[Q] Screen coating wear - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I've had my Nexus 4 for well over a month now and I'm just noticing that there's a significant portion of the screen that gathers fingerprints like a detective agency. Far as I know, there hasn't been any mention of the oleophobic coating easily wearing off on the N4, but that's what seems to be happening. The area that's lost it's coating is easily visible when I breathe on the glass to fog it up. I have never used chemicals to clean the glass, only microfiber cloth. Never spilled anything on it. Never used a screen protector on the glass either. My skin oils aren't acid as I'm not an alien.
My question is ... has anyone else seen this issue? And are the after-market coating sprays a viable solution?

I haven't got any solutions for you, but I think the same thing's happening to mine. I've only had it for a few weeks as well, so it's a little bit disappointing at this stage. I would love to know if anyone else has any suggestions. I'll try and get a picture of it.

Related

Nexus One Screen

Hi guys,
I never had to attach a screen guard to my iPhone 3GS screen as the glass was very scratch resistant. I basically keep it in my pocket all by itself, and it never had any issues.
Is the N1 screen scratch resistant as well? Any tests done so far?
Regards,
Karan Misra
Nobody knows this?
I don't want to test it, but will be getting a good screen protector soon. I always keep it in my jeans pocket with the phone condom it came with just for safe keeping.
I'd honestly go with getting a scratch protector. I was at work today with my N1 in my pocket inside the foam case it came with. I walked passed a desks corner and have a slight scratch through the foam casing on the top of my screen. It's not noticeable by anyone but me because well I know my phone but it bugs me like crazy.
If you're tl;dr, get a screen protector.

Strange Spots on glass

Hello,
After some day of using I've noticed that some areas of the glass seemed to get dirty more than other and always with the same shapes.
If you clean the glass they almost disappear, to return back when you touch the screen.
Someone sayd that can be a problem of the oilophobic protection that doesn't work fine in all the glass, does anyone know anything about?
Here a photo:
htt*://i.imgur.com/ElcH0.jpg
Add a p to http, I'm a new member and I haven't the permissions to post urls..
Might be the anti-fingerprint coating rubbing off. I've read of that happening to people.
The oleophobic coating does wear off - some sooner than others.. Same issues as the iphone 3GS and 4
Best idea is just to clean it, get a screen protector, and be done with it
I had that problem like 3-4 days after getting my device, they where not in the same area like yours , but I went to Best Buy and got it replaced.
That happened to mines too, I was wondering what the hell it might be. I had my spots in all four corners of the display.
The general consensus, to my knowledge, is just that the oleophobic coating used to help prevent finger oils from smudging the screen is just plain ****ty and has a tendancy to wear off rather quickly.
that sucks. screen protector time.
leyvatron said:
that sucks. screen protector time.
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Click to collapse
Maybe you're right, although it's not the way i planned to solve it. :\
Thank you all, anyway.
mines messed up to. I just try not to think about it.
One tip, don't apply any pressure when wiping your phone... it will mess up the coating easily, and then that spot will always show up when you get finger oils on it.
is this issue covered under the warranty?

For everyone out there using their phones without screen protectors !!

