Yup.
- Left pocket = wallet
- Right pocket = phone
- Coin pocket = coins
- Mini carabiner = keys
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Phil Schiller Says iPhone 5 Scratching 'Normal' for Any Aluminum Product
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Yup.
The glass back breaks easily, the stainless steel one, the alu one and the plastic one all scratch easily, can anyone think of a material that would be perfect for a phone?
I think no matter what you use - unless it's some thick heavy duty coated metal - it will be vulnerable. Scratching is still better than shattering, in my opinion.
Normal phones have a painted plastic back, which not only scratches but the paint also rubs off after some time.
The reason your MacBook Pro and your other products aren't that scratched is simply because you don't carry them with you literally all the time.
I think no matter what you use - unless it's some thick heavy duty coated metal - it will be vulnerable. Scratching is still better than shattering, in my opinion.
Normal phones have a painted plastic back, which not only scratches but the paint also rubs off after some time.
The reason your MacBook Pro and your other products aren't that scratched is simply because you don't carry them with you literally all the time.
They're just happy not to have the plasticky ones (Samsungs).
When Apple said "black anodized aluminum," I thought uh oh. Anyone who's ever owned anything using dark or colored anodized aluminum would know from experience exactly how this would pan out over the long (or sadly, in this case short) run.
Do the designers not anticipate these issues during the design process?
Guess I'll be going with the white one this time around.
I do love the stainless steel band on my 4. And yes, while the back glass wafer can shatter, it is also simple and relatively inexpensive to replace. The unibody aluminum comes with its own pros and cons.
All that said, it will be funny watching the Samsung fans - with their own cracked and seamed plastic phones - point their fingers and laugh, if not self-deceptively.
I wish they made a bare aluminum iPhone with black inserts. I don't have any scuffs on the black one yet, but prolly will in the future.
So are you implying that anodized aluminum from HTC magically doesn't scratch?
Maybe you're just like one of the iPhone 5 users who will have like-new-looking devices 2 years from now. Lucky you.
Baloney. There is no "perfection" in industrial design.
Suggesting that anodized aluminum does not nick and scratch suggests that you don't know what the hell you're talking about.
And every flaw in a Samsung device is shrugged off - and blatant copying is deemed legitimate derivation.
Looks like people drink koolaid on both sides of the fence, eh?
Angry Fandroid is angry.
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I hear the Samsung Galaxy S 4 will be made of plastic painted to look like adamantium. Does that count?
That's why screen and back protectos are the way to go for those who dont like cases, i agree with you on the big case thing, unless it's some sort of utility case that you use for some reason (heavy duty shock protection, waterproofing , diving) then i dont like to see bulky cases on my iphone 4, i usually use a bumper on it cause i like the grip better but that's it.
I think you are right. I googled Anodized aluminum kitchen ware and the anodizing process work really well in kicthenware and other consumer product. I bet what happen is that Apple get a problem in the anodized plant where a line may have problem damaging the frame before it even start the process and/or screwing up the chemical composition. There is definitely a problem in the QC control on the end product that they let all the damaged product went through. I would think that the next batch coming out of Apple will greatly improve (at a minimum, they would do a much better job in examining the product before putting it in a box).
It is a cost issue in additional to product quality issue that Apple has every incentive to fix. For now they don't have an answer yet. Basic on the bipolar nature of the reports so far (i.e. some member absolutely has no problem, other has multiple bad experience), I think if someone has a phone that don't exhibit the problem, they are safe. Those that has the problem should return the stuff asap (unless you are putting it in a protective case anyway)..
It all depends what you think you are paying for. Granted, they are much the same cost, however that cheap plastic, is exactly that, replaceable for a few pennies. Even that ignores other benefits like access to removable storage, battery etc. - all come into the "value" equation. I guess in that situation, you pay for a lack of "damage anxiety" that clearly follows a iPhone user for whole time of their ownership. I know the feeling, I have it with my MacBook air!
I have a Note, that has no protection and yes it perhaps doesn't look as great as the naked iPhone, however it looks much better than 95% of iPhones stuck in cases. My Note is treated with little respect, but it has hardly a blemish on it. When I first got it, I actually went out and purchased another back [<£2] expecting the thing to be wrecked in no time; it still sits in the wrapper - not needed at all.
There is no doubt Apple make the most desirable, aspirational products going; I think this time it might be a case where they have gone a little far with the form over function.
