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I've also seen a fair share of articles detailing how 7000 series is easier to corrode than 6000 series.

But first, let me just say I have no idea what they mean by "easier to corrode", because yes you're right a corrosion in aluminium simply means a layer of aluminium oxide forming on the surface.

Maybe the articles meant that 7000 series aluminium's anodized coating is prone to wearing off due to the zinc content. Causing a pockmarked and uneven surface.

If that is the case, I would have much preferred the more durable finish over the stronger metal. The bending was less of a concern for me and I think, at least some others too.
 
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And may I also add that my replacement unit so far has been mostly flawless. Haven't found any chips yet.

So yes, this is definitely a very very isolated issue. But as I've said, many people put their phone into a cover and hardly remove it again. So this issue might be bigger than it seems, just that not a lot of people are as anal as me and inspect my phone every now and then.

Do you have it in a case?
 
Do you have it in a case?

Yes I do still put it in a cover. The same cheap China cover that I used with the previous 6s Plus which I returned.

So to those who blamed me for using a cheap China cover, thus causing chemical reaction and damaging the phone, you're obviously wrong.
 
Yes I do still put it in a cover. The same cheap China cover that I used with the previous 6s Plus which I returned.

So to those who blamed me for using a cheap China cover, thus causing chemical reaction and damaging the phone, you're obviously wrong.

Can we see a pic of the case? Some detailed pics of the interior too.
 

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Here you go

Thanks. Is that soft tpu, or a hard plastic around the edges?

It should be ok if it is a soft tpu, but if it is a hard plastic you might want to avoid that case. Not that it definitely causes damage, but those are never good for phones.

Given that you use both films and a case,you are probably a very careful person with your phone, and take good care of it.
 
Thanks. Is that soft tpu, or a hard plastic around the edges?

It should be ok if it is a soft tpu, but if it is a hard plastic you might want to avoid that case. Not that it definitely causes damage, but those are never good for phones.

Given that you use both films and a case,you are probably a very careful person with your phone, and take good care of it.

It's soft TPU at the sides. Yes, I'm generally quite a careful person. The iPhone costs a bomb, naturally I'll be careful with it. Haha
 
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Having some experience with castings, forging and anodized parts the pits or voids seen are not caused by sweat or induced by a case. Those are most probably porosity breakouts from tiny bubbles in the metal. Edges would be particularly prone to this. A microscopic examination would provide definitive proof along with cross section cuts through affected areas. The other less likely cause is some failure in anodization process, although the pits look deeper than what the anodizing would go based on the limited pictures.

Pour temperature of initial castings, and the first casts are always rejected due to stabilization of molds, liquid aluminum temperature and any potential contaminant. Manufacturing stresses around drilled holes, and milled or ground surfaces will tend to cause these voids to break out more readily in those areas. Edges are particularly susceptible because there is no supporting metal on three quarters of surface when looking at it in cross section.

No question this is a manufacturing defect that got through quality control. These porosity voids can be just below the surface and not break out immediately. Therefore can get past inspection. As phone is handled the lack of material will cause the surface piece covering the void to break out. Unless you x-Ray every part, there is no way to detect these hidden defects. The lack of wide spread occurrence shows Apple has a hand on the process and excludes these defective early molds properly on each casting run.

These things will occur on a 70 million part production run. Neither Apple or the consumer is at fault here. It is the way physics and real world works regardless of marketing, lawyers, fanboys, or nay sayers. Since Apple exchanged the phone without even a second thought, the Apple system is working. The consumer is happy and further bellowing by non manufacturing experienced people on here is simply dogs howling at the moon.
 
Having some experience with castings, forging and anodized parts the pits or voids seen are not caused by sweat or induced by a case. Those are most probably porosity breakouts from tiny bubbles in the metal. Edges would be particularly prone to this. A microscopic examination would provide definitive proof along with cross section cuts through affected areas. The other less likely cause is some failure in anodization process, although the pits look deeper than what the anodizing would go based on the limited pictures.

