So I received my brand-new iPhone, my first one ever!, just a couple of hours ago, and I love love love it! I did notice however three teeny-tiny knicks on the back of the phone, almost like someone used the point of a very fine-point needle to gouge into the aluminum just a little bit. I've never experienced noticeable cosmetic issues with any of the other phones I've owned and was wondering if this is typical of Apple? I have to admit, personally, it bothers me quite a bit, but objectively, I'm not sure I should bring it in for an exchange. Compared to scratches in the screen or dust in the camera that I've seen mentioned here, my issue seems pretty minor.
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Are slight cosmetic imperfections normal in brand new iPhones?
- Thread starter mooid
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Yes it is fairly common with all the products. But it's a decent chance you could get an ok one. Did you pay full price direct with Apple? If so, just buy another one.
I would exchange it if you're not happy. I also resell my iPhones so you really want to have one in perfect condition.
I have this one little nick on the back, exchanging it Monday morning. Yes I know it's tiny but it bothers me.
I have this one little nick on the back, exchanging it Monday morning. Yes I know it's tiny but it bothers me.
Had one of those on my 6. Didn't bother me. Anything bigger then yeah. To each their own.
As the guy said above to each their own. Knowing Apple products and the history of defects, you could end up with a lot worse......Consider that lucky compared to someone with dead pixels, scratched screen etc. that you will constantly be looking at as opposed to something a case can cover (if you were going that route).
Yeah I understand then you're rolling the dice with the next phone. I do go case less most of the time though.
Maybe I just keep the phone with the pin size nick on the back and try to overcome my OCD hahaha.
But at the end of the day that was your money you spent, so do as you will until you get something that meets your expectations...just make sure you have realistic expectations when it comes to a new Apple product at launch.
it's so common on all new phones these days. However iphones are notorious for first release scuffs, scratches, dead pixels, etc, etc. I dont get as crazy as i used to and end up doing 3/4 exchanges looking for the perfect phone. If it's something thats teeny tiny and I can live with than so be it, if it's big and in my face than I'll head back to apple.
try to wipe it off...i've had several apple products that i think have those same issues and a little damp cloth wipes them off. It could be a nick or it could be dried up glue or something from the factory that got on it.
I tried to wipe it off, I can feel the roughness when I pick at it with my nail. When you look close it looks like a tiny piece of debris was on the case when it was being anodized
F it I think I'm just going to keep it and get over the tiny mark on the back. I want to enjoy my phone instead of going to back to the store getting a new phone and having to setup everything again.
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That is probably the smartest move to just keep it and call it unique. I have a buddy who has a small scuff inside the charging port (the shiny edge) that is only apparent under certain lighting and is debating about returning but the rest of his phone is perfect (screen uniformity, no dead pixel etc). Something like that where you will be plugging something in there everyday is bound to get some kind of usage marks over time so why even bother. Bottom line...you paid for it so make sure your happy...but its minor like what I just described above consider yourself lucky if you can look past it.
I think this is good advice.
A perfect screen is a lot more important IMO than tiny imperfections on the rest of the outside. Unless it was something egregious like a big scuff or long scratch I'd keep it.
Thanks guys for the therapy session 
I'm currently typing on my new phone and will be keeping it.
iPhone 6s Plus impressions:
I can definitely notice the phone is much faster and animations all across the UI are smoother. A8 to A9 is a huge performance increase. I like 3D Touch more then I thought I would. The vibration from the Taptic Engine is better then the conventional motor in the 6. Touch ID is super fast, phone unlocks almost instantly. Cameras are great. I do notice the extra weight but it feels more solid.
I'm currently typing on my new phone and will be keeping it. iPhone 6s Plus impressions:
I can definitely notice the phone is much faster and animations all across the UI are smoother. A8 to A9 is a huge performance increase. I like 3D Touch more then I thought I would. The vibration from the Taptic Engine is better then the conventional motor in the 6. Touch ID is super fast, phone unlocks almost instantly. Cameras are great. I do notice the extra weight but it feels more solid.
I'd not return it for that small case nick. If the screen and everything else is great I'd keep it. My 6 plus last year came with a small nick near the screws on the bottom but the screen was perfect so didn't bother me. FWIW I'm totally OCD with screens (light leak, tone shifts, dead pixels, dust etc)
As much as it sucks to get that first knick/scratch/scuff on a new phone it's always a bit of a relief to me. That's when I usually say screw it and the case comes off.