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As an update, I’m taking the phone to Apple on Monday.

I spotted dust collecting inside the front facing camera. Being IP67 one of the features of this XR, I think it’s defective and a guy at an Apple store confirmed it.

I’m going to list this screen problem also.
The guy said depending on the number and complexity of the problems they will either replace the screen or swap the phone.

Honestly I would prefer a screen replacement because the rest of the phone is perfect and I really don’t want to get a phone with the model number starting with “F”…

For the sake of my mind, please tell me they have special tools to open the phone without scratching it during the process. My job is to repair Apple products at a repair shop and I know how strong the adhesive is…

I’m going to update the thread with the results.
Sorry it’s tiny hands, nail files, and a huge blow dryer that cooks the phone to release screen.
 
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A lesson learned here is, try not to give in to your OCD.

A repair at this point leads to either parts replacement, which means more tinkering. The alternative is a white box (refurbished) replacement.

To me, this is no way worth it for any perceived LCD dimness.

No way I would trade a factory sealed and assembled iPhone for a white box refurbished unit, unless there was some major defect with the original phone.
 
Well they shouldn't be because they messed up my phone. They didn't even replace the IP67 adhesive and there was a gap between the screen and the back-frame.

They probably used alcohol or circuit board cleaner and wiped off the blue anti reflection coating on the truedepth camera sensor. The circuit board cleaner can leave a mark like this on glass.

I repair apple products as my job and even without being an apple authorized service provider, I can tell this is something like mall repair shop would do to your phone.

I have access to GSX (Apple Global Service Exchange) and checked the serial of my phone. Nothing is documented about this "repair" process.

This means, down the line if my phone dies within the warranty period, Apple can say I opened the phone myself and revoke my warranty. This is a 1 month old phone.


Anyways. I went back to the store and the guy agreed with me on everything. I left the pictures I took as evidence on the phone itself. I requested a device swap but they told me they have no say in this but gonna mention it on the worksheet.

They said it will take a week now. Previous repair was done in 2 days. I bet the repair was done on spot as an "easy quick undocumented procedure" as they thought its a non-issue.



Please don't call OCD on this because this is closer to BS by now.


I would put up with a small defect rather that letting some kid pry open my device and slap it back together. But that is me.

It is you that said your were OCD.

Hope you get it sorted out but I am betting the story has more to go!
 
A lesson learned here is, try not to give in to your OCD.

A repair at this point leads to either parts replacement, which means more tinkering. The alternative is a white box (refurbished) replacement.

To me, this is no way worth it for any perceived LCD dimness.

No way I would trade a factory sealed and assembled iPhone for a white box refurbished unit, unless there was some major defect with the original phone.

Well I had dust accumulating overtime (in 1 month..) under the front camera lens. Are you sure?
 
How much? You mentioned in post #3 everything else was perfect.
Because it was. The dust appeared later. Which means, by the way, IP67 was not present and it is a defect.
 
My general rule of thumb is that if you don’t notice any blemishes at a normal viewing angle, under regular usage conditions, don’t bother replacing it.

If you have to look super closely at your phone, change the brightness to a certain degree, shine the phone under a certain angle of light, etc. just to see the blemish, it’s not worth it.

I know some people have the mentality of “I paid X amount for this device, so it should be perfect.” But the reality of the matter is that these things are mass produced with a slight margin of error. You’ll never *truly* get a perfect device.

If you’re within a return window/warranty, it is your right to exchange if you’re dissatisfied. But in my experience, you will never be truly satisfied if your endgame is to get a “perfect” device. Often times, exchanging/repairing for tiny blemishes just introduces a different one.
 
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First I want to clarify I will be happy with a replacement device as long as it's not straight up broken. I will accept these slight imperfections and I regret beginning this whole process, it was not worth it as you guys mentioned.
At this point I'm pushing this further since damage has been done to my phone and I only accept a replacement device now.

So here is an update. I arranged a call to Apple. I was talking with them on the phone for 45 minutes and explained everything. The customer service connected my call to several people authorized for this matter.

They agreed the that the authorized service provider made a mistake and I got my phone back in worse condition.
They assured me they will take care of this issue and get a new replacement device for me.
They will call me next Tuesday with the results after contacting the store which has my phone. If the store contacts me earlier, the representative gave me her own email address at Apple so I can contact her directly and tell her about the results.

They told me if the store refuses the swap, I should tell them and they will take action.


I never experienced such customer service.
 
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A replacement device is already opened. It’s not a ‘new’ device, as in factory sealed. It’s a used device with a new display, casing and battery.
A replacement device has a chance that it was opened and sealed in the factory also, but could be brand new like a retail unit. Retail and replacement units are indistinguishable.

Only difference is that the replacement unit could have parts coming from another phone, or the whole unit didn't meet QC and went trough another round of manufacturing process to fix the issues.

Not to mention if you buy official refurbished iPhones, they have IP6X rating also. They are sealed at the factory.
 
So I got the phone back. They didn't replace the phone nor the screen. There was only a "cleaning" but they managed to make it worse… There is now a smudge under the lens cover. I only noticed it when I got home.

OP. the phone is fine. Best to learn live with it. Else you swap it and the refurbished replacement has a worse 'defect'.
Playing the iPhone lottery game RARELY gets you a 'better' phone.

Should've let it go OP.
 
