Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone Screen Checkered Pattern

"I don't know how much this helps but I just noticed something that hasn't been mentioned here. If you tap on any of the bottom row buttons (most notably the ipod) right before the app opens up the button will be filled with the infamous dots."

Im not sure if those are the same dots... WHen I do that to mine, I notice the button fades away and in doing so the metallic looking backdrop with holes becomes visible behind. Take a look again, I bet its that and maybe not the dots unless you have them , in which case they may be overlaying no that anyway.


Take it back? Up to you. You have a 1 year warranty. Since it looks like software COULD fix it, wait for an update and see. If its still there, and it bothers you, then I would replace it. Again, not all 7 series have it as bad as other so if it does not bug you - I would just keep the one you have. It really comes down to how you feel about it and whether is bugs you or not.
 
Auriarte said:
I don't know how much this helps but I just noticed something that hasnt been mentioned here. If you tap on any of the bottom row buttons (most notably the ipod) right before the app opens up the button will be filled with the infamous dots. You have to look closely because it happens right after you release your finger. This could go two ways, either due to the touch or its because the button dims and then relightens when you release it so it could be a rendering issue. Try it out, its easiest to catch on the ipod button.
Click to expand...

Or perhaps the transparency in the icon changes and it takes on the texture of the image behind it. If you look harder, the "dots" you are seeing line up exactly with the pattern behind the icon.
 
I have a 7-series screen and can't find any of the white dots or grid pattern that you guys are referring to. Just thought I would chime in here in case it helps track down the culprit.
 
This could be a pointless theory...

I assume we are all looking at our phones from the bottom left corner at a 30 degree angle in order to see the dots on our "good" 7***** series. They are definately there in a pitch black environment, but not easily seen in any other condition. However, if you look from the top right, they are not visible at all!!
If you hold the iPhone 7 series upside down (as if you were looking at it like you always do) the black looks rich and flawless on the home page.

Is there any chance that the 5*****series could be installed differently from the 7****? Is there any chance that the dots that no one sees on the 5***** could be visible from another angle? I know this seems too simple an answer...but there is a cliche for such things for a reason.
Could any 5***** series users please go into a pitch black room with 100% brightness on the phone and tell us if you see any (even faint) dots when you hold it upside down (no jokes about the screen facing the ground please:p). I will be anxiously awaiting.
 
ThanatosId said:
This could be a pointless theory...

I assume we are all looking at our phones from the bottom left corner at a 30 degree angle in order to see the dots on our "good" 7***** series. They are definately there in a pitch black environment, but not easily seen in any other condition. However, if you look from the top right, they are not visible at all!!
If you hold the iPhone 7 series upside down (as if you were looking at it like you always do) the black looks rich and flawless on the home page.

Is there any chance that the 5*****series could be installed differently from the 7****? Is there any chance that the dots that no one sees on the 5***** could be visible from another angle? I know this seems too simple an answer...but there is a cliche for such things for a reason.
Could any 5***** series users please go into a pitch black room with 100% brightness on the phone and tell us if you see any (even faint) dots when you hold it upside down (no jokes about the screen facing the ground please:p). I will be anxiously awaiting.
Click to expand...

Laying on some sarcasm here: Did you read the thread? :) Yes, even the 5 series is affected by them but they are REALLY hard to see - and like you said, full brightness and a dark room is needed, but they are there. Its just that none of the 5 series seem to have them radically visible like the 7.

And they are viewable from the same angle. Good idea though - hints to a layer of the polarization late being set differently.
 
You are absolutely correct about the "6" series. I've heard they are Pitch black, as in almost non-existent:p:p:p.

Seriously though, I hope that others respond after doing their own tests, even with their 7***** series. Even when booting the phone, I can't see any dots 3-4 seconds in when it is upside down(7 series). I know that 5***** owners have said that they see faint dots...I just want to know if it varies from different angles and positions.
 
ThanatosId said:
You are absolutely correct about the "6" series. I've heard they are Pitch black, as in almost non-existent:p:p:p.

