Increased iPhone 5 Quality Control Standards to Address Scratches Slowing Production

[thisisdallas]

Finally!
I've been waiting to launch day phone that came with some pretty bad nicks in it, but I didn't want to go through the exchange cycle, so, i'll probably be replacing it sometime this week with this news

Go through the process! I called Apple when mine appeared to have a green mist on the bottom for a few seconds when I first unlocked the phone from having it in my pocket for a while. They waived the shipping fee, put a hold for the price of the phone on my credit card, and mailed me a new iPhone 5 with a SIM removal tool in 2 days. I put my old one in, sent it back and I'm done with the process!

 

[Macdude2010]

The first step is admitting you have a problem. I suspect this is where the problem lies...

I'd love to see an Apple Genius look at an iphone and tell the user to Get over their OCD, that would be gold!

I've seen that happen before, but it was the manager telling a customer, so, it has happened!

 

[Joesmith13245]

I understand the need to make the device thinner. But why did it need to be lighter therefore prompting the use of aluminum? Was the iPhone 4/4s really that heavy? Did people complain about carrying it? It seems a few grams(28g to be exact) would be an insignificant advantage. I think I would be willing to trade 28g for a harder, scratch resistant material.

iPhone 5 = 3.95 ounces (112 grams).
iPhone 4s = 4.9 ounces (140 grams)

 

[blackhand1001]

The thing scratches way too easily. Thats the problem. Its not the workers.

 

[jon9091]

Who cares? It's so pretty. Apple has painstakingly crafted a piece of art and has a zillion cameras shooting from all angles to make sure pieces fit together down to the micron. Thinner. Lighter. Minimalistic. The best iPhone ever.

And really they should just make it look like a cheap-a$$ toy...like a Samsung phone, where no one really cares if it gets scratched all to hell or not because it has absolutely no resale value.

 

[Macdude2010]

Go through the process! I called Apple when mine appeared to have a green mist on the bottom for a few seconds when I first unlocked the phone from having it in my pocket for a while. They waived the shipping fee, put a hold for the price of the phone on my credit card, and mailed me a new iPhone 5 with a SIM removal tool in 2 days. I put my old one in, sent it back and I'm done with the process!

They said they wanted to send me a retail one, so I will be going that route sometime this week because of this news.

 

[Rocko1]

I understand the need to make the device thinner. But why did it need to be lighter therefore prompting the use of aluminum? Was the iPhone 4/4s really that heavy? Did people complain about carrying it? It seems a few grams(28g to be exact) would be an insignificant advantage. I think I would be willing to trade 28g for a harder, scratch resistant material.

iPhone 5 = 3.95 ounces (112 grams).
iPhone 4s = 4.9 ounces (140 grams)

You and a lot of other people. Here is the issue. The 5 did not have enough wow factor without the weight savings-so they thought. They just used a lesser quality aluminum-non-tempered-than they should have. Good products can be made out of aluminum. Tempered and clear coated are pretty durable.

 

[petsounds]

Dear Apple,

No one asked for "thinner and lighter". The 4S was already thin and light enough. You're compromising product integrity because of your unhealthy obsession. Please get help.

 

[fruitpunch.ben]

How many of the people continuously saying the iPhone 5 scratches so easily actually own one? I have Ghost Armor on mine, but didn't have it installed until over a week of use. Pockets, tables, messenger bag, kids…*not a scratch on it. Now, I'm not about to grind it on the concrete or jab my keys into it, but that's not normal use. I'm not saying it can't happen, and I'm sure it does, but I don't think it's as delicate as people make out.

But even with keys (as in the article picture), you know those "scratches" on the back are actually from the softer metal of the key itself and can be wiped off, right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2BxL0nRDlY#t=0m35s

Now, arriving in the box scratched is another story, which sounds like what they're trying to address with better QA.

Wow thanks a lot for posting that video. I have a black 5 on order, and was really worried about the potential to scratch: I want to keep it nice, and often I forget which pocket my keys/phone is in until too late.
But that video shows how stupid this whole thing is: the scratches from the keys just wipe off. The only thing to be worried about is that the aluminium antenna does chip easily.
But I definately feel a bit better about my purchase. I'd thought it strange that Apple with all their design and QC stuff wouldn't have picked up that the phone scratches easy. But in fact they have properly anodized the aluminum

 

[samcraig]

And really they should just make it look like a cheap-a$$ toy...like a Samsung phone, where no one really cares if it gets scratched all to hell or not because it has absolutely no resale value.

Maybe I'm in the minority. I don't buy a phone or other devices based on resale value (house/apt/stocks another matter). I buy them to use them. If I wind up selling it as opposed to giving it away - then that's cool. But I never enter into the transaction wondering what I'll get for it before the next "upgrade" comes out.

 

[3282868]

Dear Apple,

No one asked for "thinner and lighter". The 4S was already thin and light enough. You're compromising product integrity because of your unhealthy obsession. Please get help.

Apple should use Kate Moss as their new spokeswoman

 

[MrXiro]

Dear Apple,

No one asked for "thinner and lighter". The 4S was already thin and light enough. You're compromising product integrity because of your unhealthy obsession. Please get help.

I actually love how thin and light it is. The 4S always felt like a brick in my pocket and it's not a strength issue for me but rather a "I feel a heavy thing in my pocket" when I walk. Was the weight loss necessary? Eh, debatable. Is it appreciated? Yes... by me it is.

 

[samcraig]

I actually love how thin and light it is. The 4S always felt like a brick in my pocket and it's not a strength issue for me but rather a "I feel a heavy thing in my pocket" when I walk. Was the weight loss necessary? Eh, debatable. Is it appreciated? Yes... by me it is.

