How are naked black iPhone 5's holding up ~6 months later?

[darkside flow]

I've had my black iPhone 5 since launch day and it has been completely flawless until last week. It dropped and hit my dash when I went over a bump while it was in the cradle.

Good news is that the only damage was literally a microscopic dot on the edge. Looks like a piece of dust really.

I've been having network connectivity issues so it's probably going to be replaced anyways, but I'm very impressed with how it's held up considering I've dropped it (in a leather slim sleeve) multiple times.

 

[Paul Chown]

Mine is in terrible condition, i've even protected it in a leather flip case from day one. The paint on the exposed edges have just worn away!! Not chipped WORN!

I have used the same style flip-case for all my iPhones 4 and 4s and both were 99% perfect when I handed them down to the wife. (we're 12 months apart on upgrade cycle, so i get a new one every release )

With my 5 I even have 'pebble dash' effect on the back where the paint has come off, I can only asume that this is caused by dust and debris getting trapped between the case and the phone!!

To say i'm disappointed with the black iPhone 5 is an understatement!!!

 

[alphaod]

I've dropped mine a dozen times, so it's pretty messed up around the edges… the back is fine though—no scuffs.

I had a release day phone too. But got it replaced in November. The replacement is shown below. Holding up pretty well I think. I'm okay with the scuffing, makes it look like my iPhone and as I usually never sell my phones (I still have my very first 1999 Sanyo model) it's no big deal.

Pics taken with my 3 year old HTC Touch Pro which I still use as a WiFi device.

I like how it's set up on stand… like you've never used it

 

[Looon]

I just worry about the camera getting scratched and affecting the quality of the pictures which is why I would never not use a case

 

[moldy lunchbox]

I just worry about the camera getting scratched and affecting the quality of the pictures which is why I would never not use a case

Isn't the lens made out like crystal saffire? I think that's one of the things you don't need to worry about with this phone naked.

 

[eyoungren]

I've dropped mine a dozen times, so it's pretty messed up around the edges… the back is fine though—no scuffs.



I like how it's set up on stand… like you've never used it

LOL!

That's a business card holder. I bought two a few years ago for my Touch Pro to hold it. One for work and one for home (my nightstand). I use them for the iPhone now.

 

[decafjava]

I just worry about the camera getting scratched and affecting the quality of the pictures which is why I would never not use a case

Well the ifixit people tried to scratch the lens:

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+5+Teardown/10525/4

Scuffed the aluminium all to heck but nothing on the lens.

 

[Looon]

Well the ifixit people tried to scratch the lens:

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iPhone+5+Teardown/10525/4

Scuffed the aluminium all to heck but nothing on the lens.

Image

Yeah but weird stuff happens in nature you never know what stupid thing is gonna scratch it

 

[tuukka87]

after 7 or so months, my phone is still in like new condition.

 

[DEG1]

Almost 4 months with full body Ghost Armor and not a single blemish. Haven't dropped it (yet) though.... knock on wood.

 

[Smartass]

Yeah but weird stuff happens in nature you never know what stupid thing is gonna scratch it

well unless your carrying diamonds in your pocket there's really no chance of scratching the lens

 

[hNicolas]

I have my black iPhone since launch day. Babied it the first month, and used Best Skins Ever skin for a couple of months but it started peeling a little on a couple of edges and removed it except for the screen protector. I only have a couple of little nicks when it slid into the sink and hit the drain which was only a one foot slide down the slope. Then last week it fell 4 feet onto my hardwood floor and not a scratch.

Just keep it away from hard metal and it should look new for a long time. Mind you, if I didn't have AppleCare + I would probably have it in a case.

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Mine is in flawless condition, had it since launch day.

I just take care not to place keys or spare change etc. in my pocket where I keep the phone, works well.

 

[kmj2318]

I think the scuffed up iphone 5s look really cool actually. Looks aged.

 

[Crazy Badger]

Mine spent about a week from launch in a case, but it just spoilt the whole look and feel of the phone IMO.

It's been dropped a few times so has scuffs around the bezel and has spent a few hours in a pocket with some keys so has some scratches over the screen, but then it's a phone I use every day and I'll replace it after 2 years.

I expect it to get some wear and tear and for the money I might get over a pristine phone when i sell it on I'd prefer to use it as designed for 2 years and not wrap it up. It could be designed a little more hard wearing but then it probably wouldn't look as nice.

Still think the 4 will become the iconic iPhone design and my previous 4S that my girlfriend is now using is in better condition and more natural to use although not sure I could go back to using it 9 months on.