Filed under: Hardware, Rumors, Odds and ends, iPhone
White iPhone discoloration: Not just heat
Last week, several readers were pointing out stories of white iPhones that had taken on a yellowish hue. It was assumed that heat was the issue. Keen to tempt fate, I played Star Defense [App Store link] for 30 minutes straight last night with my iPhone resting on my bed. It warmed up pretty good, but stayed white. Earlier today, frenchiPhone.com reported that the issue is most likely the combination of a hot iPhone and a certain case, though they did not specify which one. Additionally, they state that cleaning the effected area with a cloth and some rubbing alcohol will remove the stain. We haven't tried this, so we can't confirm that it works/won't damage your phone.
Our best advice, based on the limited information we have, is to remove your white iPhone from its case if you're going to be doing someting intensive for a long time, like play StarDefense, run a GPS app, etc.
I probably don't have to tell you this, but just in case ... do not apply stain stick to your iPhone.
![TUAW [Cafepress]](http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tuaw.com/media/tuaw-cafepress-promo.png)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ed said 12:46PM on 7-06-2009
Or just get a black one :P...
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Martin said 12:54PM on 7-06-2009
I know, right? Personal preference FTL.
MJZimmer88 said 1:00PM on 7-06-2009
Black ones look nicer anyways... and this comment is sent from my black 3G (waiting to be upgrades this week =)
Zach said 12:54PM on 7-06-2009
The person at the apple store said that the white back was made of ivory, and as with all ivory it discolors over time.
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Hurricane said 12:55PM on 7-06-2009
A few weeks isn't really 'over time'
Stiv said 1:07PM on 7-06-2009
Bwahaha!
Monte said 1:56PM on 7-06-2009
Ivory?? Yea, I can really see Apple slaughtering a protected species to use their tusks for the iPhone.
Look up...gullible is on the ceiling.
Kyle said 1:11PM on 7-06-2009
How about you clean your gruddy/dirty hands once in a while. I'm sure the phone is not made out of non-porous plastic, so the grime will get in the pores of the plastic eventually!
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waiownsyou said 1:12PM on 7-06-2009
"Additionally, they state that cleaning the effected area with a cloth and some rubbing alcohol will remove the stain."
Not to be a grammar whore but the word is AFFECTED with an a. Keep in mind that affected is usually the adjective/verb whereas effect is a noun (such as special effects).
Carry on.
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Joanna D said 1:16PM on 7-06-2009
The fact that the device gets hot enough to cause another object to stain it is still a massive concern. Surely just as dangerous as the flaming MagSafes.
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Gene Cowan said 1:17PM on 7-06-2009
Correct me if I'm wrong (well, duh, of course people will) but doesn't alcohol actually MELT plastic? It's like Frank Drebin says about drinking Draino: "Yeah, it'll clean you out, but it leaves you empty inside."
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Scott said 1:35PM on 7-06-2009
You're thinking of paint thinner. Low concentration rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) will not damage your iPhone.
Gene Cowan said 1:17PM on 7-06-2009
Correct me if I'm wrong (well, duh, of course people will) but doesn't alcohol actually MELT plastic? It's like Frank Drebin says about drinking Draino: "Yeah, it'll clean you out, but it leaves you empty inside."
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Alex said 1:55PM on 7-06-2009
Alcohol can damage some types of acrylic, but most consumer plastics are ok (PE, PTFE)
Jordan said 2:03PM on 7-06-2009
A Mr. Clean magic eraser should do the trick. It's always helped clean white plastic for me. #xbox360
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Jamus said 2:15PM on 7-06-2009
If it is anything like the blasted white keyboards, users LOVE typing right after eating Cheetohs. I can only imagine the disgusting things that a phone would pick up on it.
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Kiteless said 2:17PM on 7-06-2009
I have a 32GB White that I use enough to just about drain it flat every day. It lives in a "Power Support Air Jacket for iPhone 3G" that I got from the Apple online store and have had zero problems, except for unreliable Bluetooth that appears to be effecting 3.0 OS devices.
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SIP said 5:46PM on 7-06-2009
http://www.hardmac.com/news/2009/07/05/iphone-3gs-turning-red-a-problem-with-some-protection-enclosure
iPhone 3GS Turning Red: A Problem with Some Protection Enclosure?
Last week we were reporting about cases of iPhone 3GS white having part of their backside turning red after being extensively used, indicating a potential damage linked to overheating.
However, we have received additional details that could provide a good explanation to the relatively low number of reported reddish iPhone 3GS:
- According to discussion between FrenchiPhone editor and Apple Support, the red strips are not linked to a potential overheating of the iPhone 3GS, but rather to a chemical reaction due to a component found in some protection enclosure originally sold to preserve the precious device! Indeed, they could show that a small label sticked on the enclosure prevented the corresponding area on the backside of the iPhone to turn red.
- One solution to get the iPhone 3GS white back is to clean the backside with alcohol (they tested it successfully), and it perfectly work.
So, this should mark the end of this one week-long story. Do not use acetone instead of ethanol/alcohol.
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rd55127 said 11:02PM on 7-06-2009
I don't know what type of plastic Apple is using but I would not be surprised if they used some blend of polycarbonate. If, in fact, it is polycarbonate I would be cautious in using alcohol to clean as isopropyl alcohol can accelerate stress cracking - try to get a commitment from Apple Technical Support that it is OK before proceeding. That way if it does start to crack and craze Apple will be on the hook. If they won't commit to a cleaning method, the weaker the alcohol and shortest duration the better.
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