Black marks appearing in Ultra antenna

[RPhoto]

Without wishing to be an alarmist, as generally I don’t go looking for issues. But a couple of people have also mentioned this already elsewhere.

I had two very small black marks on the antenna band of my Ultra, one at the bottom and one at the top. It was like this out the box.

However today as I went to put it on after a shower, I could see a new larger spot and feint line has appeared next to the original mark at the top.

Day one image and day three images attached of the same topside part of the watch.

For reference the spot circled red was there out the box. The larger one in green has appeared in the last 24 hours. Note that these marks are inside the material, not something outside that can be scrubbed off.

For now I’m not bothered by it but I’ll keep an eye on it to see if it gets worse. Like I say not trying to be alarmist at all and don’t want to add fuel to ‘it’s too big, it’s too ugly, the fonts cut-off’ haters, but I would like to know what’s causing it as it seems to be coming from the inside out.

 

[Snørrbjørg]

You are an alarmist. Clean your dirty strap before, if you are posting pictures like this.

 

[RPhoto]

You are an alarmist. Wash your strap before, if you are posting pictures like this.

😂 yeah sadly that’s my very old Nike that I haven’t put on in a long time. Gathered quite the dust upon close inspection. Feel free to check my signature link to to see how well I actually care for my stuff though 😉

Like I say, not an alarmist at all. Feel free to check my post history. All I’ve done is defend the watch over the countless complaints. I love the watch. If I was an alarmist I’d be storming back to Apple to demand a replacement. But I’m not, am I 🙄

Thanks for the valuable input though.

 

[Reyden]

Without wishing to be an alarmist, as generally I don’t go looking for issues. But a couple of people have also mentioned this already elsewhere.

I had two very small black marks on the antenna band of my Ultra, one at the bottom and one at the top. It was like this out the box.

However today as I went to put it on after a shower, I could see a new larger spot and feint line has appeared next to the original mark at the top.

Day one image and day three images attached of the same topside part of the watch.

For reference the spot circled red was there out the box. The larger one in green has appeared in the last 24 hours. Note that these marks are inside the material, not something outside that can be scrubbed off.

For now I’m not bothered by it but I’ll keep an eye on it to see if it gets worse. Like I say not trying to be alarmist at all and don’t want to add fuel to ‘it’s too big, it’s too ugly, the fonts cut-off’ haters, but I would like to know what’s causing it as it seems to be coming from the inside out.


View attachment 2079622

I have too in the same spot, but only the red

 

[RPhoto]

I have too in the same spot, but only the red

Another member here has quite defined lines across theirs too I think. Definitely odd!

 

[iToph]

I have the same spots at almost exactly the same location.

 

[Apple_Robert]

That looks like machine scratching. It may be from when the screen was adhered to the casing.

 

[RPhoto]

That looks like machine scratching. It may be from when the screen was adhered to the casing.

I was wondering if it’s glue or some such.

 

[drew0020]

This seems pretty normal to me. Many of the online pictures from professional reviewers show similar marks on the GPS/cellular antenna bands. Many people on here have posted as well and in many cases they showed up with little to no strenuous activity.

 

[RPhoto]

This seems pretty normal to me. Many of the online pictures from professional reviewers show similar marks on the GPS/cellular antenna bands. Many people on here have posted as well and in many cases they showed up with little to no strenuous activity.

Good spot, I hadn’t seen them on reviews. I’m not too fussed about it, it was more a new one appeared that raised my eyebrow.

 

[drew0020]

Unfortunately these marks seem
to be prevalent on the Ultra. I have 2 tiny ones on my watch.I’m still going through the keep v return.

This one is swaying me towards a return because I haven’t done anything overly active (couple of 4-5 mile runs in sunny weather) and these marks are not a great look. I can only imagine would it may look like after a couple swims and or runs on the beach.

 

[mikezmac]

Unfortunately these marks seem
to be prevalent on the Ultra. I have 2 tiny ones on my watch.I’m still going through the keep v return.

