oleophobic

Oleophobic Coating on iPhone 3GS.

While I was looking at the iPhone 3GS specs on Apple’s website I noticed something I hadn’t noticed before. The new iPhone 3GS Apple introduced in

June has a finger-print resistant oleophobic coating, unlike the other iPhone and iPod Touch models that don’t.

What is Oleophobic coating?

If you have oily fingers and you touch a touchscreen smartphone, your fingerprints will appear all over your screen. With the oleophobic coating your iPhone 3GS is supposed to be fingerprint resistant.

Oleopohobic Coating Wearing Off

I did a search and noticed that in July there was a report of someone’s oleophobic coating wearing off. Apparently this person left his iPhone 3GS out in the hot weather for a long period of time and that caused the oleophobic coating to wear off.

How to protect your Oleophobic Coating from Wearing Off

Apple advises that you don’t put your iPhone 3GS in a car where temperatures are in the -20C to 45C range.

How to Clean your Oleophobic Coating

Apple explains this in their user guide:

Simply wipe your iPhone’s screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands and face.