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iPhone 5 - black version scuffs (merged)

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
I work at the genius bar in a very busy apple store in a large city and I'm telling you- get your replacement while engineering/corporate is still being lenient and/or submitting these phones for analysis. Soon you will be SOL trying to get a free replacement for a scratch or nick.

Cosmetic damage is not usually covered under any circumstance. Only reason anyone is getting replacement phones right now is because its so soon after launch and engineering wants us to send them these phones so they can figure out what the eff is going on.

I had to exchange some guy's phone 4x today before finding one that wasn't "scuffed". Even the one he ended up with had a minuscule imperfection but I ran out of phones and he didn't notice so I didn't point it out. It's a cool phone but man I'll be pissed if mine is dinged when I get it in February at upgrade time.
 
Strike 2. Went to a different Apple Store and this time got them to open two replacements. First one had terrible discoloration all around the band. Second one had some minor discoloration along the left antenna breaks and a scratch on the bottom chamfer. I'm either going to tolerate my current one since the 3 replacements have been in worse shape or wait 1-2 weeks.
 
bvereschagin09 said:
I'm sorry but you and anyone else who has problems picking this phone up off a table really needs to take a training course on how to PICK THINGS UP. Is this a joke? you cant pick it up?!?! Truly baffled.
Click to expand...

LOL! I can pick up the phone, I'm not a total moron. I'm just saying it's not as fluid of a motion to pick up the phone off a flat surface as the 4/4S is. The only reason I'm pointing it out is because Steve Jobs had insisted that with the first iPhone it had to be an easy/fluid motion to pick up the phone off a flat surface.
 
2agtamc.jpg


What should I do? I've had it for only 2 days now.. I've never dropped it. It's always in my pocket/hand. Always very careful with it, will it get worse?
 
Apple Nerds said:
Image

What should I do? I've had it for only 2 days now.. I've never dropped it. It's always in my pocket/hand. Always very careful with it, will it get worse?
Click to expand...

Get a case. Problem(s) solved - you won't see it and it won't get worse.

FIRST thing I do when I get a new phone is install a screen protector.

SECOND thing I do when I get a new phone is put it in a case.
 
manzanita91112 said:
I work at the genius bar in a very busy apple store in a large city and I'm telling you- get your replacement while engineering/corporate is still being lenient and/or submitting these phones for analysis. Soon you will be SOL trying to get a free replacement for a scratch or nick.

Cosmetic damage is not usually covered under any circumstance. Only reason anyone is getting replacement phones right now is because its so soon after launch and engineering wants us to send them these phones so they can figure out what the eff is going on.

I had to exchange some guy's phone 4x today before finding one that wasn't "scuffed". Even the one he ended up with had a minuscule imperfection but I ran out of phones and he didn't notice so I didn't point it out. It's a cool phone but man I'll be pissed if mine is dinged when I get it in February at upgrade time.
Click to expand...

If denied an exchange I will just return/re-buy. Rinse/repeat. Would LOVE for Apple to deny selling me one.
 
mrjinglesusa said:
Get a case. Problem(s) solved - you won't see it and it won't get worse.

FIRST thing I do when I get a new phone is install a screen protector.

SECOND thing I do when I get a new phone is put it in a case.
Click to expand...

What a genius! Puttin' "worlds thinnest smartphone" in a case won't make it thinnest... You're like Apple sayin' use bumpers "yeap we gonna throw them free for you" after antennagate.

Be serious and logic... These are production errors and even they hurt fanboys like you they must be fixed and faulty devices must replaced...

This is moving like sellin' prototypes... 4 prototype 4S complete... 5-5S... People buyin' any device are not morons, they pay... Even if you are rich this is not being rich it's pure idiocity to say someone payed for brand new product to keep it as it is w/ scratches...

You must own huge amount of Apple stocks so you can advise such a silly thing...

---------

I won't care strached device if straches made by me while using the device. Even I can throw it to wall and use it. But "factory-strached" device?
 
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mrjinglesusa said:
Get a case. Problem(s) solved - you won't see it and it won't get worse.

FIRST thing I do when I get a new phone is install a screen protector.

SECOND thing I do when I get a new phone is put it in a case.
Click to expand...

You shouldn't need to put your phone in a case to prevent that kind of damage within a couple days of normal use. I've never had a case on any phone I've ever owned including 3G and 4 and I've never had damage like that after years of use.

I had a black metal HTC flip phone back in like 2006 - 2007 that I recall having a similar finish to it that held up very well. It did have some minor little dings but only after a solid year of heavy use.
 
The second replacement is better than previous two I got. But still find some issues. Not worth for another exchange. Save my time and Apple's money:eek:
 

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It's aluminum guys. It's a soft metal, it's gonna dent, and the anodized coating is going to scuff. Either you get a case, or wait for the graphite iPhone 6... :(
 
Fanboi4life said:
It's aluminum guys. It's a soft metal, it's gonna dent, and the anodized coating is going to scuff. Either you get a case, or wait for the graphite iPhone 6... :(
Click to expand...

No sir, There are others who made anodized aluminium casings before. Its not gonna scratch or chip or dent so easily. There is a flaw in the design and/or manufacture of the iphone5. You want proof...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-feH9rgSWDU

Any body who is willing to put up with a damaged phone either out of the box or after a few days/weeks of careful use is foregoing his rights as a customer and is being taken for a ride by apple. Why would any one spend their hard earned money on a sub par device so that somebody could make money off them?

