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My iPhone is being "used" on it's screen. If my screen scratches or breaks, that's a completely different thing than the back of it getting scratched. The back of the phone is cosmetic just like the exterior of your car. Because, just like a car, I'm always "using" the screen and the back of it is merely what other people see while I'm using the phone.

If the back of your phone is what other people see when you use it, you must be holding it very daintily by the edges.

The back of the phone is always handled and susceptible to wear.
 
Ok do there's 5 million phones out there right now I'd be curious to know how many are experiencing this. I don't go by forums like this because its going to be weighted to people with issues. Just like the displays on the new iPad - the iPad forum made it seem like everyone who bought a new iPad had display issues when in reality it was probably a small number of users. IF its determined this is a widespread issue then Apple will have to modify their manufacturing process.
 
It's not wear and tear people are complaining about.

It's the fact that the things are scratched right out of the box. Before they have even been used. It seems a lot of people here are happy with Apples shoddy second rate stuff.

No wonder they make so much money when most of their customers are ******.

People are confusing two separate issues. Scuffed phones out of the box is a manufacturing issue that needs to be addressed (and probably is being addressed right now). I highly doubt Phil Schiller is excusing that away. If he is than he's an idiot and shouldn't be speaking on this subject.
 
People bitch and moan that the glass back can crack, so Apple switches to aluminum. Now people bitch and moan that aluminum scratches.

No pleasing some people..

Ha! I thought that too.

Plastic - too cheap looking
Glass - too easy to break
Aluminum - too easy to scratch

Someone will always be unhappy.
 
All of you who thought the anodizing would not reveal silver underneath obviously have your heads buried in the sand. Anodizing is not meant for durability but for aesthetics. There are different types of anodizing and from the looks of the iphone they are probably using type 1 which is the cheapest and the least durable.

You are very assertive in your comments but are you correct?

http://www.shadowguarddev.com/alex/anodizing/

Where might your head be buried?

BTW - there are NUMEROUS sites referencing the great increase in hardness / wear resistance for ANODIZED aluminum.
 
Every time there is a defect in its products, Apple call it a feature.

#iLost with Apple Maps is a feature. It will improve over time.
Antenagate is a feature; you're holding it wrong.
Aluminum back is easily scratched, it's normal.

Apple would never apologize, just like Mitt Romney. ;)

Take your politics elsewhere. Obama sucks. There, did I balance the world?
 
My iPhone 5 Black had 1 scratch on the band right out of the box as well. I used the sharpie trick too. Still, this is the only $400 gadget I have ever purchased new that comes with free scuffs.

Truth is, in a year from now, even with a case, I'm sure a lot of black iPhone 5's are going to look like they've been to hell and back.

Missing the glass back / silver band

BigAndTasty


Thats why im getting ghost armor for the back at the very least.
 
Yes, but do you carry it around in your pocket?

I'm not really sure what you're getting at here. Do I carry my car in my pocket? Of course not. But the materials used to build the car have been chosen for their suitability. For example, the metalwork has multiple layers of undercoat, top coat and then resin - all to protect as much as possible against the elements, washing, stones etc. That's why 3 years on, it still looks fantastic.

For Apple to use easily marked/scratched anodised metal for the back of a phone that will be used daily and kept in people's pockets and bags seems like an odd decision and one that will ultimately cause them a bit of a headache.
 
Ha! I thought that too.

Plastic - too cheap looking
Glass - too easy to break
Aluminum - too easy to scratch

Someone will always be unhappy.

Right on :)

The video with the two year old girl bashing the iPhone with her mother's keys is just plain silly. If you are worried about scratches, you don't allow that. If you allow it, you must not be very realistic as to the outcome.
 
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It's the fact that the things are scratched right out of the box. Before they have even been used. It seems a lot of people here are happy with Apples shoddy second rate stuff.

Go to your dealership or apple store and get it exchanged (or money back) instead of complaining. Its not rocket science mate!?

The day that apple will not exchange its products that had scratches out of the box, than this criticism is legit!

Manufacturing problems are nothing new, every company experience this, especially if we are talking about these enormous quantities that apple tries to deliver from day 1.
 
Got mine on launch. Handled it with extreme care since. I have 3 tiny scratches on the edges in that time. Reality is that this chamfer edge is absolutely going to lead to several nixs unless you use a case. Not a huge deal IMO but still a let down.
 
Not wild about Phil's response having seen first hand tiny chipped spots on phones when first opening the box.

However, anodizing is pretty strong, buts its still a color coating. I'm surprised Apple ever considered painting the aluminum. It just doesn't seem worth it given how likely it is to bark off over time.

