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iPhone 4 Screen Blotching Resolves Itself as Bonding Agent Dries? [Updated]


Yesterday, we reported that a number of iPhone 4 users have noticed yellowish or brownish splotches on their device's screens, obviously causing a fair amount of concern for some of those users.

According to a forum post at AppleInsider, however, the issue should resolve itself over the next several days, as it is claimed to be caused by a bonding agent in the screen that has not yet fully dried following the manufacturing process.

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.

The veracity of the poster's claim has not been verified, but it does offer some hope to those affected by the issue. Adding to those hopes are reports from users that their blotches are in fact fading with time and usage, indicating that affected users should probably take a wait-and-see attitude for a few days rather than rushing out to their local Apple Stores in hopes of exchanging for new units.

I had major yellow spots on the bottom corners of the iPhone 4 this morning when I received it (as shown in the other thread) and as of right now they have COMPLETELY faded away. I have no idea what caused this but it happened. So keep an eye on it over the next day or so if you have the issue. . . It just seemed like the more I used the phone today the more it faded. It's really odd but I'll take it.

Update: Gizmodo is reporting that Apple support staff are issuing conflicting recommendation to users with this issue, with at least one user reportedly receiving confirmatory word from Apple that the issue is "residue from manufacturing" that should clear on its own within a few days while others have been told to bring in their phones for replacement.

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21 months ago
Great news if true! :cool:

When were the new iPhones built and how long does the bonding agent take to dry?
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21 months ago
No BLOTCHS here!!!! Loving the new iPhone
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21 months ago
Good to know. It seems like all the issues have been resolved. There is a fix for the network issue and now the discoloration. Thats encouraging since I am receiving mine today. Please come Mr. FedEx guy!
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21 months ago
What kind of cheep factory did apple build this phones in ? , and how long dose a glue take to try ? as far as i know no glue takes weeks to dry , but for the persons who have this problem i hope it`s the glue and it fixes.
And let`s hope the glue will not solidify in a bad position or leaving marks or something.
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21 months ago
Actually that seems reasonable.
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21 months ago
Good to hear!
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21 months ago
Perfect screen here!
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21 months ago
That is certainly good news. I wonder if it came up in testing or just since they ramped up to full production. I wonder how long it takes to make an iPhone anyway?
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21 months ago
cool to hear that
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21 months ago
Mine from store pickup today seems fine, no reception issue at all, either, in fact reception seems GREAT. I don't know how to say it other than Apple has totally hit it out of the park with this one. Amazing. LOVING the black bumper, adds no real heft to the phone but seems protective enough for those rare drops. This thing is WILDLY awesome, the screen has to be seen to be believed, it is like digital high-quality glossy paper but MORE vibrant, like nothing I've ever seen.
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