This one is swaying me towards a return because I haven’t done anything overly active (couple of 4-5 mile runs in sunny weather) and these marks are not a great look. I can only imagine would it may look like after a couple swims and or runs on the beach.

I would exchange as well if I had those marks.

 

[drew0020]

I would exchange as well if I had those marks.

There’s no point in returning. Mine is one of the best I’ve seen (very faint marks), but 2 other friends have them after 2 days of light use.

I think they will come back due to the soft design of the bands (search iPad Pro marks antenna bands). Especially if you use the watch with any remotely strenuous activity.

 

[Phil Holland]

Did you try wiping them off with a wet washcloth?

 

[canyonblue737]

Mine are all over the band. Hopefully it’s normal but it’s mottled across the entire band not just a couple spots. I don’t have a problem with it as long as it isn’t a mechanical issue. I have not showered with the watch yet.

 

[canyonblue737]

Mine are all over the band. Hopefully it’s normal but it’s mottled across the entire band not just a couple spots. I don’t have a problem with it as long as it isn’t a mechanical issue. I have not showered with the watch yet.

Wow I had assumed these marks were inside the Watch like glue etc. but some spit and wipe from my tshirt and all of it almost came off. Some more detailed effort later and I’m sure it would be fine. No idea what it is. Here is the after photo, see my previous post for the before. This was 60 seconds effort with a tshirt.

 

[mikezmac]

There’s no point in returning. Mine is one of the best I’ve seen (very faint marks), but 2 other friends have them after 2 days of light use.

I think they will come back due to the soft design of the bands (search iPad Pro marks antenna bands). Especially if you use the watch with any remotely strenuous activity.

I do not have those marks. I did a 7 mile hike and mowed the lawn yesterday.

 

[drew0020]

I do not have those marks. I did a 7 mile hike and mowed the lawn yesterday.

Based on what I’ve seen and heard on the Ultra and iPad Pro (since 2018) I’m confident that the marks will show up in some form or another. Mine looks perfect unless there is a certain light, but macro photography clearly shows them, but good luck if you dont have them or cannot see them.

Hope you enjoy the watch!

Some more information on the topic of antenna band issues:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/scratches-on-ultra-gps-antenna.2361713/?post=31543150#post-31543150

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/anyone-else-returning-their-ultra.2361878/page-4?post=31546990#post-31546990

https://www.reddit.com/r/iPadPro/comments/gi7zyn

New ipad pro antenna and magnet scratches… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/ipad-pro-2020-scratches-on-arrival.2242256/

 

[b17]

Antenna band is made of some sort of plastic, yes it will get scratches, no i wouldnt worry about it.

 

[decypher44]

i had a couple of spots too, until I wiped them off.

I really don’t think this watch is for a lot of “Apple-types”. Honestly, and I’m not intending to sound rude at all, but if little tiny things like this will bother you, you really should return it. This watch is meant to be USED. It’ll get marks, it may get scratched, it will definitely get dirty if actually used. If little marks are going to be an issue, this isn’t the watch for you.

Or, keep this watch and accept it’ll happen, use this watch for outdoor activities, and use other watches for other occasions.

This sounds way more crass than what’s in my head. I’ve deleted and re-written this like four times because I don’t want to be “that guy”. I would rather see people do what’s best for them so they aren’t spending a day of regret. Do what’s best for you.

 

[drew0020]

i had a couple of spots too, until I wiped them off.

I really don’t think this watch is for a lot of “Apple-types”. Honestly, and I’m not intending to sound rude at all, but if little tiny things like this will bother you, you really should return it. This watch is meant to be USED. It’ll get marks, it may get scratched, it will definitely get dirty if actually used. If little marks are going to be an issue, this isn’t the watch for you.

Or, keep this watch and accept it’ll happen, use this watch for outdoor activities, and use other watches for other occasions.

This sounds way more crass than what’s in my head. I’ve deleted and re-written this line four times because I don’t want to be “that guy”. I would rather see people do what’s best for them so they aren’t spending a day of regret. So what’s best for you.

