3G iPhone Light Leak

[tschur]

Light is leaking through on the left side of my new 3G iPhone, so I scheduled an appointment at my local "genius bar."

I just got back from the appointment. The "genius" said three main things. First, he acknowledged the problem with my phone. Second, he said that Apple has not yet listed the light leak on 3G iPhones as a "known problem," and so (obviously) there is no "fix." Third -- and most importantly -- he said the "geniuses" in the store were well aware of the problem (other customers have come in to complain over the past 10 days), and he claimed they have not seen a 3G iPhone that does not exhibit the defect. That is, every phone they have looked at -- their phones, replacement phones, display phones -- has the problem to some degree.

He offered to swap the phone for me, but claimed I would have some light leak on the new phone -- possibly less, possibly more. He advised me to wait until Apple fixes the problem, before swapping, especially since I have no other problems (aside from the light leak, my iPhone is perfect).

He claimed that the defect is so widespread that it's only a matter of time before Apple takes some action to correct whatever is going wrong in the manufacturing process, adding that in all likelihood iPhones in stores at the end of the year will not be leaking light on the left-hand side.

He attached a service note to the serial number of my iPhone which says he observed the light leak and offered to swap the phone but I agreed to wait until Apple recognized the problem and fixed it at the manufacturing level.

[cycler15]

Light is leaking through on the left side of my new 3G iPhone, so I scheduled an appointment at my local "genius bar."

I just got back from the appointment. The "genius" said three main things. First, he acknowledged the problem with my phone. Second, he said that Apple has not yet listed the light leak on 3G iPhones as a "known problem," and so (obviously) there is no "fix." Third -- and most importantly -- he said the "geniuses" in the store were well aware of the problem (other customers have come in to complain over the past 10 days), and he claimed they have not seen a 3G iPhone that does not exhibit the defect. That is, every phone they have looked at -- their phones, replacement phones, display phones -- has the problem to some degree.

He offered to swap the phone for me, but claimed I would have some light leak on the new phone -- possibly less, possibly more. He advised me to wait until Apple fixes the problem, before swapping, especially since I have no other problems (aside from the light leak, my iPhone is perfect).

He claimed that the defect is so widespread that it's only a matter of time before Apple takes some action to correct whatever is going wrong in the manufacturing process, adding that in all likelihood iPhones in stores at the end of the year will not be leaking light on the left-hand side.

He attached a service note to the serial number of my iPhone which says he observed the light leak and offered to swap the phone but I agreed to wait until Apple recognized the problem and fixed it at the manufacturing level.


uh... can you please explain what a "light leak" is.

[tschur]

A "light leak" is backlight from the LCD that shines through the tiny gap between the chrome bezel and the glass screen. Here's a picture of light leak on my 3G iPhone:

http://idisk.mac.com/tschur-Public/IMG_0022.jpg

[dnadeau13]

Yeah, mine leaks light from the side also. I am just going to wait until my year warranty is almost and exchange it for a brand new, scratch-free phone.:D

[kloan]

Hopefully Apple will acknowledge the defect.. however, they usually don't unless it gets widespread attention, ie: in the news, on the web, etc...

I swapped mine, and it has the same damn problem. Until Apple actually admits to it, nothing's going to change.

I'm also playing the waiting game... I'd like them to fix the alignment issues with the bezels as well...

[Stay Alive 305]

Wow! That sucks! If I were you I would've swapped my iPhone 3G.

[timthedj]

Hey guys.

I just want to you let you know I've now had to swap my 16gig 3G a total of 8 times now. All on accounts of dust under the screen, and with the most recent ones, the dreaded light leak.

I went to the same apple store so much (its the closest), that the genius' there told me to lay low for a bit and to stop coming in so much. And to wait and see if apple addresses the issue.

I called a tech today and it was by far the best support I've had from apple. The guy was very understanding, told me that they haven't heard of this problem yet, but put together a case for this problem... I suggest everyone with the light issue should make a case about it.

