Do Camera Flash Issues Still Affect The White iPhone 4?

Posted on May 2, 2011 by AppleBitch



While the launch of the white iPhone 4 suggests that Apple has finally remedied the initial problems that caused the ten month delay in release, an AppleBitch reader has contacted us with information that suggests that one of  the issues may still be present.  It was first reported by CultofMac back in October that the white iPhone 4 had problems with the flash, and that this was the reason for the delay in release. Specifically, the white case was apparently transparent enough that it would let light from the flash back inside the iPhone, which would then disrupt the image sensor.  Unfortunately, anecdotal evidence suggests this issue may still be present in the white iPhone 4.

Reader Jared has sent us multiple images which suggest that when the flash of the white iPhone 4 is used, a dramatic halo effect is seen on the images, as shown in the pictures above.  The image on the left was taken without flash and the one on the right was taken with the flash.  As can be seen, the one on the right is heavily distorted.

We have not yet been able to confirm this phenomenon in other white iPhone 4′s, as the problem was not replicated in the other white iPhone 4 that we were able to test.  Additionally, the problem seemed to be more prevalent the further away the iPhone 4 was from the subject of the photograph.  This may be due to a single faulty device or may be a more widespread issue.  However, it should be worth noting that the white iPhone 4 launched on the 28th April and there appears to have been little or no coverage of this issue thus far.

Some white iPhone 4 users in the Apple support communities have reported washed out or hazed pictures but very little picture evidence has been shown. If any other readers have purchased a white iPhone 4 or have seen similar problems then get in touch and let us know your story.

Distortion Field…

Also on AppleBitch.com:

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  • Tash

    I have a black iPhone 4, three weeks old and from the start the camera fash has left a blue tinge on all photos, most of them are so bad they are useless.

  • http://iblogfornoreasons.blogspot.com Vance

    I just got my white iphone 16GB about 3 days ago.. I think the problem is worse… I can’t even see the photos taken with flash at all, the the non-flash photos are fine…

    • http://iblogfornoreasons.blogspot.com Vance

      ok never mind, i found the problem…

  • the real guy

    Lol, thats why i like apple bicth. can you do a post on the sony ngp (look it up, engadget has the best review on it) vs the ipod touch 4 or 5, (and possiby the 3DS, if you have time) I know it doesn’t have anything to do with what you post about, but I think you guys would do fantastic. Throw your twists in. A very big thanks guys. Keep it up!

  • the real guy

    haha. that prof. peabody up there isn’t the real one. it was me. how you handled it though is hilarious. i wanted to see what you would do. keep up the good work apple bitch!

    • http://www.applebitch.com AppleBitch

      Omniscience rules all.

    • Prof. Peabody

      I’m not sure what was funny about the impersonation of me, satire should have some relevance to the subject. For instance you could have at least tried to use the same catchphrases or made some kind of outrageous statement in my name (whomever you are).

      @Applebitch: maybe *this* will encourage you to implement disqus comments??

      • http://www.applebitch.com AppleBitch

        I think it was obvious that it wasn’t you and stupid comments were deleted. However, you are right in that we will try to be more rigorous in weeding out stupid comments

        We have not implemented Disqus comments, today being a prime example of why. Sites all across the web this afternoon were unable to display comments or discussion because Disqus was down.

        However, we are constantly improving the site so it may be implemented in the future. We are looking at the adv and disadv at the moment

        • Prof. Peabody

          can we at least have pichures? :)

          how do people know how cool I am without a picture? how can they be intimidated by my icy stare?

  • Fake Prof. Peabody

    I’m starting to hate love apple. They don’t allow anything but I think they are awesome. What a stupid awesome company. I hate simply adore this site. What geek awesome awesomeness named it applebitch. How idiotic utterly delightful. Go ahead, delete this, you just can’t handle sleep with me. Everything apple sucks is tip top tastic.

    • http://www.applebitch.com AppleBitch

      Why thank you sir. Glad you’ve cleaned the sand out of your pants. :)

  • Jared

    I’m the photographer from above. I can guarantee that there was no dust or “water droplets” on the lens, as can be proven by the unpublished close-up shots sent to applebitch. I too will be taking my phone back to see if a new unit fixes the problem.

    • Adrian

      Jared, any updates? I noticed a similar problem with my camera, but I just cleans some dust off the lense and now it seems fine.

  • Seth

    My wife just got a white iPhone 4 and we are having problems with the camera. If a picture is taken with the flash on it has a blue haze throughout the picture. The picutre looks very washed out. We’re going to take it back and get a new iPhone to see if it’s just our particular device.

  • Prof.(eicent) Prettybody

    Ya, about as crystal clear as a swamp. Quit denying it, appul forces bad products on their users.

  • Prof.(eicent) Prettybody

    That is why you buy an android. There is way more options out there for it, and way less restrictions. You will probly delete this comment though, cause while appul tends to make something that’s not to user saticfaction, than force it on their users, you will try to be like appul and control the comment section. Boo appul!!! \/ ps: I know its apple, but i dont have enough respect for them as to spell it right.

    • http://www.applebitch.com AppleBitch

      Nope – we only delete comments that are trolling crap. Constructive discussion welcomed.

      However, making a stand by spelling Apple as ‘appul’ really doesn’t float anyone’s boat.

  • Prof. Peabody

    To answer your question, I think this doesn’t provide enough evidence to answer it one way or the other. To make a wild guess, the circles on the “washed out” images look like halos from water droplets on the lens to me, so i’m going to assume some kind of moisture problem instead of a “white iphone problem.”

    • http://www.applebitch.com AppleBitch

      My thoughts too. Water or dust. But the non-flash images are crystal clear