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Black iPhone 5 Anodized Aluminum Susceptible to Scratching?

Shade12 said:
take it back :(

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does white hold up better ?
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I did take it back today... they had extra ones! So I exchanged it for a White one at the Apple store and guess what????!?!?! MUCH BETTER! No scratches and I am WAY happier. Apple has awesome customer service so if you aren't happy with your purchase they will help you out.
 
This is puzzling given that Apple has been dealing with this process for a long time. Didn't they scrap a black Macbook Air because it didn't stand up to scratches according to a rumor? Not sure why they took a chance on it like that. They could've easily gone with aluminium-only with only different insets and the front glass color changes. But I guess that just didn't live up to the Apple aesthetics standard. :confused:
 
AppleScruff1 said:
I won't waste waste my time. It has been pointed out by myself and a few others that there are products that are far cheaper than the iPhone that have a durable anodized finish. Believe what you want, it's easier that way.
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Durable to keys? Uh huh...glad you know anything about anodizing like I already pointed out.
 
1st Generation iPhone used aluminum back casing. People complained about scratching

For iPhone 3G and 3GS, People also complained how easy to get scratched and leave finger-print on high glossy plastic back casing.

iPhone 4 and 4S. Apple replaced plastic cabinet by glass. People also complained easy to break when drop to the floor.

iPhone 5 used anodized aluminum casing again. People also complained scratching.

So, What material would be used next? Stone? or Diamond?
 
the guy who scratched the black iphone 5 was probably hired by Samsung? Does Apple have a patent for this anodized aluminum back plate? Something for Samsung to sue?
 
I'm surprised people don't wax the backs of their iPhones. A good coat of car wax goes a long way to prevent scratches. I guess it could make the iPhone more difficult to hold onto if it's slippery, though. There also used to be some sort of liquid-based clear plastic coating that could be applied to metal surfaces to prevent scratching. It was applied just like wax, but dries as a thin plastic coating.
 
MH01 said:
I see you have not bothered to read the thread...... so the other example is, would you be pissed if your Ferrari, Porches or Rolls Royce was delivered scratched???? I WOULD BE!
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Not the whole one, refering to the original article (someone taking his keys to a display unit at the Apple store -> insane).

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iChrist said:
Oh boy, ANOTHER car analogy. Good one, kid!

Anyway, you don't grab your car do you? Well with a phone, people wear rings, especially married people.

:rolleyes:
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Don't hold it that way.

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powerbook911 said:
A phone tends to get manhandled by most people much more than a car though. People aren't out grabbing their hood and doors all day. They do with their phone. There should be some great durability with such a product, like the 4S.
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Again...doesn't mean anyone should go down to the store and give the ol' product a nice scratch just to check.
 
tjb1 said:
Durable to keys? Uh huh...glad you know anything about anodizing like I already pointed out.
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I provided the name of a product with a more durable finish, as did two other users. What have you brought to the table besides telling me what I know about anodizing? Let's hear your expertise on the subject. Then will talk about Surfire, Fenix, Ruger, S&W and others. You have done nothing but defend Apple. Let's hear what you know.

And you do realize that these phones are coming scratched out of the box too without the use of a key? Have at it.
 
stuff4u said:
1st Generation iPhone used aluminum back casing. People complained about scratching

For iPhone 3G and 3GS, People also complained how easy to get scratched and leave finger-print on high glossy plastic back casing.

iPhone 4 and 4S. Apple replaced plastic cabinet by glass. People also complained easy to break when drop to the floor.

iPhone 5 used anodized aluminum casing again. People also complained scratching.

So, What material would be used next? Stone? or Diamond?
Click to expand...

Liquid Metal. :p

http://techcrunch.com/2010/08/09/ap...nts-to-stay-one-step-ahead-in-materials-game/
 
stuff4u said:
1st Generation iPhone used aluminum back casing. People complained about scratching

For iPhone 3G and 3GS, People also complained how easy to get scratched and leave finger-print on high glossy plastic back casing.

iPhone 4 and 4S. Apple replaced plastic cabinet by glass. People also complained easy to break when drop to the floor.

iPhone 5 used anodized aluminum casing again. People also complained scratching.

So, What material would be used next? Stone? or Diamond?
Click to expand...

There is a difference between scratching the phone during normal use and the device being scratched right out of the box.

Piss poor by Apple. I'm going to hold off getting one for a while until they address this issue.
 
Hey,

I haven't read through all the pages...1st and last few to be honest and I think the idiocy of taking keys to an iPhone on purpose and detailing the results beggars belief,

But

I queued yesterday in delightfully freezing cold Glasgow from just after 5am yesterday (my choice I know I know) got a black one, no cases available, took it home unboxed it set it up and kept it in a sock (not a fancy term for some case or other, an actual sock lol) and this morning there's a tiny scuff on side case and silver shows clearly through.

Now without a case I do expect scuffs and scratches but at less than 24 hours old and kept inside cloth/fabric I'm really not overly impressed :-(
 
Is it a matter of china rushing the phones into boxes which might mean later phones don't have the issue or is this something far more problematic and deeper in the design?

