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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
Wow, you are all gonna be seriously bummed if you are this anal about the phone. The white one, which I have, has a satin finish, and yes, it will get scuff marks. Already have a few. Not worried about it. Why? I'm not obsessing over my phone being perfect. Apple has a history of this type of stuff, it happened to my iPod classic, the MacBook Pro, aluminum gets scuffed ! This is what you get for complaining about glass backs ! it's okay. It's not going to remain perfect out of the box forever - everyone is in the same boat so relax and stop being so obsessive - the phone itself is awesome !
 
I bought a 16GB black directly from apple.ca fully unlocked. There's a small dig in the middle of the top rear edge. I called customer service and they said I could return it, but it would be the end of October before they'd be able to get an exchange out to me.

I'm just going to live with it for now and if it still bothers me after 1-2 mo I'll just do a regular warranty swap at the Genius Bar.
 
fishmd said:
I know iPads they will let you change colors cause I did that with the iPad 3 launch, but I seem to recall at least wit one of the other iPhone launches they would not allow you to exchange colors.
Click to expand...

Really? Interesting. I'm going to call the online Apple Store to ask about an exchange but if that doesn't work I can still just to a return + new order. I haven't even opened mine. I'd try doing an exchange at my Apple Store at the mall... but they don't sell unlocked phones. I want an unlocked phone and you can only buy those from the online store in Canada.
 
littlepud said:
I bought a 16GB black directly from apple.ca fully unlocked. There's a small dig in the middle of the top rear edge. I called customer service and they said I could return it, but it would be the end of October before they'd be able to get an exchange out to me.

I'm just going to live with it for now and if it still bothers me after 1-2 mo I'll just do a regular warranty swap at the Genius Bar.
Click to expand...

I guess that answers my question! You just saved me from waiting on hold to ask about an exchange vs return + re-order. I already have my new white order placed. Yup... end of October. Oh well. I guess my old 3GS will be getting a bit more love before being retired to my junk drawer (or more likely given to one of my nieces to use as an iPod).
 
It's pretty bad when my 3GS looks like it's in mint condition compared to most pictures of the iPhone 5 in this thread :(
 
By the way... this phone is pretty awesome. Playing with them at the Apple Store I was REALLY struck by how thin and light they are... especially how light they are. Really amazing phone. Sucks that I didn't pre-order a white one to start with (talked myself into the black). I got up at 4 am for nothing. I had actually thought at the time of ordering BOTH and returning one once I saw both colours in person. But whatever. It's just a phone. Life goes on :D
 
I have seen some people say 'suck it up' or that it just anodise aluminium, you should know this was going to happen. But apple are clearly advertising the fact that this phone is built better than any other phone and is precisely machined.

http://youtu.be/u5X5cV-4LRo

5:12 in to the video is part of where they make this claim. Worn out router blades are probably causing the chamfer nicks and rough scuffs I think.
 
eye.surgeon said:
So far I'd have to say the quality control of the iphone 5 sucks. Apple should be all over the factory on these issues.
Click to expand...

Retribution for Apple meddling in FoxCon factory policies / practices?

Also, to the forum: I'm selling black iPhone repair kits (shown below). $10 US + shipping. PM me for details. :p

MarksALot.png
 
Takeo said:
Agreed. However the problem area is the chamfer. The back is easily protected with a skin. So you really only have to worry about the chamfer. And there's really no way to protect that. As least with the white version any chamfer scuffs should be barely visible (compared to the black).

For my part, this whole discussion it moot now. After seeing both in person I absolutely LOVE the white and silver one!!! No question. I like it WAY more than the black. Scuffs or no scuffs. I KNEW I should have went with the white. The pics of it blew me away. But I've never went white before so I decided to "play it safe" and stick with black. Oh well. I'll probably have to wait 4 weeks.
Click to expand...

