Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Black iPhone 5 Anodized Aluminum Susceptible to Scratching?

The fact that the anodized finish gets easily scratch is one thing.. The fact that several people, like Linus over at LinusTechTips on YouTube receives a black iPhone 5 which is ALREADY SCRATCH OUT OF THE BOX is beyond acceptable.


I was going for the black model, but now I'm not so sure anymore. This is one of the biggest screwup's I can remember from Apple in a very long time, and it's really disappointing for one whom tend to love Apple products because of the time they normally invest in designing and perfectioning their products and software. This is just piss poor quality control and way below the level of quality I have come to expect from Apple.


I really hope we'll get an official response to this as I can't believe in a million years that the black model is supposed to scratch so easily, how on earth did it get through prototype and quality testing?

Perhaps all prototypes had the non-anodized back plates like we saw in the leaked photos a while back, so Apple wasn't really aware of this issue?


I for one at least hope they'll do something about it, because this is just outrageous for a phone at this price point, and way below Apple's own standards. And damaged units out of the box is NEVER acceptable.
 
luigi408 said:
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.
Click to expand...

i havent got mine but i will for sure get white one :rolleyes:
 
Whiners & Complainers No Matter What!

Whoever said this was right:
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.

No one is ever satisfied. Apple does not design by committee not cater to individual demands on how they design their products. 2 Million were sold the 1st day and millions more will be sold over the weekend. So, whether or not they address this issue in the future clearly is irrelevant to their bottom line, their making a bloody fortune and laughing at all the way to the bank.

Why they decided to release a product with a finish that is highly susceptible to scratching on the very first day of use is beyond my powers of comprehension. Should it have been tougher, yes, should it have been a different material, don't know, don't care.

I always use a case protector of some sort, several in fact, rotating them on whatever activity I am doing, Otterbox & Life proof for tougher environments, Mophie Juice Paks for long days and traveling, and thinner cases for just regular days & weekends. I always use use wrapsol, sometimes for the front, not so much with the 4s because the screen was tough, but always for the back and on all my apple products because the Ipad is also susceptible to this lind of scratching with its aluminum back.

So the bottom line is if this kind of thing is going to rock your boat, take some precautions and protect your device. I really think as Apple sees the results of some of these things coming back and the condition they are in they will add an additional micron to the coating to make it a little more durable. But it will always scratch. Don't think I saw scratch anywhere in the specs, right.
 
Only the first generation iPhone, nor the 3G / 3GS was remotely close to scratch so easily like this. Did you even take into account how units comes scratch out of the damn box?

That was never the case with earlier models.. Of course aluminium will scratch more compared to glass, but that doesn't mean black models coming scratch out of the box and getting noticeable scratches at the lightest impact is acceptable.


We don't live in a complete black and white world, no matter how much you might want it to be like that. It's not like you have to chose between glass without scratches and shattered phones or anodized aluminium that comes scratch out of the box, there is a middle way here where you can get some pretty solid anodized black aluminium which won't be remotely close to scratch this easily.
 
3goldens said:
Whoever said this was right:
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.
Click to expand...

Whoever said that is missing the entire point. iPhone up to iPhone 4S scratched yes. The point is, the scratches weren't as apparent because there was no coating. Plastic is black thru and thru because it's made from melted colored pellets. Aluminum is silver, no matter how deep the scratch, it'll show silver. Glass scratches are apparent with refraction from certain light.

Anodized finishes, especially very dark ones, which get scratched stand out fierce in contrast with shiny silver.

That's the issue people. No one is saying "hey, this phone scratches!". Duh, it's not made out of diamond, of course it scratches. What people are saying is "damn those scratches are apparent! Why is the anodized finish so thin ?". And then they're also saying "Wait, why is it scratched out of the box ?".

So really, people trying to downplay/change the issue around to some non-issue like "everything gets scratched!" either have an agenda or just don't get the point being made.
 
OMG - what a faulty product

Apple is making lousy products again - if you abuse the phone it shows the scratches!!! Thank goodness you can take a set of car keys to the plastic backs of other maker's phones and they will still look pristine!!!!! (dripping with sarcasm)
 
What do people expect? Took them pretty long to realized aluminium is a cheap and soft material. Why would you want to make a mobile phone out of it? lol
 
dlewis23 said:
Tell that to the anodized parts on my motorcycle.

I have anodized aluminum from Germany, the US and Japan on it, it all scratches or shows use.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised how well any of the finish on my motorcycle holds up to the abuse it takes. I have a naked bike nowadays, no big fairing to prevent stones/dust/crap from hitting the bike at over 100 km/h. Yet it still looks fairly decent when I give it a wash.

