iOS 11 is also affecting light sensors from iPhones with official Apple screens switched to third parties

Just yesterday, we reported cases of iPhones that had their screens swapped (probably for non-original parts) at unauthorized service centers and simply froze with the iOS 11.3 upgrade. Now, other news covers some of the latest versions of iOS and brings a more subtle problem, but raises the question: What the hell is going on in Cupertino?

O Engadget reported today that some iPhones 8, 8 Plus and X running the iOS 11.1, 11.2 or 11.3 They are no longer adjusting the screen brightness automatically after a screen change by an unauthorized agent. Apparently, for some unknown reason, the light sensor in front of the appliances is being rendered unusable in operation.

TrueDepth system with all front notch components of iPhone X

Interestingly enough, the problem even affects iPhones whose new panel is a Apple original piece The crux of the matter here really seems to be the "status" of the service where the exchange took place. iPhones whose service was performed by Ma itself or an authorized service center have not suffered any damage, although we are talking about the exact same part in both cases.

It is good to note that changing an iPhone screen does not involve any direct contact with the device's light sensor or the built-in component on the front of the device, so changing the screen simply changes the sensor as a whole, too.

No one can tell so far what is causing the problem, not even if the direct consequence behavior or side effect of any deliberate decision by Apple. As is well known, the company has increasingly united the hardware and software aspects of its practical products that had its first great example with the launch of the iPhone 5s, whose Touch ID is linked to the rest of the components that feature it. Digital readout is simply disabled in the system if the sensor is replaced by an unauthorized agent for safety reasons.

Of course, a light sensor is totally different from a digital reader, and at first glance there are no logical reasons to explain the problem if it starts from some conscious decision by Apple. Some technical assistance owners talked to the Engadgetmeanwhile, and expressed their fears that Ma is using the light sensor as a simple test for more drastic actions in the future imagine, for example, an upcoming iPhone in which all Internal components, from the simplest to the most vital, are wired to the logic board so that any unauthorized repair or exchange will shut down immediately until Apple itself takes action. Yes, it sounds like a very distinctive future.

In any case, even if these are mere speculations, it is worth remembering that at least in the United States neither Apple nor any electronics manufacturer can no longer warrant devices that have been opened and / or repaired by unauthorized agents, such as we commented just now. So the idea that Ma knows exactly when your phone was opened, and by whom, apparently via software, does not seem very appropriate.

Apple has not yet commented on the matter, but we will return to the case when (or if) this happens.