Hard for me to relate to since I'm always walking around with something heavy

 

[MrXiro]

Maybe I'm in the minority. I don't buy a phone or other devices based on resale value (house/apt/stocks another matter). I buy them to use them. If I wind up selling it as opposed to giving it away - then that's cool. But I never enter into the transaction wondering what I'll get for it before the next "upgrade" comes out.

Some of us aren't able to afford the big ticket items like a House or with it enough to buy stocks properly. Sometimes the "new" iPhone is all someone has going for them as far a luxurious purchases for the year.

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Hard for me to relate to since I'm always walking around with something heavy

Lead foot?

 

[samcraig]

Lead foot?

3rd leg

 

[MrXiro]

3rd leg

You a mutant?

 

[richardmu]

I understand the need to make the device thinner. But why did it need to be lighter therefore prompting the use of aluminum? Was the iPhone 4/4s really that heavy? Did people complain about carrying it? It seems a few grams(28g to be exact) would be an insignificant advantage. I think I would be willing to trade 28g for a harder, scratch resistant material.

iPhone 5 = 3.95 ounces (112 grams).
iPhone 4s = 4.9 ounces (140 grams)

Decided not to buy the 5 as it felt too light and almost flimsy.

I like the quality feel of my 4s and no worries about scratches and nicks out of the box. I keep all my kit pristine so I could never accept what I 've seen on the IP5 in the Apple store and in photos here.

However, A lighter and slimmer iPad would be very welcome. Stayed with the 2 because I didn't like chunkier iPad 3 with or without retina screen!

 

[johndallas999]

We got our Black Iphone 5 on opening day and it was flawless...And still is! It's mega fast and gorgeous....Scrolling is super smooth, apps open fast, LTE is like our cable internet at home, the screen yields gorgeous colors and detail, taking video and pictures is amazing for a phone...The appearance of the iphone is amazing IMO....Our friends that have gotten theirs have been flawless and enjoyable too...And they got theirs mid contract because they got the 4s just last year.

IMHO this thing has been blown WAY out of proportion...The majority of phones are perfectly fine...And someone taking keys and scratching with intent and purpose claiming "flaw" is the dumbest thing I've heard...Anything will scratch doing that...Has there been any flawed out of the box ? Sure, but ummm...That's going to happen and it happens with every manufactured product...Just take it back and get a flawless one...I mean there was a ridiculous post saying this is what you get when "thinness has gone too far"....lol

The iphone 5 is thinner and stronger...Something may feel stronger because it's bigger or heavier but in actuality is weaker or more fragile....Motorcycle manufacturers make frames that are much thinner and lighter yet say 20% or 30% stronger than their predecessor all the time...The biggest culprit for lighter and stronger is fewer parts to make up the frame, so they can actually use less material in the casting process..Or casting techniques can yield less porous alloys so they are stronger...But fewer parts can have a huge impact on strength....ala iphone 5 with it's unibody design.

I hate this mentality of mine has no scratches even without a case etc etc. that's great for you but that doesnt mean the scratching and scuffing flat out don't exist. Come on dude!!

 

[baryon]

I liked the glass back for this reason: it doesn't really scratch. Though I do understand that glass has to be much thicker to be strong, and even then it's prone to shattering… Also, the iPhone 5 feels so much nicer in your hand somehow, either because it's longer or thinner, or because of the alu finish… I think that such a cosmetic thing is not a big deal: it's a phone, you can't expect it to not get scratched. If you accept that it will get scratched, that's one less thing to worry about.

Also, in 2-3 years, it will be obsolete. It's not a car or a painting that you have to be so careful with it. Use it, enjoy it, and accept that it will get scratched. Let that be the biggest problem...

 

[Rogifan]

Dear Apple,

No one asked for "thinner and lighter". The 4S was already thin and light enough. You're compromising product integrity because of your unhealthy obsession. Please get help.

Speak for yourself. I for one love that its thinner and lighter. And most of the reviews I've read share similar sentiments.

 

[erzhik]

I thought they said it was normal....

 

[RyanG]

I hate this mentality of mine has no scratches even without a case etc etc. that's great for you but that doesnt mean the scratching and scuffing flat out don't exist. Come on dude!!

Like we aren't all sick of hearing those with scratches? Come on dude!!

 

[thisisdallas]

Tell me ONE other product/manufacturer that could get away with providing a brand new device/appliance/car/toy/etc that came with a scratch already on it and customers would a) accept it b) state that since it was going to get scratched anyway - no big deal.



Why are you letting Apple and/or Foxconn off the hook? It's already been reported that it's a QA issue. It's not a shipping issue.

Apple is replacing units that have scratches out of the box.

As for the one product, my Galaxy S1 came with a small shatter-like mark on the plastic out of the box. (Not to mention the scratch in the carbon fiber back 2 days in after treating it like a gem)

Yes, Apple needs to make these phones with more care than they were, but I don't see the big deal if they're replacing them and upping the QC.

 

[Rogifan]

I'd love to see some photos of these supposedly bent phones, and how they allegedly bent just being in someone's pocket.

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They shouldn't "increase quality control standards", they should increase the standard of materials used.

Since my phone has zero nicks or scratches was my phone part of s batch of better materials? If the materials were that shoddy wouldn't everyone's phone be scratching and scuffing like crazy. And wouldn't someone someone at Apple have figured it out long time ago and either the design scrapped or better materials used (assuming for the sake of discussion these are shoddy materials to begin with). Jony Ive may have a lot of power but he's not a dictator and since he's not CEO and doesn't answer to the board he doesn't really have the final say on anything.

 

[elgrecomac]

An easy solution to the problem...

When I received in IP5 I kept the clear plastic protective cover on back of the phone until my IP5 case arrived in the mail a few days later. Not one scratch.