Disclosed systems and methods for a data reader operable to capture one or more images from items having a highly, or relatively highly, reflective surface. The data reader includes a controller/processor in operative communication with an imager and an illumination system, where the controller/processor is programmed to selectively operate the imager and the illumination systems to interleave the data reader between a first reading period for reading items having a surface with little or no reflectivity and a second reading period for reading items having a surface with high reflectivity. In some embodiments, the items with highly reflective surfaces may include electronic devices, such as mobile phones.