Overcoming iPhone Defect Anxiety

[lordofthereef]

I'd say the defect threads are few and far between this year. And they're certainly not as lengthy as I've seen. I wouldn't stress about this. But you can always return a device you aren't happy with.

 

[phillytim]

tldr: I'm afraid I'll end up with a defective iPhone 6s. How do I prepare myself for my fate?

Seriously dude. Just get the 6s.

If there's something wrong with it, return it. Simple as that. It's soo easy to walk away within those first 14 days.

Don't overthink what you can't predict. That is debilitating-anxiety.

(And I'm being nice with my verbage, here.)

 

[Mav777]

Some of these answers are just plain hystericle. I kind of share your pain OP! I did exactly what so many of us have done before, I've upgraded to all the new iPhones on basically the day they've been launched. And to be honest I'm one in so many million that has basically never gotten a flawless phone from Apple before on the first try. These things are mass produced and it's a problem that all phone manufactureres share.

I've had my share of chips, dead pixels, scratches, yellow screens, and a slew of other things that I've been greeted with when opening up my brand spanken new phone.

However with this iPhone 6s Plus I went a different route. I've grown tired of playing the iPhone lottery, and basically promised myself I would just try and enjoy the phone this time. Well I did exactly what someone else on here did right from jump street. I put an apple anti glare screen protector on it, and threw it right in a case and called it a day. What can I say, my screen is white, I can send and receive emails and text messages, surf the web, make telephone calls, and flat out do everything I need to do without obsessing if my phone is perfect.

For me this one is fine and so far I'm actually enjoying my phone instead of visiting the guys at the genius bar and going through 10 exchanges.

Agree with this. Look at anything or anyone hard enough and you will find flaws. I had to stop reading the doom and gloom threads before I picked up my new 6s+. It works like it should, I'm a case guy so didn't even study the exterior much and with my tired eyes I can't find screen flaws unless I'm in a dark room with specs on. Thanks to Apple for making picking up a new phone feel like my birthday, actually more enjoyable. As they say in sales in regards to price "it's only worth what one is willing to pay". For us older guys this is still a heck of a deal, even at full pop, it's not just a phone, it's a mobile office. Enjoy the phone, if you find a real problem Apple historically stands behind their products.

 

[Leonard1818]

if you keep your iPhone 5 in a case, take it out, turn it on (screen on), flip it over so you see the back only. Hold it about chest-height while standing on pavement of some sort and just drop the mufugger on the ground.

Pick it up and inspect it. This should help you get over your irrational, obsessive-compulsive issues surrounding iPhones.

I never liked that the camera "jingled" in my iPhone 4s. For how much it cost and stuff, it just didn't seem like it should be doing that kind of thing. Being my first iPhone, I didn't know what was "normal" or not so I called Apple. They sent me a new one that didn't rattle nearly at all (which somewhat validated my thought that it should not be making that noise). the phone was perfect -- screen, buttons, battery, everything. I kept it in a case w/screen protector all the time. I gave it to my wife and it got stolen from her within a couple of months. That was exactly when I got over my nitpickiness (admittedly mine was not NEARLY as bad as what you're describing).

Now, I don't even use a case (unless I'm hiking or camping or something). I have a warranty. I've since had an iPhone 5 that I dropped and scuffed up, the screen popped out on one side (I popped it back in and kept using it). I replaced my 5 (via applecare+ warranty, $50 deductible at the time) only when the headphone jack got jacked (pun intended) and I couldn't use it anymore.

My current 6 is in pretty good shape... some nicks around the edges and on the back from accidentally sticking something in my right pocket (dedicated phone pocket) and the screen sometimes "clicks" in the lower-left corner when I press on it -- but it's been like that since I got it.

Seriously, it's all in your head. YOU are the only one that can fix this irrational thought for you. An experience like mine where you fret over something and then the phone gets stolen really helps put things in perspective. Now I get to enjoy a "naked" iPhone (the way Jobs intended it) and I can focus my energies and thoughts on other things like my family.

tl;dr: c'mon bro, you're better than that...

