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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
we bought 3 blacks and one white from sprint store yesterday...the white and 2 blacks were good, one black had chip so decided to just get white and last one was good as well. so not bad only 1 out of 4 unsatisfactory.....
 
Everyone is entitled to a new Iphone out of the box,unscratched, unscuffed in propper operating order. That said we have to be realists. Put a case on your Iphone5 if you want to maintain its cosmetic appearence.
 
just got a 16black last week, when applying a new screen protector i noticed a small nick in the glass along the bezel.. ill be exchanging this in fear it will turn into something worse.
 
ISO50 said:
Today I happened to be near an Apple Store and decided to see how the display units were holding up. Is this the vintage/worn look people were looking forward to or does this just look like a cheap product?

Image
Click to expand...

This is what I saw in my local store too. There will be no vintage look just ugly scratches. On the up side, when it's very scratched you can get it engraved.
 
Is there anyway of telling by the serial number on the box if the phone is one of the latest batch with no damage?

I'm getting ready to take back a 64GB to Verizon and I hate for them to do the whole exchange thing only to open up a new one that is worst then the one I have.
 
I went to the store to get my phone replaced due to a camera issue and the first replacement had numerous defects along the edges and I felt it was too much. The second replacement had minute marks and was acceptable. It also had a sizable gouge near the lightning port on the front beveled edge but I didn't notice it till I got home.

It seems like the replacements might be the ones that failed cosmetic QC.
 
blulegend said:
It seems like the replacements might be the ones that failed cosmetic QC.
Click to expand...

that is the exact same impression I am getting. I opened 7 boxes (white ones) and all had cosmetic issues. The fact that the genius allowed me to go through 7 boxes already says something about the batch of replacements.

So my phone now has an issue with the screen clicking on the sides and I am wary about going for a replacement again.
 
Oceadge said:
Mine had a small scratch/dint, out of the box, on the aluminium band just below the Home button.

Today I brought it back to the Apple Store where I bought it (Hornsby, Australia). The first guy I spoke to told me that it was perfectly normal for there to be small scratches on the iPhone 5 and that there was nothing I could do about it.

I spoke with someone else. This guy a took a little more time to explain that Apple will not do anything about small cosmetic faults like this on my iPhone. They will only offer replacements where the fault interferes with the functionality of the device. He said that there have been many people bringing their phones back over the past week and they are all being told the same thing - that nothing can be done.

When I pushed it further he spoke to his manager and came back to say that he could set up a Genius Bar appointment and they might be able to replace it with a refurbished model. He didn't recommend I do this though because he said the refurbished model will probably be in worse condition than my "new" phone. (I can believe this because when they replaced my iPhone 4 with a refurbished one the first one I got had a purple screen, the second the SIM card slot wouldn't close and the third had a yellow tint to the screen and they refused to try a fourth time).

I asked if I could get a refund and then I'd just buy another one. He said I can do this within the first 12 days but they probably won't have stock again for quite some time so it will be a long wait before I will be able to buy another one. Also, he said the new phone will likely have scratches too and may be worse then the one I have now. So, he recommended against it.

I'm not happy. It's only a small scratch but after paying $1,000 for a phone then I expect it to be perfect out of the box.
Click to expand...

fishmd said:
Hum, I think it would be best in your case to call up Apple support. I am sure that they will be more willing to try to help you out in this case.
Click to expand...

Update:
I called AppleCare and explained the situation. The Customer Care Rep called my local Apple Store where I bought the phone. They told him that they would swap out my phone without any problem. I went to the store about an hour later and the person at the door told me that I would be better off keeping my original dented phone because a replacement would likely be in worse condition. I explained that I had spoken to Apple Care. They told me they didn't have any replacement phones. I told them that Apple Care had spoken to the store an hour before... They transferred me to someone else. I explained the situation again. They raised a Genius Bar appointment for me so I waited again. Finally got talking to a Genius who told me they don't replace phones with cosmetic damage. I then had to call Apple Care again from the store. Finally the genius agreed that I could get a replacement phone. They took out a refurbished model. I said that Apple Care had told me I'd get a new phone, not a refurb. After a lot more waiting around the genius finally agreed to give me a new phone. She brought the box over and reminded me that there was a good chance the new phone would be in worse condition to my original. She also said that this was a one time only offer - if it turned out to be in worse condition then I wouldn't get another one. I asked if I could see it before accepting it. She said no. I asked if it turned out to be in worse condition then could I keep my original phone. She said no, once the exchange was done then I would have to keep the replacement and I would never be able to exchange that one. I said that I didn't accept that - taking such a big gamble on a $1,000 phone. She was not able to offer me any other options so I didn't take the risk.

The next day I called Apple Care back. The guy I had spoken to sounded surprised because when he spoke to the Store they gave him the impression that there would be no issues. He also sounded genuinely surprised that so many Apple Store employees have told me that a new replacement phone would probably have more scratches and dents than my original.

