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Is your black iPhone 5 scuffed, chipped or scratched?

  • Flawless

    Votes: 1,158 46.1%
  • Flawless because I put a case on it.

    Votes: 198 7.9%
  • Scuffed out of the box

    Votes: 820 32.7%
  • Scuffed/scratched shortly after

    Votes: 334 13.3%

  • Total voters
    2,510
All the Iphone5 in the Apple store on display must be hand picked as not a single one has a ding or scuff.

Well, I went to two local stores for my GF's black iphone today and all the black ones (on display) I looked at had scratches/scuffs/dings. Some of the white iphones were in good shape though. My GF really wants to switch to the white one after seeing this thread and the black ones at the apple store, but they dont have any in stock at my local stores.
 
All I know is what I read here as I don't have a scuffing problem.

And what I read here and see photos of are teeny-tiny little markings that no logical user would view as a "defect". This isn't a piece of jewelry, not a pair of eyeglasses, not a carton of eggs. It's a cellphone. They are tools that get thrown into pockets and handbags, onto car dashboards and office desks, spend time in our children's paws and through airport x-ray machines.

I can appreciate beautiful design and wanting to take care of your possessions. Pick another product, something that's not meant to be tossed around like a set of keys and I'll support what you're saying. But it's a cellphone. These things get exposed to lots of evils. The end goal is to deliver content to a touchscreen. If it fails to do that, bingo, "defective".

We're talking about microscopic markings that could easily be mistaken for dust or pocket lint, absolutely nothing to do with how it functions as a communications device. If you want to keep it clean and impress your friends, buy a unique case. Everyone's got an iPhone, no one is going to be drooling over yours if it looks like everyone else's.

BJ

Except that Apple is marketing this iPhone as being manufactured with methods and quality control on par with those of fine jewelry or watches. Watch the intro video where Ive talks about the process.

I mean, it's like a bait and switch, only not as egregious. They should have just given it a bare aluminum trim, and ditched the whole "it's like a Rolex" message. When you set expectations so high, people are going to be outraged no matter how small the shortcomings are.
 
Seems like I'm one of the very few people who received a perfect phone (16GB black from Verizon).

However, even if you receive a perfect phone it won't be long before you scuff it yourself. A few minutes before typing this I had my iPhone resting on my Macbook Pro, and when I moved it I accidentally hit the phone with the edge of my Macbook and it now has a scuff mark near the speaker on the bottom of the phone.

:( Sad that it happened but oh well.
 
When has this become about what cars people own?

I own a 2012 Sport 335i why? because i hate the 5 series and dont need the power of the M3 im not a street racer the 3 series has wayyyyy more than enough power to merge on highways and go very fast. People get the 328i because the need for a 335i isnt there its more efficient and less money.

Moving on.

People are saying that the nicks and dents are not a big deal. BUT THEY ARE.

Why should we let Apple get away into skipping on quality because its not big when we start doing this Apple relizes its not an issue and on future products they will make small mistakes like, so they dont have to spend the extra time and cash for QA, Making a big issue shows apple they need to spend more time and not let things like this go. :D
 
Why should we let Apple get away into skipping on quality because its not big when we start doing this Apple relizes its not an issue and on future products they will make small mistakes like, so they dont have to spend the extra time and cash for QA, Making a big issue shows apple they need to spend more time and not let things like this go. :D

This is absolutely the case - it's not about "Oh it's only a small mark, put a case on it!", sorry but I wouldn't be happy with that even on a budget device - on a $1000 phone, absolute quality is expected and if that slips then Apple slips with it.

To stay at the top of the game you can't ever get complacent - the iPhone 5 is already not the leader the iPhone 4 was when it came out, it's a much closer race now and that quality is what keeps Apple at the top.
 
Seriously. Can we have a moderator help pull this thread back into topic? We need some moderation and control here. This is no longer a thread about the issue, it has become a thread about someone telling everyone else to not care about something he isn't personally affected by, all the while boasting about his wealth and further infuriating people that have a genuine issue that apple themselves have acknowledged.

Topic wise, I'm glad that there's been more media coverage of this recently.
 
I've requested an Advanced Replacement. They told me there sending me a retail box with all accessories.
 

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I've requested an Advanced Replacement. They told me there sending me a retail box with all accessories.

Same color or were you able to change colors? I am so unhappy with my black i5, I want to advance replace it with a white version instead, similar to how you showed above.
 
THIS JUST IN: Apple will powder coat the 5s so the anodizing problem will be cleared up.
 
[MOD NOTE]
Stay on topic, stop the arguing. The thread is about scuff and marks please stick with that.
 
When has this become about what cars people own?

