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Paint Peeling off Black iPhone 5

Oh come on... really poor design?

Make the choice ladies... either you want a slim phone so you can feel cool or get a case. Everyone should have a case on their phone, and if you don't expect a broken phone.

At the very least you can put a clear skin on it. I'm careful with all my devices although I've always put a case on every phone ive had. Do the same or be dissapointed. Cases improve the look of the ridicullusly thin smart phones and give them a little weight behind them, whch I like. Otterbox is awesome, so is belkin, cygnett etc... they look great on the phone. I love it, put a nice solid otterbox commuter on thehtc one, and the weight behind the iphone 5 is so inadequate.
 
Apple Should have anodized the phone such that the anodizing would last. The fricken thing is meant to be held and touched.

There is no excuse for apple not doing a better job with the anodizing.
 
Mrg02d said:
Apple Should have anodized the phone such that the anodizing would last. The fricken thing is meant to be held and touched.

There is no excuse for apple not doing a better job with the anodizing.
Click to expand...

AnoStyle's anodizing doesnt flake off like Apple's does. I must be holding it wrong!
 
drew0020 said:
AnoStyle's anodizing doesnt flake off like Apple's does. I must be holding it wrong!
Click to expand...

My point exactly. It can be done right, shame on apple for not.

----------
Fouracre44 said:
Oh come on... really poor design?

Make the choice ladies... either you want a slim phone so you can feel cool or get a case. Everyone should have a case on their phone, and if you don't expect a broken phone.

At the very least you can put a clear skin on it. I'm careful with all my devices although I've always put a case on every phone ive had. Do the same or be dissapointed. Cases improve the look of the ridicullusly thin smart phones and give them a little weight behind them, whch I like. Otterbox is awesome, so is belkin, cygnett etc... they look great on the phone. I love it, put a nice solid otterbox commuter on thehtc one, and the weight behind the iphone 5 is so inadequate.
Click to expand...

Having to rely on a case to prevent anodizing from coming off IS a poor design. Also, I feel those cases you mentioned look horrid, so does that mean they ARE horrid?
 
any chamfered aluminum edges will suffer from these types of scratches, its inevitable... even the HTC One has the same issues, but if you take good care of your i5 it will take a really long time for that to occur, like taking debris out your pocket and watching where you put your phone etc can really save the body of the phone

and its not paint
 
Do we all agree that 4S handles normal caseless wear and tear a lot better than the 5? I don't have 5 experience but that seems to be what I'm reading here.

So, understanding that they are different models, it seems as if apple has sacrificed some cosmetic longevity for updated design.

Not sure if that's a good thing. Each phone should improve upon the previous. A design change is great and refreshing, but incorporate what you've learned in the past. If you're set on aluminum, find a product that holds up. Don't force your consumers to use a case and completely give up the feel and thinness of your design.
 
Italianblend said:
Do we all agree that 4S handles normal caseless wear and tear a lot better than the 5? I don't have 5 experience but that seems to be what I'm reading here.

So, understanding that they are different models, it seems as if apple has sacrificed some cosmetic longevity for updated design.

Not sure if that's a good thing. Each phone should improve upon the previous. A design change is great and refreshing, but incorporate what you've learned in the past. If you're set on aluminum, find a product that holds up. Don't force your consumers to use a case and completely give up the feel and thinness of your design.
Click to expand...

Not sure if "all" agree but I certainly do. I've owned the 4 for almost 2 years and used it without a case, it was still flawless when I sold it last December. My 5 owned since December, same usage, was showing dents, scratches and blemishes as though it's been through hell.

The link above posted by mchnc showing long term durability test results of the 4S vs the 5 seems about right to me. The 4/4S is a much more durable phone. :cool:
 
For all the illiterate people out there, there is nothing (absolutely nothing) wrong with the anodized finish. Yes, there are quite a few of you guys/girls. Even the most durable anodized finish will start showing cosmetic imperfections. Why? Aluminum (while better than cheapo plastic like on Samsung phones) is a soft metal. Metal scratches easily. But it is strong in the sense that it won't snap, bend, warp due to high temperature, etc. compared to say plastic. The only way to really destroy the anodized finish is to rub a material that is as strong or stronger than aluminum (on the Mohs hardness scale). We come into contact with these materials every single day. So either get a case, which protects from drops anyway, or stop whining. It's just a phone and you use it. Who cares if it scratches.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
...Who cares if it scratches.
Click to expand...

While I agree with what you said I think you missed the point as to why so many have complained about this issue.

As aesthetically displeasing as it is, scratches, minor dents and blemishes in and of themselves aren't a big deal to most. The phone functions the same way and is perfectly useable.

Unfortunately what it does is heavily reduce resale value. I, like so many I'm sure, have upgraded through every iteration of the iPhone for almost no cost due to the resale value which is largely dictated by two main factors; demand and the individual device condition (aesthetics).

Do I regret getting the 5? Absolutely not. I love its size, speed and design. And I would buy it again. But it needs a case to keep it in a good resellable condition which is something we didn't have to do with the iP4/4S (just from my own experience).

This is why the 5 is a step backwards durability-wise. And all this isn't just delusion. Like the link posted above (link), there are tons of similar tests posted online showing the exact same thing, not to mention the myriad of user complaints all over the place.

Bottom line is, some users wish the next iPhone more closely resembles the 4/4S, than the 5, in durability.
 
Mrg02d said:
Not paint...poorly done anodizing. Apple doesn't know how to anodize aluminum.
Click to expand...

Actualy Apple does know how to anodize aluminium.