He offered to send me out a replacement phone. He put $1,000 hold on my credit card and then sent me a "Settlement Agreement & Release of all Claims" form which I had to sign and return. I did this and received a replacement phone by courier last Friday. (Production week: 40 (October))

It turns out the Apple Store staff were correct. The replacement phone was in worse condition than my original. It had two small dents on the bottom back band, 7 small dints on the rear, 13 shiny marks on the back (including one on the Apple logo) and a silver scratch near the glass on the front right.

I have just e-mailed photos to Apple Care to see what they'll say.

All I want is a phone without dents. At this stage scuff marks etc. will be fine - I just want one without scratches or dents.
 
Oceadge said:
Update:
I called AppleCare and explained the situation. The Customer Care Rep called my local Apple Store where I bought the phone. They told him that they would swap out my phone without any problem. I went to the store about an hour later and the person at the door told me that I would be better off keeping my original dented phone because a replacement would likely be in worse condition. I explained that I had spoken to Apple Care. They told me they didn't have any replacement phones. I told them that Apple Care had spoken to the store an hour before... They transferred me to someone else. I explained the situation again. They raised a Genius Bar appointment for me so I waited again. Finally got talking to a Genius who told me they don't replace phones with cosmetic damage. I then had to call Apple Care again from the store. Finally the genius agreed that I could get a replacement phone. They took out a refurbished model. I said that Apple Care had told me I'd get a new phone, not a refurb. After a lot more waiting around the genius finally agreed to give me a new phone. She brought the box over and reminded me that there was a good chance the new phone would be in worse condition to my original. She also said that this was a one time only offer - if it turned out to be in worse condition then I wouldn't get another one. I asked if I could see it before accepting it. She said no. I asked if it turned out to be in worse condition then could I keep my original phone. She said no, once the exchange was done then I would have to keep the replacement and I would never be able to exchange that one. I said that I didn't accept that - taking such a big gamble on a $1,000 phone. She was not able to offer me any other options so I didn't take the risk.

The next day I called Apple Care back. The guy I had spoken to sounded surprised because when he spoke to the Store they gave him the impression that there would be no issues. He also sounded genuinely surprised that so many Apple Store employees have told me that a new replacement phone would probably have more scratches and dents than my original.

He offered to send me out a replacement phone. He put $1,000 hold on my credit card and then sent me a "Settlement Agreement & Release of all Claims" form which I had to sign and return. I did this and received a replacement phone by courier last Friday. (Production week: 40 (October))

It turns out the Apple Store staff were correct. The replacement phone was in worse condition than my original. It had two small dents on the bottom back band, 7 small dints on the rear, 13 shiny marks on the back (including one on the Apple logo) and a silver scratch near the glass on the front right.

I have just e-mailed photos to Apple Care to see what they'll say.

All I want is a phone without dents. At this stage scuff marks etc. will be fine - I just want one without scratches or dents.
Click to expand...

Was the production week 40 a white or retail box?
 
ritmomundo said:
That was great! Probably one of the best SNL skits I've seen in a while.
Click to expand...

The funniest part was when Kenan's character said even though we asked for a phone that was lighter and thinner this phone is too light and thin. I was cracking up with that one. Still nothing this season has come close to being as funny as Seth McFarland’s impression of Ryan Lochte. If anybody hasn’t seen that they need to check it out.
 
Oceadge said:
It is a 64GB Black in a retail box.
Click to expand...

Go to another Apple store. I got my phone replaced twice, for minor cosmetic defects, without any problem. The 2nd time, they actually inspected the phone first to make sure they have a flawless phone prior to contacting me, and it was a perfect looking phone.

It all got to do with the staff you're dealing with. I got a good one, very customer focus and friendly, and was told I can exchange my phone as many time as I want, until I'm satisfy with it.
 
I bought applecare +, so I'll probably be going caseless. My phone is definitely picking up some slight scuffs and marks (black phone), but it's not horrible. My phone stays in its own pocket (I don't have my keys in the same pocket as my phone ever), but it does get used so I do expect some nicks. It's not too bad, it is what it is. My iPhone 4 and 4s got the same nicks, just weren't as noticeable as there wasnt' any black anodizing on the phone.
 
Oceadge said:
Update:
I called AppleCare and explained the situation. The Customer Care Rep called my local Apple Store where I bought the phone. They told him that they would swap out my phone without any problem. I went to the store about an hour later and the person at the door told me that I would be better off keeping my original dented phone because a replacement would likely be in worse condition. I explained that I had spoken to Apple Care. They told me they didn't have any replacement phones. I told them that Apple Care had spoken to the store an hour before... They transferred me to someone else. I explained the situation again. They raised a Genius Bar appointment for me so I waited again. Finally got talking to a Genius who told me they don't replace phones with cosmetic damage. I then had to call Apple Care again from the store. Finally the genius agreed that I could get a replacement phone. They took out a refurbished model. I said that Apple Care had told me I'd get a new phone, not a refurb. After a lot more waiting around the genius finally agreed to give me a new phone. She brought the box over and reminded me that there was a good chance the new phone would be in worse condition to my original. She also said that this was a one time only offer - if it turned out to be in worse condition then I wouldn't get another one. I asked if I could see it before accepting it. She said no. I asked if it turned out to be in worse condition then could I keep my original phone. She said no, once the exchange was done then I would have to keep the replacement and I would never be able to exchange that one. I said that I didn't accept that - taking such a big gamble on a $1,000 phone. She was not able to offer me any other options so I didn't take the risk.

