Dust Under iPhone Screen

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › Dust Under iPhone Screen

maccrazy

46 posts

Geek

#25277 17-Aug-2008 14:37

I had been waiting for my protective films and case to come before using my iPhone for day to day use, so until this weekend I had really only used it a few times in the evenings. However, I had it out in daylight today (planning to put the films on) and discovered that there is a piece of dust under the screen which isn't visible at night, but visible enough to be annoying in daylight.

Looking back at the photos I took when I first got it, I can see it in them so it definitely came that way. I'm going to take it into First Mobile tomorrow afternoon, but I was wondering whether anyone else has discovered dust under their screens and tried to get it replaced (at any store, not just at First Mobile)? If so, did they accept that dust under the screen wasn't acceptable and replace it on the spot like in the US?

Thanks.

drdanick

102 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#157596 17-Aug-2008 21:35

Yea, I have found that there has been a gradual buildup of dust over the last few weeks. Quite suprising on such a high end phone such as this. Please let me know how your "return" goes.

Incorrect speling should be punnished!!!

Various tidbits:
The Nick and Harrison show
Geekzone blog
Twitter account
Nspire forums

nxc

45 posts

Geek

#157709 18-Aug-2008 13:49

I also have same issue. It's extremely annoying. Planning to bring it to Vodafone store to see what is the policy. Let me know how yours go? Never had this issue with cheapo phone.

maccrazy

46 posts

Geek

#157720 18-Aug-2008 14:10

I'm actually going to have to leave it until Tuesday, but I will update you with what happens. It appears to be a widespread issue.

nxc

45 posts

Geek

#157742 18-Aug-2008 15:27

Rang 0800 700 787 (Vodafone iPhone support), they said (nicely) since it's hardware related issue so I need to verify the issue with Apple iPhone support team (00800 7666 7666). The man over the phone gave me the case number and ask me to take the phone with case number to any Vodafone store for them to see. It's up to Vodafone to replace the phone or fix the phone. Anyway they acknowledged the problem - "a rare number of iphone got this issue".

Problem is I rely on the phone functionality such as mail & web and it could take up to 5-10 working days to resolve. I am going to VF store tomorrow lunch. I'll get you guys update on this issue.

Cheers,

manhinli

2483 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#157795 18-Aug-2008 18:51

I've had white dust spots under my iPod touch around a week into use.

It looks like it comes from the dock connector side, so it gradually comes from the bottom up (or at least it looks like it)

Find me on Twitter!

I posted 1, 2 x 10^3 times!

nxc

45 posts

Geek

#157975 19-Aug-2008 13:23

Vodafone store said it have to send back to VF HQ and then get repaired / replacement which takes anywhere between 5-10 working days. Apple support confirmed it, they said if I were in Australia, they would send me an replacement and then I return the faulty device. However, VF handles those process in New Zealand so it's increase the waiting time.

Here how it works in NZ:

You -> Vodafone Store -> Vodafone HQ -> Apple Support Center in NZ -> VF HQ -> VF Store -> You

Here how it works in Ozzie / US:

You -> Apple Store -> You

You can see and big cut in process time.

What's worst ? VF will lend u a cheapo phone and take your iPhone away, whereas in Ozzie you can still keep the phone until replacement arrived if you requested postage. Apple said they are reviewing that process and hopefully can speed thing up.

The most important thing, Apple agreed it as an existing (known) issue and it's their decision to replace the phone, VF do nothing in warranty process except for being a middle man and delay the whole damn thing :)

Hope this clear thing up and I got my phone replace when I am back from travelling.

drdanick

102 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#157979 19-Aug-2008 13:32

Yea, VF has never been great with things like that.
If they do replace the whole phone, i'm going to wait for a while, as i've found some small scratches on the screen that I would also like to have fixed.

My suggestion is to wait until about a month before the warranty expires, then go get the phone replaced. I mean, come on, it's only dust. It could be alot worse.

Incorrect speling should be punnished!!!

