Disappearing Oleophobic Coating on iPhone 3GS

If you own an iPhone 3GS and you touch the screen you won't have to worry about your finger prints all over the screen. This is thanks to the oleophobic coating which is made of a polymer that the oil of your skin doesn't adhere well to. The oleophobic polymer is bonded to the iPhone's glass touchscreen.

The polymer comes from organism compounds and is carbon-based. The glass of the iPhone's touchscreen is inorganic and silicon based. It's tricky to get one to stick to the other. It's likely a third molecule is introduced that sticks to carbon on one side and silicon on the other. This chemical, or molecule, is a silane that has silicons and alkanes, or chains of carbon atoms.

This all works to get the protective coating on your iPhone. To clean the coating, simply use a soft, lint-free cloth to wipe off the screen.

There have been some worries of the oleophobic coating wearing off prematurely. Apple suggest you don't leave your phone in places were the temperatures get too hot or too cold.

A recent poll has been run with the topic: "Have you noticed any problems with your iPhone or iPod touchscreens?" The results of this poll may surprise you. About sixty-nine percent had said they hadn't noticed any problems with their touchscreens. Fourteen percent didn't own an iPhone or iPod. However, out of the remaining owners, nine percent notices scratches, seven percent notice other problems and the remaining three percent have noticed their iPhone 3GS oleophobic coating already wearing off or peeling.

Some have reported the coating as coming off within three weeks after the products release. There are others who wonder if the products coating can stand up to the heavy wear of playing games as so many people like to do. And playing games on the iPhone is only a start. There are so many applications people use, how will the oleophobic coating stand up?

Will Apple have replacement coatings people can buy and apply to their phones, or what will they do to combat the mystery of the disappearing oleophobic coating?

Resources:
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/iphone-3gs-oleophobic-coating-wearing-off-prematurely/

http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/iphone-ipod-touch-screen-poll-ends-accessory-poll-begins/17202

http://gizmodo.com/5302097/giz-bill-nye-explains-the-iphone-3gss-oleophobic-screen/gallery