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iPhone 12 Pro How’s your PVD finish holding up to scratching?

W

whizkid11

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 2, 2015
232
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For all of you who have had the iPhone 12 pro for a little while now, have you noticed any issues with the PVD coding? Do you regret not getting the uncoated stainless steel silver model that can be repaired despite having less scratch resistance?

All feedback is appreciated
 
Just got my 12PM yesterday so mine is still mint, but from my experience with using the 11PM midnight green naked for a year, the PVD coating holds up very well unless dropped on concrete.
 
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This year if you were to pick a color for your pro or pro max and the durability of the coating was your number 1 concern then hands down the color to pick is GOLD. They used a different process that makes it more durable than the PVD coating on the other colors. They say the coating is as durable as stainless steel itself.

Gold iPhone 12 Pro Comes With A More Fingerprint Resistant Frame, Report Says

A report claims that the gold variant of the iPhone 12 Pro offers more resistance to fingerprint markings compared to other variants.
www.ibtimes.com
 
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I had the silver stainless steel for a year without case, there are very very fine micro scratches that can only be seen under direct sunlight. I never buffed it or tried to repair because in normal lighting it looks pristine.

Switched it up to graphite this year and so far its very beautiful, not so much as finger print magnet as everyone claims and the coating are nice. If I happen to scratch it or leave a mark i'll put it in a case. Just want to use the phone as designed.
 
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I have the iphone 10 in silver, which I originally purchased in space gray. Even with the Apple Silicon case on, after a week I noticed a bunch of scuff marks on the PVD coating. To my disappointment, I was advised that blemishes on the PVD coating cannot be buffed out without removing the coating itself. I wound up exchanging it for the silver. While the silver does get marker up even in the case, those blemishes are fairly easy to polish out with a Cape Cod cloth.

I intend to get the 12 pro and was interested in the graphite this time. However, if it’s the same PVD coating that’s likely to get some scuffs eventually even in the Apple case and not repairable, then maybe the silver is still the go to even though it’s easier to mark-up having no PVD coating but at least repairable.

Thanks everyone for your input!
 
I have a 12 Pro in graphite and the durability of the phone, the stainless bands specifically, are ridiculously soft.

I rarely have it outside of a case and if I do, I’m extremely careful with it. It has not been dropped a single time. When I have put it in my pocket, it’s in the pocket by itself. I’m careful when I set it down as to not have it rub or bang into anything.

With all of that said, I took a good look at it today under bright lights and I’ve got a handful of scratches/dings on the steel band. IMO this phone, in this color, is Apple’s best design to date. However, it is the most fragile by far.
 
if its the same as on the XS good luck.
mine doesn’t look so good ;)
 

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whizkid11 said:
I have the iphone 10 in silver, which I originally purchased in space gray. Even with the Apple Silicon case on, after a week I noticed a bunch of scuff marks on the PVD coating. To my disappointment, I was advised that blemishes on the PVD coating cannot be buffed out without removing the coating itself. I wound up exchanging it for the silver. While the silver does get marker up even in the case, those blemishes are fairly easy to polish out with a Cape Cod cloth.

I intend to get the 12 pro and was interested in the graphite this time. However, if it’s the same PVD coating that’s likely to get some scuffs eventually even in the Apple case and not repairable, then maybe the silver is still the go to even though it’s easier to mark-up having no PVD coating but at least repairable.

Thanks everyone for your input!
Click to expand...
The 12 Pro silver can still be polished, regardless of the coating people say it has.

 
Sam in SoCal said:
This year if you were to pick a color for your pro or pro max and the durability of the coating was your number 1 concern then hands down the color to pick is GOLD. They used a different process that makes it more durable than the PVD coating on the other colors. They say the coating is as durable as stainless steel itself.

Gold iPhone 12 Pro Comes With A More Fingerprint Resistant Frame, Report Says

A report claims that the gold variant of the iPhone 12 Pro offers more resistance to fingerprint markings compared to other variants.
www.ibtimes.com
Click to expand...
That’s all BS as far as I’m concerned. True test is real user feedback via here. 👍🏼
 
The sides of my 12 Pro Max in graphite are still in mint condition, but the thin band that goes around the front and back of the phone has a bunch of tiny scratches from removing cases.
 
black_knight said:
Hmmm, I wonder if that can be done on the graphite color..
Click to expand...
Unfortunately not since Graphite and Pacific Blue has the PVD coating. Gold has a coating but something different. Silver is the only model that doesn't have any coating, so it can be done only on silver.
 
Limeybastid said:
Perhaps time to apply some 3M door edge guard film . I think the width of that film is same as the band ?
Click to expand...
I ordered XtremeSkins glossy clear film for the sides of my silver and gold iPhone 12 Pro Max.

iPhone 12 Pro Skins and Wraps | Custom Phone Skins | XtremeSkins

Looking to add an extra layer of protection and personality to your iPhone 12 Pro? Then scroll no more as you've just found the UK's best iPhone 12 ProSkins. Style it your way today!
www.xtremeskins.co.uk
 
I keep my 12 Pro in the Apple silicone case, but when I do take it out, stainless steel sides are still like new. In all honesty, scratches on the sides wouldn't bother me anyway. I don't use a screen protector and the screen is still in pristine shape after about 6 weeks of use.
 
Limeybastid said:
What thin band? The back edges of the stainless steel band?
Click to expand...
My bad. I guess I did a poor job of explaining it. I was trying to describe the top and bottom of the stainless steel band. For example, if you're using the Apple leather case or the silicone case, it's the band next to the screen that's exposed.
 
WNYX said:
My bad. I guess I did a poor job of explaining it. I was trying to describe the top and bottom of the stainless steel band. For example, if you're using the Apple leather case or the silicone case, it's the band next to the screen that's exposed.
Click to expand...
Oh yeah that thin line edge part. Mine had defects out of the box, my replacement has a tiny speck or two of it also but within my tolerance levels.
 
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