iPhone 5 - black version scuffs (merged)

[JayLenochiniMac]

Sorry but I think you are talking rubbish. I own the new black iPhone 5 and I can tell you now that nothing is "rubbing off", its a solid device. There are 2 things going on:

1) factory damaged models due to lack of quality control
2) iPhones damages by users dinging them, dropping them, etc

There is no flaw here. This is just a case of bad quality control at the manufacturing plants. Nothing to do with Apple whatsoever. Previously if you dropped an iPhone you would get a smashed back or front. With the iPhone 5, you drop it you will get a scratch or a ding. No difference really.

I don't love apple, I almost bought a SGS3 a couple of months ago and I have previously owned a SGS2. With either of them, drop it and the battery cover will pop off and the plastic will likely get dented.

Once the damaged units have been filtered out and the manufacturing plants given a dressing down this will be a thing of the past. What you do with your phone beyond that is up to you. Now please, get a grip

Agreed 100%. My own black iP5 has flawless aluminum housing (although with a bit poor fit and finish where the glass strips meet the aluminum body) but my mother's black iP5 arrived nicked and scuffed in three places out of the box. They'll have to fix the QC issues, but it's disappointing that so many nicked and scratched iPhone 5 have managed to slip past QC.

 

[Brian N]

I would not do that to your new phone!! I know I read somewhere that certain types of anodizing will def effect electric output....just go white!!

lol wut? Our phones are already anodized... both white and black versions. I wanted to use this as a possible solution to nicks/scratches.

If iPhone 5 backs where cheaper right now I would buy a replacement back and do some experimenting.

 

[instinctz]

Got my black baby yesterday ... Flawless and loving it in every way!!!

 

[indyzzzz]

Strange. I checked my local apple store a few days ago and all the black iphones were scratched/dinged. I went there today (since I was at the mall anyway), and all of them had been replaced. None of the black iphones had any scratches or dings . Looks like they had been handled quite a bit too from all the fingerprints.

Maybe there's a new batch of phones that are in excellent shape.

 

[ltb7]

lol wut? Our phones are already anodized... both white and black versions. I wanted to use this as a possible solution to nicks/scratches.

If iPhone 5 backs where cheaper right now I would buy a replacement back and do some experimenting.

I know I just meant that as a separate thought..I think I am iPhone'ed out...as I was typing my wifi dropped too, I think I am starting to see purple haze in real life...how Hendrix wore that head band with goodies tucked inside and played like a genius I will never know!

just get a white....also if u try and it fails they may not take back either....

 

[imjoee]

Can someone Explain to me what the factory means an the week number means?

 

[fortunecookie]

Have you guys seen the news that foxconn apparently use forced labor to get your iphone 5 together maybe that's the reason why some of them lacked tlc and had scuffs and nicks on them already?

 

[imjoee]

Good to hear! I've got the black 4S, and wanted a reason to go white.

I chose the white 5 afte getting tired of the black 4s, after seeing all this I'm glad I chose the white 5 ahha

 

[Epical8]

Ive had so many problems with ATT and i got a scuff out of the box that i had enough. I went down to cancel my account and return the phone.

They said there would be a 35 dollar restocking fee. Thats crazy! I pay almost 500 bucks for a phone and it has a scuff on it and i have to pay a fee? Anyone get around this fee? Ive chated and emailed and they said only the store can waive this.

Someones gotta have done this without a restocking fee

 

[Brian N]

I know I just meant that as a separate thought..I think I am iPhone'ed out...as I was typing my wifi dropped too, I think I am starting to see purple haze in real life...how Hendrix wore that head band with goodies tucked inside and played like a genius I will never know!

just get a white....also if u try and it fails they may not take back either....

I already have a black so... no dice on that.

And what is there to take back? I was going to purchase a replacement back to experiment on. You clearly need some rest.

 

[semicoln]

Black iPhone 5 out of the box with a spot near the power button on the top edge that doesn't look like it got the "coating" or paint. I didn't even turn it on, just took it to the Apple Store with an appointment after being told by the manager that the store would have inventory to replace it. I get to the store, check in, wait 30-40 mins to finally be seen only to be told that they "have been given new instructions on how to handle this issue" and that I would need to wait for a new shipment before they can replace it.

