Some new iPhone 4S owners are saying that their screens display a yellowish tint, prompting a few of them to dub the alleged defect “yellowgate.”
Posting messages at the Apple Support Forum, several of the users say that the screen looks washed out and that the whites look more yellow, especially when compared with the iPhone 4. Some say the issue is specific to the black iPhone 4S, noting that the display in the white version looks fine.
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As a possible explanation, a couple of commenters said they believe the yellowish display is the result of the glue used to put the screens together not having fully cured or hardened. One poster noticed the same problem with the iPhone 4 last year and said it took about two weeks for the yellow tint to disappear.
However, a couple of other users countered the glue argument by pointing out that the screen appears washed out, which wouldn’t necessarily be caused by the glue not having hardened.
Summing up the issue, one person wrote that “my 4S screen is less contrasty, and the whites are more yellow (beyond ‘warm’) compared to my iPhone 4 screen. The colors are less vibrant, and some are pretty washed out. I’ve also noticed that the screen is more directional than the 4 screen, and in some viewing angles it’s more yellow, and in others it’s more contrasty. I’m really hoping this is a glue issue, which could improve. I don’t think I’ll be able to get used to this.”
Yellow tint is an issue that has affected Apple devices in the past. Some iPhone 3G users complained of this problem, which one researcher said was caused by certain cases blocking the light sensor. A round of iPad 2 owners reported a similar glitch earlier this year, which was attributed to the glue not having hardened. And as indicated in the support forum, new iPhone 4 users ran into the same issue last year, complaining of a yellow discolored area or yellow tint on the screen. In most of the cases, Apple offered to replace the phone.
Assuming it’s a glue issue, the problem should resolve itself before too long. If it remains, then affected iPhone 4S owners will want to drop by their local Apple stores to talk to the techs at the Genius Bar.
Have any of you new iPhone 4S owners run into the same display issue? If so, please chime in via the comments section.