P.S. The "camera rattle" is a normal function of the camera. There's a floating lens in there that doesn't rattle when it's focusing. What I was initially concerned about was actually a non-issue. Fancy that.

 

[freedomisle]

It's that time again. I'm set to upgrade my iPhone 5 to the iPhone 6s, and I'm thrilled to experience the wonders of Touch ID, bigger screen, 2GB RAM, and 3D Touch.

But there's one thing that's holding me back: I'm afraid I'll get a defect.

My iPhone 5 arrived flawless. The screen was perfect. There were no cosmetic defects out of the box. All the ports/buttons worked just fine.

But I fear the iPhone 6s will break this lucky streak. I've seen the multi-page topic of iPhone 6s factory defects, and the more I read the posts, the more I fear the same will happen to me. What if I get a yellow tinted or uneven backlight display? What if one of the antenna bands arrives scratched? And worse, with the Samsung VS TSMC chip controversy, what if my iPhone comes with the undesired SoC?

With all these potential problems, it seems nearly impossible to obtain that perfect iPhone like I managed to pull off with my 5. I understand if I do indeed get a defect, I can return and exchange the iPhone, but trust me, I really don't want to deal with the Genius Bar for a long while. This year alone, I've visited them at least four times to deal with minor MacBook Air issues (and eventually ended up with a chipped bezel). I'd absolutely hate to waste my and the Genius Bar's time once again for issues so minor normal people would scoff at.

One can also argue I avoid this altogether and stay with my iPhone 5. But that's not how I want to solve it. I WANT the 6s. I WANT the new specs/features. What I DON'T WANT are the hoops and flaws my anal retentive self wouldn't be able to tolerate. Unfortunately, from what I see here, it just seems way too likely I'll end up with these flaws.

So what's the best thing I can do to overcome my iPhone anxiety? Have any of you guys been in the same position as me?



tldr: I'm afraid I'll end up with a defective iPhone 6s. How do I prepare myself for my fate?

My advise would be to anyone with OCD, don't examine your phone too intensively. The more you look the more you'll find. Just unbox the phone and use it, you have 2 weeks to see if you notice anything. The chances are if you didn't notice it within the first 2 weeks then you won't notice it. Good luck

 

[sunking101]

People can take either side of the spectrum to extremes. Not giving a chuff if your phone gets scuffed and dinged? I know these things occasionally happen but not caring about it suggests to me that everything these people own is scuffed, dropped and damaged. CDs scratched, vinyl record sleeves creased and tatty, shoes all scuffed, car doors with numerous dings in them etc.

Then there are people who are so anal about their possessions that it seriously inhibits their use and/or enjoyment of them. Somewhere in the middle works for me, I'm very careful and I put a case & screen protector on my phone but heck it's my most useful and prized gadget.

I'm also careful that I don't scuff my shoes...

 

[jpgr15]

Dude, don't worry about it. Reading these forums would scare anyone. Look long enough and you will find what you're looking for. Just enjoy your phone. You are in for a great upgrade.

 

[rantor49]

It's that time again. I'm set to upgrade my iPhone 5 to the iPhone 6s, and I'm thrilled to experience the wonders of Touch ID, bigger screen, 2GB RAM, and 3D Touch.

But there's one thing that's holding me back: I'm afraid I'll get a defect.

My iPhone 5 arrived flawless. The screen was perfect. There were no cosmetic defects out of the box. All the ports/buttons worked just fine.

But I fear the iPhone 6s will break this lucky streak. I've seen the multi-page topic of iPhone 6s factory defects, and the more I read the posts, the more I fear the same will happen to me. What if I get a yellow tinted or uneven backlight display? What if one of the antenna bands arrives scratched? And worse, with the Samsung VS TSMC chip controversy, what if my iPhone comes with the undesired SoC?