There are various bumpers available on the internet to protect the chamfer/sides of the device, mainly from eBay. They're all a hard rubber or silicone material as well, so no hard polycarbonate or cheap plastic to scrape away the black coating.

All of it is pretty pointless though if I wind up going through loads of replacements just to get a phone that actually looks new.

The main reason it bothers me is that I'm very confident in being able to keep it blemish free for 2 years. I did it with the iPhone 4 up until a month before the warranty expired when the camera LED broke. The guy at the Apple store was in awe at how pristine it was for an 11 month old phone.

If I did the damage then fair enough. I do not however, appreciate a factory worker damaging my £700 investment. First world problems of the highest order.
 
PNutts said:
Retribution for Apple meddling in FoxCon factory policies / practices?

Also, to the forum: I'm selling black iPhone repair kits (shown below). $10 US + shipping. PM me for details. :p

View attachment 360656
Click to expand...
You're doing it all wrong. This is an apple product you see... I'm thinking more like $50 US + free shipping. Look, I'm going to cut you a deal. Hire me at 125k annual salary and I'll be your marketing guy. :p
 
Well this is all rather amusing. Here's what I had to say on this subject elsewhere, I guess it didn't take six months after all...


Archer1440 said:
Black aluminum bezel in 6061 alloy will definitely show dings and scratches from coins, rings and keys. They obviously ran the thinnest possible anodize finish on the part to show the polished chamfer.

Not only will it look like hell with minor scratches, some people's body chemistry/sweat will bleach out the color from normal handling and UV exposure. This is unavoidable with thin black anodize on 6061. Only way to avoid it is to go to a class III anodize, which can't be dyed dark black.

In six months there will be a thread on here bitching about blotchy finish.
Click to expand...
 
Just opened my black iPhone 5 and it is flawless, and what is funny is my sister got the white one and it looks scuffed on three of the corners.
 
Love the black model but saw some scuffs right out the box near headphones, said oh well and got on with my life. 4:10 PM in the day now and it's been used really carefully and in and out of my pocket, little scuffs all along the phone showing up.

Really love the color but considering going to white again this year.
 
so disappointed.

opened my brand new black iphone 5 and there was a nick on middle front on the top bezel.

probably ten times worse because it's black and when it's nicked - you can clearly see the silver underneath.

makes me kinda wish I ordered the white one now - atleast it wouldn't have bothered me as much then.

what to do......
 
ImageUploadedByTapatalk1348270146.049264.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1348270167.644207.jpg

Have minor nicks on the 2 phones we ordered through apple. Black has1 nick, while white has 5-6. Made a genius appointment for tomorrow.
 
i dont how people get scuffs all along the phone by simply putting it in your pocket.. do you guys have steel lint in your pockets???
I got a black one and a white one.. Orginally only ordered black but the apple store had so many in stock i had to pick up a extra phone and got a white one.. both look gorgeous.. white grew on me since the chamfered edge is more apparent and shiny on the white
 
six.four said:
so disappointed.

opened my brand new black iphone 5 and there was a nick on middle front on the top bezel.

probably ten times worse because it's black and when it's nicked - you can clearly see the silver underneath.

makes me kinda wish I ordered the white one now - atleast it wouldn't have bothered me as much then.

what to do......
Click to expand...

sorry to hear that.. go check the apple store.. do they still have any in stock.. it's 4:30 pm PST where i'm at and the apple store still has some iphones in stock. maybe u can get it swapped out.. i have a black and white also and lucky both are flawless.. The white scared me for a while since i saw a piece silver thing on the edge.. turned out to just be a spec of aluminum shaving and i just brushed it off.
 
Got 32gb Black from Sprint. Good sized nick near home button and scratched along left antenna.

Going to see if I can return it in a month when more are available. I don't want to lose my Gazelle quote on my 4.
 
Can't wait for one of those hitler videos where he goes ape ***** over scuff gate :) I'm lucky, only 1 small nick in my white iPhone. I can live with it, but can totally understand people taking their phone back.
 
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