New Oleophobic Cover Wearing Thin on iPhone 3GS?

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Iphone 3Gs was introduced sometime ago into the market by Apple, making headlines after branding it as the fastest iPhone to date. One of the features that iphone 3GS possesses is the oleophobic cover. The cover gives an additional protection to the phone by keeping the screen free of all the greasy finger prints and oily faces which would preserve the looks of the stylish phone.

The issue at hand is that a german 3GS user have reported that the oleophobic cover is already wearing thin on his iphone.It is not the first time that we have heard companies having problem with Oleophobic covers, but it is certainly a first with Apple’s iphone 3GS. Its already a recorded fact that many companies that have used Oleophobic covers in their products( like sunglasses) have come to the same fate as the reported state of this iphone 3GS. These are generally carbon based polymers. The screen being inorganic silicon based glass, a third molecule is to be introduced to stick the cover to the screen. This is done by inducing silanes which are polymers made of silicon and alkanes [carbon chains] so that one side sticks to the carbon based polymer and the other side to the silicon based glass screen.

The issue was first reported by a German iphone 3GS user "Samsas Traum." You can read the orginal thread by visiting this site.

This issue with oleophobic cover (as quoted by the user) is mainly due to the extensive time the user spent in a game called Flick fishing app( available for 0.99$ at apple store). where a constant rubbing of fingers on the screen is needed. While this issue is the first of its kind after its recent launch, Apple has specifically mentioned that the coating will diminish over time and proper care must be given during cleaning. While this covers the issue at hand, the lifespan of this coating seems to be awfully short considering the time iphone 3gs have been available in the market. Oh, well that’s apple for you.You can’t say they didn’t tell you.