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iPhone X and frame scratches. Which colour will hold better?

MjWoNeR

MjWoNeR

macrumors 6502
Original poster
So from what I understood the white glass back will have less fingerprints than the black. But what about scratches on the frame?

I read here in the forums that the iPhone X will use an other type of stainless steel “coating”, or something, than the Apple Watch. Which will make it not possible to polish?

I’m planning to have a case on my X from day 1.
I prefer the black one because the outline in the back camera is more discreet. But if the black stainless frame gets filled with tiny silver scratches after 1 year, I don’t know.

What do you guys think?
 
Not sure, nobody really knows until we have them for some time. I'd imagine both will have micro scratches. I use a case though so not really concerned with it.
 
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This has been discussed a few times, nobody knows the durability of the coating on the Space Grey until they're available.
Then you'll get real world experiences and I dare say some scratch test Youtube videos.

It definitely won't match the DLC on the SB Apple Watch (which is utterly fantastic).


I usually go with black/grey devices but will be going with Silver for the X for piece of mind regarding polishing out minor abrasions. Plus it looks great also.
 
DNichter said:
Not sure, nobody really knows until we have them for some time. I'd imagine both will have micro scratches. I use a case though so not really concerned with it.
Click to expand...

People who had a case on their jet black iPhones got micro scratches anyway. Though that was aluminium and not stainless steel. So maybe the black X with a case on will not get any micro scratches.

Pug72 said:
This has been discussed a few times, nobody knows the durability of the coating on the Space Grey until they're available.
Then you'll get real world experiences and I dare say some scratch test Youtube videos.

It definitely won't match the DLC on the SB Apple Watch (which is utterly fantastic).


I usually go with black/grey devices but will be going with Silver for the X for piece of mind regarding polishing out minor abrasions. Plus it looks great also.
Click to expand...
I’m not planning to do the wise thing and wait to see tests, I’ll be preordering. This is why I opt for speculation now.

I think someone said the X will use PVD coating instead of the watch’s superior DLC. But yes you are right, we can’t really know the quality of Apple’s PVD coating on the X without thorough testing. If it’s good quality there will probably be no problems if you use a case. If the quality is bad, a tight case might go as far as to wear the colour off after a year. Oh man, now I’m leaning towards the silver.

So the coating will only be on the black one. The silver phone will polish just fine?
 
MjWoNeR said:
So from what I understood the white glass back will have less fingerprints than the black. But what about scratches on the frame?

I read here in the forums that the iPhone X will use an other type of stainless steel “coating”, or something, than the Apple Watch. Which will make it not possible to polish?

I’m planning to have a case on my X from day 1.
I prefer the black one because the outline in the back camera is more discreet. But if the black stainless frame gets filled with tiny silver scratches after 1 year, I don’t know.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same after reading some threads on here, I was set on getting the black, for the same reasons as you, mine too will go in a case so the reason for going black for me were:

  • Black case with black phone = All black look - I don't like flashy coloured cases.
  • Black outline of the rear camera through the case will be discrete.
  • fingerprints not an issue if using a case.
I currently have the iphone 5s and its got lots of micro scratches all the way around the band of the phone, the rest of the phone is in pristine condition. This has happened from putting the phone in and out of cases, and from the tight fit of some of the cases that I have had in the past rubbing against the phone, especially around the button cut outs.

I know for sure the same will happen on the black X, as it will have a some sort of black/dark grey paint on the band, and regardless of whatever fancy coating method/paint apple uses it will pick up some micro scratches over time, I can guarantee you that. Also the scratches on the black will be more apparent versus the uncoated stainless steel on the white...and now solely because of that reason I am leaning towards getting a white one, even though I don't like the white back, but because its going in a case it shouldn't be a big deal, except the white will show through the camera cut out on the back of a case.

...and yes I am OCD
 
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PVD is a process. DLC is a material.

The DLC layer on the Space Black Apple Watch is applied using PVD. Indeed internal image files at Apple refer to the Space Black Apple Watch as the 'PVD' model.

And one more thing... Apple has stopped referring to DLC in its latest marketing material for the Series 3. I can't find it anywhere. So if Apple has stopped using the term 'DLC' in its marketing it is possible the iPhone X and the Space Black Series 3 have just the same coatings!

(In reality though I expect it not to be DLC on the iPhone, but still very durable.)
 
