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If you are concerned about scratches on the back of the iPhone, apply a clear body wrap to the back or put the iPhone in a protective case. Problem solved.
 
I got the white model because I knew there'd be issues with the black. The all black look is sleek, but clearly it's not going to last for a guy like me that does not use a case.
 
I work with packaging. Is it not wrapped in a thin sheet of foam in the box? That might help some. I've worked with anondized aluminum products, and they can be prone to scratching and the box rubbing against them. I'm looking forward to getting a black/slate soon, so I guess I'll have to live with the scratches out of the box, if there are any. I'm probably going to put it in a lifeproof case anyway.
 
Yeah, what did you expect?

My fatboy iPod Nano has scratches all over it. Because I use it. My MBP has scratches on it too. And it serves me well. My 4S has scratches. Big whoop. (As long as they're not on the screen).
 
Even with a silicone lining, I have had a bit of this with my H&K which will field strip in one twentieth the time of the Sig. :)



Phil is 100% right. That isn't to say that perhaps Aluminum was a poor choice of material, but anodized aluminum scratches and scuffs. It is a soft material with a semi-hard coating.

Classig Sig Sauer pistols are a perfect example. Their slides are stainless or carbon steel (depending) and the frame is anodized aluminum. The simple act of shoving it into a soft leather holster is enough to cause "holster wear." Which is the firearm community's version of scuffs.

"Holster Wear" Look it up.


Image
 
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. ;)
Apple Maps is an undeniable failure: just check the map and most of the time it will fail at providing the most basic info.

The rest is nothing compared to it.
 
Fail. Do you reasonably expect a car, sitting in your garage, to have a nominal amount of scuffs or scratches on it the next time you go to drive it? A phone merely sitting in your pocket, shouldn't have that either.

I laugh that you think a phone in a pocket is completely safe from wear. Lint and dust particles build up and can easily scratch any surface, especially soft metal, like aluminum.

Don't be so naive.
 
I thought the "paint" on the iPhone 5 was the same process used for the new iPod touch where the paint is bonded to the metal not applied to the surface... If that's not the case then why didn't they do that. Anyone know how the new iPod touch is holding up in "scratch testing"?

Taken from apple's iPod touch website:
"There’s a reason these iPod touch colors are so incredibly rich and vibrant. It’s because they’re bonded right to the aluminum — not just painted on the surface. So you see saturated color that still lets the luster of the metal shine through. Which gives you a material that shows off the color, and a color that shows off the material."
 
Sucks if it isn't. You already have one. :D

But yeah. Still scratchable. Just not as big of a deal because underneath the black is raw aluminum. Underneath the raw aluminum on the white is.. more raw aluminum. Just like the old iPhone.

Just a minor correction...There is no raw aluminum visible on the iPhone. The back is anodized but undyed.
 
All you people complaining about this happening (minus the people that had scratches right out of the box; that's just ridiculous) are all so annoying. Handle your phone with care if you don't want scratches on it. Get a case! There are easy fixes to this. The glass on the 4S scratched all the time... hell, the aluminum on the first iPhone scratched to show even more silver color underneath! If you don't want to see scratches then take care of your ******!
 
Fail. Do you reasonably expect a car, sitting in your garage, to have a nominal amount of scuffs or scratches on it the next time you go to drive it? A phone merely sitting in your pocket, shouldn't have that either.

No, not fail. If that car is parked in that garage up against a rake, broom, bin of old clothes, and maybe my kid's skateboard stored on a shelf falls on it too, I completely expect marks and dings.

Just as I would if I stored my phone in my pocket with keys, loose change, paperclips, and a picture of Alan Alda.
 
I'm glad I chose the white iPhone 5. Let's see how well mine holds.....
 
Left pocket - Wallet/Coins/Keys
Right pocket - iPhone

If you've ever owned an iPhone in the past you'd have learnt this by now :p
 
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:


Only issue is you only buying one of the giant bag of popcorn and your did not pop. If you buying a brand new car, the dealership said that car will get scratch, so it is okay that your car already scratch.
 
Scratching is normal after regular use over time, not straight outta the box. These Apple execs are delusional sometimes.
 
Apple is clearly leading the way and bring Grunge back. Next thing you know, we'll be wearing plaid again. Eddie Vedder is a genius!
 
When are people going to stand up to Apple releasing substandard products? The iOS6 was a total joke, still is practically an alpha build with a wholly incomplete maps app. Then you got the iPhone 5, supposedly made with "premium, high quality" materials and yet it comes scratched and dented right out of the box. I thought this phone was manufactured like a finely crafted watch? A good watch doesn't scratch and ding after two days use.

People, you need to vote with your wallets here, or Apple will continue taking shortcuts in order to maximize profits. You guys are getting hustled and you don't even see it. How many times are you going to watch Apple drop the ball and them come out and say it's no big deal? Look at what's happened with this company the last couple years, and tell me....do you really think they care about their products? No, they only care that you're buying. The Apple logo is strong right now, maybe more than it's ever been. I strive to see this company get back to the way it used to be, but their love for money has trumped all else and as long as the armored trucks keep rolling in, this kind of thing is going to be all the more common.
 
I don't find it surprising that was Phil's response. The person who emailed him asked him a no duh question. Aluminum will scratch..... The emailer should have asked him about the scratches, discoloration, and nicks out of the box( which I think he meant, but didn't state).
 
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Loved MG Siegler's post ... "Steve Jobs would have never shipped a phone that scuffs"
 
That was exactly my point. :rolleyes: A passive device, in normal use, stored away in a pocket, will incur damage. IE, poor design choice.

Case.... asap.

That's not a poor design choice. Either stop putting objects that can scuff the device in your pocket, or get a case. Should they design premium rims to withstand curb checks?
 
The new "You are holding it wrong". High Ego will take this company down some day.

To be fair, Apple created it's own ego issue with Steve Jobs (Pesci rest his soul, I miss him, but it's true).

We all enjoy Apple products and the ego and high class it comes with. These gimme gimme and it's not good enough-isms are part of the deal, unfortunately.
 
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. ;)

So poignant.
 
Why not use bare Aluminium?

Why didn't Apple use the plain uncoated Aluminium that they use for all their laptops? Seems like that would be less scratch prone and would look very classy. :D
 
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