My first XR had a heavy purple cast and I also questioned myself if it’s worth to swap it, or if it’s only some kind of OCD. In the end I exchanged it because I was still in my 14 day return window. The next was perfectly fine. Maybe the best strategy is to order always twice of these devices because with millions of produced devices the QC cannot be on the same level as in earlier days. Maybe that is the „price you have to pay“ if you want a perfect device (with or without OCD).
 
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Hello,

I admit have OCD when it comes to phones.
This is my brand new black 128GB XR and I noticed the bottom left edge of the screen is more dim than the right side.

The picture attached is taken in the circumstances that brings this issue out the most. Low brightness, True Tone on, white background, dark room.

My question is do you see it? Is it worth taking it back to apple? I fear of getting into an exchange loop with the next phone always being worse in something else.

I just ask for your opinion to give me a peace of mind, or the opposite.


Something like that happened to me with a new iPhone 8. I took it back to T mobile where I bought it and got a new one on the spot, no hassle. I would assume Apple would do the same thing.
 
A replacement device has a chance that it was opened and sealed in the factory also, but could be brand new like a retail unit.

There are some replacement devices that are straight from the factory, those are usually only issued in the very beginning of production when Apple doesn’t have any replacement devices to initially provide to a customer if they need a phone if they are out of the 14 day return period.

Only difference is that the replacement unit could have parts coming from another phone

I already mentioned this:

It’s a used device with a new display, casing and battery.

*************

Not to mention if you buy official refurbished iPhones, they have IP6X rating also. They are sealed at the factory.

I believe you mean IP67 (In respect to the XR). Of course the phones are sealed at the factory, but they are also re-sealed if they are replacement devices that were opened. _Any_ iPhone that is issued direct from Apple retains the official IP water resistant rating.
 
I just got a message from the store 5 minutes before they close up that my device is ready. I checked the serial and it isn't replaced and again, no GSX record either.

I'm getting pretty furious that they are tinkering with my 1 month old $799 device instead of doing a proper job and sending it to Apple for inspection.
 
Just as an update, after multiple calls the store finally told me they didn't even send my phone to apple none of the times, they just opened my phone. They refused to accept that they created a smudge under the lens because all they use is compressed air as they say.. (ofc).

They agreed to send my phone to apple this time though. Only thing that bothers me is that the Apple employee from Customer Relations still can't see any official record on their end that my phone is on the way to a service center. Also she couldn't reach the store so far..

It's been 2 weeks and so far they opened my 1 month old phone 2 times rather than doing a proper job.

Funny thing is that they don't even get paid for the repair if they don't have a record about it in GSX.


I swear if warranty wouldn't be at risk I would clean it myself properly..
 
Just as an update, after multiple calls the store finally told me they didn't even send my phone to apple none of the times, they just opened my phone. They refused to accept that they created a smudge under the lens because all they use is compressed air as they say.. (ofc).

They agreed to send my phone to apple this time though. Only thing that bothers me is that the Apple employee from Customer Relations still can't see any official record on their end that my phone is on the way to a service center. Also she couldn't reach the store so far..

It's been 2 weeks and so far they opened my 1 month old phone 2 times rather than doing a proper job.

Funny thing is that they don't even get paid for the repair if they don't have a record about it in GSX.


I swear if warranty wouldn't be at risk I would clean it myself properly..

Maybe you should look for another reseller or even buy it from Apple itself the next time....
 
There is no Apple "itself" in Hungary.

Why is almost every reply to this thread is pointing towards that I did something wrong? I bought a legit iPhone and got it serviced by a legit AASP and they screwed up and won't admit.
 
There is no Apple "itself" in Hungary.

Why is almost every reply to this thread is pointing towards that I did something wrong? I bought a legit iPhone and got it serviced by a legit AASP and they screwed up and won't admit.

Sorry, no offence intended! Obviously your dealer did something wrong and that was my suggestion to avoid this. Did not know that you did not even have an Apple online shop in Hungary......
 
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There is no Apple "itself" in Hungary.

Why is almost every reply to this thread is pointing towards that I did something wrong? I bought a legit iPhone and got it serviced by a legit AASP and they screwed up and won't admit.

But that’s the unfortunate part for you, is that you don’t have an official Apple repair store. The problem is, you’re saying your phone was serviced by a ‘Legit AASP’, they still don’t have the training that Apple Genius Techs do, and even though they may know how to service some things, you telling everyone they ‘screwed up on your phone and won’t admit it’ is the difference between Apple and other repair stores, Apple warranties/guarantees their work at all costs to the consumer.
 
But that’s the unfortunate part for you, is that you don’t have an official Apple repair store. The problem is, you’re saying your phone was serviced by a ‘Legit AASP’, they still don’t have the training that Apple Genius Techs do, and even though they may know how to service some things, you telling everyone they ‘screwed up on your phone and won’t admit it’ is the difference between Apple and other repair stores, Apple warranties/guarantees their work at all costs to the consumer.

https://support.apple.com/en-hk/aasp-program

They have the same training, same frequent audits as genius techs do. It's just they are somewhat independent and still not Apple "itself"... So sad.
 
Update:

I got a message from the store that my device is ready for pick up.

Apple Support Page says:

Your repair is in progress.
April 15, 2019:
Our technicians are working on your product. We’ll notify you when the repair has been completed.


I got a mail from Customer Relations earlier today that the case is still in progress.


This is getting weird..
 
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