EDIT: Production week 38

 

[enophi1]

my week 39 that just arrived was flawless. No scratches, discolorations, or glue near the antenna. of course, I might just be lucky!

My replacement is being delivered tomorrow, it's

Production week: 37 (September 10 - September 16)

I checked out the serial number on Apple's support website to see which model they are sending me. I am hoping this one is flawless.

My last one was week 33 (August 13 - August 19)

 

[nizmoz]

Have you guys seen the news that foxconn apparently use forced labor to get your iphone 5 together maybe that's the reason why some of them lacked tlc and had scuffs and nicks on them already?

Yep and no one believed me here when I said they damaged the phones on purpose per a AT&T email.

 

[kindphotography]

My replacement is being delivered tomorrow, it's

Production week: 37 (September 10 - September 16)

I checked out the serial number on Apple's support website to see which model they are sending me. I am hoping this one is flawless.

My last one was week 33 (August 13 - August 19)

My replacement is also being delivered tomorrow.

Production week: 37 (September 10 - September 16)

My last one is the same as yours too week 33, I really hope this replacement one is flawless. I hate the fact I have to worry about my £600 phone not being damaged from the factory. Don't get me wrong I love Apple and their products, but this whole iPhone 5 thing has made me lose some trust.

 

[caesarp]

Replacement iPhone 5 being shipped from Verizon . . .

Okay, I just joined this site to help those who ordered an iPhone from Verizon and experienced damage out of the box.

I pre-ordered from Verizon's site (not Apple) and received my black 32GB iPhone on lauch day (Sept. 21st) at 9:00 AM. I noticed some minor scuffs/straight lines that show the color of the underlying metal (white-ish looking straight lines) precisely along the edge where the side band meets the chamfered edge. I wasn't too concerned though. But then I came across this thread and it brought out the OCD in me.

So in more carefully examining my phone a few days later, I noticed two nicks/chips in the chamfered edge (one top back, the other on the bottom right corner back). These bothered me more as potential weak points that could get worse over time. I also didn't like that my fingernail gets caught in these nicks, ruining the smooth feel. Frankly, I'm not 100% sure those nicks were there out of the box, as I didn't know what to look for then and in certain angles/light it is hard to see.

Not wanting to deal with a Verizon store or an Apple store (that may not have stock anyway) and have a human look at me funny over the cosmetic damage, I decided the best route would probably be to call Verizon directly.

So this morning (Sunday) I dialed *611 from my iPhone, which connects me to Verizon. After listening to the menu prompts I pressed 4, then asked to speak to a representative. About 2 minutes later a rep comes on the line.

I explained to the rep that I received an iPhone 5 that was damaged on the bezel and sides and was hoping they would ship me a replacment phone, and that I could return my current phone upon receipt of the replacment. She said no problem, she would put this in as a DOA (Dead on Arrival). [I understood from our call that the term "DOA" is key to getting a replacement shipped]. I didn't mention DOA, she did -- but another rep might not know, so keep that in mind.

So she took down my information and said the replacment phone should ship tomorrow via 2 day fedex. I will receive a tracking # when it ships (in the meantime she gave me a confirmation number). My plan is to very very carefully examine the replacment phone and if it is better cosmetically I'll do the swap. If not I'll keep my current phone, ship back the replacment, and maybe try again.

She did say they will put a temp charge on my credit card, which will be removed once they receive my phone back. We didn't discuss a restocking fee, but I see that Verizon's site lists a $37.00 restocking fee for returns. If they do charge that, I won't cry. But it didn't sound like that would be charged.

By the way, as far as the flat slate gray back (where the apple logo is), I don't see any problem with that. The problem on these phones appears to be the side band, where it meets the chamfered edge (which tends to get some discoloration) and the chamfered edge itself, which appears to be prone to nicks/chips (perhaps as part of the manufacturing process). So it is really the edges and the sides. The back itself (the flat part) does not appear to have any problems with scratching or discloration from normal use.