if u have been using ur phone without a screen protector like i did, u will notice that the coating of the the screen got several scratches all over that can only be seen in odd angles under a bright light........ is anyone else experiencing this or is it just me ?? !!!
i have got a dozen of fine scratches all over my screen........is there anything i can do about it ??
No screen protector, no scratches here. Have you tried to vigorously clean the areas with scratches? I thought I had a fine scratch a few days ago, but it cleaned off
yeah i tried to clean them off but in vain
they are small fine scratches in the coating, and some are long ones beside the speaker
i found out that the coating is highly scratchable which defeats the purpose of a gorilla glass
and if i use a SP on this beautiful screen it defeats the purpose of the coating too
im just thinking of leaving it as it is and when it looks really bad to remove the coating !!
unless there is something else i can do !!
anyone else experiencing same problem ?
is there any solution for this problem....AKA fixing oleophobic coating scratches ?
Edit: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1105979
Sent from my GT-I9100
link not working
I havnt got a screen protector on mine, but always keep it in my pdair case. Its still unscratched, not even the fine scratches you mentioned. Im actually waiting for my screen protector to arrive (in about 2 weeks time) so hopefully it stays this way.
Anyway you should try keep it in a pouch, away from sharps like sand and stone jewellery. Eg, womens diamond earrings will scratch your screen.
It is RULE for any portable screen based devices to NOT BE TOUCHED until screen protector placed on the device.
Not trying to sound rude in anyway (don't like scratches either), even if Gorilla glass is break resistant, it can still a scratched just like ant other material.
I guess your going to have to wait until repair parts start becoming available online for you to buy a replacement glass.
For phones with oleophobic coating, yes there will be fine scratches after a while only noticeable at weird angles and in bright light like you mentioned.
My Nexus S and every other nexus S I've seen has it (except brand new ones) and I'm sure the SGS2 is similar.
You just have to ask yourself, what's the point of the oleophobic coating if you put a screen protector over it?
Mustinky said:
anyone else experiencing same problem ?
is there any solution for this problem....AKA fixing oleophobic coating scratches ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no screen no case nothing to hide the beauty. just got it yesterday i will report back in a week.
malignau said:
I havnt got a screen protector on mine, but always keep it in my pdair case. Its still unscratched, not even the fine scratches you mentioned. Im actually waiting for my screen protector to arrive (in about 2 weeks time) so hopefully it stays this way.
Anyway you should try keep it in a pouch, away from sharps like sand and stone jewellery. Eg, womens diamond earrings will scratch your screen.
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Click to collapse
im pretty sure if u examined ur screen under bright light at some odd angles u will notice fine scratches out there, i have been really careful with my phone and still i got like 8 fine scratches in the coating, it seems that the coating is highly scratchable which defeats the purpose of the gorilla glass which is scratch resistant
You know what a good solution is? Um using a screen protector....
Sent from my LG Revolution
Extreme184X said:
It is RULE for any portable screen based devices to NOT BE TOUCHED until screen protector placed on the device.
Not trying to sound rude in anyway (don't like scratches either), even if Gorilla glass is break resistant, it can still a scratched just like ant other material.
I guess your going to have to wait until repair parts start becoming available online for you to buy a replacement glass.
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Click to collapse
even if i got a new screen it will get scratched, the problem is not with the glass, i have been very careful, the coating is just highly scratchable, im thinking of removing the coating with some chemical dissolvent later when it really looks bad
dinan said:
For phones with oleophobic coating, yes there will be fine scratches after a while only noticeable at weird angles and in bright light like you mentioned.
My Nexus S and every other nexus S I've seen has it (except brand new ones) and I'm sure the SGS2 is similar.
You just have to ask yourself, what's the point of the oleophobic coating if you put a screen protector over it?
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Click to collapse
yes exactly, the coating is there to protect the screen from oil and smudges, but it is highly scratchable which deafeats the purpose of a gorilla glass which is scratch resistant, so now i should put a screen protector to protect the coating from getting scratched, which in turn defeats the purpose of the coating as it will become totally useless !!!!
i think we shud just remove the coating at some point using some chemical dissolvents, as i find no point of keeping it under a screen protector anyway :S

[QUESTION ] Oleophobic coating

So I had my LG G2 for a few weeks now, and I noticed a couple of hairline scratches on my phone screen, particularly on the areas where my finger touches often. It's not easily seen and cannot be felt, but it annoys the hell out of me. So I tried using applesauce, turtle wax scratch remover, and they didn't work, in fact they rubbed some oleophobic coating off. I ended up having a rough screen with the scratches still there. I'm looking into the Oleophobic coating online and read that it helps hide the scratches from the screen while restoring it's slickness at the same time. I wonder if it could help me?
arenaboy007 said:
So I had my LG G2 for a few weeks now, and I noticed a couple of hairline scratches on my phone screen, particularly on the areas where my finger touches often. It's not easily seen and cannot be felt, but it annoys the hell out of me. So I tried using applesauce, turtle wax scratch remover, and they didn't work, in fact they rubbed some oleophobic coating off. I ended up having a rough screen with the scratches still there. I'm looking into the Oleophobic coating online and read that it help hide the scratches from the screen while restoring it's slickness at the same time. I wonder if it could help me?
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Click to collapse
I looked around and it might work I've never used it so I wouldn't know
I know this doesnt help but you should have considered a oleophobic coated screen protector when you first got the phone lol
ArcaneDroid said:
I know this doesnt help but you should have considered a oleophobic coated screen protector when you first got the phone lol
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I know haha. Unfortunately glass screen protectors are hard to come by in my area, so I had to order a couple from amazon. And it hasn't arrive yet, so I'm forced to use it without screen protectors for now.

