iPhone 15 Pro Max Imperfection on my iPhone 15 Pro Max

[bevsb2]

It's best to wait a few months to get the new phone to give them a chance to fix production issues and if there is still an issue then there will be plenty of stock to make an exchange.

Better to address the issue in the first 2 weeks while you’re still in the driver’s seat.

 

[canadianreader]

Hi everyone, i just got my 15 PM Natural Titanium 256GB and i immediately noticed tiny black dots around the frame. I tried to wipe it with a cloth and wet towel but, it is still there🙁 I ordered the phone from Apple and i have the right to send it back and wait for replacement within 14 days, but as you all know i have to wait for a long time to get the new one since the phone is out of stock in everywhere. My question is, what do you think about this problem, should i just use it with a case since the defects are so small or i should definitely look for a replacement? I also scared from the possibility of it is also not sure that the replacement phone will come at perfect condition...

Those dots are noticeable and would affect resell value. I'd replace it or just return it and buy one later.

 

[msackey]

I have seen a couple of posts (one on Reddit) about this issue. The specs vary a little in size but are always black. I personally would return it but understand stock is an issue.

I agree. I would also personally return it. It's a very expensive product and you should expect to be have a flawless model. If another store has it in place, I would even just return the product and buy it again from that other store.

 

[msackey]

Except, there are no perfect units. There just aren't. There are people more and less obsessed with perfection, and you (or me) will find minor flaws. I did in every Apple product I ever owned, in 15 years. A lot. You are swapping a unit with defects with a unit with other defects. Maybe worse, maybe better. It's still a gamble. We deserve perfect identical iPhones, especially for what they cost. Of course. But the reality is that this is an impossible dream.

You do have a point. I would say though that for me, when I want a "flawless" model, what I do mean is something that is not noticeably a flaw to my naked eyes (or that basically I don't notice). If I notice the black dots and it bothers me, I will return it.

When the iPad Pro's Magic Keyboard first came out, the model I got via shipment had a slight bent (or tilt) to a corner. That keyboard alone is $300 and while if it were a used unit I'd be fine with the slight tilt, I was not fine with a flaw that I noticed for a brand new product. I returned it and a new one was shipped to me. For flaws that I don't notice, meh, no worries. So you are right that there really is no perfect product. What probably most people care about is that they do not want any noticeable flaws (per their own standard), and as long as it also works fine, that would be good.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Because the phone becomes fugly when it’s scratched, chipped and dinged. It is only beautiful when it is perfect.

Never have gotten any scratches or chips from modern iPhones. Just a few dings (inconsequential to me). IMO "only beautiful when it is perfect" makes no sense when it is hidden by a case!

But we are all different, a good thing ;~)

 

[sjperformance]

Those dots are noticeable and would affect resell value. I'd replace it or just return it and buy one later.

I’ve seen resell value be very minimal between a perfect phone versus some used one. We talking like a $25 difference here. As long as no dings, cracks, and cracked screen. That’s what ultimately matters. The majority of people case their phones either way.

 

[Andeddu]

Never have gotten any scratches or chips from modern iPhones. Just a few dings (inconsequential to me). IMO "only beautiful when it is perfect" makes no sense when it is hidden by a case!

But we are all different, a good thing ;~)

Yes, I have said that it’s a paradox.

If you use it naked, it’ll end up looking like trash within a few years.

If you use it in a case, you’ll never get to truly enjoy its beauty.

 

[Thor_9]

only to have a flawed

It’s NOT a flaw. 😜

 

[canadianreader]

I’ve seen resell value be very minimal between a perfect phone versus some used one. We talking like a $25 difference here. As long as no dings, cracks, and cracked screen. That’s what ultimately matters. The majority of people case their phones either way.

Maybe in person but on eBay you gotta mention/show those visible dots otherwise it could cause returns or partial refunds.