Pour temperature of initial castings, and the first casts are always rejected due to stabilization of molds, liquid aluminum temperature and any potential contaminant. Manufacturing stresses around drilled holes, and milled or ground surfaces will tend to cause these voids to break out more readily in those areas. Edges are particularly susceptible because there is no supporting metal on three quarters of surface when looking at it in cross section.

No question this is a manufacturing defect that got through quality control. These porosity voids can be just below the surface and not break out immediately. Therefore can get past inspection. As phone is handled the lack of material will cause the surface piece covering the void to break out. Unless you x-Ray every part, there is no way to detect these hidden defects. The lack of wide spread occurrence shows Apple has a hand on the process and excludes these defective early molds properly on each casting run.

These things will occur on a 70 million part production run. Neither Apple or the consumer is at fault here. It is the way physics and real world works regardless of marketing, lawyers, fanboys, or nay sayers. Since Apple exchanged the phone without even a second thought, the Apple system is working. The consumer is happy and further bellowing by non manufacturing experienced people on here is simply dogs howling at the moon.

I think this is the best reply of the thread so far. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.
 
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Having some experience with castings, forging and anodized parts the pits or voids seen are not caused by sweat or induced by a case. Those are most probably porosity breakouts from tiny bubbles in the metal. Edges would be particularly prone to this. A microscopic examination would provide definitive proof along with cross section cuts through affected areas. The other less likely cause is some failure in anodization process, although the pits look deeper than what the anodizing would go based on the limited pictures.

Pour temperature of initial castings, and the first casts are always rejected due to stabilization of molds, liquid aluminum temperature and any potential contaminant. Manufacturing stresses around drilled holes, and milled or ground surfaces will tend to cause these voids to break out more readily in those areas. Edges are particularly susceptible because there is no supporting metal on three quarters of surface when looking at it in cross section.

No question this is a manufacturing defect that got through quality control. These porosity voids can be just below the surface and not break out immediately. Therefore can get past inspection. As phone is handled the lack of material will cause the surface piece covering the void to break out. Unless you x-Ray every part, there is no way to detect these hidden defects. The lack of wide spread occurrence shows Apple has a hand on the process and excludes these defective early molds properly on each casting run.

These things will occur on a 70 million part production run. Neither Apple or the consumer is at fault here. It is the way physics and real world works regardless of marketing, lawyers, fanboys, or nay sayers. Since Apple exchanged the phone without even a second thought, the Apple system is working. The consumer is happy and further bellowing by non manufacturing experienced people on here is simply dogs howling at the moon.
But why this problem didnt happen on iphone 6 ?
 
But why this problem didnt happen on iphone 6 ?
Different metal, so solidification and porosity formation would be different. I would expect this problem to disappear as modifications are made to the mixture, temperature of the pour process. It could also have resulted in some initial metal mix composition variability. Also refined over time. The fact we have seen so few of these is indication that the foundry producing these cases has the process under control as so few slipped through.

I have seen castings that were good for years with only one or two percent porosity, suddenly show 30 percent if ovens are changed, molds modified, mixtures of metals varying. This is as much an art as a science. Any time something changes like going from one type of aluminum to another, their will be teething problems. Based on the numbers and the easy exchange Apple made, this is really a non issue to be concerned about.

Additionally, who is to say that this didn't happen on the iPhone 6. You do realize what a small percentage of iPhone users are on these forums. It is quite likely that somewhere around the world someone got a similar problem with their iPhone 6 and exchanged it. Only Apple would know for sure and no manufacturer I ever heard of would publish such information. This stuff is highly proprietory.
 
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Different metal, so solidification and porosity formation would be different. I would expect this problem to disappear as modifications are made to the mixture, temperature of the pour process. It could also have resulted in some initial metal mix composition variability. Also refined over time. The fact we have seen so few of these is indication that the foundry producing these cases has the process under control as so few slipped through.

I have seen castings that were good for years with only one or two percent porosity, suddenly show 30 percent if ovens are changed, molds modified, mixtures of metals varying. This is as much an art as a science. Any time something changes like going from one type of aluminum to another, their will be teething problems. Based on the numbers and the easy exchange Apple made, this is really a non issue to be concerned about.