Seriously though, I hope that others respond after doing their own tests, even with their 7***** series. Even when booting the phone, I can't see any dots 3-4 seconds in when it is upside down(7 series). I know that 5***** owners have said that they see faint dots...I just want to know if it varies from different angles and positions.
Click to expand...

Well...

I have 7series screen affected with a mild degree of the white dots. I just got back from the apple store, and they refused to exchange it. All there phones at the store and 2 that employees had all had the grid pattern, on the ones they let me do a field test on they were all 7series phones. I hope apple acknowledges this problem so that us effected can get hassle free returns for our phones. The genius and then his manager all said it was normal, and I was crazy, even though my first 2 iphones did not have this.
 
Hipnomac said:
Well...

I have 7series screen affected with a mild degree of the white dots. I just got back from the apple store, and they refused to exchange it. All there phones at the store and 2 that employees had all had the grid pattern, on the ones they let me do a field test on they were all 7series phones. I hope apple acknowledges this problem so that us effected can get hassle free returns for our phones. The genius and then his manager all said it was normal, and I was crazy, even though my first 2 iphones did not have this.
Click to expand...

welcome to the nightmare! :)
 
i too have this dot problem...

i also have a strip above the screen [on the black surface] that lights up in dark rooms...
 
The craziest thing about all of this are the responses from Apple.

Many here have posted almost no luck in getting and exchange - but more importantly, being told its normal.

Its a flaw, plain and simple.

This is like having a computer that crashes one the hour, every hour. But since they ALL do it, its normal.

Right.......
 
unity said:
The craziest thing about all of this are the responses from Apple.

Many here have posted almost no luck in getting and exchange - but more importantly, being told its normal.

Its a flaw, plain and simple.

This is like having a computer that crashes one the hour, every hour. But since they ALL do it, its normal.

Right.......
Click to expand...

we need a service like cnet or edgenet to pick up the story and get it recognized by apple.
 
Like I said before, after comparing movies on the 5 and the 7, the 7 looks MUCH MUCH better... I downloaded a low quality movie clip from the internet and put the same clip on both phones... there is blocky pixelation on the 5 series and the reds look completely washed out, almost pinkish.. on the 7, there is no pixelation and blacks look completely smooth, red colors look deep and warm...

After reading this thread, I got brain washed into thinking that the 5 was so much better so I sent my original 7 series in to applecare hoping to get a 5 model. The replacement Apple sent me was another 7. I was disappointed at the time, but then I compared the loaner phone I had (5 model) with the 7 and played both movies at the same time and looked at both screens side by side. The winner was clearly the 7. With brightness set at 30%, you can't see the white dot grid anyways.

So saying that the 7 is defective is total BS. The warm colors and smoothness totally outshine the 5.
 
unity said:
Actually I did - id you read any of the posts. If you knew anything about rendering you would know that jpeg to gif conversions result in UNEVEN pattern except in solid colors areas - which is pretty much what is happening. The dots concentrate and fall out of place around text and icons but are evenly spaced in the open black areas, etc.... I have now seen over 20 iPhones, they all display this way - gif like thumbnails, etc... again, I think thats fine and by design.

And for the record, this is the last time I am going to say this! LOL Its a gif LIKE rendering. I not once said it was converting ANYTHING to gif, just that the patter is LIKE gif rendering.

The simple truth is something, via rendering, is causing this effect, right? Hardware ruled out as the root cause, but the construction of some 7 series iPhones pronounces the dots, right?

Please read the thread.
Click to expand...

Ahem, if YOU had read the thread, I specifically mention the start up screen with the single apple image in the middle. Your theory in no way explains why 1/4 the screen is situation one way and the other 3/4 is different. The image in in the middle of the screen and the stuff you're spewing in no way corresponds to what is being seen. Also, it has yet to be rule out that it is/isn't a hardware issue.
 
unity said:
The craziest thing about all of this are the responses from Apple.

Many here have posted almost no luck in getting and exchange - but more importantly, being told its normal.

Its a flaw, plain and simple.

This is like having a computer that crashes one the hour, every hour. But since they ALL do it, its normal.