First off though regarding the OP's point, the paint isn't "peeling off".

You scratched your phone, it just so happens that the corners are both weak and vulnerable to scratches.

Apple actually uses two types of aluminium material on the iPhone made from a single block on the back. Half of it is polished aliminium and half of it is textured.

It is very hard to remove the finish off of textured aluminium but very easy to remove the finish off of polished aluminium as it has much smaller pores for the top coat to work into. The polish and texture are what give the phone a black and "slate" color scheme. I have a launch day black iPhone 5 with a 24/7 bumper case and ZERO damage to the rear alumium. I am also a complete klutz and my screen protector has more deep scratches than I can count.

In February of this year Apple actually completly revised their manufacturing technique for the iPhone 5 making the polished areas less polished by glass blasting the shell again in a final step on the black phone.

The revised black iPhone is much stronger and should last any careful person easily.
 
Radiating said:
In February of this year Apple actually completly revised their manufacturing technique for the iPhone 5 making the polished areas less polished by glass blasting the shell again in a final step on the black phone.

The revised black iPhone is much stronger and should last any careful person easily.
Click to expand...

Where did you hear this? Always interested in reading Apple's manufacturing process(es) Especially in their iPhone tech videos.
 
People who buy the black iPhone 5 should know to expect that chips and scratches will show much more easily. Not sure why this is still an issue this late into the product cycle. For those who are truly concerned, just get a really thin case like the Caudabe Veil or the SGP and you won't have to worry about babying your phone as much.
 
srsub3 said:
a case is for losers... I have a black iphone and color is going away from edges... far from me to use a case however... that plastic makes me feel my phone a cheap thing, not a premium electronics....
Click to expand...

Snobbery is bad for your long term health, take it from me.
 
The big selling point of the 5 was it's jewel-like beauty and perfection. Having to cover all that up with a case because it's so fragile is the real crime here. And the Apple apologists who routinely suggest it.

I went caseless with my iPhone 4 (as do most others I see around the office) but would never dream of it with a 5. One slide across the table and it would be all over for the finish.

I would expect, as someone alluded to, that Apple will refine their manufacturing process to make the surface finish more durable on the 5S.
 
ATC said:
While I agree with what you said I think you missed the point as to why so many have complained about this issue.

As aesthetically displeasing as it is, scratches, minor dents and blemishes in and of themselves aren't a big deal to most. The phone functions the same way and is perfectly useable.

Unfortunately what it does is heavily reduce resale value. I, like so many I'm sure, have upgraded through every iteration of the iPhone for almost no cost due to the resale value which is largely dictated by two main factors; demand and the individual device condition (aesthetics).

Do I regret getting the 5? Absolutely not. I love its size, speed and design. And I would buy it again. But it needs a case to keep it in a good resellable condition which is something we didn't have to do with the iP4/4S (just from my own experience).

This is why the 5 is a step backwards durability-wise. And all this isn't just delusion. Like the link posted above (link), there are tons of similar tests posted online showing the exact same thing, not to mention the myriad of user complaints all over the place.

Bottom line is, some users wish the next iPhone more closely resembles the 4/4S, than the 5, in durability.
Click to expand...

I remember when the 4 was released, people were skeptical about its durability and complaining about the glass front and back... Now people have opposite opinions since they like it better than aluminum. I think it doesn't matter that much because almost everyone uses a case. This has not changed across every single generation of iPhones. I agree that resale value is affected and your other points, but the fact remains that people have used cases for the most part and that hasn't changed at all.
 
SnowLeopard2008 said:
For all the illiterate people out there, there is nothing (absolutely nothing) wrong with the anodized finish. Yes, there are quite a few of you guys/girls. Even the most durable anodized finish will start showing cosmetic imperfections. Why? Aluminum (while better than cheapo plastic like on Samsung phones) is a soft metal. Metal scratches easily. But it is strong in the sense that it won't snap, bend, warp due to high temperature, etc. compared to say plastic. The only way to really destroy the anodized finish is to rub a material that is as strong or stronger than aluminum (on the Mohs hardness scale). We come into contact with these materials every single day. So either get a case, which protects from drops anyway, or stop whining. It's just a phone and you use it. Who cares if it scratches.
Click to expand...

Why are you addressing the illiterates here? They obviously cannot read this...
 
Italianblend said:
A design change is great and refreshing, but incorporate what you've learned in the past
Click to expand...

A design change is good, but not a flawed design change. Iphone 4/s is a great durable phone in comparison to iphone 5 which is just...sad.
 
Radiating said:
Actualy Apple does know how to anodize aluminium.

First off though regarding the OP's point, the paint isn't "peeling off".

You scratched your phone, it just so happens that the corners are both weak and vulnerable to scratches.

Apple actually uses two types of aluminium material on the iPhone made from a single block on the back. Half of it is polished aliminium and half of it is textured.

It is very hard to remove the finish off of textured aluminium but very easy to remove the finish off of polished aluminium as it has much smaller pores for the top coat to work into. The polish and texture are what give the phone a black and "slate" color scheme. I have a launch day black iPhone 5 with a 24/7 bumper case and ZERO damage to the rear alumium. I am also a complete klutz and my screen protector has more deep scratches than I can count.

In February of this year Apple actually completly revised their manufacturing technique for the iPhone 5 making the polished areas less polished by glass blasting the shell again in a final step on the black phone.

The revised black iPhone is much stronger and should last any careful person easily.
Click to expand...

Smooth non-tempered 6061 and anodizing don't mix. Poor, soft substrate.
 
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