Various tidbits:
The Nick and Harrison show
Geekzone blog
Twitter account
Nspire forums

GoodSync

GoodSync. Easily back up and sync your files with GoodSync. Simple and secure file backup and synchronisation software will ensure that your files are never lost (affiliate link).

nxc

45 posts

Geek

#157983 19-Aug-2008 13:38

Well ... Not sure if you are reckon a big visible dust is annoying or not. But to me, it's just like poking my eyes all the time.

drdanick

102 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#157987 19-Aug-2008 13:41

nxc: Well ... Not sure if you are reckon a big visible dust is annoying or not. But to me, it's just like poking my eyes all the time.

I know what you mean. The first bit of dust really did annoy me, but since it's been there for so long, it's become a familiar feature of the screen and I barely see it anymore.
I say give it a week or so.

Incorrect speling should be punnished!!!

Various tidbits:
The Nick and Harrison show
Geekzone blog
Twitter account
Nspire forums

maccrazy

46 posts

Geek

#158054 19-Aug-2008 17:17

I just took mine in. I explained that there was dust under the screen (three clearly visible pieces in total, possibly more that I haven't seen). The employee I spoke to looked as though she thought I was making a fuss about nothing (she said I was the first person to come in about dust), but was pleasant enough, noted my complaints and said it would be sent away to Apple for them to verify that it the dust exists/is defective.

I was originally going to take the risk and have it sent back in a few weeks in the hope that they might have improved quality control, but after finding more dust I figured that I might as well get the process started. Hopefully it doesn't take too long. It would be easier if Apple would authorize someone in each of the Vodafone's main city stores to check and replace them on the spot like in the US.

maccrazy

46 posts

Geek

#160243 27-Aug-2008 18:34

Just an update for those with iPhone issues. I took my iPhone in last Tuesday and they had a replacement ready by Monday, so quicker than I though it would be. Unfortunately this one is defective as well: silence button is broken and dust under screen (which isn't actually positioned correctly).

My first iPhone was a week 30, the second a week 32.

drdanick

102 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#160311 27-Aug-2008 23:37

maccrazy: Just an update for those with iPhone issues. I took my iPhone in last Tuesday and they had a replacement ready by Monday, so quicker than I though it would be.?Unfortunately?this one is defective as well: silence button is broken and dust under screen (which isn't actually positioned correctly).

My first iPhone was a week 30, the second a week 32.

Someone elses reject perhaps?

Incorrect speling should be punnished!!!

Various tidbits:
The Nick and Harrison show
Geekzone blog
Twitter account
Nspire forums

raab

262 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#161527 2-Sep-2008 13:19

At least you've had the chance to use your iphones. I brought mine the weekend before last and was damaged out of the box, went in today to pick up the replacement and there was a blatant spec of dust under the screen so back goes the replacement for a replacement. I think if the third replacement has issues then I'm just going to get a refund. To have these kinds of issues on a $1100 phone is ridiculous.

maccrazy

46 posts

Geek

#161543 2-Sep-2008 14:09

drdanick:

Someone elses reject perhaps?

I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt (I got a week 32 as a replacement, so it would have had to have been shipped, sold and rejected pretty quickly for that to be possible). They assured me that all replacements are brand new.

raab: I think if the third replacement has issues then I'm just going to get a refund. To have these kinds of issues on a $1100 phone is ridiculous.

I personally don't really want a refund, I want a working iPhone, so if my second replacement has a minor defect such as dust, I might see if it is possible to have it sent away for inspection, but have them send the same phone back on the basis that I can wait until later in the year and then have it replaced when they have hopefully sorted out quality control issues. I have been following a few threads elsewhere and it does seem that people with iPhones manufactured after week 33 are having less problems, so hopefully most phones being sold now and those being used for replacements will be post week 32.

You can check the week your iPhone was manufactured by looking at the fourth and fifth digits of the serial number. If you have an issue with your iPhone, please post the week number as well.

raab

262 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#161548 2-Sep-2008 14:19

Yeah, I'm not concerned either way as the phone was an impulse buy. I'd much rather the Nokia N96 when it comes out