Surely this has always been a balance between material, the edge I known manufacturing physics and cost? Thinner/lighter : strength and damage considerations, thicker/heavier: tougher?
 
noiceT said:
Same here. Ordered via apple.com. Black 32GB, gleaming chip to the side bezel right above the front camera. BRILLIANT.
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I preordered the black 16GB one from apple, getting it on the 9th-15th, I called them today after reading the reviews from the net and they said if I was unhappy with the purchase when I received it, I would get a replacement immediately or I could change my order to a white one now but it would be pushed back by a week.

My advice would be to call them ASAP, I still don't know whether to change to a white one, because the black one looks like a gadget batman would have and the white one scratches easily as well but not as :confused:
 
Apple has a fix for all of this. It's called the iSharpie.

Lovin' my 4S a little more this morning...
 
lexybear said:
Hey,

I queued yesterday in delightfully freezing cold Glasgow from just after 5am yesterday (my choice I know I know) got a black one, no cases available, took it home unboxed it set it up and kept it in a sock (not a fancy term for some case or other, an actual sock lol) and this morning there's a tiny scuff on side case and silver shows clearly through.

Now without a case I do expect scuffs and scratches but at less than 24 hours old and kept inside cloth/fabric I'm really not overly impressed :-(
Click to expand...

Yes, this is exactly what I'm talking about. This apple finish on the black one rubs off way too easy.

I'll wait. Others can take their chances. I'll hang on to my 4s

Good luck.
 
mrsir2009 said:
The iPhone 4 and 4S are also susceptible...
Click to expand...

Not like what is described here. The problem again doesn't seem to be the scratching, it seems to be the fact that under a thin coating of sobre black anodized aluminum sits very shiny silver aluminum. This means that any scratch stands out like a sore thumb, compared to before where scratches we're apparent on marginally close inspection.

I think that's the issue people have. Of course, case solves it. Nicks from the factory were probably as common before as now, it's just that they stand out so much with the black finish vs the shiny metal underneath that people only noticed this year.

Really, the issue isn't new, it's the way the finish is done on the phone that makes it stand out so much that people notice and take issue with it.
 
Mine has the shiny silver rough-ish edges on the rear lower left and upper right, and I'm not a terribly picky person, but I actually paid the "early upgrade" price for this phone, and I'm not happy about the situation.

I called Apple this morning, and was given an appointment time at an Apple Store tomorrow, where I'm to take the phone and have them check it out. I feel pretty sure there won't be any available to replace it with though... :confused:

Still, I'm glad Apple is willing to make good on this, or at least make an effort. There's no reason these gorgeous objects should come out of the box marred in any way.
 
jabingla2810 said:
It scratches when you take keys to it?!

That's it, I'm getting a refund!
Click to expand...

* Runs keys over the back of my S3 "

* Runs keys over the back of my 4S ( its my work phone, I didn't pay for it, IDGAF ) *

Neither of them have scratches from running keys over the back with a little bit of pressure.

The iPhone 5 is the most expensive phone on the market right now ( aside from those military grade satellite phones ), its insane that its damaged so easily. And its more insane that people are dropping the better part of 1000 dollars on some of these models, and they don't care its so easily damaged?

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mcinally said:
I don't understand why this issue is such a surprise to people.. A classic example of anodisation are bicycle rims, with brake pads they'll always turn to the true colour.
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Yes, but a bike rim has a couple hundred pounds of pressure rubbing on the finish every single time, so thats to be expected.

A really expensive phone damaged by putting it in the same pocket as your keys? Whoa.

Theres other phones and MP3 players that have the same style finish, none of them seem to be this fragile when it comes to the finish. There is no reason for this, Apple is supposed to be making a quality phone here.

And you know what? IT BLOWS MY MIND. That people are aren't complaining, they're saying " well what else do you except? ", if I got an iPhone 5 and it came out of the box damaged, or was so easily damaged to the point ofnot being able to keep it in the same pocket that your keys are in. I'd be back at an Apple Store pissed as hell asking for a replacement and a free case.

Being forced to carry the work phone 4S and my personal S3, I keep the S3 in the right pocket, which normally is just the S3, the left pocket contains my keys, loose change and wallet. 4S has yet to get a mark on it from that.

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buckers said:
I remember when I used to have Nokia phones which didn't need silly bumpers and cases in order to stay respectable, though you can't deny that intentionally letting loose with keys on a phone like that is a bit dumb.
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I miss days like that, my HP iPAQ ( Windows Mobile Smartphone ) was ' horrible plastic ', never needed a case, never needed a bumper, and never really looked beat up, despite me dropping it a million times.

* Drops *

* Back Pops out, battery flies out *

* replace battery *

* boot up *

Not a mark ;)
 
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I put mine in a suede carrying case that I have for the phone and then went to work. 15 minutes later at work, I pull it out and there are two extra scratches...

Weird weird weird...
 
AppleScruff1 said:
I provided the name of a product with a more durable finish, as did two other users. What have you brought to the table besides telling me what I know about anodizing? Let's hear your expertise on the subject. Then will talk about Surfire, Fenix, Ruger, S&W and others. You have done nothing but defend Apple. Let's hear what you know.

And you do realize that these phones are coming scratched out of the box too without the use of a key? Have at it.
Click to expand...


You seem like one of the few sane people here.

Yes there are more durable finishes and Apple should have used one.
 
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