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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
There is no such "damaged iPhone week" - there have been reported damaged iPhones from all different production weeks and factories.

I just said that cause on page 102 I think there was a list of which weeks were flawless and which were damaged
 
I just said that cause on page 102 I think there was a list of which weeks were flawless and which were damaged
If you look at the latest iterations of that list you will see that there's no pattern to the damaged phones. They're from all different production weeks and factories.
 
Somewhat unrelated, but I'm annoyed by the various articles and news items covering this issue.

All of the pieces take the angle of "iPhone 5 Buyers Learn Metal Scratches" like anyone with a damaged device is just stupid. Very few are reporting the real issue - the damage from the factory.

If the issue was just whether the back was prone to scratching, I wouldn't care because mine would never be exposed to anything that could scratch it.
 
The Apple Care senior advisor just called back and said that they have made a replacement order and I can go to my local apple store to exchange. I hope it runs smoothy tomorrow -.- .
 
Honestly, I bought two iPhone 5's at the Apple store on release date, a White 16GB Sprint iPhone 5 which had a scratch on the Apple logo, discoloration on one of the corners and the camera lens were dirty with a smudge but in the inside of the lens, my Black 32GB for Verizon was nearly perfect even though I noticed a little scratch on the front panel but I do not know if it was me or it came like that, but the box in which the iPhone came in was completely scratched everywhere.
 
Somewhat unrelated, but I'm annoyed by the various articles and news items covering this issue.

All of the pieces take the angle of "iPhone 5 Buyers Learn Metal Scratches" like anyone with a damaged device is just stupid. Very few are reporting the real issue - the damage from the factory.

If the issue was just whether the back was prone to scratching, I wouldn't care because mine would never be exposed to anything that could scratch it.
I'm with you. I haven't even received my phone yet, it's being released on Friday here. I have already learned to accept that my phone will get scuffs and get scratched, but the main issue here is that it should look pristine out of the box and I will be pissed if it doesn't. I think this issue should have made the news in a much bigger way than it has.
 
I'm with you. I haven't even received my phone yet, it's being released on Friday here. I have already learned to accept that my phone will get scuffs and get scratched, but the main issue here is that it should look pristine out of the box and I will be pissed if it doesn't. I think this issue should have made the news in a much bigger way than it has.

Right now, I wish I could just return mine for a refund and see how things play out. I don't think that's an option, though. Or is it possible to return iPhones purchased through the Apple store "just because"?
 
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When I got mine on Friday at the Apple Store Covent Garden (London UK), it also had a scuff right out of the box and the guy gave me a replacement. That replacement also had a little scuff, but not as noticeable as on the other one. I accepted the phone thinking they must all have them. Now over the past few days, another two scuffs have appeared on the phone although it was in a neoprene case the whole time. It seems pieces of the black anodised finish have chipped not from being scratched/bumped against something, but the finish wasn't properly adhering to the material in the first place :confused:

Anyway... I may be able to get over the scuffs.. that stuff happens anyway, but I have found two dead pixels (black) in the middle of the screen... and that I do not like at all :/ Do you think Apple will give me another replacement considering they already gave me one straight after purchase.... :(
 
Right now, I wish I could just return mine for a refund and see how things play out. I don't think that's an option, though. Or is it possible to return iPhones purchased through the Apple store "just because"?

I returned mine Saturday. I do miss it but I'm waiting a month or so to see if the nicks and scratches mess gets worked out.
 
I returned mine Saturday. I do miss it but I'm waiting a month or so to see if the nicks and scratches mess gets worked out.

They didn't hassle you about the return? I logged into my account on the Apple store site, but it tells me my phone is "not eligible for return."
 
I called AppleCare about my scratch. The senior advisor sent me to a Genius Bar that swapped my black iPhone 5 out, but the 1st service unit also had a scratch in the bezel. The 2nd one was flawless and now I'm a happy camper!
 