I know the haters here hate plastic but think about it.......
You use your, lets say, Galaxy S 3 phone for 6 months a year, whatever, in day to day use you out it down on the table on it's back, the plastic back gets light surface marks (remember the plastic is the same colour all the way through)
After a year, you think, ok, it's looking a little scuffed as I've been using the phone naked, so you buy a new back, Shazam, perfect unmarked back panel again.
Just like people used to love how you could make an old Nokia look brand new again by putting on new, or your own custom cases.
So how come we don't want that flexibility any more, and we want marks to equal a visually ruined phone that can only get fixed by paying a LOT of money?
What was so wrong with the way thing used to be with Nokia and they are to some extent with Samsung.
You use your, lets say, Galaxy S 3 phone for 6 months a year, whatever, in day to day use you out it down on the table on it's back, the plastic back gets light surface marks (remember the plastic is the same colour all the way through)
After a year, you think, ok, it's looking a little scuffed as I've been using the phone naked, so you buy a new back, Shazam, perfect unmarked back panel again.
Just like people used to love how you could make an old Nokia look brand new again by putting on new, or your own custom cases.
So how come we don't want that flexibility any more, and we want marks to equal a visually ruined phone that can only get fixed by paying a LOT of money?
What was so wrong with the way thing used to be with Nokia and they are to some extent with Samsung.
Hey, you could go get a Samsung Galaxy S III, where the plastic casing cracks entirely:
Of course, you won't hear about that issue on the evening news. Unlike Apple's "Scratchgate," which is sure to become a talking point on all the major networks in the near future.
Oh, and with Samsung you also get nice corner seams that are there "by design."
Enjoy!
All of the s3s ive used (all floor models I admit) have been cracked, thats what stopped me from buying one when it came out
Pretty ridiculous sentiments in this thread. He's right, it's aluminium, if you chip it...
Would you rather have a different back? What would you suggest it's made of? Glass and aluminium are obviously out, as I assume is plastic because, you know, everyone uses plastic. So what?
It feels cheap compared to, for example, aluminium. It also inevitably increases the size of the device because you have to have a middle piece.
That simple really. From a practical perspective, plastic kicks ass, but practical doesn't necessarily sell phones.
I have anodised kitchenware. It's chipped and scratched. You can see the silver.
Would you rather have a different back? What would you suggest it's made of? Glass and aluminium are obviously out, as I assume is plastic because, you know, everyone uses plastic. So what?
It feels cheap compared to, for example, aluminium. It also inevitably increases the size of the device because you have to have a middle piece.
That simple really. From a practical perspective, plastic kicks ass, but practical doesn't necessarily sell phones.
I have anodised kitchenware. It's chipped and scratched. You can see the silver.
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No iPhone has never been scratchproof, why does this one have to be? How will the next one be judged?
I remember people bitchin about going to plastic/glass back, now back to metal and more bitchin...They need to make titanium backed iPhones for this <0.01%....
I remember people bitchin about going to plastic/glass back, now back to metal and more bitchin...They need to make titanium backed iPhones for this <0.01%....
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This is the reason I would prefer the look to be its all natural aluminum unibody look so whiners who know nothing of science have one less complaint to exaggerate.
I honestly hope they come out with a full Stainless steel version down the road. While I like my white 5, I miss the heft of my 4, and the durability of it's Steel band.
I know apple wants a super light phone, however, if they are going to use metal. It would be nice if it was chromoly steel, Stainless steel, or perhaps even Titanium (yes I had a TiBook and know of it's issues). That said, making a unibody out of such hard metals would be a bit of a challenge, but potentially worth it .
I think down the road as the phone gets a bit dull around the edges and scuffed from normal use, I will likely take my trusty can of Mothers aluminum polish, and turn the phone full gloss aluminum .
I know apple wants a super light phone, however, if they are going to use metal. It would be nice if it was chromoly steel, Stainless steel, or perhaps even Titanium (yes I had a TiBook and know of it's issues). That said, making a unibody out of such hard metals would be a bit of a challenge, but potentially worth it
.I think down the road as the phone gets a bit dull around the edges and scuffed from normal use, I will likely take my trusty can of Mothers aluminum polish, and turn the phone full gloss aluminum
.Apple should have anodized this iphones with Military grade III anodizing like this little flashlights http://www.countycomm.com/aaa.html. I have one in black and its very hard to scratch.
normal
Make it look Android, buy a plastic cover for it. I don't think scratches are preventable, but on the black iPhone 5 they are going to look horrible.
