Three iPhones, three different screens
- July 24th, 2008
- 17 Comments
Since the iPhone was released, reports have surfaced about varying degrees of screen quality. Above we see a comparison of three phones, the original iPhone is on top, with the bottom row both being 3G’s, 8GB on the left, 16 GB on the right. All three are running OS X iPhone, 2.0 (5A347), with brightness turned all the way up.
Previous reports have surfaced about the screen having a yellow tint, but that was mostly rectified by updating your firmware to 5A347. Differences in the screen capabilities and quality are potentially a much larger issue. The 8GB model above is noticeably darker that the others – and that’s at maximum brightness.
Tested by iLounge Editor Jesse Hollington, the 16 GB iPhone was said to have a greater range of brightness, going so far as to even get a bit darker when brightness was turned all the way down. When tested for ‘negative black’, the 8GB model was found to invert at a less pronounced angle than the 16 GB model, effectively reducing the angle of usability.
This may be acceptable parameters on the part of Apple quality control, or there may be units out there with honest-to-goodness defective screens. Best bet would be to test it out for yourself before you buy.
Me (Who am I?)
3 months ago
Who gives a sh!t, its POS gizmo and way over hyped.
Reply
John S (Who am I?)
3 months ago
This photo appears to show a problem with the phone bottom left. But it could be the phone is at the wrong angle. Maybe someone can comment on how well the iphone is on angle viewing.
I do think Apple does OK on quality, but I cannot always give them above average marks for some of their products. I personally do not have a iPhone but it would not surprise me that Apple is using parts from different manufactures in order to keep up with demand. I do think the screen problem has been raised with the ipod touch too.
Eztips (Who am I?)
3 months ago
Um… hey John… did you even read the article?
“When tested for ‘negative black’, the 8GB model was found to invert at a less pronounced angle than the 16 GB model, effectively reducing the ANGLE of usability.”
k (Who am I?)
3 months ago
fuck you
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joe (Who am I?)
3 months ago
just buy a shuffle no problems with screen there
zeeol (Who am I?)
3 months ago
I have Iphone. It is 1 year old. I have compared with other’s. That is ture that sometimes the screen are different from one version to another.
jonny (Who am I?)
3 months ago
guys i work for AT+T, DONT GET THE IPHONE!!!!!!! it is straight an awful phone, if your really intrested in a phone like that go with the LG VU, it is way better….and yes, im writing bad stuff about the apple iphone, from an at+t corp. store computer….Ironic?
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paulie (Who am I?)
3 months ago
no not ironic, just stupid….
‘guys i work for AT+T” do you even read what you wrote-stop writing ignorant shit
the LG VU is a cheap iPhone knockoff with poorer build quality, cheap buttons, fragile doors for a charger and the sd card, haptic feedback (which sounds good but it useless in this particular application because it only vibrates to confirm a selection as opposed to vibrating under your finger to make it feel like a real button).
Why would I want some cheaply made iPhone knockoff with most of the same features as iPhone except not as cleanly executed. The iPhone is inexpensive, quick, easy to use and problem free…get a clue.
Sue (Who am I?)
3 months ago
jonny,
If you really worked for AT&T, you would use the correct name of the company.
It’s AT&T, not AT+T. It would also be acceptable to use ATT if you can’t figure out the ampersand.
timw (Who am I?)
3 months ago
Another reason why only an idiot gets an iPhone.
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Mike (Who am I?)
3 months ago
awesome! I love when people who have probably never touched an iPhone feel the need to call it a piece of shit simply because they are on verizon or sprint or simply can’t afford one. I’ve had the original iPhone and now the 3g and have had no problems at all with my devices. So way to go ye little blind children.
lol poor people are funny (Who am I?)
3 months ago
lol poor people are so funny, watch when you cant afford food i bet food is gonna suck then too and death will rock. cheap lamo save up your allowance then you’ll realize that even though your network might be 10 times faster (not even) i can do anything on my iphone 3g 10x faster than your lame simpleton OS phones.
Ryan (Who am I?)
3 months ago
My wife’s 80 GB classic ipod has a slightly “cooler” color than my 160 gb classic. It’s noticeable, but I guess the screens were just from different manufacturers.
crunchgearspammedme (Who am I?)
3 months ago
A lot of comparison shots out there are misrepresentative of screen similarity and differences exactly because of the color and brightness shift that occurs with a different screen angle. Most of the Warm/Cool comparisons I have seen are because of this, rather than necessary difference at identical angles.
Of course, there shouldn’t be that much variation over a few degrees. And the original iPhone does have a cooler white. But best go in an AppleStore, where there are several units, and compare with your own eye, with your own phone, with others in the store, and you will probably not see as much variability as posted photos show.
I suppose you actually DO get a chance to check it out before buying now, with in store activation.
James Woods (Who am I?)
3 months ago
Seems the Iphone is actualyl a pretty cool item to have.
JT
http://www.FireMe.To/udi
rick (Who am I?)
3 months ago
over priced over hyped and surprise Apple cheeped out on you.
frissy (Who am I?)
3 months ago
I had LG, definetly don’t buy that shitter.
I’m currently having the 16gb version of the 3G iPhone and what do feel about it? It’s the best phone I’ve had. Period.
As for the screens. Well comparing the 1st iPhone with the 2nd iPhone 3G and complaining that they have different screens is really stupid. Why? Because THEY HAVE DIFFERENT SCREENS! In the 1st gen it was glued to the touch…thingy… and in the 3G version it’s not (easier to replace if it breaks). So comparing 1st gen with 2nd gen is stupid.
As for comparing with similar generation phones is another matter. I’ve had two 16Gb models and those we’re identical in everyway. Haven’t seen single difference in screen quality.