Another thing, my keys rubbing the handlebars still haven't managed to go through the silver coating on them.

So what kind of motorcycle do you have that is so easily damaged ?
 
AppleScruff1 said:
Except that is quite possible and common to have a very durable anodized finish as has been pointed out multiple times in this thread. Of course the defenders chose to ignore that.
Click to expand...
I have doubts about the durability of anodized finishes. I've seen a Civic in a Honda showroom with a $3000 anodized hood. The entire hood was covered with swirls.

Anodized finishes will show scratches, and the greater the contrast between the finish and the underlying metal, the more noticeable they are.

Haven't decided yet whether I will get the iPhone 5, but if I do, it will likely either be in a case, or it will be white. Any time a black coating is applied to a metal surface on an item that has fairly regular usage, visible scratches will eventually appear (this was one of the complaints about the black MacBook, too).

I wonder if the complaints will have enough legs for Apple to offer free bumpers/cases again.
 
dlewis23 said:
Tell that to the anodized parts on my motorcycle.

I have anodized aluminum from Germany, the US and Japan on it, it all scratches or shows use.
Click to expand...

There are different types or grades of anodizing. Type III anodizing is thicker than type II.

----------
MacinDoc said:
I have doubts about the durability of anodized finishes. I've seen a Civic in a Honda showroom with a $3000 anodized hood. The entire hood was covered with swirls.

Anodized finishes will show scratches, and the greater the contrast between the finish and the underlying metal, the more noticeable they are.

Haven't decided yet whether I will get the iPhone 5, but if I do, it will likely either be in a case, or it will be white. Any time a black coating is applied to a metal surface on an item that has fairly regular usage, visible scratches will eventually appear (this was one of the complaints about the black MacBook, too).

I wonder if the complaints will have enough legs for Apple to offer free bumpers/cases again.
Click to expand...

The finish on quality firearms seems to be durable too. Time will tell with the iPhone 5.
 
I'm having second thought about gettting the black one now. But the issues with the white ones are that white border with LCD screens don't go we'll to together. Wire phones and tablets are an eye sore to me.
 
I ordered black one 64. Going to be here next week. After this forum thread, I'm going to return it for white exchange, if they give me not new in the original box, have not in stock, any other problem it is coming back for the refund and I keep my iphone 4s with normal working maps. This is 900$ device, they are making money on me and at least I need some satisfaction. I'm not married on my phone, but I want to know what I pay for.

My only worry is when att contract stars, from day I ordered it or I I get it? I don't want to be on a contract without upgrade (in this case I resell mine on ebay).
 
What's the point of apple showing the size, look and weight as a marvel, if it has to go in a case? I prefer to use the iPhone without a case but the aluminium will scuff in no time.
 
iSmoke said:
so you're blaming a bad decision made by the new CEO? and yea, maybe steve wouldn't have allowed this yea. but steve also said before he passed away, that these people shouldn't think of "what steve would have done".

and it has nothing to do about fanboyism. it's ALL ABOUT not minding the most trivial thing. why complicate a very trivial issue when we know everything gets scratched no matter how careful you are.

and why would i sand off the paint of the iPhone, that's just stupid. i mean anyone who is in a good state of mind wouldn't do such thing to a phone that has a couple of scratches. at least personally, i wouldn't.

also if you're worried of the black phone getting scratches, then send it back. get a full refund. you have 30 day period to get your money back guaranteed.
Click to expand...

It's a $700 phone that's damaged out of the box. I just don't understand how you can justify that. Yeah return it and get a new one that also has a good chance of being damaged. The point is quality control is way down.
 
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...

How do you think they get into the box? Think about that...
 
tjb1 said:
How do you think they get into the box? Think about that...
Click to expand...

You better stick to defending Apple. It looks like they might need it this time. And your comeback even proves the point more. The finish it so fragile that minimal handling is scratching it. I don't think they are using keys to package the phone, do you? :rolleyes: Back to you.
 
pipa said:
It's a $700 phone that's damaged out of the box. I just don't understand how you can justify that. Yeah return it and get a new one that also has a good chance of being damaged. The point is quality control is way down.
Click to expand...

maybe you were just unlucky. or maybe you're part of the unlucky minority?

i received both black and white iPhones yesterday and was eager to find any defects. well i thought i found a scuff on the rim of the white. but it was just a lint.

also i noticed there's a blue pigment on both phones at the bottom part of the rim at the seams where the plastic separates the lower rim to the main rim. i figured it's just some sort of a glue and i wasn't bothered with it anyways.

i don't know how many of you out there who has defects on the phone but i'm guessing there's only a small numbers affected with this issue.

did you order yours directly from apple or att?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back