Oleophobic Coating-Screen Looks Like Dogs Dinner

Hi folks,
I'm looking for feedback on oleophobic coating.
No matter whether it's the native glass or screen protectors, I just need to look at my phone and within seconds it's a mass of disgusting fingerprints.
Has anyone here any experience/recommendations of oleophobic products that actually work at keeping fingerprints at bay?
Your feedback would be much appreciated, even if it's only to confirm my thoughts that they're all just 'snake oil'.
Thanks.
I tried some products, and not a single one worked, I just accepted the fact, only way to reduce finger print smudges is to keep hands reasonably clean, cleanning the screen repeatedly or compulsively will at some point make micro scratches due to very tiny silica particles in the dust, this, I learned the hard way...
2 second wipe of my display and it's pristine again. Also, this is a Note device so I'm constantly using my S-Pen which helps lower the amount of fingerprint smudge.
I haven't touched the bare factory glass, so can't comment there. But the factory installed screen protector was very oleophobic in my experience. And my Whitestone Dome is almost impossible to leave fingerprints on it. Maybe you just have naturally greasy fingers?
Now the back glass? Ha! If I look at it, it gets a fingerprint mark.
Almost new
I bought my phone in early February. Removed the protective film early March, and 3 weeks later I can't hardly use fingerprint without wiping the screen thoroughly first.
The area where I swipe with my thumb is completely missing oleophobic coating.
I even bought my first leather case ever the day I removed the protective film.
Anyone know If Samsung has any warranty for that kind of stuff?
Vicemania said:
I bought my phone in early February. Removed the protective film early March, and 3 weeks later I can't hardly use fingerprint without wiping the screen thoroughly first.
The area where I swipe with my thumb is completely missing oleophobic coating.
I even bought my first leather case ever the day I removed the protective film.
Anyone know If Samsung has any warranty for that kind of stuff?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL
Vicemania said:
I bought my phone in early February. Removed the protective film early March, and 3 weeks later I can't hardly use fingerprint without wiping the screen thoroughly first.
The area where I swipe with my thumb is completely missing oleophobic coating.
I even bought my first leather case ever the day I removed the protective film.
Anyone know If Samsung has any warranty for that kind of stuff?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doubtful IMHO because the screen works and detects your touch input. If your having to wipe it a lot before it will work then make sure your not smearing something onto the screen.
The oleophobic coating can wear off and from what I can interpret that's normal wear and tear (especially if your having to wipe the phone a lot) and not manufacturer defect. Granted it's always best to get a hold of Samsung yourself and ask them if it is covered under warranty... It may very well be, but only they will be able to tell you for sure with your phone.
Side note - If your trying to use the fingerprint sensor and can't without wiping the screen first then (based on your wording) your maybe doing it wrong. You don't swipe your finger on the sensor... You touch or tap your finger on the sensor. You can always also try deleting and re-registering your fingerprints using the instructions it provides, and also consider ensuring the phone firmware is up to date (in case any patches/fixes are included).
It's the oleophobic coating that has Weared out in that area.
If the screen is locked I unlock it with my fingerprint, and after that I swipe it open with my thumb.
And for some reason the oleophobic coating disappeared at that spot across the screen after a month's use.
So to be able to use my fingerprint, I have to clean the screen from the smear first.
Vicemania said:
It's the oleophobic coating that has Weared out in that area.
If the screen is locked I unlock it with my fingerprint, and after that I swipe it open with my thumb.
And for some reason the oleophobic coating disappeared at that spot across the screen after a month's use.
So to be able to use my fingerprint, I have to clean the screen from the smear first.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My phone screen gets dirty and full of fingerprints. Despite that I have zero issues with the ultrasonic fingerprint detection.
