Apple Rejects Catcher's 4.7-Inch iPhone 6 Casings Over Defects

[SockRolid]

So many suppliers and manufacturers in the supply chain, each with a workforce across many different roles...

I am surprised how few leaks we get of products. It does seem that the majority of companies, and people, have integrity.

And, when you think about it, hardware leaks are the least important leaks. Yes, hardware leaks are what fanboys (such as myself) like to see. And they guarantee page hits for sites like MacRumors. But the hardware is just the tip of the iceberg. The box the software comes in.

The real meat is the infrastructure (server farms), ecosystem (iTunes, App Store), operating system (iOS), the apps themselves, all of which add up to that intangible yet crucial element: the user experience. And all of that is impossible to copy overnight. And I'm pretty sure stories about leaked infrastructure or next-gen APIs don't generate nearly the web traffic that photos of iPhone backshells do. (Real or fake.)

Sure, there is the occasional hardware surprise like the 64-bit A7 last year. But by the time MacRumors posts artist renderings and 3d-printed mockups of this year's iPhone, Apple has already been working on next year's iPhone for about a year. In other words, I wouldn't be surprised if Apple started work on the 2015 iPhone in 2013.

 

[69Mustang]

Utilizing the reported strength and durability of sapphire glass I'm really hoping there are no metal casings but instead a glass-back style like the iPhone 4 series:

From previous thread Apple Said to Have Enough Sapphire Glass for Production of Both iPhone 6 Models and iWatch in 2014

Although a beautiful idea, it would be disastrous if implemented. Sapphire is highly scratch resistant, which has nothing to do with it's ability to resist fracturing. One errant drop...

 

[jimbo1mcm]

Metal cases?

Does this mean that the Iphone 6 will not be machined from aluminum, but from a cheaper metal with an aluminum oxidizing process?

 

[charlituna]

It would seem at this point they would already have all the bugs worked out if they plan on releasing the phone in two months or so.

Oh closer to 3-4 months but yes they likely do

Frankly when I see a story about someone working in a big product like this, who never has before, and then some kind of rejection, I tend to think its a CYA to correct a bogus comment. Not a real story.

 

[TouchMint.com]

Utilizing the reported strength and durability of sapphire glass I'm really hoping there are no metal casings but instead a glass-back style like the iPhone 4 series:

From previous thread Apple Said to Have Enough Sapphire Glass for Production of Both iPhone 6 Models and iWatch in 2014

Looks real cool but with the super high cost of the sapphire it would cut into margins wayyy to much for Apples likings

 

[Glideslope]

You say "have integrity". I say "fear reprisal".

As they should. "Fear of Incarceration" works more for me.

 

[Neodym]

You don't remember the white iPhone 4 then, it was pushed back and pushed back until it wasn't released at all due to the white button not matching the glass.

Don't want to utter yet another "Steve would never have approved...", but I really wonder if such a - comparably - small flaw would still make today's Apple push back (and even cancel) a product release. The iPhone 5 problems obviously didn't.

 

[Kenn Marks]

Apple set the precedent to release a phone every year, not the customers. The major redesigns are every two years, which would seem enough time.
I'm probly wrong on this but I envision them working on the iphone 6 shortly after the 5 was released, with the S versions being minor upgrades put together by different design teams.

This is true, I have a friend in the supply chain and they were sampling parts for the "iPhone 6" before the "iPhone 5s" was released (names weren't known at the time - just the new and next version).
As for supply chain production issues, Apple is on the bleeding edge of current technology pushing the envelope with each successive generation. We don't hear this about Samsung because they wait for Apple to get the bugs worked out then just blatantly copy the tech not having to cover R&D cost and associated production headaches.

 

[Kenn Marks]

Oh closer to 3-4 months but yes they likely do

Frankly when I see a story about someone working in a big product like this, who never has before, and then some kind of rejection, I tend to think its a CYA to correct a bogus comment. Not a real story.

Apparently you never worked in a production environment. When you make a pilot run things are running at a slower pace with more in process checks to look for problem areas, but once you go into full production mode now with loads of new line workers and daily production goals, it only takes each person not doing their job 100% only once to get a whole production run rejected by FINAL QC

 

[sunking101]

Apparently you never worked in a production environment. When you make a pilot run things are running at a slower pace with more in process checks to look for problem areas, but once you go into full production mode now with loads of new line workers and daily production goals, it only takes each person not doing their job 100% only once to get a whole production run rejected by FINAL QC

There was apparenly no final QC on my iPhone 5, or the five I rejected prior. Scuffs, scratches, loose buttons...
My i5 has been the most troublesome device I've ever owned. Apple need to majorly improve the manufacturing process, or drop their prices bigtime. If i6 ownership is as troublesome and unrewarding as i5 ownership, it will be bye-bye Apple for me after that.

 

[iOSaddict]

There was apparenly no final QC on my iPhone 5, or the five I rejected prior. Scuffs, scratches, loose buttons...
My i5 has been the most troublesome device I've ever owned. Apple need to majorly improve the manufacturing process, or drop their prices bigtime. If i6 ownership is as troublesome and unrewarding as i5 ownership, it will be bye-bye Apple for me after that.

I had my iphone 5 the first month after launch. Still running perfect. Also, if you think there's another better manufacturer out there, please feel free to vote with your money. I always find it comical when people make threats to stop buying a certain brand on internet forums. Like that's gonna change anything.