Is it hard to get a good iPhone 5?

UBS28 · Dec 27, 2012, 09:40 AM

I bought an iPhone 5 last week and it had a scratch out of the box, just like people were reporting back in September. I sended it back because it's not acceptable for such an expensive phone.

So what are the chances that the next iPhone 5 I order will also not be in mint condition?

I'm considering skipping this generation and wait for the iPhone 5S after this horrible experience.

90miles · Dec 27, 2012, 09:44 AM

Not sure about the odds of getting a perfect phone but mine came perfect on the first try and I did look very closely at it to make sure there were no problems.

Jordan921 · Dec 27, 2012, 09:47 AM

It's probably unlikely you'll find a perfect one.

barkomatic · Dec 27, 2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UBS28

I bought an iPhone 5 last week and it had a scratch out of the box, just like people were reporting back in September. I sended it back because it's not acceptable for such an expensive phone.

So what are the chances that the next iPhone 5 I order will also not be in mint condition?

I'm considering skipping this generation and wait for the iPhone 5S after this horrible experience.

I can think of many things more horrible than a scratched iPhone. However, mine was blemish free out of the box.

TheBigKing · Dec 27, 2012, 10:05 AM

I have my black one since 2 months and not have any problem with it

Johnnygogo · Dec 27, 2012, 10:08 AM

2 black phones on launch. no scratches no case no screen protector to date. and i forgot it was even fragile and love this thing.

Insulin Junkie · Dec 27, 2012, 11:13 AM

Perhaps that depends on where you live. Over here, the provider I purchased my iPhone 5 from opened the box for me and asked me to inspect the device before taking it with me, both for screen abnormalities and for out-of-the-box scratches. (Note: he prompted this, I didn't. I even pretended not to know why he was asking me to inspect the device, and he correctly told me about the scratch issue, and that it's policy for them to let their customers inspect the phone they'll be committing to). Had I found something, he'd readily have brought one iPhone after the next from the storage, and given me the model I wanted.
I didn't think to try out the camera in-store, but it turns out it's fine, too.

Dr Sam Beckett · Dec 27, 2012, 11:15 AM

i dont think it is.. i've purchased two.. one from verizon and one from apple. both black and just fine

Leonard1818 · Dec 27, 2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan921

It's probably unlikely you'll find a perfect one.

says....?

Zerilos · Dec 27, 2012, 11:29 AM

Day one black phone, no problems. If you are concerned, review the phone before you leave the store.

nburwell · Dec 27, 2012, 11:39 AM

It's certainly not impossible to come across an iPhone 5 that doesn't have any blemishes on it.

My iPhone 5 which I received in October had a slight mark on the back, but otherwise it's completely fine. I chose not to return it.

Leonard1818 · Dec 27, 2012, 11:41 AM

oh and for what it's worth I've come across 4 iphone 5 models (black) that have all been perfect. Been there when all 4 were unboxed.

I believe the issue exists but is well overblown by the internet.

AutoUnion39 · Dec 27, 2012, 11:45 AM

Mine is fine. Launch day unit.

Some people here are just ridiculous and expect their beloved iPhone should be perfect. Jesus christ, it's a phone guys. Who cares if it is a little scratched.

Leonard1818 · Dec 27, 2012, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoUnion39

Who cares if it is a little scratched.

according to the forums, a lot of people do.

teejaysyke · Dec 27, 2012, 12:07 PM

I got a perfect week 45 iPhone 5 in black.

I examined the camera lens, the casing everything, not one scratch, not one dent. No dust under the screen/lens. No flaws on the physical device.

I haven't even ran into issues with IOS6. Everything works fast and super fluid.

I get 10-11 hours of battery life on heavy usage.

*knock on wood*

psac · Dec 27, 2012, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teejaysyke

I got a perfect week 45 iPhone 5 in black.

I examined the camera lens, the casing everything, not one scratch, not one dent. No dust under the screen/lens. No flaws on the physical device.

I haven't even ran into issues with IOS6. Everything works fast and super fluid.

I get 10-11 hours of battery life on heavy usage.

*knock on wood*

Ditto, except week 39 if I'm reading the serial number correctly. Bought on launch day. Totally perfect.

huschpuscheli · Dec 27, 2012, 12:34 PM

i have the 5th iphone 5 64gb black gsm:

1st scratched out of the box (production week 42)
2nd scratched out of the box (production week 42)
3rd pristine but with the green display glow (production week 43)
4th scratched out of the box (production week 47)
5th pristine on all levels (production week 50)

Radio · Dec 27, 2012, 12:38 PM

Does anyone else have an issue with battery life and a loose part rattling?
Want to take it in

matttye · Dec 27, 2012, 12:52 PM

You'll never find a perfect phone because you deliberately look for and find faults that aren't there.

itsmemuffins · Dec 27, 2012, 02:15 PM

My black on was perfect first time.

Jordan921 · Dec 28, 2012, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard1818

says....?

What didn't you understand about what I said? People will find a flaw in anything. So it's very unlikely they'll find a perfect iPhone.

UBS28 · Dec 28, 2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matttye

You'll never find a perfect phone because you deliberately look for and find faults that aren't there.

All the employees at the store confirmed the scratch so the fault was there.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by AutoUnion39

Mine is fine. Launch day unit.

Some people here are just ridiculous and expect their beloved iPhone should be perfect. Jesus christ, it's a phone guys. Who cares if it is a little scratched.

I expect a new iPhone to look like a new phone, which means without a scratch. There is nothing ridiculous about that.

matttye · Dec 28, 2012, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UBS28

All the employees at the store confirmed the scratch so the fault was there.

A scratch is an imperfection, not a fault.

jrasero · Dec 28, 2012, 12:08 PM

Yes and no

I originally got a Verizon Black & slate iPhone 5 16GB and it had 3-4 dents on the side and was discolored on the antenna band. Went to the Apple store and went through two black & slate replacements that had even more scratches and/or dents mainly on the bezel. Finally I went to a different Apple store and switched for a white and grey. Still the white has two tiny minor scratches on the silver bezel, but I decided why return since I might get one with a camera, battery, or screen problem in return. Overall it seems the white ones tend to show scratches less and tend to have less problems out of box IMO.

My dad and brother both got black and slate iPhones and both got them pristine.

My coworker claimed he got a pristine slate and black iPhone but when I examined it I noticed a nice dent in the bezel.

so with that said I would ask:
What do you consider perfect? Yes it is possible to get a pristine one but there is a chance you will get a slightly nicked or very blemished phone.

Is this a phone you plan to use without a case? My coworker proclaimed that eh didn't need a case up until I noticed a dent on his iPhone then he got one. The aluminum is just a softer material and will not shatter like the iPhone 4/4s glass back but will dent. My advice go with a case and screen protectors day one

wx4olf · Dec 28, 2012, 03:46 PM

Picked up a black 32GB today. No issues what so ever.

Dec 27, 2012, 09:40 AM	#1
UBS28 macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2012	Is it hard to get a good iPhone 5? I bought an iPhone 5 last week and it had a scratch out of the box, just like people were reporting back in September. I sended it back because it's not acceptable for such an expensive phone. So what are the chances that the next iPhone 5 I order will also not be in mint condition? I'm considering skipping this generation and wait for the iPhone 5S after this horrible experience.
	0

Dec 27, 2012, 09:44 AM	#2
90miles macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2012	Not sure about the odds of getting a perfect phone but mine came perfect on the first try and I did look very closely at it to make sure there were no problems. __________________ Base 15" rMBP iPad 2 32GB+3G iPhone 5 16GB iPod Classic 80GB (5th gen)
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 10:05 AM	#5
TheBigKing macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: PR	I have my black one since 2 months and not have any problem with it __________________ i iPhone 5 32GB Black&Slate , Macbook Pro 13, 8GB Ram 500 GB HD
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 11:39 AM	#11
nburwell macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2008 Location: PHL	It's certainly not impossible to come across an iPhone 5 that doesn't have any blemishes on it. My iPhone 5 which I received in October had a slight mark on the back, but otherwise it's completely fine. I chose not to return it. __________________ 13" MBP 2.3GHz l iPhone 5 l 4G iPod Touch l Apple TV l 5D Mark III l L glass
	1

Dec 27, 2012, 11:45 AM	#13
AutoUnion39 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Boston, MA	Mine is fine. Launch day unit. Some people here are just ridiculous and expect their beloved iPhone should be perfect. Jesus christ, it's a phone guys. Who cares if it is a little scratched. __________________ rMBP 15 2.3 i7/16gb/256 SSD\| MacBook Air (Late 2011) 1.7 i5/4gb/128 SSD\| riPad 32gb WiFi\| TV (3rd gen)\| Airport Extreme\| iP5\|S4\|One
	1

Dec 27, 2012, 09:47 AM	#3
Jordan921 macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Bay Area	It's probably unlikely you'll find a perfect one.
	3

Dec 27, 2012, 10:08 AM	#6
Johnnygogo macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2012	2 black phones on launch. no scratches no case no screen protector to date. and i forgot it was even fragile and love this thing.
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 11:13 AM	#7
Insulin Junkie macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mainland Europe	Perhaps that depends on where you live. Over here, the provider I purchased my iPhone 5 from opened the box for me and asked me to inspect the device before taking it with me, both for screen abnormalities and for out-of-the-box scratches. (Note: he prompted this, I didn't. I even pretended not to know why he was asking me to inspect the device, and he correctly told me about the scratch issue, and that it's policy for them to let their customers inspect the phone they'll be committing to). Had I found something, he'd readily have brought one iPhone after the next from the storage, and given me the model I wanted. I didn't think to try out the camera in-store, but it turns out it's fine, too.
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 11:15 AM	#8
Dr Sam Beckett Banned Join Date: Dec 2012	i dont think it is.. i've purchased two.. one from verizon and one from apple. both black and just fine
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 11:29 AM	#10
Zerilos macrumors regular Join Date: Dec 2012	Day one black phone, no problems. If you are concerned, review the phone before you leave the store.
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 11:41 AM	#12
Leonard1818 macrumors 68000 Join Date: Nov 2011	oh and for what it's worth I've come across 4 iphone 5 models (black) that have all been perfect. Been there when all 4 were unboxed. I believe the issue exists but is well overblown by the internet.
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 12:07 PM	#15
teejaysyke macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2012	I got a perfect week 45 iPhone 5 in black. I examined the camera lens, the casing everything, not one scratch, not one dent. No dust under the screen/lens. No flaws on the physical device. I haven't even ran into issues with IOS6. Everything works fast and super fluid. I get 10-11 hours of battery life on heavy usage. knock on wood
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 12:34 PM	#17
huschpuscheli macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2011	i have the 5th iphone 5 64gb black gsm: 1st scratched out of the box (production week 42) 2nd scratched out of the box (production week 42) 3rd pristine but with the green display glow (production week 43) 4th scratched out of the box (production week 47) 5th pristine on all levels (production week 50)
	1

Dec 27, 2012, 12:38 PM	#18
Radio macrumors 65816 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Central California	Does anyone else have an issue with battery life and a loose part rattling? Want to take it in
	0

Dec 27, 2012, 12:52 PM	#19
matttye macrumors 68040 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Lincoln, England	You'll never find a perfect phone because you deliberately look for and find faults that aren't there. __________________ iPad 2 16GB Black (WiFi+3G) (iOS 6.1.3) -- iPhone 5 64GB White (iOS 6.1.3).
	2

Dec 27, 2012, 02:15 PM	#20
itsmemuffins macrumors 68000 Join Date: Jun 2010	My black on was perfect first time.
	2

Dec 28, 2012, 12:08 PM	#24
jrasero macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NYC	Yes and no I originally got a Verizon Black & slate iPhone 5 16GB and it had 3-4 dents on the side and was discolored on the antenna band. Went to the Apple store and went through two black & slate replacements that had even more scratches and/or dents mainly on the bezel. Finally I went to a different Apple store and switched for a white and grey. Still the white has two tiny minor scratches on the silver bezel, but I decided why return since I might get one with a camera, battery, or screen problem in return. Overall it seems the white ones tend to show scratches less and tend to have less problems out of box IMO. My dad and brother both got black and slate iPhones and both got them pristine. My coworker claimed he got a pristine slate and black iPhone but when I examined it I noticed a nice dent in the bezel. so with that said I would ask: What do you consider perfect? Yes it is possible to get a pristine one but there is a chance you will get a slightly nicked or very blemished phone. Is this a phone you plan to use without a case? My coworker proclaimed that eh didn't need a case up until I noticed a dent on his iPhone then he got one. The aluminum is just a softer material and will not shatter like the iPhone 4/4s glass back but will dent. My advice go with a case and screen protectors day one
	1

Dec 28, 2012, 03:46 PM	#25
wx4olf macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2010	Picked up a black 32GB today. No issues what so ever. __________________ - J
	2

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