While Apple seems to be selling boatloads of iPhone 4s, the device's launch hasn't gone without a hitch. We reported yesterday that some users are experiencing yellow bands or splotches on the screen of their device, although now we're hearing the problem may fix itself. A poster on the AppleInsider forums explains:
Apple is using a bonding agent called Organofunctional Silane Z-6011 to bond the layers of glass. Apparently, Apple (or more likely Foxconn) is shipping these products so quickly that the evaporation process is not complete. However, after one or two days of use, especially with the screen on, will complete the evaporation process and the yellow "blotches" will disappear. How do I know? I was involved in pitching Z-6011 to Apple.
If true, this is great news for owners with the screen yellowing problems. While Apple would most likely be willing to issue you a replacement device, who knows when they'll be getting more in. If you're experiencing the yellow screen issues, it sounds like you should just wait a couple of days to see if the blotches fix themselves. One issue that won't fix itself, however, is the reported signal issues that people are having with some iPhone 4s. Some users are saying that touching the bottom left of the device, where the Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/GPS and GSM radios meet on the steel band, will cause the iPhone's signal to disappear. Not all users are reporting this issue, and putting Apple's rubber bumper on the device seems to eliminate the problem altogether. See a video of the issue in action below.
Customers have been waiting for hours, and in some cases days, for their new iPhone 4, so it's disappointing that the launch has been plagued with so many problems. Some hitches during a major product launch is almost expected, but usually we see the issues surface on the software side of things. While it's great to hear that the screen issues may correct themselves over time, the signal problems will not. As I said before, it may be a while before Apple is able to start issuing replacements, so some users may have to suffer with reception issues for a few days. Are any of you experiencing screen or signal problems with your new iPhone 4?
