New paint supposedly fixes white iPhone production issue

Recent sightings of the white iPhone 4 in inventory systems suggest the release of the elusive handset may be imminent. Another report from Japanese blog Macotakara lends credence to these earlier leaks by claiming the paint problems that plagued the white iPhone 4 have been solved. According to the report, a Japanese company developed a process that lets the manufacturer set the thickness of an applied painting layer. This breakthrough may finally permit the mass production of this coveted white handset.

The white iPhone 4 was announced last June and has been delayed on several occasions. Apple's official statement on the delay of the white iPhone pointed to a manufacturing problem, but the details behind this unexpected problem were never disclosed by the Cupertino company. Rumored reports from multiple sources pointed to a problem with paint, specifically the thickness and opacity, which distorted the color of the white handset. Engadget discusses these trials and tribulations in an excellent article that details this troubled manufacturing process.

If this rumor pans out and the paint problem has been solved, we may actually see the white iPhone 4 materialize in the near future. While customers may have been clamoring over the white iPhone 4 at launch, how many Apple faithful will still jump on the handset now that we are so close to the iPhone 5 launch?

[Via Redmond Pie and MobileCrunch]

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Source: http://www.macotakara.jp/blog/index.php?ID=11238

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Recent sightings of the white iPhone 4 in inventory systems suggest the release of the elusive handset may be imminent. Another report from...

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Alejandro

Yes, I am still the lone hold out for a White iPhone 4.

January 27 2011 at 3:42 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Mark

Here's a thought...this summer's release could be essentially an "iPhone 4GS." Maybe same case, just with boosted specs (perhaps the new A5 chip that's going in the iPad 2?) and who knows....maybe LTE?

January 27 2011 at 10:42 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

EffExt

I believe with the release of the IPhone 5 in June the 3GS will be discontinued. Then the IPhone 4 will be reduced to an 8 Gig model to replace it in the $99 slot. This will allow Apple an extra year to sell a white model of the iPhone 4.

January 27 2011 at 7:52 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

macxprt

Excuse me, but the white iPhone is so important and wanted, why?...

January 26 2011 at 11:21 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

2 replies to macxprt's comment

David Robison

Sexy pretty.

Less obvious fingerprints on back.

January 27 2011 at 12:21 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

cardigan

Same reason a child cries if you take away their toy. People always want something they can't have.

January 27 2011 at 10:04 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

ngmo.jp

I'm really hating that extra rectangle on the top. Anyone know what it's for?,
Also, some people have been having trouble taking photographs using their white iPhones because the paint causes issues when using flash (glare issues most likely) Maybe it's not just the paint, but a "matte" layer needed to keep the white from reflecting so much.??

January 26 2011 at 10:55 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

3 replies to ngmo.jp's comment

Mike

I wonder if they'll say what the problem was when they finally release it?

January 26 2011 at 9:40 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Bryce

I was waiting on the iPhone 4 to come out in white to replace my 1st generation iPhone. I will just hold out for the 5 at this point.

January 26 2011 at 9:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Shawn

I know the past has shown that there will be an iPhone refresh each summer, but could it be that this year is the exception? Between finally getting the Verizon iPhone and now the white, I think it is entirely possible that the next iPhone is a bit further away.

January 26 2011 at 9:15 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

1 reply to Shawn's comment

mack

A bad business move that would allow Android to steal a march on iPhone. With the competition so close Apple must release a new phone this summer to hold its place in the market.

I think it is more likely that Apple actually prefers to release limited numbers of CDMA and white phones - so as to sort out any production issues - before ramping up to a large number of iPhone 5s.

This may indicate that Apple is not going to change the "skin" on the iPhone 5 - although I would be surprised if Apple didn't make changes to the antenna.

January 27 2011 at 3:25 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply