chip/nick in new iPhone 5

[AAPLinc]

Wow, lots of people with the scratched black iPhone 5 out of box, white too, but not as common.

I think this is going to be something that is unfortunately unavoidable at this point. Being scratched out of the box is pretty bad though! You might get a perfect one when you swap it out, but I think it's just bound to scratch up, even cased. I think the white iPhone 5 users aren't reporting scratches as commonly because it's probably harder to spot on the white. Just like scratches are hard to spot on a white car.

That's the one thing that I love about my 4S, the glass is pretty scratch proof.

Hopefully when I get the 5S next year, they resolved this issue and finish the phone differently. One reason why it's almost good to be on the S cycle of iPhones.

 

[crushedcore]

Oddly enough, mine has a small scratch similar to the ones posted here along the left hand side.

I purchased the black 64GB iPhone but did NOT get AppleCare+.

I plan on buying Applecare+ within the next 30 days, and here's my thought on the subject:

Just use the phone. I assume that this issue will be a problem for the life of the phone as there is silver aluminum UNDER the black aluminum.

Use the phone, have Applecare+, and 8 months, a year, a year and a half from now, take it in and swap it.

It sucks that it's an issue that SEEMS widespread right now, but in the end there's not much we can do about it and I really don't want to mess with the jungle that is the Apple stores right now. I'd rather just wait it out and swap it 6 months from now instead of swap it for another right now and have it happen again a month from now.

Just my thoughts...

just disappointed
I didnt get applecare+ but debating on it now

 

[drb1992]

Just received mine 30 min ago and immediately inspected it. The only nick I can see is on the lower right hand side on the top slanted edge. It's noticeably at 1-2 feet away, but my hand covers it when I'm holding the phone. So it's not too big of a deal. I think I'll keep the phone and just get Applecare+.

 

[Dandalph]

just disappointed
I didnt get applecare+ but debating on it now

I get ya - I'm disappointed too.

But think about it, for an extra $100 you get two "out of jail free" cards that you can use whenever, for whatever.

I inspect my devices meticulously, and I was pretty irked. However, as I said, it seems to be pretty widespread as of now, so maybe it'll be something that just happens throughout the life of the phone.

It does suck, but you're not alone!

 

[HardHatMac9]

I get ya - I'm disappointed too.

But think about it, for an extra $100 you get two "out of jail free" cards that you can use whenever, for whatever.

!

$100 + $50 per incident, so technically ($150 for your first incident, $50 for your second).

I believe Apple offers a replacement for $199, if I'm not mistaken. Is that for all phones (16gb, 32gb, 64gb)? Anyone?

 

[extraextra]

I have a very small dent on the bezel near the power button up top. Not big enough for me to return it (and hardly noticeable, fwiw), but it seems that quite a few phones are shipping with some minor damage.

 

[ProfoundTactics]

I have a very small dent on the bezel near the power button up top. Not big enough for me to return it, but it seems that quite a few phones are shipping with some minor damage.

Mine has a similar issue, doesn't quite feel big enough to make an issue and return it, but nonetheless it's there. Annoying to say the least.

I think I might contact Apple just to get it on file that it's there, that way if I change my mind within the next couple of weeks, it'll be more straight forward to return it.

 

[ipader]

My black iPhone 5 32gb has chip on the the metal band that goes around the phone right at the break in band. This is on both sides.

 

[domwindle]

defect is on the lower left corner out of box

 

[ritmomundo]

My black iPhone 5 32gb has chip on the the metal band that goes around the phone right at the break in band. This is on both sides.

Mine has that, along with 2 other small nicks at sides near the band, and one chip on the slanted part near the headphone jack. Thats a total of 4 noticeable chips/nicks/scuffs. I just got my phone about 2 hours ago. My case should arrive soon, but I'm debating if this will get significantly worse over time? If we ordered from apple.com, do we have 14 or 30 days to exchange in store for a white color?

 

[Vol7ron]

I also received mine with a fairly noticeable chip on the right hand side although not nearly as bad as some. There are also some other minor nicks on the back. Will call Apple for a replacement. I realize it will scratch with usage, but I prefer to be the one to scratch it rather then getting a new phone pre scratched. Mine is also a AT&T 64GB Apple.com ordered phone. I bet there is a problem with the process that was used on the assembly line.

 

[bobright]

Here is mine it is barely noticeable so I'm keeping...and sheesh after looking at some of your guys I really have nothing to complain about:

 

[ttam110]

The back on my black one was all scratched up (2 or 3 half in scratches on the back) when I opened mine up.

I let apple know and they noted it and said come in and theyll swap it out whenever.

 

[UseYourIllusion]

I have two nicks on my 32GB black, bought at an AT&T store. I already called Apple before I left AT&T (got the last one) and will be bringing it in to them to check out and hopefully exchange.

 

[ceo-B]

scratch

called in an reported it to apple, so they have it on file. im just wondering if i should use it. if replacement is going to take 3.5 weeks then i'd rather cancel and return as im flying overseas for 3.5 months in a week


ordered mine from Apple Online Canada

 

[deyjavoo]

I have to admit this is pretty crazy, mine is waiting for me at home and I'm sure odds are it will be fine, but I'm surprised to see so much of this problem.

Anyone know if this happened with previous iPhones? I wonder if there some common denominator with all these phones, ie. born on date or mfr plant, etc.

 

[Supra Mac]

Some of you are considering applecare+ now, after seeing these defects. More money thrown at Apple for a issue on their part on QC. Wow.

A sharpie may help conceal the small scratches.

 

[Biscotti]

I have one too! By the silent switch. mine is tiny but noticeable. I'll keep it though.

 

[dotme]

My guess is Apple wants to document this so I'd report ASAP. If Foxconn is turning out products that are not meeting Apple manufacturing standards, Apple will make it right with the customer - at Foxconn's expense. They will probably not get paid for phones that they shipped with damage.

Maybe with enough reports, it will be traced back to one line, at one factory.

 

[bigscotal]

Most Apple stores will probably have some stock available for phones that arrived with defects.

I would say the sooner the better. If you wait too long it's going to become difficult to convince Apple that the phone showed up that way.

This.

I returned my 4S the day after launch due to a couple of small nicks out of the metal band. They changed it without question, and said they always had a small supply of brand new spares (not refurbs) for just such instances.

 

[ixodes]

Celebrate ...

Scratches & nicks are a feature of iPhones, MBA's & MBP's.

For years I ordered new PowerBooks, then MacBook Pro's, all of which came out of the box looking fresh & scratch/ding/dent free.

They were very impressive.

As of 2010, each MBP, MBA, and iP4, iP4S & iP5 have all come with some type of what was formally known as "damage". After spending uncompensated time returning several, most of which also had damage (and I'm neither OCD, or unreasonable) I realized the unspoken fact is these are actually "features".

Even better is the fact that it makes each device unique. Just think, each of us receives a one of a kind product, at no extra charge.

Thanks Apple !

 

[theturtle]

i have a tiny nick on the plastic bezel right next to the top left antenna. Bought mine at AT&T. What are my options? I feel as though if i try to get it swapped they'll say that its just one nick and that i should live with it. thoughts? or consoling?

 

[mcfly2]

I have nicks on my black phone out of the box too. It's hardly enough to make me want to exchange it, except it makes me think that the black is not going to hold up over time, and that maybe white would be the way to go.

 

[Dennis187]

I have the same issue, except it has almost convinced me to switch to white. I plan to visit my local apple store first thing in the morning to see if they have stock. Hell, they might still have stock left today. I swung by at lunch to look at the white phone and they were still selling, with a not-too-long line. The iphone 4 line was nuts in 2012. I'm thinking that Apple may have gotten it right this time (inventory, I mean)

I like the part about the iPhone 4 line in 2012. Always knew it was released in 2012, not a couple years ago!

 

[ET iPhone Home]

$100 + $50 per incident, so technically ($150 for your first incident, $50 for your second).

I believe Apple offers a replacement for $199, if I'm not mistaken. Is that for all phones (16gb, 32gb, 64gb)? Anyone?

What's the cost of a replacement w/o Apple+ after the 1-yr limited warranty?