iPhone 15 Pro Max Black iPhone 15 Pro Max Scratching

[nomad01]

Grabbed my phone on launch day and it went straight into a case.

Took it out of the case yesterday and saw this scratch that’s removed the coloured coating. And if I rub the area, more of the coating comes off.

I’ve updated my iPhone every year since the original and never seen wear like this even after a year.

Anyone else seeing damage this early?

Apple have agreed to exchange it for a natural titanium if I return by 21 Oct but they have no stock anywhere. 😞

 

[Robot21]

Yikes 😬

 

[Bazooka-joe]

If it’s rubbing off with your finger, then it may be a manufacturing default

 

[nomad01]

If it’s rubbing off with your finger, then it may be a manufacturing default

I’m guessing it is. It looks like a scratch but more is coming off with a gentle rub.

 

[maka344]

What case do you have? It could be the case rubbing against it.

We have a Black 15 Pro in the house, and on launch it was immaculate. I took it out of the case for the first time and noticed a scratch on the back glass.

I don’t think the black and blues are going to hold up well. Almost like the old JetBlack finish.

 

[nomad01]

What case do you have? It could be the case rubbing against it.

We have a Black 15 Pro in the house, and on launch it was immaculate. I took it out of the case for the first time and noticed a scratch on the back glass.

I don’t think the black and blues are going to hold up well. Almost like the old JetBlack finish.

It’s an apple silicone case. I thought there might have been something in the case but no sign. It was a bit dusty inside but nothing to scratch like this.

I’ve always gone for the darker colours on my iPhone and never had this kind of issue. 😞

Fingers crossed I can find stock and switch it.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

What case do you have? It could be the case rubbing against it.

We have a Black 15 Pro in the house, and on launch it was immaculate. I took it out of the case for the first time and noticed a scratch on the back glass.

I don’t think the black and blues are going to hold up well. Almost like the old JetBlack finish.

I don’t think that the black and blue models will be an issue. The black titanium watches used to hold up quite well.

 

[nomad01]

I don’t think that the black and blue models will be an issue. The black titanium watches used to hold up quite well.

Hope not. This is the first iPhone I’ve had that has scratched this easy and after just over a week of light use. I’m guessing this is just a one off or a defect but I don’t want to risk another black one right now.

 

[maka344]

I don’t think that the black and blue models will be an issue. The black titanium watches used to hold up quite well.

The coatings are very different.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

I don’t think that the black and blue models will be an issue. The black titanium watches used to hold up quite well.

Are the coloured titanium frames on the new iPhones coated with DLC though? I haven't heard that they are, but could be wrong.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I have to say that I have been on the fence a little about the colour and its durability. Mine is fine and in a case but having had black phones for so long, I am returning mine and just bagged a reservation from my local store for a NT

 

[maka344]

Are the coloured titanium frames on the new iPhones coated with DLC though? I haven't heard that they are, but could be wrong.

They are PVD coated, not DLC sadly.

Here’s the iPhone 15 Pro Max teardown, iFixit claims the titanium coating is scratching easily

The iPhone 15 Pro Max has a great periscope camera, but iFixit isn’t obsessed with it and wants us to talk about something else – the durability of the titanium coating. Through their tests, they’ve found that it’s easily scratched.

www.phonearena.com

 

[Matsamoto]

Are the coloured titanium frames on the new iPhones coated with DLC though? I haven't heard that they are, but could be wrong.

Maybe a dumb question, but what is DLC?

Can't imagine that is something to do with DLC for games?🙂

 

[Mikeske]

Maybe a dumb question, but what is DLC?

Can't imagine that is something to do with DLC for games?🙂

Diamond like coating

 

[maka344]

Diamond like coating

Used on the graphite stainless steel AW, it's a stunningly hard coating.

 

[The-Real-Deal82]

Maybe a dumb question, but what is DLC?

Can't imagine that is something to do with DLC for games?🙂

Already answered, but yes, offers a harder surface finish to the metal. Used on the black stainless Apple watch and the black titanium watches (series 5 onwards) I believe. Quite an expensive process though and not used on the iPhones as suggested above by another poster.

 

[coso]

My FineWoven case is EXTRA HARD and popping it off is a struggle and it really hugs the phone tight when putting it in, but my black 15PM is fine with no stratches even after removing it a couple times. Yours is probably a coating defect

 

[Fat_Guy]

Hope not. This is the first iPhone I’ve had that has scratched this easy and after just over a week of light use. I’m guessing this is just a one off or a defect but I don’t want to risk another black one right now.

Others have had the same issue putting a case on it and finding a surprise when they take it out to examine it. I find it interesting how quickly the Apple employee told you to switch to another color, like they know about the issue already. Others without this knowledge would be more inclined to just give you another unit in the same color.

 

[ant the ninja]

I think Apple stocks extra phones for exchanges, I know this technically wouldn’t be an exchange but if Apple is involved, they should be able to make an exception. Do you have any stores near you that you can go into?

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I’ve taken the case off my black titanium several times and no marks and no scratches after nearly two weeks. Just checked it again and it’s absolutely fine.

 

[Matthew.H]

I’ve taken the case off my black titanium several times and no marks and no scratches after nearly two weeks. Just checked it again and it’s absolutely fine.

I haven't taken the case off my blue titanium yet but given they use a PVD coating I doubt there any worse for scratching than the SS models in general.

 

[Apple_Robert]

The OP's phone looks pretty beat up to have been in a case since launch day. That damage looks like what would happen outside the case.

 

[Matthew.H]

The OP's phone looks pretty beat up to have been in a case since launch day. That damage looks like what would happen outside the case.

The left front edge does look rough but it could just be dirty.

 

[MarkNewton2023]

Grabbed my phone on launch day and it went straight into a case.

Took it out of the case yesterday and saw this scratch that’s removed the coloured coating. And if I rub the area, more of the coating comes off.

I’ve updated my iPhone every year since the original and never seen wear like this even after a year.

Anyone else seeing damage this early?

Apple have agreed to exchange it for a natural titanium if I return by 21 Oct but they have no stock anywhere. 😞

The case material appears to be the cause of this incident. In the meantime, if there are other available colors due to lack of supply of the color you wanted, you may want to switch the phone to one of the available colors and try to avoid using any cases with materials that could scrub and cause the phone.
I wish you the best to get the exchange.

 

[jsmith1]

The manufacturing process for this phone unfortunately was still in the beta process at time of release and Apple knew this with different materials, models, coatings and plants etc.. but had to go with it and deal with the fallout….hopefully the adjustments that started even before release and going on now will be robust by 16 for a final release version.