He also told me that all the phone's that I had swapped out were all from the same manufacturer and said all the manufacturer places started with 70k, which i guess is some sort of store number, but he couldn't tell me much other than that.

He told me he made a note to have my phone serviced and put high priority notes as to make sure to replace my phone from a different manufacturer, so now ill be out a phone for 5 days, but oh well, as long as i FINALLY get a perfect iphone.

[n3tfury]

maybe you should post your case number for others to reference.

[lancerev08]

Hey guys.

I just want to you let you know I've now had to swap my 16gig 3G a total of 8 times now. All on accounts of dust under the screen, and with the most recent ones, the dreaded light leak.

I went to the same apple store so much (its the closest), that the genius' there told me to lay low for a bit and to stop coming in so much. And to wait and see if apple addresses the issue.

I called a tech today and it was by far the best support I've had from apple. The guy was very understanding, told me that they haven't heard of this problem yet, but put together a case for this problem... I suggest everyone with the light issue should make a case about it.

He also told me that all the phone's that I had swapped out were all from the same manufacturer and said all the manufacturer places started with 70k, which i guess is some sort of store number, but he couldn't tell me much other than that.

He told me he made a note to have my phone serviced and put high priority notes as to make sure to replace my phone from a different manufacturer, so now ill be out a phone for 5 days, but oh well, as long as i FINALLY get a perfect iphone.

any updates?

my major concern is if any dust will eventually find its way into the phone and onto the screen. i just have a slight light leak problem. nothing too big. you don't even want to know how many phones i've gone through. it is like a crap shoot, you don't know what the "new" one is going to bring you.

[kloan]

It's true. My lastest (3rd) one has 5 stuck pixels.. I only see 1 most of the time on black backgrounds, but it's annoying nonetheless.

Because of that though, I'm guaranteed a replacement.. however I'm waiting until all of these build issues are resolved. If ever.

[andyietok]

mine has the same problem as well. i'm still deciding if i want a replacement right away or wait for the issue to be fixed. i hope apple has newly manufactured phones without such low qualities.

[WallyWaldo]

guess I was one of the lucky ones that didn't get one with this problem. I'm guessing it obviously has something to do with the distribution from the same area/town/city you're in. I have friends with this same phone as me and don't think they have had the problem either. So if anyone wants to come to Arkansas and get one, you might be one of the lucky ones lol :D :rolleyes:

[Skylander]

I had the same problem and exchanged twice during within the first 14 days of my purchase. The last one I got same have the same leaking light problem but it's not too bad. However, there is a dust under the glass.

I didn't exchange it and settle with it. Unless you really look into it, I won't even notice that dust under the screen. I don't bother me at all. For the leaking light issue, I won't even notice it unless I am in the absolutely dark room. Unlike couple weeks ago, I don't think it's matter anymore. I don't worry whether the dust might go thru the gasket and go under the glass. I think the chance is very low.

The headphone jack should be bigger risk to let dust go inside phone. As long as the LCD has no dead pixel and the phone is working probably, I am fine with that.

[thedp]

Join me in a group... "#### APPLE, LEARN TO MAKE QUALITY PRODUCTS" call

[kyussmondo]

I don't know about you, but I think a lot of you need to stop being so anal. No wonder you have sent back about 5 iPhones already if you keep looking for problems. No product is going to be perfect. I have a slight light leak, but I don't really care. The only time I ever see it is in the pitch black, which is not very often.

[thedp]

I don't know about you, but I think a lot of you need to stop being so anal. No wonder you have sent back about 5 iPhones already if you keep looking for problems. No product is going to be perfect. I have a slight light leak, but I don't really care. The only time I ever see it is in the pitch black, which is not very often.
Dude... My first gen iPhone has an inch of yellow spot on the top right corner.

[terrybogard21]

I would take it back to apple and have them exchange it.

[thedp]

I would take it back to apple and have them exchange it.
Well... that's easy to say...

I got mine as a present from abroad, and there is no real Apple store where I live.
The iPhone is not supported here, and it's been unlocked and jailbreaked.