On the other hand, I think folks forget what other phones are like because the iPhone 4/4S were so scratch resistant. Can't get much more scratch resistant than gorilla glass & stainless steel.

But remember that most phones today are plastic and can scratch extremely easily.
 
Let me just say... YES, it is normal for the iPhone 5 to scratch overtime.

NO, it's not normal to have scratches right out of the box.

I am not effected by "scuffgate", I have my 4S for another year, but I really hope Apple changes up the finishing process for the 5S.

I hate scratches so I wouldnt be doing so well if I got a 5. :eek: Although, I always put clear protectors on the front back and sides.
 
It may well be normal, but that just makes it a poor choice of finish. That's fine now we know about it, and I suppose people who don't like it can return their black ones...
 
Yawn. Quit acting like it's something that's happened to more than a handful of people. It's 5 MILLION handsets. Do you complain when you get an unpopped kernel in a giant bag of popcorn as well, or do you just save your faux life-ending outrage for Apple? :rolleyes:

One kernal no but if there are two:

I boycott the manufactuer of the popcorn and go on their fourm, and predict the eventual end of the company.

:rolleyes:
 
By the way, he's saying that fact that you can easily scratch it is normal, not that getting one that's scratched out of the box is normal.
 
Day 5 with my black 5.

Looks like it did when I unboxed it. Of course, I treat it well (like I do all my phones). I never use cases (I prefer the feel of the naked phone in my hand) and my phones weather the year just fine. The pants pocket I carry my phone in has /nothing/ but the phone in it; I don't set it down on metal stuff (eg. I've watched my wife toss her phone down in the center console of the car where change, etc sits -- I never do that); if I have to set it on a hard surface, I set it down gently. Things like that. It's how I've treated every phone I've carried since my first Treo.

If you want something that you can toss around willy-nilly without any impact on its visual appearance, carry a granite rock.

The iPhone is a sophisticated, highly engineered piece of precision equipment. Treat it as such.
 
My iPhone is being "used" on it's screen. If my screen scratches or breaks, that's a completely different thing than the back of it getting scratched. The back of the phone is cosmetic just like the exterior of your car. Because, just like a car, I'm always "using" the screen and the back of it is merely what other people see while I'm using the phone.

So, your phone miraculously floats in mid-air while using the screen? nice. Or do you hold the back, therefore making it part of the 'using' process?

The phone was released on Friday. Wear and tear on a PREMIUM product after not even a week - acceptable...? if yes, then people need to raise standards, or Apple need to lower the expectation of their products...


What do you mean cars aren't "used" on the exterior?

They get handled by the elements all the time. Rain, snow, ice, sun, mud, rocks, pollution, bird ****, bugs, dirt, wind, extreme temperature ranges.

A phone doesn't

Cars aren't used (unless anyone has an unhealthy relationship with their car... :S) on the exterior - it is part of the environment they are design to operate in (just like the environment an iPhone is designed to be used in is the hand) - and if a car that was 4 days old showed signs of the paint fading due to exposure to sunlight, then yes I would take it back.

---

At the end of the day, its a phone - sooner or later it may get scuffed, that's life. But it shouldn't happen in such a short time frame - or the product simply isn't 100% fit for purpose (thats not to say it isn't 99% fit :) ).

If you (general, not aimed at any specific person here) are getting worked up because you love Apple so much you can't accept they just might have a slight glitch in one of their product finishes, please, deep breath, smile, remind yourself it's only a phone and be thankful you are alive. There are bigger things out there to worry about.
 
Take your politics elsewhere. Obama sucks. There, did I balance the world?

Well if you think Obama sucks... I'm sorry you'll have to deal with him for another 4 years :cool:

Are you voting for Romney? The guy that said "Why don't we put windows in airplanes that open"...
 
I purchased a thin clear case for my iPhone 5. Will still show off the aesthetic quality but protect from scratches. Works for me. :)

Do you put plastic slipcovers over your fine furniture? They too show off the aesthetic quality but protect from scratches.
 
Normal for scratch's says Phil, hmmmm is it normal to rape the consumer on pricing? Granted they can buy else where but WTF Phil. I smell a lawsuit and protective covers being sent to all the iPhone 5 black case owners

Thats just fing lame on apples part

Sorry if someone already beat me to this, but I can't resist.

It wasn't rape, it was consensual:eek:
 
Anyone else once own a Titanium PowerBook?

Apple once told us that it was normal to see the paint flake off the laptop with "normal use" ... kind of seems like this company has made a mistake that they resolved in the past by keeping with the natural color of the aluminum...

QA #epicFAIL
 
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