Now if the screen gets extremely dirty thats a different matter... but I'm talking more then just a finger print or smudge of a finger print. I'm talking things like if I handle foods or materials (especially ones that leave sticky residue on the screen) that leaves a residue on the screen. This could cause me some issues, but that is understandablly normal and why I clean my phone once a week using a soft microfiber cloth.
I just wanted to throw this in even though I'm mad late, but I had my note10 replaced on warranty. I specifically stated that the oleophobic coating had worn out too soon and I believed it to be a defect. It's only been a few months since then and it's already worn out again. I'm gonna try a Whitestone Dome.
I'm using IQ Sheild. I wipe it down every now and then with a dry microfiber cloth, dampen slightly if needed.
Looks great at the 3 month mark with no scratches or mars.
It still retains its original surface feel/qualities.
If I need to replace it tomorrow I got my money's worth out of it. Very pleased with its performance.
After 10 months, I have zero scratches and the oleophobic coating still works, not as day one, but reasonably well, at least it is still very easy to clean after smudging appears, I kept the preimstalled film for three months, at that point, it was somewhat scratched, and made the screen look ugly, I peeled it off, and to this very day, I enjoy the naked display in its full glory
winol said:
After 10 months, I have zero scratches and the oleophobic coating still works, not as day one, but reasonably well, at least it is still very easy to clean after smudging appears, I kept the preimstalled film for three months, at that point, it was somewhat scratched, and made the screen look ugly, I peeled it off, and to this very day, I enjoy the naked display in its full glory
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Click to collapse
It will be fine until it faceplants on gravel etc or you get sand rubbing across it.
I live in the desert. It took only 6 months of no screen protector to get my S4 screen scratched even though I kepted it as clean as possible. Gorilla glass 6 is not more scratch than 4... the writings on the wall.
I did the S4 scratch test as an experiment as the LCD was already heat damaged.
The 10+ is always in a case with a screen protector and is spotless. I have zero issues with useablility or viewability and a high degree of necessary protection for a $1 G device.
Cleaning: best to a microfiber cloth to clean to glass or plastic. Ok to use dry, shake it out first even if just cleaned.
Use pure water for it's final rinse when washing.
I've used this method extensively on pro cam equipment including the plastic covered LCD displays without scratches. Always carefully clean off heavy debris like mud first though with running water.
Cloth, paper towels etc -will- scratch glass*, best not to use to clean optics with.
*only takes a grain or two of sand. Microfiber clothes help keep contaminants away from the item being cleaned very effectively.
I share with you the sand problem, as I live some 100 meters away the beach line, there is always wind blowing, and at some times, really strong gusts, not to mention when it is stormy, and yes, sand is a real nightmare
Yeah at least the 10 is well sealed... the older Notes weren't.
RickyShade said:
I just wanted to throw this in even though I'm mad late, but I had my note10 replaced on warranty. I specifically stated that the oleophobic coating had worn out too soon and I believed it to be a defect. It's only been a few months since then and it's already worn out again. I'm gonna try a Whitestone Dome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same issue. Ordered Oleophobic coating and we'll see
boofman said:
Same issue. Ordered Oleophobic coating and we'll see
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Click to collapse
This doesn't surprise me.
Your dry fingers/palms are actually abrasive.
They can and do polish glass.
On large concave telescope mirrors they use the palm of their hands in the last phases of shaping it.
I've polished out very fine scratches on L glass lens coatings* using just a clean dry finger. It takes about half an hour.
*these optic coatings are hard and very thin. Without them the optics are degraded.
blackhawk said:
This doesn't surprise me.
Your dry fingers/palms are actually abrasive.
They can and do polish glass.
On large concave telescope mirrors they use the palm of their hands in the last phases of shaping it.
I've polished out very fine scratches on L glass lens coatings* using just a clean dry finger. It takes about half an hour.
*these optic coatings are hard and very thin. Without them the optics are degraded.
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It goes without saying that we all need screen protectors despite Gorilla Glass and oleophobic coating

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