The next day I called Apple Care back. The guy I had spoken to sounded surprised because when he spoke to the Store they gave him the impression that there would be no issues. He also sounded genuinely surprised that so many Apple Store employees have told me that a new replacement phone would probably have more scratches and dents than my original.

He offered to send me out a replacement phone. He put $1,000 hold on my credit card and then sent me a "Settlement Agreement & Release of all Claims" form which I had to sign and return. I did this and received a replacement phone by courier last Friday. (Production week: 40 (October))

It turns out the Apple Store staff were correct. The replacement phone was in worse condition than my original. It had two small dents on the bottom back band, 7 small dints on the rear, 13 shiny marks on the back (including one on the Apple logo) and a silver scratch near the glass on the front right.

I have just e-mailed photos to Apple Care to see what they'll say.

All I want is a phone without dents. At this stage scuff marks etc. will be fine - I just want one without scratches or dents.
Click to expand...

send it back for a full refund and just wait it out. There's obviously QC issues that Apple is (trying to address)...otherwise there wouldn't be riots/strikes/whatever going on at foxconn.

As someone who has gotten two cosmetically flawless iPhone 5s I can legitimately say that it would have been a huge bummer to unwrap a brand new device to have it look like it was dropped down a set of cement stairs. Sorry to hear about all of your troubles.
 
I removed the plastic backing from mine last night, and there's a tiny L-shaped scratch on the top glass panel. Of course, I noticed this after I'd already applied a screen protector on the front. There are a couple other minor imperfections and I'm debating whether it's worth returning.

My question- I purchased from AT&T so does that mean I need to return to AT&T? Or can I walk into my local Apple store?
 
So, I dealt with Apple Care and they have spoken to "top management" and have decided to not send me anymore phones.

They sent me a total of 3 replacements (one of them never got to me because UPS lost it or it was stolen, so really 2 replacements). At this point, the Apple Case Manager said that I could return it for a full refund or just keep the phone and perhaps visit a local Apple Store.

I am disappointed, to say the least. Every single replacement that I received had a scuff or a scratch on it. The Case Manager himself sympathized and even said that he would return it for a full refund because he would like a phone that was impeccable. Nevertheless, his hands were tied and he could not offer me anymore replacements.

To a certain extent, I am aware that going to the store and replacing it there seems more practical because you can see if a phone has a scratch and they can just bring you another one, instead of waiting for one to ship to you.

At the present moment I am not sure what to do. I wonder if I should just let it be and deal with it, return it and get a white one, or return it and check back in with Apple a few months down the road.

The Case Manager did admit that Apple is aware that the black anodized metal scuff's easily, but there is no official word on what they will do, if anything at all.
 
Found a small nick (really tiny) on the chamfer of my phone today. Not really a problem but makes me wonder how it happened since the phone has been in a case since first day of usage. Then again maybe it was there when I got it and I didn't notice it. :)
 
namsterdamus said:
Looks like white scratches are not only common but very easy now because the metal is much thinner and the coating is different.
Click to expand...

The main difference is Apple made a switch to aluminum which is much softer than the stainless steel used on the iPhone 4/4s.

----------
VidPro said:
Found a small nick (really tiny) on the chamfer of my phone today. Not really a problem but makes me wonder how it happened since the phone has been in a case since first day of usage. Then again maybe it was there when I got it and I didn't notice it. :)
Click to expand...

Could have also been caused by the case... ;)
 
ISO50 said:
The main difference is Apple made a switch to aluminum which is much softer than the stainless steel used on the iPhone 4/4s.

----------



Could have also been caused by the case... ;)
Click to expand...

I'm assuming that is the cause but kind of ridiculous in my mind. I have several more now. So what have we learned class? Put your phone in a case and please by no means take it out until the day you are ready to sell it.:rolleyes:
 
I have got my black iPhone 5 for 2 weeks now and it was flawless out of the box. I have been very careful with it, keep it in a Sena leather case and its only naked when its in my hand.....

Yet somehow it has got a blemish on the chamfered rim. No idea how it happened but it was just there all of a sudden. It's really annoying as it reflects the light, making it very noticeable.

I am concerned about how it will look near the end of my 24 month contract. To me this is a massive design flaw and they need to rethink this for the next version
 
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