Just wanted to clear up confusion as to scuff-gate, as articles I read tended to focus on the slate gray back. I don't see that as a weak point. The main problem (from my phone and most of the pics in this thread) appears to be the edge of the side-band (the thing that is stainless steel on the iPhone 4S) and the chamfered edge thing.

 

[bobright]

I've been debating about returning mine since its only got 1 scuff that isn't too noticeable. Would you guys return yours for this? It's at the dead corner of where the camera and chaffed glass area is

BTW: it's not that dot on the band area that's lint as I've got a shield on sides

 

[gsugolfer]

Verizon won't charge you a restocking fee if you do black for black. If you try to do black for white, they will want to charge you, but they waived mine.

 

[viewfly]

I've been debating about returning mine since its only got 1 scuff that isn't too noticeable. Would you guys return yours for this? It's at the dead corner of where the camera and chaffed glass area is

BTW: it's not that dot on the band area that's lint as I've got a shield on sides

I don't see it.

 

[mario24601]

My black one is going back to apple. I'm thinking of ordering a white one on another line I have instead of waiting to have eligibility reverted back to my AT&T account for the black return. Could I just keep the sim from current black one and put into the white one or do I need to send phone back with sim?

 

[retinarob]

Anyone else think of trying "Birchwood Casey Aluma Black Touch Up"? Costs about $10 for a bottle.

Image

It is used to touch up Anodized Surfaces on guns. It actually chemically reacts (selenious acid) with the exposed aluminum scratch and makes it black again. From gun reviewers it seems to work pretty well. I wonder how well it will work for our black anodized iphone's.

Again this is different than a Sharpie or even the Birchwood touch up pens (which is paint) that come in matte and gloss black as well. This actually changes the surface of the metal.

My only concern is how it would react to the plastic antenna points if those areas near it were scratched. It comes in a plastic container so maybe it will be fine?

Thoughts...?

I keep my screen protectors on for 3-6 months (sometimes longer) and am thinking about adding this to my maintenance routine.

If I were to use this I would take every precaution to ensure it didn't touch anything that it didn't need to by carefully taping off the areas. The more time you put into it the better it will turn out.

It's black anodized black metal. It's gonna scuff. A little DIY never hurt anyone.

 

[caesarp]

Okay, I just joined this site to help those who ordered an iPhone from Verizon and experienced damage out of the box.

I pre-ordered from Verizon's site (not Apple) and received my black 32GB iPhone on lauch day (Sept. 21st) at 9:00 AM. I noticed some minor scuffs/straight lines that show the color of the underlying metal (white-ish looking straight lines) precisely along the edge where the side band meets the chamfered edge. I wasn't too concerned though. But then I came across this thread and it brought out the OCD in me.

So in more carefully examining my phone a few days later, I noticed two nicks/chips in the chamfered edge (one top back, the other on the bottom right corner back). These bothered me more as potential weak points that could get worse over time. I also didn't like that my fingernail gets caught in these nicks, ruining the smooth feel. Frankly, I'm not 100% sure those nicks were there out of the box, as I didn't know what to look for then and in certain angles/light it is hard to see.

Not wanting to deal with a Verizon store or an Apple store (that may not have stock anyway) and have a human look at me funny over the cosmetic damage, I decided the best route would probably be to call Verizon directly.

So this morning (Sunday) I dialed *611 from my iPhone, which connects me to Verizon. After listening to the menu prompts I pressed 4, then asked to speak to a representative. About 2 minutes later a rep comes on the line.

I explained to the rep that I received an iPhone 5 that was damaged on the bezel and sides and was hoping they would ship me a replacment phone, and that I could return my current phone upon receipt of the replacment. She said no problem, she would put this in as a DOA (Dead on Arrival). [I understood from our call that the term "DOA" is key to getting a replacement shipped]. I didn't mention DOA, she did -- but another rep might not know, so keep that in mind.

So she took down my information and said the replacment phone should ship tomorrow via 2 day fedex. I will receive a tracking # when it ships (in the meantime she gave me a confirmation number). My plan is to very very carefully examine the replacment phone and if it is better cosmetically I'll do the swap. If not I'll keep my current phone, ship back the replacment, and maybe try again.

