iPhone 5s display wear; but not glass

[jimtron]

I have an iPhone 5s that is showing screen wear or burn-in or persistence...not sure what to call it. It's not the glass--the glass is pristine, but there's a sort of white streak, it looks like where my thumb often scrolls on the glass. See photo, I made it a bit darker and added contrast so you can hopefully see what I'm talking about.

Anyone know what this is, and if there's a fix? Phone is out of warranty, but would love to get a replacement...

 

[DeltaMac]

The oleophobic coating on the screen eventually begins to wear through, and would be in the areas where you would scroll most frequently. And, that area would reflect light differently compared to less used parts of the screen.

If it gets annoying, replace the front glass.
I think you can also get screen protectors that have the oleophobic coating, but if you put one on now, you will still see the worn areas on the glass coating. It would be best to do one of those screen protectors on new glass.

 

[jimtron]

Thanks for the reply. Just want to be sure...that coating is on the front of the glass? It I turn the phone off, and look at the front glass surface, it seems very clean...but I guess that's because there's no light shining through it?

ETA: I've seen photos on the web of iPhones showing oleophobic wear, with the screen dark...in my case, with phone off, there's absolutely no sign of wear/abrasion/scratches etc.

 

[DeltaMac]

The oleophobic coating helps minimize fingerprints on the glass.

I did find that there are kits to redo that coating.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+apply+anti-fingerprint+oleophobic+coating/9682
Never tried one, so I don't know how well they work.

 

[jimtron]

Thanks for the link. I don't see any fingerprints on the glass--like I said, when I turn the phone off and look at the screen, I can't see any signs whatsoever of wear/streaks/fingerprints/scratches, etc. Is that normal, that oleophobic wear wouldn't show at all with the screen off? I just want to be sure I know what the problem is before repairing it.

 

[DeltaMac]

Your description (and your picture) doesn't really show the issue. It may be easier to take to someone who knows what to look for.
Could just be an uneven backlighting, or even some slight pressure damage on the screen.

 

[jimtron]

Ok, thanks.