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Red or purplish mark on iPhone 5 camera

A

abz1981

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jan 3, 2011
1,013
4
Hey all
Just noticed this yesterday when I am about to take a photo on my iphone 5 I see a very small red or purplish mark it's like a curved dot , only see it when am taking a photo. I have cleaned the camera lens area but it's still showing. You think Apple will replace it? Anyone else had this problem?

I have tried loading a photo to show, its small though, if you click on the photo, you will notice it near the bottom middle right of the image.
 

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abz1981 said:
Hey all
Just noticed this yesterday when I am about to take a photo on my iphone 5 I see a very small red or purplish mark it's like a curved dot , only see it when am taking a photo. I have cleaned the camera lens area but it's still showing. You think Apple will replace it? Anyone else had this problem?
Click to expand...

I had the same issue and so did a friend. Apple swapped it a few days ago. It's a fault with the camera sensor.
 
sk8mash said:
I had the same issue and so did a friend. Apple swapped it a few days ago. It's a fault with the camera sensor.
Click to expand...

Do you think they will swap the iphone or just fix the issue? It's really weird. Never seen it happen before. Glad not the only one who had this issue. When did you or your friend have this issue ?
 
abz1981 said:
Do you think they will swap the iphone or just fix the issue? It's really weird. Never seen it happen before. Glad not the only one who had this issue. When did you or your friend have this issue ?
Click to expand...

I'm in the UK and they swapped mine but I also had a dead pixel on the screen. Depends where you are I guess. The purple spot on mine developed about a month after I got the phone (launch day) but I only got it replaced 2 days ago.
 
I've had this same "spec" on my camera lens cover since I got it, launch day white ip5 32gb Verizon. Never noticed any hindrance in my photos. Sent from my iPad.
 
sk8mash said:
I'm in the UK and they swapped mine but I also had a dead pixel on the screen. Depends where you are I guess. The purple spot on mine developed about a month after I got the phone (launch day) but I only got it replaced 2 days ago.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I do not know if they will replace mines, as i have 2 dings on the corner of my iphone. I am in the UK too. Will make an appointment though and see what they say.

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Charadis said:
I've had this same "spec" on my camera lens cover since I got it, launch day white ip5 32gb Verizon. Never noticed any hindrance in my photos. Sent from my iPad.
Click to expand...

When I look at my camera roll of the photos i have taken, the spec, or mark is showing on mines.
 
abz1981 said:
Thanks. I do not know if they will replace mines, as i have 2 dings on the corner of my iphone. I am in the UK too. Will make an appointment though and see what they say.

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When I look at my camera roll of the photos i have taken, the spec, or mark is showing on mines.
Click to expand...

Two dings will not make a difference. Apple expect a phone to be used, not spotless. It's obviously a camera sensor fault so you will have no issues :)

Just seen your picture, mine was like that but bigger.
 
sk8mash said:
Two dings will not make a difference. Apple expect a phone to be used, not spotless. It's obviously a camera sensor fault so you will have no issues :)

Just seen your picture, mine was like that but bigger.
Click to expand...

Hey
Got a replacement from apple today. The genius said it seems like a small crack internally in the camera. Swapped it over for me for free. That's what I call great apple customer service.
 
For the most part, Apple has great support. At least better than most (if not all) other large companies.
Glad to hear they resolved your problem.
 
abz1981 said:
Hey
Got a replacement from apple today. The genius said it seems like a small crack internally in the camera. Swapped it over for me for free. That's what I call great apple customer service.
Click to expand...

Just asking, did they replace it with a NEW iPhone? (maybe with earpods) or just a used iPhone? If so, I have gotten my iPhone in white which I liked for a while, but gotten a liking for the black one. Do you think I can swap the color too?
 
Oscarwhat said:
Just asking, did they replace it with a NEW iPhone? (maybe with earpods) or just a used iPhone? If so, I have gotten my iPhone in white which I liked for a while, but gotten a liking for the black one. Do you think I can swap the color too?
Click to expand...

No, I asked about switching color. It's not an option. I would try Craigslist.
 
They replaced my phone for a speck in the camera also. As seen on this car's windshield.
 

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Oscarwhat said:
Just asking, did they replace it with a NEW iPhone? (maybe with earpods) or just a used iPhone? If so, I have gotten my iPhone in white which I liked for a while, but gotten a liking for the black one. Do you think I can swap the color too?
Click to expand...

It's the same color only and as others have said its refurbished but it looks good as new anyway :)
 
abz1981 said:
It's the same color only and as others have said its refurbished but it looks good as new anyway :)
Click to expand...

I asked the apple rep "is that a refurbished phone, or what?"

And he said "it's a phone specifically manufactured for replacement, it has not been touched by human hands"
 
Apple Store swapped mine out without even waiting for me to show the genius the problem. I told him about it and he immediately entered an exchange order
 
Just to chip in, my iphone 5 was a bit battered.. Dints, dents, scratches, the lot. Took it in about my battery not lasting more than 4 hours, and the guy replaced it after I shown him usage time screenshots.
Very good customer services :) (I'm going to take a bit more care of this replacement).

Also (something I was going to make a new topic for), how are the chamfered edges on your replacement iPhone 5? Just noticed today (after taking my bumper off for the first time since I got the replacement) that the chamfered edges aren't as shiny as my original one. Or at least, they don't seem it.
I'm sure they were quite reflective, very polished and shiny. This replacement, the edges are the same texture as the sides..
 
This is most likely dust/debris that has gotten into the camera.

I'm now on my 4th iPhone 5, all 3 were previously replaced due to this very issue (to varying degrees). It has been random as to when the dust shows up, sometimes it has taken weeks, sometimes months.

I haven't had this problem with any of my previous iPhones, going back all the way to the original. I can only conclude that this is a problem with the iPhone 5's camera module not being airtight. I suspect a lot of people have this problem on their iPhone 5 and just don't notice it.

The real kicker is that I always mention to the Genius who is replacing my phone that I've had this problem with several iPhone 5s, and they invariably say "that's weird, I've never seen the problem before". Which I find hard to believe.

For the record, I do not use a case with my phone and don't do anything weird with it. It sits on my desk or in my pocket most of the time. I do not carry abnormally large quantities of lint in my pocket, either.
 
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