Right.......
Click to expand...

Call AppleCare, they know about the problem and will overnight you a loaner phone while they arrange for a replacement at no cost to you, no questions asked.
 
mjs975s said:
Ahem, if YOU had read the thread, I specifically mention the start up screen with the single apple image in the middle. Your theory in no way explains why 1/4 the screen is situation one way and the other 3/4 is different. The image in in the middle of the screen and the stuff you're spewing in no way corresponds to what is being seen. Also, it has yet to be rule out that it is/isn't a hardware issue.
Click to expand...

Ok. Since your so smart, what is your explanation. What have you contributed? What is your BETTER more PLAUSIBLE theory? Seriously, I would like to know since all I am doing is "spewing" words here. I mean if your going to shot down my theory then back up with some facts and evidence that I must be completely wrong - so by all means, present!

By the way, from what I have seen and read, the pattern is even so what's up with this 1/4 this way and 3/4 that. I just looked at my phone , yet again, and the grid is evenly spaced on a black screen. From what others have said and I have seen on 20 or so iPhones, thats how it is.

And you may want to look up the definition for "theory". Not once did I say anything was set in stone or fact. The whole idea of this thread was to find a solution or explanation of the grid phenomenon. So either please contribute with facts, which we have little of, or don't post at all unless you have something to contribute or ideas that can help.
 
No problems on my 7 series

I have a 7 series purchased Fri 7/20. Illinois.

I have spent many hours reading this long thread, other threads posted by the same people, etc. I have gone through each screen many times, pitch black room, bright room, brightness set at 1/2, brightness at 100%, auto-bright on/off, black screens, took photo of blackness, checked angles, stuck my eyeball up to it....

I see nothing. No dot patterning at all. Zero. The blacks are wonderful, the whites are pure/clean. In fact, the whites are better than my 24" iMac. No dead/discolored pixels, grids, garden gnomes, etc. The screen/image is beautiful. I see no flaws.

As far as the 'general' difference between 5 & 7 series, frankly, the pics of the 5's are turning me off. They looked washed out/pissy compared to the 7 which looks more rich/vivid/dynamic.

Maybe I got lucky, or maybe more recent buyers are getting a better batch. IDK.... And while I'm not discounting those who have a real problem, I hope if there are folks obsessing about something that might only be viewable from a precisely certain angle, 2 inches away from the screen, with a precise certain type of lighting or lack thereof - would take a deep breath. I mean, I've seen people freek out about seeing pixels!

Basically I'm reporting owning a 7 series with zero issues.
 
Has anyone noticed a correlation between screen version and build week? Are all the latest iPhones the 7-Series or is it just random? Because if the latest builds are all the 7-Series, you can probably tell which screen you will get by the serial number on the box. I don't have an iPhone, so I can't test this. But that is how the serial numbers and build weeks are for Macs, so I assumed it would be the same for iPhone boxes.
 
chriswg said:
Has anyone noticed a correlation between screen version and build week? Are all the latest iPhones the 7-Series or is it just random? Because if the latest builds are all the 7-Series, you can probably tell which screen you will get by the serial number on the box. I don't have an iPhone, so I can't test this. But that is how the serial numbers and build weeks are for Macs, so I assumed it would be the same for iPhone boxes.
Click to expand...

You would think ..... but no. I got a 7 series, and I was about the 20th person to get the phone on release day. It seems as if both screens were used throughout manufacturing.
 
pyn said:
i too have this dot problem...

i also have a strip above the screen [on the black surface] that lights up in dark rooms...
Click to expand...

I have this problem too, the top of screen doesn't sit flush against the black part of the phone, there is a gap.

Any one else have this gap, it's easy to tell in direct sun light, or a really bright room.
 
Hipnomac said:
Well...

I have 7series screen affected with a mild degree of the white dots. I just got back from the apple store, and they refused to exchange it. All there phones at the store and 2 that employees had all had the grid pattern, on the ones they let me do a field test on they were all 7series phones. I hope apple acknowledges this problem so that us effected can get hassle free returns for our phones. The genius and then his manager all said it was normal, and I was crazy, even though my first 2 iphones did not have this.
Click to expand...