MjWoNeR said:
People who had a case on their jet black iPhones got micro scratches anyway. Though that was aluminium and not stainless steel. So maybe the black X with a case on will not get any micro scratches.


I’m not planning to do the wise thing and wait to see tests, I’ll be preordering. This is why I opt for speculation now.

I think someone said the X will use PVD coating instead of the watch’s superior DLC. But yes you are right, we can’t really know the quality of Apple’s PVD coating on the X without thorough testing. If it’s good quality there will probably be no problems if you use a case. If the quality is bad, a tight case might go as far as to wear the colour off after a year. Oh man, now I’m leaning towards the silver.

So the coating will only be on the black one. The silver phone will polish just fine?
Click to expand...

I don't know, I've had a black 7 Plus in a case for a year now with no scratches. I don't think it will be an issue for me.
 
This is starting to push me towards the silver one now. I’m OCD when it comes to my devices and always have them in a case.
 
MjWoNeR said:
So from what I understood the white glass back will have less fingerprints than the black. But what about scratches on the frame?

I read here in the forums that the iPhone X will use an other type of stainless steel “coating”, or something, than the Apple Watch. Which will make it not possible to polish?

I’m planning to have a case on my X from day 1.
I prefer the black one because the outline in the back camera is more discreet. But if the black stainless frame gets filled with tiny silver scratches after 1 year, I don’t know.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

its been 5 days i have received my iphone x and the edges are full of scratches..quality is too bad
 
For a similar reference, my SS Apple Watch showed scratches like a whore shows hickeys.

My Space Black Apple Watch doesn’t have scratches that are visible whatsoever.

My Space Grey X also doesn’t show a single scratch about two weeks in.
 
I've had both and in my experience since launch I would say SG if your worried about visible micro scratches. In the short term, they will be less noticeable if you get them as no one can say how it will look months from now. If you worried about the best looking color (IMO) get Silver. This will show scratches from just looking at it wrong however you do have the option to buff most if not all out. Its a pain around the ports but can be done if you take your time where you don't have that option with SG.
 
My first Space Grey X left a dark mark on white paper when I rubbed the edge of the stainless.

This tells me my choice of Silver on the 2nd X was a good one!
 
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I can't do shiny chrome so Space Gray for me. Goes right in a case anyway so ultimately it shouldn't matter. I do wish I could go caseless though.
 
I have the SG. I use it without a case. I put it in my front and back pocket depending on the pants/jeans I am wearing. I have no scratches anywhere. If I have any of the micro scratches that I see on the silver stainless steel frame, I can't see them on my SG. So, to me, that says the SG holds up better, I my case anyway. I'm happy.
 
How well the pvd holds up on the SG is the primary question for me. I know the silver will scratch more easily, but if the SG does get scratched it will be much more noticeable. I looked at several display models at the Apple store yesterday, and all of them (both color) had scratches on the bottom, presuming from people missing the lightning port when putting them down. I prefer the look of the SG but it’s hard to judge just how durable the pvd will be in the long run.
 
DNichter said:
I take it off sometimes just to marvel at how nice the X is haha
Click to expand...


I do too. I use the Sedio Surface because of the better grip it gives me. Not worth much on a drop but protects from the general use. I also use the holster for this case, don't tell anyone or they will think I am old! The holster allows quick access to my phone.
 
MjWoNeR said:
So from what I understood the white glass back will have less fingerprints than the black. But what about scratches on the frame?

I read here in the forums that the iPhone X will use an other type of stainless steel “coating”, or something, than the Apple Watch. Which will make it not possible to polish?

I’m planning to have a case on my X from day 1.
I prefer the black one because the outline in the back camera is more discreet. But if the black stainless frame gets filled with tiny silver scratches after 1 year, I don’t know.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...
Go to an Apple store and look at the bottom of the phones. The silver ones look scuffed, the SG ones far less so due to the additional coating. Also, depending on case colour (black in my case) the dark band of the SG also blends in at the bottom and doesn't stand out. More discreet as you say.
 
Newtons Apple said:
I do too. I use the Sedio Surface because of the better grip it gives me. Not worth much on a drop but protects from the general use. I also use the holster for this case, don't tell anyone or they will think I am old! The holster allows quick access to my phone.
Click to expand...

Haha I definitely think that is an "old" characteristic, but I won't judge. I use the Caudabe Veil XT. Not much protection, but keeps it as slim as possible for me while adding grip. Most people don't even know there is a case on it.
 
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