I own a 2012 Sport 335i why? because i hate the 5 series and dont need the power of the M3 im not a street racer the 3 series has wayyyyy more than enough power to merge on highways and go very fast. People get the 328i because the need for a 335i isnt there its more efficient and less money.

Moving on.

People are saying that the nicks and dents are not a big deal. BUT THEY ARE.

Why should we let Apple get away into skipping on quality because its not big when we start doing this Apple relizes its not an issue and on future products they will make small mistakes like, so they dont have to spend the extra time and cash for QA, Making a big issue shows apple they need to spend more time and not let things like this go. :D

You are spot on. iPhone5 has $199 worth material and $8 labor. As a normal practice Apple replaces case and screen, before it brings back these returns into refurbished inventory. Aluminum parts may be worth $6 plus even if Apple spends $10 on labor, they can easily afford these repairs.

There is no reason for customers to live with it.
 
just a joke....

if they ever went this route it would actually be durable and hold up from scratches.

Not beyond the realm of possibility!
If they did powder coat the iP5 however we'd lose the shiny chamfers, which make it an unlikely compromise.
 
Not beyond the realm of possibility!
If they did powder coat the iP5 however we'd lose the shiny chamfers, which make it an unlikely compromise.

not if they use flat paint for the whole backside. then polish the chamfers after thats done. making that part shinier. should still work. i thought powder coating makes the paint thicker so there will be more layers. might weigh a slight bit more nothing noticeable.
 
I am on my 3rd iPhone5 and will be getting the 4th tomorrow if the request is accepted.

1st iPhone5 -Anodising flawed around 0.7mm (bare metal) in 2 areas.
2nd - Dent in top right. scratches around sim tray slot.
3rd - Dent top left side. scratches around 3.5mm jack and lightning port.

All the dents in my iphone5 appear to be done before the anodising stage.

I plan to use the Zagg film on the back to protect it. When I get the perfect iPhone5.


My iPhone5s were not as bad as some that I have seen online. However when they boast about a design that is the best. "Remarkable precision with which its been build". Why should I pay £529 and expect anything less than perfect, at least out of the box. If I dent and scuff it my self that's fair enough.

The only remarkable thing is the shocking quality control. :mad:



:apple: How did Apple not notice this problem during prototyping?

Are many of you guys in the "Scuffed out of the box" category are returning the devices?
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My white 32 gb iPhone 5 came out of the box with a 1 inch scratch on the back and 2 dents in the bezel... went to the Apple store in Georgetown last night to replace it, felt lucky because they had a 32 GB white iPhone 5 and were happy to help. As we were setting it up we noticed a chip in the aluminum back plate and a small scratch in the bezel. They didn't have any more in stock and at this point I've been waiting to get it replaced once they have a new one in stock. This has not been a good first iPhone experience. There is no point in loading this loaner phone up with apps or my personal information since I know I will be returning it.

You do realize you can back up the phone all loaded up with apps and personal information and if / when you get a new one, just restore it and everything you set up will be that way on the new one, right?
 
Not beyond the realm of possibility!
If they did powder coat the iP5 however we'd lose the shiny chamfers, which make it an unlikely compromise.

I must confess I know nothing about powder coat other than what I've just been able to research today.

I don't know whether it would allow for a shiny surface, but if it doesn't and Apple want to stay with an anodised process, perhaps they could use type III hard anodisation which is extremely durable apparently & according to the link below can result in a dark slate coloured shiny finish (see the item pictured in the upper left of their web page).

http://elite-metalfinishing.com/anodizetype3.html

I have absolutely no idea whether the cost implications of this would prove practical, but Apple certainly have plenty of profit margin in these products at the moment.

This coating ranges in thickness from 1 mm to 3 mm, so obviously Apple would want it on the thinner side.
 
I am on my 3rd iPhone5 and will be getting the 4th tomorrow if the request is accepted.

1st iPhone5 -Anodising flawed around 0.7mm (bare metal) in 2 areas.
2nd - Dent in top right. scratches around sim tray slot.
3rd - Dent top left side. scratches around 3.5mm jack and lightning port.

All the dents in my iphone5 appear to be done before the anodising stage.

I plan to use the Zagg film on the back to protect it. When I get the perfect iPhone5.


My iPhone5s were not as bad as some that I have seen online. However when they boast about a design that is the best. "Remarkable precision with which its been build". Why should I pay £529 and expect anything less than perfect, at least out of the box. If I dent and scuff it my self that's fair enough.

The only remarkable thing is the shocking quality control. :mad:



:apple: How did Apple not notice this problem during prototyping?

Are many of you guys in the "Scuffed out of the box" category are returning the devices?

My iPhone is white (but looking at this thread anyway) and mine had 2 dents on the front of the phone below the volume rocker. Apple is sending me a replacement phone.
 
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