Well, I just called Apple Care, they are acknowledging the problem, and apologized for the way I was treated at the store. I also need to point out at the store, that the geniuses refused to go in back and look at the phone in a non super brightness glare free way, which would have allowed them to also see the light coming through at the top of the screen. Apple Care was more than helpful and are actually going to send me a brand new phone in the retail box. This will be my 4th phone, first one didn't even last 4 hours on a full charge, second one had rubber lining around the screen come out, and my 3rd one has the white dot issue and light bar at the top.

I'm hoping and praying that my 4th phone will be my last and work great. I might lose it if it has any issues.
 
tamakin said:
Like I said before, after comparing movies on the 5 and the 7, the 7 looks MUCH MUCH better... I downloaded a low quality movie clip from the internet and put the same clip on both phones... there is blocky pixelation on the 5 series and the reds look completely washed out, almost pinkish.. on the 7, there is no pixelation and blacks look completely smooth, red colors look deep and warm...

After reading this thread, I got brain washed into thinking that the 5 was so much better so I sent my original 7 series in to applecare hoping to get a 5 model. The replacement Apple sent me was another 7. I was disappointed at the time, but then I compared the loaner phone I had (5 model) with the 7 and played both movies at the same time and looked at both screens side by side. The winner was clearly the 7. With brightness set at 30%, you can't see the white dot grid anyways.

So saying that the 7 is defective is total BS. The warm colors and smoothness totally outshine the 5.
Click to expand...

My 7 looks very good. Yes, I do have the white dots, but honestly I have to strain to see them. If I'm not looking for the dots, I do not notice them. Assuming that all 7 screen are about the same (and I have seen 3 others, that are 7s) I can understand that apple would refuse to replace them.

That said I have never seen a 5 to compare mine to and while I am satisified with the quality, the thought of an EVEN better screen is enticing.

I'd like to hear from others who have seen both in action and could compare image attributes other then the dots and brightness (like the color accuracy, viewing angle, if one is better for text vs photos and videos...)

FYI - With everything else being equal, I would not replace mine just over the white dots.
 
I've compared my 5 series screen numerous times to many 7 series screens (more of those out there) and I personally, along with te 7 series screen owners/passers by/random folk claim that the 5 series screen looks better. Maybe it's that it's brighter but I don't honestly see a difference in contrast at all. I watched some videos that have black/shadow areas and they look fabulous even if I'm watching in a completely dark room. When I'm on the home screen the black behind the icons is pitch black. I think 7 series screens are fantastic until you really compare them to a 5 series...that's just IMHO.

Also as a side note...just wanted to add that manufacturers switching from a higher-quality display to a lower-quality display in their products is definitely not heard of at all.

My friend recently bough a Samsung 226BW 22" LCD and after doing some research it turns out there are 3 types of panels used. S, A and C. It turns out that the S was the original one used and is FAR SUPERIOR to the A annd C panels which are what is shipping today. No one disagrees that the S panel is much better than A or C and some people like people on here are hunting for a 226BW that has an S panel.

Samsung switched to the A/C panels because they were CHEAPER for them and they figured most people couldn't tell the difference in quality. So I'm assuming that's what happened with Apple, they initially went with a high quality/expensive display and then switched to cheaper manufacturer/supplier.

One of hundreds/thousands of articles on the Samsung thing -> http://www.bcchardware.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4259&Itemid=40
 
phoneorpda said:
I am satisfied, even though I have a stuck pixel ( not bad, considering all other screens I had had 2 or more bad pixels, somewhere on the screen).
Click to expand...

Dude - you should send that back for a replacement. That stuck pixel is like a bug on your windshield that'll haunt you forever.

In other news, I am loving the absolutely perfect quality of my 7* phone.

BTW: Unity's theory is the best I've seen so far - totally agree that 256K dithering explains the artifacts to a tee (props). The great news is that if this is correct, it is totally fixable by a software update - in a variety of ways.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back