iPhone 7 Plus MB - strange circle scratch marks issue?

[nonchalant]

Hi all.

I've had my new iPhone 7 Plus 256GB Matte Black phone for about 2 days now. I've been handling it like it's a nuclear warhead, gently placing it on soft surfaces and being careful not to get any scratches before my case arrives (today, incidentally).

However, today, to my horror, I noticed these super odd "crop circle" type...scratches? or marks? on the back of the phone. They definitely aren't scratches that I made myself. Regardless of the fact that I have been treating it so carefully, there is no way I could make scratches in perfect circles, the same size like that.

What do you guys think the issue is? It was sorta hot last night when charging, it almost looks like something from the inside made those marks. I am so frustrated because I just got this phone after waiting so long after my preorder, and I do NOT feel like giving it back up for repair right now.

 

[Pez555]

that.......is really strange?

 

[Born Again]

You're holding it wrong.

But seriously OP can you rub those out? er careful with my words there

 

[jamesarm97]

I have seen Stranger Things, that is no lie. Good show.

 

[nonchalant]

Tried buffing it off with force, no luck. still there.

 

[VertPin]

It looks like you had it on some surface? Can you smudge it out?

 

[tremlock]

wow, thats weird....never saw that before

 

[Born Again]

Tried buffing it off with force, no luck. still there.

i wonder if it's the battery glue. OP when you charge it are the circles cooler than the rest of the iphone?

 

[jamesarm97]

Looking at the leaked iPhone 7 photos the inside back machined part doesn't appear to have anything in those locations. Have you ever used a car mount or something?

 

[predation]

 

[nonchalant]

i wonder if it's the battery glue. OP when you charge it are the circles cooler than the rest of the iphone?

I will test this right now.

I have not used it with a car mount yet. I've only had it two days, so I really haven't had a chance to do much with it at all.

 

[keysofanxiety]

My vote's for tiny aliens trying to make contact with us.

In all seriousness, that's massively unorthodox. I'm afraid you'll have to speak with Apple. Better log a case sooner rather than later.

 

[Givmeabrek]

Crazy! What kind of case was it in? What was it sitting on? It didn't happen by itself....

 

[nonchalant]

No case. It was sitting on my soft bed comforter last night, my pocket on the train this morning, and on my (very flat and smooth) desk when I discovered the issue. Nothing that I'm aware of that causes marks like that. It certainly does seem like something supernatural is going on here.

 

[se1000]

I bet it's the machine at the factory that picks up these things. The opposite to this guy, but probably uses a similar mechanism. I'd try to see if household cleaning chemicals will clear it up, if it doesn't come out, I'd return it, it may be a freak defect in the anodization process

 

[gecis]

Crop Circles maybe?

 

[mattopotamus]

I would have definitely said it was from something you laid it on. The back almost looks covered in saw dust or chalk. Is that just the light or angle?

Like the bottom right ring looks smeared.

 

[nonchalant]

there is no saw dust, that's probably just the light, I had to get a good angle to show the circles. The smearing is just the result of my thumb trying to rub it off.

 

[MyAppleWorld]

Looks like factory machine marks. My car windscreen has the exact same marks and they won't come out!

Return and replace !!!

 

[mattopotamus]

Looks like factory machine marks. My car windscreen has the exact same marks and they won't come out!

Return and replace !!!

It is just weird they would not be there right away. You are right though, that is exactly what it looks like.

 

[sawah]

It looks like machine marks from a factory. Suction cup etc.

 

[nonchalant]

I don't think any of the Apple stores in NYC have the 7+ MB 256GB in stock. If I go in and show them this issue, will they be able to document it and eventually give me a replacement even if it takes longer than the 14 day return window?

 

[mattopotamus]

I don't think any of the Apple stores in NYC have the 7+ MB 256GB in stock. If I go in and show them this issue, will they be able to document it and eventually give me a replacement even if it takes longer than the 14 day return window?

Did you by chance get AC+? If so, call AppleCare and get an express replacement. They overnight phones.

 

[mi7chy]

Probably just a manufacturing issue. Document it with Apple store so it can be replaced when a newer batch is available.

 

[Brian N]

My iPhone 7 128gb black also has these issues bought around the same time as you. Does anyone else have these issues? My local Apple Store thought I was crazy and I self induced these marks with some sort of case or mount.

Did you issue get resolved?