While there have been no widespread technical failures plaguing the iPhone 3G to date, all the little things have begun to add up.
Earlier this month I reported on yellow-tinted screens affecting the 3G, and only recently, Robert Nelson wrote an article on how some white iPhone 3Gs are beginning to crack. Oh, did I mention that an iPhone 3G overheated and burned a man’s leg? (See article)
You and I both know that nothing in this world is perfect, least of all a recently developed piece of technology such as the iPhone 3G. Amidst the complaints of cracks, yellow tinted screens, and fiery iPhone 3Gs comes yet another complaint: dusty screens.
It seems as if some of the iPhone 3Gs were constructed in such a way that made them “susceptible to dust and dirt intrusion, creating dots that are stuck underneath the glass of the phone’s face.”
Apparently this problem is caused by ill-fitting seals around the iPhone’s screen and its siding/backing.
As it is a fairly new issue, there is no home remedy to this problem. What I would recommend you do is take your iPhone back to the Apple Store (or from wherever you bought it) and demand that they fix it! I’m just kidding, you should ask nicely and I’m sure they’ll realize that while this may be somewhat of a minor problem now, it could escalate into a much more substantial problem.


August 7th, 2008 at 3:56 am
I have had two iPhone 3G’s so far. They both had dust under the screen and have both been taken back to the Apple store. I have cancelled my contract and decided to wait a few weeks in the hope that the quality issues get resolved!
August 7th, 2008 at 2:55 pm
I also have this problem and feel bad …
WHAT SHOULD I DO now? OPEN UP the iphone case to simply get rid of ONE little dust? That will void my warranty?
APPLE earns a lot but they dont even think of this issue , not makes it users-friendly….
August 14th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
I just sent my iPhone 3G back to Apple due to dust under the screen. It was perfectly clean when I first purchased the phone a month ago, but gradually the dust began seeping in and now they’re all over the screen… even a tiny little hair made it’s way in! Apple said it was NOT normal, that maybe 1/1000 iPhones were succeptable to the problem, and to send it in immediately. My fingers are crossed.
August 17th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Well, they replaced it immediately, with a damn refurbished iPhone that had a blown speaker in the handset! I am so frustrated with this product and company right now… I even got a dropped call while talking to customer service.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
I have been having so many problems with the new iPhone 3g. I purchased my first one less than 2 weeks ago and already I have exchanged it 3 times due to various different problems with each phone. I recently noticed that my current iPhone (number 4) had 2 large specks of dust on the screen. i had a protective film on the screen so I thought that dust got under it. When I removed the film ($15 down the drain) I discovered that the dust was actually under the glass screen in the phone itself. How the heck did that happen? After I noticed that dust I began noticing other ones under the screen too. I am so frustrated with this product now I don’t even want to exchange it anymore. I am about done with Apple and their icrap.
November 24th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
I called Apple today about dust under my glass… They’re replacing mine at no charge!
November 27th, 2008 at 9:30 am
I’ve had my phone since August and a speck of dust just developed this week. You think Apple will replace it if I bring it in?
December 25th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Idk I have the same problem with mine. It was purchased day one and there is dust under the screen. I talked to an Apple rep on the phone and they said they would replace the phone at a genius bar. I am going there tomorrow. If they give me a crappy refurbished phone I will be very angry. I want a new phone, or I will just stick with the dust because other than the dust there is nothing wrong with mine and I don’t want another phone with even more problems.
April 17th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I have the same problem with mine . But I took it from Italy and I am from Saudi Arabia so there is no way to send it to Apple . I am thinking to open it and cleane it . But I think that will be so hard .
April 30th, 2009 at 12:09 am
I have a iPod Touch (2nd gen, which is really close to the iPhone) and upon opening the package I noticed the warped chrome around the side. it seemed like an asthetic issue only so I decided not to go through the hassle of returns. However I have began to notice some dust under the screen. Apple won’t replace it because theres a small dent on the back, which upon inspection could obviously not cause the chrome to warp. My advice? Fuck ‘em.
May 16th, 2009 at 11:10 pm
I just started to get dust under my iphone 3g. I am going to try to ask nicely at the genius bar and maybe just maybe they will give me a new one and not a refurbished one. If they can’t do that I’ll see if they can fix mine. Who knows maybe I’ll get lucky, wish me luck!
May 17th, 2009 at 11:00 am
i am now on the 6th iphone due to dust under the screen i want to cancel my contract or get a brand new iphone instead of a recon iphone as i paid £100 for a new iphone if i wanted a recon i could have got it free
November 4th, 2009 at 11:34 am
Does anyone feel that the older Iphones have a better case? With its metallic design instead of plastic.
December 31st, 2009 at 12:31 am
2 of the 5 replacement iPhones I have had suffered from dust under the screen. I don't want another replacement but I would love to find a home fix. I don't even know if I am still under warranty.
February 18th, 2010 at 7:56 am
I also just got a 3GS about a month ago, and got my first specks of dust this morning… looking closely, I can even see there is more than one. I will wait until my warranty is almost out before getting it repaired – needless to say, I find it completely unacceptable to spend about 450 usd on a brand new piece of technology such as the iPhone 3GS, bear the extra costs for a soft rubber case + screen protector to make sure it is all kept nice and scratch-free, yet somehow get a dusty screen when I take great care of it! I hope Apple is reading all this and getting their thumbs out of their… before another scandal hits the media!
March 9th, 2010 at 12:01 am
My first two bits of dust have appeared. Oh joy! I bought a brand new 3GS on PAYG after having a used 3G which had dust all over the screen.
440quid and quality issues. Not good at all Apple – Dread to think how bad the iPad will be with it's much larger screen! Food for thought!