Make it look Android, buy a plastic cover for it. I don't think scratches are preventable, but on the black iPhone 5 they are going to look horrible.
Any defects found out of the box are clearly chinese manufacturing quality control defects. Apple did not "design" those into the product. It's also possible, that the initial batch of iPhone 5's that is scratching extremely easily, might also be suffering from sub-par quality control issues of the anodized aluminum process. I've had plastic phones that have scratched due to change in my pocket, or keys, etc. This is just another Apple product that requires you to purchase a case if you want your device to be in perfect resale condition when you are ready for upgrade. Nothing any different than before.
If Apple truly wanted to make their device robust enough to withstand scratches and nicks from keys, they could have easily consulted Ruger or S&W for anodized aluminum consulting work. Those guys know how to do anodized aluminum for firearms components extremely well (for those of you in here who are firearms owners, you know what I mean). However, don't expect that level of quality from a Chinese product. You will not find it over there. Some may question why put that level of manufacturing into just a phone? Apple already does so with their machining processes, so why stop with the machining and why not continue that level of detail to improve robustness of the beautiful designs the company produces? It's not about profit margin, as Apple's profit margin exceeds 70% on the iPhone 5. Adding a few pennies on the dollar to make the anodized aluminum process more robust would just be a scratch on the surface for Apple's profits (no pun intended).
I intend to keep my iPhone 4S and wait for the next iteration of the iPhone series. I hope they eliminate the "S" model and just jump to the 6
If Apple truly wanted to make their device robust enough to withstand scratches and nicks from keys, they could have easily consulted Ruger or S&W for anodized aluminum consulting work. Those guys know how to do anodized aluminum for firearms components extremely well (for those of you in here who are firearms owners, you know what I mean). However, don't expect that level of quality from a Chinese product. You will not find it over there. Some may question why put that level of manufacturing into just a phone? Apple already does so with their machining processes, so why stop with the machining and why not continue that level of detail to improve robustness of the beautiful designs the company produces? It's not about profit margin, as Apple's profit margin exceeds 70% on the iPhone 5. Adding a few pennies on the dollar to make the anodized aluminum process more robust would just be a scratch on the surface for Apple's profits (no pun intended).
I intend to keep my iPhone 4S and wait for the next iteration of the iPhone series. I hope they eliminate the "S" model and just jump to the 6
Stinks that some people are having problems with the back scratching. Especially more apparent on the black iPhone 5's apparently...
However, I've got to wonder exactly what these people do to their phones to cause this.
My black iPhone 5 doesn't have a case or any screen protectors, and I keep it in my jeans pocket and commonly take it in and out of the pocket. I haven't had any scratches yet, or anything. Phone was perfect out of the box as well.
Just as a precaution though. I've ordered a bumper case and a front and back screen protector. Hopefully I don't get any scratches before they arrive so I can have a mint phone 2 years from now for sale!
However, I've got to wonder exactly what these people do to their phones to cause this.
My black iPhone 5 doesn't have a case or any screen protectors, and I keep it in my jeans pocket and commonly take it in and out of the pocket. I haven't had any scratches yet, or anything. Phone was perfect out of the box as well.
Just as a precaution though. I've ordered a bumper case and a front and back screen protector. Hopefully I don't get any scratches before they arrive so I can have a mint phone 2 years from now for sale!
If only Apple created a phone that could never scratch. Putting your phone in a case kind of ruins the fun.
I could take Schiller's response at face value, except for the fact that during the original iPhone launch Jobs was insistent that it should not be scratched from being in your pocket. I put the blame on Ive here. He tends to care more about the 'purity of form' than the pragmatic realities.
The should go back to using the anodized aluminum from the iPod nanos. Those things were like tanks.
The should go back to using the anodized aluminum from the iPod nanos. Those things were like tanks.
actually there was for the iPod Nano several years back...in the form of a class action suit. look it up
There wasn't a huge outrage when we saw things like the image below. We expected it then. The thing is that Apple moved to a glass back. That made it extremely durable, at least for the casual journey in your pocket and normal use (i.e. just about anything but a drop). So now, in an effort to get thinner and lighter, the glass back is replaced with aluminum and people suddenly expect the positives they saw from a glass back, while getting new benefits of the thinner, lighter aluminum. Sorry, can't have them both!