First of all, Anodize surface shouldnt be that easy to damage, it should have around 10-15um thickness in typical, but from my perspective it must be:

- some very low end sub-contractor, (or even Foxconn themselves.)
- very bad handling by the workers, it must happen AFTER anodization done.

What really piss me off is although i am 100% sure apple knows and waived every slot for the "need of parts". indeed I understand this is done in every single brand (name ***, SE, HTC..etcetc), but the acceptance level is far from reasonable.

frankly I really wouldnt mind a small pit, or even a thin scratch, i am really not a perfectionist, but this time Apple really screw things up, i aint going to buy the 5 now, and will stick with my 4S, hopefully the next batches will get better.
 
Pre-ordered iPhone (black) finally came in today. Opened it up after work, and immediately began checking for blemishes. Of course, there was a small but noticeable scuff on the left side on the edge of the aluminum, similar to what many of you described. It was small, but the silver was exposed and shined brightly back at me. I took it to my local Apple store, explained to them the situation and how it was literally just opened, and they replaced it, no questions asked.

The worker told me that they carry a stock of "replacement phones" that they used for situations like mine, where they have to replace a defective phone. These phones are not packaged with headphones and charger, and are not sold normally to customers. They are solely used as replacement devices. So, if you are having a similar problem, I say visit an Apple retail store and explain your problem.

Original phone was pre-ordered through AT&T on 9/14.
 
Anyone who had a flawless phone out the box realize that the finish on the edges come off gradually? I'm looking at the circles around my volume buttons and can see some of it coming off as well as some parts of the edges right before the chambered edge. Looks like the edge around the headphone jack decided to join in too.
 
I think they problem here is people are overblowing the issue. If you literally have to use a magnifying class, or dissect every square inch of your phone to find something there really isnt an issue. I cant believe some of the pics you guys are posting. Chances are the next one will be worse or you will scratch it eventually. If you are that worried about resale value then before you sell it come up with a "lie" (seems to be pretty easy for some of you) and get it replaced. Problem solved as you are now selling a brand new phone. Who would have thought? :rolleyes:
 
When I got mine on Friday at the Apple Store Covent Garden (London UK), it also had a scuff right out of the box and the guy gave me a replacement. That replacement also had a little scuff, but not as noticeable as on the other one. I accepted the phone thinking they must all have them. Now over the past few days, another two scuffs have appeared on the phone although it was in a neoprene case the whole time. It seems pieces of the black anodised finish have chipped not from being scratched/bumped against something, but the finish wasn't properly adhering to the material in the first place :confused:

Anyway... I may be able to get over the scuffs.. that stuff happens anyway, but I have found two dead pixels (black) in the middle of the screen... and that I do not like at all :/ Do you think Apple will give me another replacement considering they already gave me one straight after purchase.... :(

To answer your question, yes, they should/most probably will replace it. Explain to them the problem (However highlight the dead pixel problem as the main issue, they might frown at cosmetics degradation).

So far I've seen around a 4/5 success rate with people at the very least getting good customer service from Apple. Cant guarantee they'll provide you with a 'flawless' phone, as you already know they just unbox their store stock/replacement stock. However they should be polite/friendly enough about it, so what have you got to lose?

Good luck!

why poll only black models... my white iphone5 was scratched pretty noticeably in two places right out of the box

There's a separate thread for white models with damage/scuffs, no poll included, but it's where the discussion is taking place :) https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1448788/
 
Somewhat unrelated, but I'm annoyed by the various articles and news items covering this issue.

All of the pieces take the angle of "iPhone 5 Buyers Learn Metal Scratches" like anyone with a damaged device is just stupid. Very few are reporting the real issue - the damage from the factory.

If the issue was just whether the back was prone to scratching, I wouldn't care because mine would never be exposed to anything that could scratch it.

I couldn't agree more. For me, the core issue is not wether something is prone or isn't prone to scratching but rather, that the quality of the phone starts off as such out of the box— with nicks and chipping and scratches or uneven anodization.
 
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