 

[Robot21]

Hi everyone, i just got my 15 PM Natural Titanium 256GB and i immediately noticed tiny black dots around the frame. I tried to wipe it with a cloth and wet towel but, it is still there🙁 I ordered the phone from Apple and i have the right to send it back and wait for replacement within 14 days, but as you all know i have to wait for a long time to get the new one since the phone is out of stock in everywhere. My question is, what do you think about this problem, should i just use it with a case since the defects are so small or i should definitely look for a replacement? I also scared from the possibility of it is also not sure that the replacement phone will come at perfect condition...

Saw someone on YouTube with the same blemishes 2:10

 

[ssledoux]

I felt compelled to remove my 15 pro max from the case to examine it, and I have to say - it’s perfect. I’ve had no overheating, no glitches, and now that I’ve examined it thoroughly, I’m happy to report no noticeable defects of any kind.

 

[aria26]

I felt compelled to remove my 15 pro max from the case to examine it, and I have to say - it’s perfect. I’ve had no overheating, no glitches, and now that I’ve examined it thoroughly, I’m happy to report no noticeable defects of any kind.

Oh, good for you! While I can’t figure out what benefit this information will bring me, it’s a very sensible approach to satisfy your ego and increase your happiness through my post. Congratulations!

 

[sjperformance]

Maybe in person but on eBay you gotta mention/show those visible dots otherwise it could cause returns or partial refunds.

Sale elsewhere. Of course you gotta mention those blemishes. Many won’t care honestly.

 

[coso]

You do have a point. I would say though that for me, when I want a "flawless" model, what I do mean is something that is not noticeably a flaw to my naked eyes (or that basically I don't notice). If I notice the black dots and it bothers me, I will return it.

When the iPad Pro's Magic Keyboard first came out, the model I got via shipment had a slight bent (or tilt) to a corner. That keyboard alone is $300 and while if it were a used unit I'd be fine with the slight tilt, I was not fine with a flaw that I noticed for a brand new product. I returned it and a new one was shipped to me. For flaws that I don't notice, meh, no worries. So you are right that there really is no perfect product. What probably most people care about is that they do not want any noticeable flaws (per their own standard), and as long as it also works fine, that would be good.

Agreed. I guess that that “standard” threshold can be adjusted. For our own sake. You did good swapping that keyboard, and I’m not saying we must accept clearly defective products. But I feel Apple marketing and perfect 3d renders and attention to detail are making some of us too obsessed with perfection, or making us think perfect units are the norm. There might be “perfect” units out there but they’re rare. I will settle with a unit with not too visible defects. And I will work on myself to accept the defects that only I can see. I know it works and in a few weeks I won’t care anymore and enjoy the phone. Then of course everyone is free to decide the level of perfection they wish to chase.

 

[drew0020]

Agreed. I guess that that “standard” threshold can be adjusted. For our own sake. You did good swapping that keyboard, and I’m not saying we must accept clearly defective products. But I feel Apple marketing and perfect 3d renders and attention to detail are making some of us too obsessed with perfection, or making us think perfect units are the norm. There might be “perfect” units out there but they’re rare. I will settle with a unit with not too visible defects. And I will work on myself to accept the defects that only I can see. I know it works and in a few weeks I won’t care anymore and enjoy the phone. Then of course everyone is free to decide the level of perfection they wish to chase.

I think some people on this forum are crazy. All 3D renders are perfect, because they are 3D renders lol. I’m not sure what people expect from a mass produced item especially when they inspect it with a loupe lol? Apple makes like 150M+ of these phones. I feel like people are crazy for expecting perfection. The iPhone is a tool, use it lol…

 

[ssledoux]

Oh, good for you! While I can’t figure out what benefit this information will bring me, it’s a very sensible approach to satisfy your ego and increase your happiness through my post. Congratulations!

Well, there have been quite a few threads and complaints about issues, and within those threads people often mention that their phones are free from those and other problems.

Since I didn’t examine my phone very well when I opened it and put it in its case, I thought maybe it would be a good idea to take a closer look based on various complaints/issues.

Since I don’t base my ego status on iPhone, it didn’t really have anything to do with that - just glad to report that not every phone out there has spots, dings, overheating, or any other of the issues that continue to be discussed.

