting because in time your eyes will adjust and you won't even notice the change. In the end this color reproduction is better. Stop comparing.

Sage · Jul 12, 2008, 07:40 PM

http://www.macworld.com/article/1344...play_warm.html

64stang06 · Jul 12, 2008, 07:47 PM

Originally Posted by Sage

http://www.macworld.com/article/1344...play_warm.html

But this came from marketing, not engineering.

Randman · Jul 12, 2008, 07:54 PM

I have both and the new phone is more of a yellow tint. It threw me off just looking at the screen but I quickly converted over. It looks brighter to me and I found reading type was easier than the bluer screen off the first-gen models.

Simon · Jul 13, 2008, 02:02 AM

The new screen looks a bit yellow-ish compared to the old one. The new iPhone is also brighter though, so I'm glad I'm getting a new one.

moep · Jul 13, 2008, 06:27 PM

To set the record straight, I talked to Apple’s senior director of iPhone product marketing, Bob Borchers. Borchers indicated that this definitely isn’t a bug or a display defect. Yes, the display on the iPhone 3G has a warmer look—and that’s by design. The previous iPhone’s white was more of a cool blue (Borchers likened it to harsh fluorescent lighting), while this one’s is warmer and more of a sunny yellow.

Source

So the color-temperature was altered via firmware. Apple should just offer 2-3 different settings since some people seem to prefer the warmer colors. It shouldn't be hard to implement that after all.

In related news:
Tip: Updating iPhone to 5A347 reduces yellow tinge

WorkClothes · Jul 16, 2008, 11:05 AM

Take a look at the comparison screen of the 3G and the previous iPhone in this article:

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/phones/iPhone-3G.htm

The yellow screen is better for outdoor viewing though.

Eug · Jul 16, 2008, 12:55 PM

I don't have a 2.5G to compare, but I'd say my 3G isn't too yellow. I definitely prefer it to the overly blue colour balance of some LCD devices.

I wouldn't complain if the colour got slightly cooler, but not too much cooler like PC computer screens.

I'm using the supposedly yellower 5A345 by the way. I got no option to update to 5A347 when I sync'd the unit. I'm not sure it's worth doing a restore just to get this either. It might be worth it if 5A347 is more stable though. 5A345 will crash once-in-a-while with some 3rd applications and a few websites too.

stevesnj · Jul 16, 2008, 01:35 PM

I dont see this as a problem but seems like it enhances colors on the phone...cheers to Apple for recognizing this issue...if you dont like it im sure someone will write a screen color temp program.