Additionally, who is to say that this didn't happen on the iPhone 6. You do realize what a small percentage of iPhone users are on these forums. It is quite likely that somewhere around the world someone got a similar problem with their iPhone 6 and exchanged it. Only Apple would know for sure and no manufacturer I ever heard of would publish such information. This stuff is highly proprietory.
Wow youre the aluminium master xD
 
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Different metal, so solidification and porosity formation would be different. I would expect this problem to disappear as modifications are made to the mixture, temperature of the pour process. It could also have resulted in some initial metal mix composition variability. Also refined over time. The fact we have seen so few of these is indication that the foundry producing these cases has the process under control as so few slipped through.

I have seen castings that were good for years with only one or two percent porosity, suddenly show 30 percent if ovens are changed, molds modified, mixtures of metals varying. This is as much an art as a science. Any time something changes like going from one type of aluminum to another, their will be teething problems. Based on the numbers and the easy exchange Apple made, this is really a non issue to be concerned about.

Additionally, who is to say that this didn't happen on the iPhone 6. You do realize what a small percentage of iPhone users are on these forums. It is quite likely that somewhere around the world someone got a similar problem with their iPhone 6 and exchanged it. Only Apple would know for sure and no manufacturer I ever heard of would publish such information. This stuff is highly proprietory.

Thanks for your insight. Highly informative. But how about all those articles stating that 7000 series aluminium is easier to corrode than 6000 series due to the higher zinc content? What does that actually mean?
 
Thanks for your insight. Highly informative. But how about all those articles stating that 7000 series aluminium is easier to corrode than 6000 series due to the higher zinc content? What does that actually mean?
Means exactly what it says. Zinc content is easier to corrode than alloy with less zinc.
- The question is how much easier?
- Over what time period?
- With what solvent Solvents?
- Under what conditions?

A bit of perspective is always helpful in determining the amount of concern someone should have over a given issue. Let's take two hypothetical case studies and see if they can level set the concern you have over zinc content.

Case one
A high speed Mach 3 aircraft is produced from this aluminum containing zinc. This aluminum will be heated due to frictional forces to several hundred degrees and subjected to -70 degrees all within each flight. It flys in an environment that contains water vapor, liquid water, and ice. Additionally atmospheric pollutants such a sulfuric acid from coal power plants as well as other pollutants are pounded against it's surface at over 2,000 miles an hour. This aluminum is subjected to high stress forces and is flexed and bent millions of times during it's flight lifetime. Further, hydraulic fluids, JP4 jet fuel (kerosene) and various lubricating oils come in contact with this aluminum. This aircraft will be expected to remain operational for the next 20 years, and beyond.

Case two
The same aluminum containing a trace amount of zinc is molded into a case for a small hand held mobile device, that will most likely be used for a year or two by it owner. This owner will baby the device carrying it in a case and/or in their pocket. The owner will scrupulously avoid moisture and any other solvents from touching their device with most likely the harshest liquid being the sweat from their hand. The owner will keep the device from freezing temperatures and protecting it from temperatures that would burn human flesh. The device might be subjected to the impact from the rare fall, but normally be cradled lovingly in it's owner's hands.

How concerned about corrosion of the aluminum in your iPhone are you after reading this?
 
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Having some experience with castings, forging and anodized parts the pits or voids seen are not caused by sweat or induced by a case. Those are most probably porosity breakouts from tiny bubbles in the metal. Edges would be particularly prone to this. A microscopic examination would provide definitive proof along with cross section cuts through affected areas. The other less likely cause is some failure in anodization process, although the pits look deeper than what the anodizing would go based on the limited pictures.

Pour temperature of initial castings, and the first casts are always rejected due to stabilization of molds, liquid aluminum temperature and any potential contaminant. Manufacturing stresses around drilled holes, and milled or ground surfaces will tend to cause these voids to break out more readily in those areas. Edges are particularly susceptible because there is no supporting metal on three quarters of surface when looking at it in cross section.

