Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPhone 5 bumpers + scratching

F

funnyboy88

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 18, 2009
192
83
I've used a bumper on my 4S since it was released (in combination with front and back films), and while I love the unintrusive design, I'm left with a phone with a severely scratched steel band. See the photo below.

I'm ready to upgrade to the 5s, and I'm looking at bumpers, but I'm afraid the same issue might reoccur. Obviously, I could be diligent about cleaning the bumper often, but I'd love to know if the iPhone 5 design has been any better about withstanding scuffs and scratches against bumpers.

jHXsz44.jpg


PS. Enjoy my wonderful hand modeling.
 
That happens with a lot of cases. I had a Speck PixelSkin HD on my 4S that did that over time. Not as severe as yours, but close.

No signs on my 5 yet, though.
 
I would search online for bumpers that don't have negative reviews about scratches. I haven't used a bumper on my 5 but I've used other hard cases and have not had any scratching.
 
That sucks, I use a Neo Hybrid Ex bumper on mine since launch date of the iPhone 5 and no signs of those. You should probably clean your phone more often.
 
have a Caze thin edge on my iphone 5. no scratches or marks. best bumper imo. smooth black finish, perfect fit and makes the phone feel solid
 
funnyboy88 said:
I've used a bumper on my 4S since it was released (in combination with front and back films), and while I love the unintrusive design, I'm left with a phone with a severely scratched steel band. See the photo below.

I'm ready to upgrade to the 5s, and I'm looking at bumpers, but I'm afraid the same issue might reoccur. Obviously, I could be diligent about cleaning the bumper often, but I'd love to know if the iPhone 5 design has been any better about withstanding scuffs and scratches against bumpers.

Image

PS. Enjoy my wonderful hand modeling.
Click to expand...

I've used plastic and aluminum bumpers, I've dropped the phone with them on, and no scratches whatsoever. You'd think the aluminum bumper would scratch the sides, but surprisingly it didn't.
 
I've had a bumper on my 4 for three years and there is no evidence of scratching. Mine was an Apple bumper. What kind was yours. I would be very unhappy with a bumper that did this to my phone.

I agree with you that it is a great minimalist approach to protecting the phone.
 
RichardC300 said:
That happens with a lot of cases. I had a Speck PixelSkin HD on my 4S that did that over time. Not as severe as yours, but close.
Click to expand...
Nary a scratch on my 4S from the Pixelskin HD. Nor on my brother's 4S.

The soft metal on the 5 will be the same on the 5S. It will scratch, ding, dent easily. And bend.
 
oaktree said:
I've had a bumper on my 4 for three years and there is no evidence of scratching. Mine was an Apple bumper. What kind was yours. I would be very unhappy with a bumper that did this to my phone.

I agree with you that it is a great minimalist approach to protecting the phone.
Click to expand...

I had a cheap eBay bumper (cheap in price, but the quality itself was pretty nice). I'm surprised you didn't have any issues with your Apple bumper because complaints are all over the net. Did you clean yours often?

https://www.google.com/search?clien...e+bumper+scratches+iphone+4&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
 
You need a rash guard to protect the phone from potential bumper scratches.

My Element Case came with some.
 
I second the idea for a wrap, i have one of my 5 right now and it negates the chance for scratched when i use a bumper.

Also, it's a good idea to take the bumper, or case in general, off the phone every so often to clean it, dust gets trapped and causes scratches. I remember when i bought my 2nd gen Touch back in 2009, i left the case on it for close to 8-9 months straight, then when i finally took i off, it looked like the iPod had been sandblasted
 
Use skid strips

Element case as well as a few other companies make plastic strips that will prevent this.... Friction against the aluminum or stainless antenna sides is going to cause scratches...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back