 

[dukebound85]

hope the OP never buys a house

 

[SpotOnT]

So that looks like either some dirt/dust that got under the PVD coating or possibly some processing defect that, well also got sealed under the PVD coating.

Either way, it is purely cosmetic. I can’t imagine it will impact resale/trade in value at all.

If it is worth returning is a personal decision - how much does it bother you versus how much would the replacement waiting bother you. Personally, I would exchange that, since manufacturing defects bug the hey out of me. My husband though, would just slap on a case and live a happy life.

You do you.

 

[fatTribble]

I would be very happy to own an iPhone 15 Pro Max identical to yours - flaws and all.

 

[fatTribble]

A car is different from a phone that you hold close to your face every day. A car is also much bigger than a phone. For a proper comparison, you'd have to make the flaws accordingly big and then ask the question. A car is, say, 1000 times bigger than a phone. What if you have three big round blots each the size of your head on the side of your new car on delivery? After paying $30,000-60,000 for it? Huh?

i agree that a car is a 1000 times bigger than a phone.
And the only way someone is going to ever see those dots is if the phone is held in front of someone’s face.

 

[Rainshadow]

How do you think first worlds became first worlds? It is because of a constant dissatisfaction and drive to improve and to obtain ever greater comfort and convenience that first worlds became first worlds in the first place. This is how humanity advance. Complacency and a culture of shaming those who want something better hinder progress and cause second and third worlds remain where they are. Don't be complicit. Being able to go all over the internet and sneering "first world problems" is itself often a first world privilege. Don't be a hypocrite. OP is a paying customer. It's not like he stole the phone or received it from Apple for free. He has a right to complain.

I don’t care whether the guy replaces his phone, but is this really your mental model as to how first world countries become first world?

It has a lot more to do with geography, resources, and stable governments than whether someone is dissatisfied with a product.

Even if you boiled your comment down to a general outlook on life - that’s purely inadequate to explain the state of 1st and 3rd world countries. Like… viscerally misunderstood.

 

[Jeweller]

Imagine paying the same amount of money as everybody else, only to have a flawed unit while other people received perfect ones.

Don't stereotype an entire culture and use that to lecture someone possibly in another culture. That is backward and offensive. Many Japanese complain about these things. You hear the saying "nothing lasts forever" much more often from westerners like Americans.

And Japanese or not, why is that a superior approach? Why not say that demanding perfection and accountability from a company that charges premium prices is the superior approach

Define perfect. This "premium price" argument is just dumb. Lots of stuff is even more expensive and can ultimately be more of a letdown. If you want to argue for consumer rights I've got your back, although I do feel like there are a ton of nit-picky peeps on MacRumors. Anyway return away as it raises the number of more affordable current gen iPhones. Everybody likes to feel like the iPhone is their special little handheld computer but the reality is that Apple manufactures millions and millions of them, especially at launch. No other company in history has ever had to scale this sort of demand. That you truly got a "dud" means immediate return. That there are a few dots of black in the Titanium means...dunno I might return as well if it really annoyed me but I wouldn't bother going for consensus on this website.

 

[ctjack]

That's almost invisible to the naked eye and doesn't count as a flaw. It's like complaining about creases in leather. It's like foster parents taking a child back to the adoption center because they don't like the child having a couple of freckles.

Nevertheless, that is a whole 3 dead pixels on the body of the phone. Up to 5 dead pixels is considered as fine even with Apple standards.

 

[Infinitewisdom]

This. THIS POST is why I come to Macrumors to unwind after a long day at work. Pure comic relief!

Sorry OP, not to diminish your issue, but really dude? haha......

 

[ctjack]

This. THIS POST is why I come to Macrumors to unwind after a long day at work. Pure comic relief!

Sorry OP, not to diminish your issue, but really dude? haha......

It just slips because there are literally millions of people not noticing sh@t. I once was told that camera is not strongly in the center of galaxy s3 - noticed it 1 year after owning it: indeed was not centered but no real use issues.