Oleophobic coating in the iPhone 4?

[John T]

Considering the huge fanfare that the oleophobic screen coating received at the launch of the iPhone 3GS, I haven't noted any references with regard to its use in the iPhone 4.

I wonder if Apple have dropped it - perhaps indicating that it was not such a success after all!

 

[fridayxiii]

I saw reference to it in one of the recaps or reviews of the iPhone 4. Seems like the coating will be on the front and back glass surfaces of the phone.

A quick Google found this article among others: Ten Things You Didn’t Know About iPhone 4 | iLounge Article

 

[Ivoryplum]

iPhone 4 Specs

Look under the display section!
It's there.

"Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front and back"

 

[Jellotime91]

iPhone 4 Specs

Look under the display section!
It's there.

"Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating on front and back"

Nice find!

+1 Rep

 

[BuddhistGirafe]

Yea, its there. Love my oleophobic. Its gone now though, smudges galore now.

 

[sidspappy]

Yea, its there. Love my oleophobic. Its gone now though, smudges galore now.

When you say "gone now," what do you mean? Did the coating wear off, and now you get smudges? Is that common? This is the first that I've heard of such a possibility.

 

[Jellotime91]

When you say "gone now," what do you mean? Did the coating wear off, and now you get smudges? Is that common? This is the first that I've heard of such a possibility.

Yeah I don't think that is what happens at all. I had a hole in my oleophobic coating on my last 3GS unit and it was glaringly obvious. If it were wearing away you'd be able to see it.

 

[John T]

Yes, as Apple says, it does eventually wear away.

 

[Jellotime91]

Yes, as Apple says, it does eventually wear away.

I don't notice a difference in my 3GS's screen from when I got it, then again I have exchanged it twice.

 

[OmariJames]

i dont think my 3GS has any left because the smudges dont come off with a lil swipe on my sweat shirt... its still on there.

 

[LCW]

definitely appreciating the oleophobic coating! had a front screen protector on for a couple days... but just couldn't stand it anymore... the screen just got smudged something fierce just looking at it... so off it came, call it... a "moment of clarity"

left the rear protector on, since i care more about having the back protected from scratches (and i never lay my phone down face first) than smudging... but for the front, it had to go... MUCH better now!

but yeah, it's a risk too, since it WILL wear off after a while... had a 3GS for 6 months and by the end, the smudges were harder to clear off... but can't make use of it if it's covered up, so ...

i wonder if there are solutions out there - kind of like Rain X - for "re-treating" the screen, to make it oleophobic again... might not be as durable as the factory coating, but maybe there's something out there to use once the original coating wears off... ????

 

[jhamilton3]

Interesting.. never knew it was possible for the coating to come off after awhile. That sucks.

 

[greenapple]

the ultra Oleophobic screen protector is awesome and looks like it isn't even on my iphone

i just wish they made a back for it too.

 

[killthelights32]

@JelloTime "iPhone 4 32GB Black (unfortunately.. I wanted white)"

Haha so did I. So did I...