I agree with your comments, but a rugged watch (marketed with diving, running in the desert, and in the freezing cold weather) should be slightly more durable than this - “looks tough because it is” is the tagline they use on their website.

I never had an issue on any of my stainless steel watches - swimming, triathlon, biking with falls, and multiple 10-15K races, banging into doors and cabinets. No dents or dings except some micro scratches on the stainless band which are wiped to perfection (if you care to - I don’t).

A couple of easy 4-5 mile runs in 70 degree sunny weather since Friday and I notice multiple marks on the antenna band (they don’t wipe off). I don’t care, but this is not my definition of tough and/or durable.

 

[Monkswhiskers]

i had a couple of spots too, until I wiped them off.

I really don’t think this watch is for a lot of “Apple-types”. Honestly, and I’m not intending to sound rude at all, but if little tiny things like this will bother you, you really should return it. This watch is meant to be USED. It’ll get marks, it may get scratched, it will definitely get dirty if actually used. If little marks are going to be an issue, this isn’t the watch for you.

Or, keep this watch and accept it’ll happen, use this watch for outdoor activities, and use other watches for other occasions.

This sounds way more crass than what’s in my head. I’ve deleted and re-written this like four times because I don’t want to be “that guy”. I would rather see people do what’s best for them so they aren’t spending a day of regret. Do what’s best for you.

You are right. That is why I think there will be a lot of returns on this model (I think Apple factors this in too).
For 99.5% of people the series is a much more practical design. A lot of fanboys will realise that it is more practical to get the S8 and add a Spigen type cover for the odd occasion where you might encounter a rough environment and then have the sleek and less bulky option for the majority of the time.

I’m not dissing anybody for buying it but I think lot of people bought just because it is a fresh design. Also, in terms of battery, I think the reality is you will be charging this every 2 days instead of 1.

 

[0906742]

Wow I had assumed these marks were inside the Watch like glue etc. but some spit and wipe from my tshirt and all of it almost came off. Some more detailed effort later and I’m sure it would be fine. No idea what it is. Here is the after photo, see my previous post for the before. This was 60 seconds effort with a tshirt.

Looks more like this cleaning method colored that band to evenly match the marks there was before. Anyway, looks all right to me, so maybe band will eventually get even looking after getting enough marks naturally?
I was just worried about this material itself being something that come off eventually. Is it hard or soft like some sanitary silicone caulking that you can peel off with your nails?

 

[canyonblue737]

Looks more like this cleaning method colored that band to evenly match the marks there was before. Anyway, looks all right to me, so maybe band will eventually get even looking after getting enough marks naturally?
I was just worried about this material itself being something that come off eventually. Is it hard or soft like some sanitary silicone caulking that you can peel off with your nails?

Here it is an hour later in different lighting (at the Bears game!) looks like the spots haven’t come back. I know it isn’t perfect but the color of the band matches all 4 sides and is much better than before. These spots have no recognizable depth or material, it almost is like an oil spot or something. My exotic cleaning method was spitting on it and using my tshirt to wipe it lol.

 

[RPhoto]

i had a couple of spots too, until I wiped them off.

I really don’t think this watch is for a lot of “Apple-types”. Honestly, and I’m not intending to sound rude at all, but if little tiny things like this will bother you, you really should return it. This watch is meant to be USED. It’ll get marks, it may get scratched, it will definitely get dirty if actually used. If little marks are going to be an issue, this isn’t the watch for you.

Or, keep this watch and accept it’ll happen, use this watch for outdoor activities, and use other watches for other occasions.

This sounds way more crass than what’s in my head. I’ve deleted and re-written this like four times because I don’t want to be “that guy”. I would rather see people do what’s best for them so they aren’t spending a day of regret. Do what’s best for you.

I have no issues with them which is why I didn’t post about them initially out the box. This watch will get a lot of marks on from my usage requirements. It’s more that I was curious why more were appearing. I didn’t have an iPad with cellular so had no idea this was a thing already. Good to know. Doesn’t spoil my enjoyment of the watch personally and certainly have no intention of returning.