With all these potential problems, it seems nearly impossible to obtain that perfect iPhone like I managed to pull off with my 5. I understand if I do indeed get a defect, I can return and exchange the iPhone, but trust me, I really don't want to deal with the Genius Bar for a long while. This year alone, I've visited them at least four times to deal with minor MacBook Air issues (and eventually ended up with a chipped bezel). I'd absolutely hate to waste my and the Genius Bar's time once again for issues so minor normal people would scoff at.

One can also argue I avoid this altogether and stay with my iPhone 5. But that's not how I want to solve it. I WANT the 6s. I WANT the new specs/features. What I DON'T WANT are the hoops and flaws my anal retentive self wouldn't be able to tolerate. Unfortunately, from what I see here, it just seems way too likely I'll end up with these flaws.

So what's the best thing I can do to overcome my iPhone anxiety? Have any of you guys been in the same position as me?



tldr: I'm afraid I'll end up with a defective iPhone 6s. How do I prepare myself for my fate?

What is the point if this thread? How do you make it thru a day with all that could go wrong?

 

[Retired Cat]

A tad harsh. Apple have a history of their products having defects out of the box and whether that's due to the sheer volume manufactured or poor QC, it's normal to be anxious when purchasing one. For some people it represents a big purchase and for their hard earned money they have a right to expect no hardware defects out of the box. Sure Apple backs their products but who likes the hassle of exchanges, and the very real gamble of getting more defects. Plus once you go beyond the 14 day return period you're looking at the even bigger gamble of exchanging for a refurbished previously faulty device.

Definitely for the very high price tag I would not accept anything but the highest quality out of the box.

I keep my old phones, and when it is time to upgrade I have the security of knowing I can just keep using my trusty old device until I find a new one that is satisfactory.

 

[macduke]

Personally I deal with it by getting a new phone every year. Most defects are minor enough not to worry about and I'll just get a fresh one in another year, which is no time at all after you graduate college, get married and have a kid. Time just blows by and suddenly we're on the 9th iPhone and I have no idea what happened or how I got here. Aren't I still a MacRumors newbie?

Each phone has its own character. My 6 Plus was a real jerk and I couldn't wait to kick it to the curb, but just like that it was replaced with the best iPhone I've ever had. Get the 6s now, because even imperfect it's incredible and worth it.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

Personally I deal with it by getting a new phone every year. Most defects are minor enough not to worry about and I'll just get a fresh one in another year, which is no time at all after you graduate college, get married and have a kid. Time just blows by and suddenly we're on the 9th iPhone and I have no idea what happened or how I got here. Aren't I still a MacRumors newbie?

Each phone has its own character. My 6 Plus was a real jerk and I couldn't wait to kick it to the curb, but just like that it was replaced with the best iPhone I've ever had. Get the 6s now, because even imperfect it's incredible and worth it.

You are one of the few non-OCD people on the internet, apparently.

 

[macduke]

You are one of the few non-OCD people on the internet, apparently.

Actually not quite. I'm a designer who can be pretty obsessive. But I just don't have time for this level of OCD bullcrap when it comes to the tools I use. I enjoy talking about them and their future possibilities as its a field I'm interested in (not to mention chatting on here clears my mind and helps me unwind), but life moves so fast it seems I've always got a new phone and they all have little quirks that literally nobody else ever notices because it's not their phone and therefore they don't care if it came with a tiny scuff in the bottom left edge of the protruding camera ring! Haha, that sentence was a mouthful but true.

 

[Gathomblipoob]

Actually not quite. I'm a designer who can be pretty obsessive. But I just don't have time for this level of OCD bullcrap when it comes to the tools I use. I enjoy talking about them and their future possibilities as its a field I'm interested in (not to mention chatting on here clears my mind and helps me unwind), but life moves so fast it seems I've always got a new phone and they all have little quirks that literally nobody else ever notices because it's not their phone and therefore they don't care if it came with a tiny scuff in the bottom left edge of the protruding camera ring! Haha, that sentence was a mouthful but true.

Agreed. I was just suggesting that the term "OCD" is thrown around on the internet quite a bit by people who are just plain picky.