She did say they will put a temp charge on my credit card, which will be removed once they receive my phone back. We didn't discuss a restocking fee, but I see that Verizon's site lists a $37.00 restocking fee for returns. If they do charge that, I won't cry. But it didn't sound like that would be charged.

By the way, as far as the flat slate gray back (where the apple logo is), I don't see any problem with that. The problem on these phones appears to be the side band, where it meets the chamfered edge (which tends to get some discoloration) and the chamfered edge itself, which appears to be prone to nicks/chips (perhaps as part of the manufacturing process). So it is really the edges and the sides. The back itself (the flat part) does not appear to have any problems with scratching or discloration from normal use.

Just wanted to clear up confusion as to scuff-gate, as articles I read tended to focus on the slate gray back. I don't see that as a weak point. The main problem (from my phone and most of the pics in this thread) appears to be the edge of the side-band (the thing that is stainless steel on the iPhone 4S) and the chamfered edge thing.

Update: I just got the confirmation email from Verizon on this. Despite what the rep said on my initial call about shipping the replacement in 2 days, it won't ship until October 26th (they have no special stock for replacements). I actually think this is good, as perhaps the later batch will not have the manufacturing defects of the initial batch. No harm in continuing to use my iPhone 5 as is, for a few more weeks.

 

[gsugolfer]

Update: I just got the confirmation email from Verizon on this. Despite what the rep said on my initial call about shipping the replacement in 2 days, it won't ship until October 26th (they have no special stock for replacements). I actually think this is good, as perhaps the later batch will not have the manufacturing defects of the initial batch. No harm in continuing to use my iPhone 5 as is, for a few more weeks.

I was told by the rep to ignore the 10/26 date and that it should ship as soon as there is stock available. She CLAIMED that worry-free guarantee replacements are put at the front of the line.

Not sure how true that is.

 

[daneoni]

I've been debating about returning mine since its only got 1 scuff that isn't too noticeable. Would you guys return yours for this? It's at the dead corner of where the camera and chaffed glass area is

BTW: it's not that dot on the band area that's lint as I've got a shield on sides

Where did you get a protector for the back?

 

[madKIR]

Update: I just got the confirmation email from Verizon on this. Despite what the rep said on my initial call about shipping the replacement in 2 days, it won't ship until October 26th (they have no special stock for replacements). I actually think this is good, as perhaps the later batch will not have the manufacturing defects of the initial batch. No harm in continuing to use my iPhone 5 as is, for a few more weeks.

It really amuses me how every year people believe in miracles. When the iPhone 4 was released the forum was full of the same crappy myths of how Apple fixed the antenna or put a coating on it and the signal got much stronger.
These things never happen to Apple! We all know that it took them half a year to redesign the antenna, which became the iPhone 4 for Verizon and later the 4S.
Here's the same situation: they were producing the test devices a long time ago. This is the manufacturing process for the iPhone 5. They're not gonna fix and change it in a month or two. Even if they decide to tweak something, it will take at least another 6 months, which I don't believe will happen since it's just the cosmetic issue. If Apple could get away with the faulty antenna, which made the phone unusable in some cases, I think they have nothing to worry about this time around.

 

[caesarp]

It really amuses me how every year people believe in miracles. When the iPhone 4 was released the forum was full of the same crappy myths of how Apple fixed the antenna or put a coating on it and the signal got much stronger.
These things never happen to Apple! We all know that it took them half a year to redesign the antenna, which became the iPhone 4 for Verizon and later the 4S.
Here's the same situation: they were producing the test devices a long time ago. This is the way the manufacturing process is for the iPhone 5. They're not gonna fix and change it in a month or two. Even if they decide to tweak something, it will take at least another 6 months, which I don't believe will happen since it's just the cosmetic issue. If Apple could get away with the faulty antenna, which made the phone unusable in some cases, I think they have nothing to worry about this time around.

I'm not looking for a miracle. Just a replacement phone that hopefully is one of the few that is blemish free. Can't hurt to try.