----------
((= said:
Please post images after month of usage...
Click to expand...

Yeah, it would be interesting to see how ugly they would be. I guess at that point of time, there would be no option but to put it in a case.
 
3rd time's a charm!

  • Sept 21-Launch day iP5 - nicked and scratched
  • Sept 24-1st Replacement (retail box) - double nick.
  • Sept 27-2nd Replacement (white box) - nick free
 
mrjinglesusa said:
Get a case. Problem(s) solved - you won't see it and it won't get worse.

FIRST thing I do when I get a new phone is install a screen protector.

SECOND thing I do when I get a new phone is put it in a case.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I do. Screen protector and Case. This time I use Otterbox
 
Name: iPhone 5 (GSM model: AT&T and Canada)
ModelCode: iphone_5
Model Number: MD636
Group1: iPhone
Group2:
Generation: 7
Machine Model: iPhone5,1
Model introduced: 2012
Production year: 2012
Production week: 36 (September)
CPU speed: 1.3GHz
Family name: Become a pro user to see this information. (sorry)
Screen size: 4 inch
Screen resolution: 1136x640 pixels
Colour: Black
Capacity: 32GB

FLAWLESS

----------
mrjinglesusa said:
Get a case. Problem(s) solved - you won't see it and it won't get worse.

FIRST thing I do when I get a new phone is install a screen protector.

SECOND thing I do when I get a new phone is put it in a case.
Click to expand...

Yes, yes, me too..then, at some point, I remove the the screen protector and take it out of the case and realize how frickin awesome it is not coated in aftermarket polypropylene and use it for a while then I repeat the whole process!! Arrgh, why can't I have it both ways dammit!
 
Apple Nerds said:
Image

What should I do? I've had it for only 2 days now.. I've never dropped it. It's always in my pocket/hand. Always very careful with it, will it get worse?
Click to expand...

I went to the Apple store tonight to get my second replacement. We went through all 4 phones they had in stock. All were bad. He showed me HIS personal phone and it was absolutely horrible. Way worse than your picture. :eek: NOT trying to discourage you, but let's be realistic. it will get worse sooner or later.

Needless to say, I'm returning it for good. If I can get a white one, fine. Otherwise, hello iPad 3.
 
benam.badshah said:
No sir, There are others who made anodized aluminium casings before. Its not gonna scratch or chip or dent so easily. There is a flaw in the design and/or manufacture of the iphone5. You want proof...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-feH9rgSWDU

Any body who is willing to put up with a damaged phone either out of the box or after a few days/weeks of careful use is foregoing his rights as a customer and is being taken for a ride by apple. Why would any one spend their hard earned money on a sub par device so that somebody could make money off them?
Click to expand...


It's not a DESIGN flaw, it's about the material they used. You can anodized aluminum till kingdon come, and guess what, it'll will still scratch because at the end of the day it's still aluminum. I deal with anodized aluminum products everyday; they bend, ding, scratch and scuff. It's the product that Apple has offered at this time and they're more than willing to exchange for another or give you back a complete refund. But they're not going to make a special iPhone with a harder casing for the people who scream "flawed design." Don't buy this generations iPhone is my suggestion to you, cause we're all stuck with it for two years.

And It has nothing to do with foregoing your rights as a consumer, I know my rights, and I exercised that right when I returned my scuffed iPhone.
 
NYY423 said:
Just Received my black 64gb replacement today. It was not a new box, it was a replacement and it said "Inspected by Applecare".

The phone looked to be flawless, but there is scratch on the back where the edge meets the backing. What's even funnier is the replacement phone has the + and - volume keys reversed. I think I am just going to keep my original one and forget about it.
Click to expand...

What a fxxxxx joke! This is what they called "Inspected by Applecare" :(:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
 
Hi all,
Does anyone have this problem with the screen in right corner. Do you think i should get a replacement from apple?

 
Last edited:
One week, test run, I just put it in my pocket when going places, and noticed scuffing on the edges. The most harsh contact it made was with fabric of a CanadaGoose vest.

If you really really baby it, or use a cover, sure you might be okay. I intend to use mine like I used my iphone 4, and that is not going to happen with the black 5. My iphone 4 looks awesome still, and its been through wars.

Called Apple UK on 0845 600 1683 and they were excellent in dealing with my request, and have organised a white replacement.

Will give the white one a run for a week and see how I like it, backup plan would be to return it and get a 4S 64GB with iOS 5.
 
I walked into my local apple store after work yesterday to finally have a look at the iPhone 5 in person and to try my luck at buying one.

I must say its a nice and VERY light handset, however taking into consideration they WERE display models, I couldnt help notice the wear showing up on the black models. On some you could clearly see the edges wearing thin and turning grey already. In some ways I was actually hoping they were vandalised deliberately..

I think because of the quality issues on the black, I'm edging more towards the white model, even though I have a black on order and I think it looks a lot smarter. I'll see how I feel when I get mine in my hands next week.

Sceptist keep saying shove a case on it and done...But sometimes I find cases cause even more damage. I had a speck case on my iPhone 4, and it would rub the sides of the antenna band really badly!
 
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