No question this is a manufacturing defect that got through quality control. These porosity voids can be just below the surface and not break out immediately. Therefore can get past inspection. As phone is handled the lack of material will cause the surface piece covering the void to break out. Unless you x-Ray every part, there is no way to detect these hidden defects. The lack of wide spread occurrence shows Apple has a hand on the process and excludes these defective early molds properly on each casting run.

These things will occur on a 70 million part production run. Neither Apple or the consumer is at fault here. It is the way physics and real world works regardless of marketing, lawyers, fanboys, or nay sayers. Since Apple exchanged the phone without even a second thought, the Apple system is working. The consumer is happy and further bellowing by non manufacturing experienced people on here is simply dogs howling at the moon.
You're talking about castings. I was under the impression that MacBooks and iPhones were machined out a solid block of aluminum. Maybe I was mistaken.
 
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Same thing happened to mine as well but. I didn't care much about it since the phone will be trash after 2 years anyways.


If people can get a replacement phone because of this then I think I might want to get a new one as well since mine is with the Samsung chip. I might try my luck for a tsmc chip. the worst that could happen is I will get another samsung.
 
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Means exactly what it says. Zinc content is easier to corrode than alloy with less zinc.
- The question is how much easier?
- Over what time period?
- With what solvent Solvents?
- Under what conditions?

A bit of perspective is always helpful in determining the amount of concern someone should have over a given issue. Let's take two hypothetical case studies and see if they can level set the concern you have over zinc content.

Case one
A high speed Mach 3 aircraft is produced from this aluminum containing zinc. This aluminum will be heated due to frictional forces to several hundred degrees and subjected to -70 degrees all within each flight. It flys in an environment that contains water vapor, liquid water, and ice. Additionally atmospheric pollutants such a sulfuric acid from coal power plants as well as other pollutants are pounded against it's surface at over 2,000 miles an hour. This aluminum is subjected to high stress forces and is flexed and bent millions of times during it's flight lifetime. Further, hydraulic fluids, JP4 jet fuel (kerosene) and various lubricating oils come in contact with this aluminum. This aircraft will be expected to remain operational for the next 20 years, and beyond.

Case two
The same aluminum containing a trace amount of zinc is molded into a case for a small hand held mobile device, that will most likely be used for a year or two by it owner. This owner will baby the device carrying it in a case and/or in their pocket. The owner will scrupulously avoid moisture and any other solvents from touching their device with most likely the harshest liquid being the sweat from their hand. The owner will keep the device from freezing temperatures and protecting it from temperatures that would burn human flesh. The device might be subjected to the impact from the rare fall, but normally be cradled lovingly in it's owner's hands.

How concerned about corrosion of the aluminum in your iPhone are you after reading this?

Thank you sir. I think zinc is the least of my worries now. ;)
 
View attachment 602561 View attachment 602560 Same thing happened to mine as well but. I didn't care much about it since the phone will be trash after 2 years anyways.


If people can get a replacement phone because of this then I think I might want to get a new one as well since mine is with the Samsung chip. I might try my luck for a tsmc chip. the worst that could happen is I will get another samsung.

Yours definitely look like the same problem as mine albeit on a smaller scale. Definitely can try to get it replaced, and gamble for a TSMC chip. ;)
 
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You're talking about castings. I was under the impression that MacBooks and iPhones were machined out a solid block of aluminum. Maybe I was mistaken.
Where do you suppose these blocks of aluminum are found? Naturally occurring 7000 series aluminum blocks in the size of MacBooks and iPhone, lying at bottom of river beds like nuggets of gold? Or dug out of the ground in one piece at the iPhone mine?

A billet of solid aluminum is still made from liquid aluminum alloy poured into a mold. What they are saying is that the final finished shape is machined in, not cast to final measurements. This allows for more accuracy and a better micro finish. Smoothness to the surface. You can still have porosity in the base metal.
 
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View attachment 602561 View attachment 602560 Same thing happened to mine as well but. I didn't care much about it since the phone will be trash after 2 years anyways.


If people can get a replacement phone because of this then I think I might want to get a new one as well since mine is with the Samsung chip. I might try my luck for a tsmc chip. the worst that could happen is I will get another samsung.
did you check production week with your serial number?
 
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