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The iPhone 5 really has worse build quality?

U

UBS28

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Oct 2, 2012
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All the demo models of the iPhone 5 that I have seen were severely scratched or damaged ( less than a month ). However, the demo models of the iPhone 4S look more new while they have been exposed to potential customer for almost a year.

I'm starting to think that "scratch gate" is real after inspecting the demo models in comparison to the iPhone 4S. So should I buy the iPhone 4S over the iPhone 5? ( i have never dropped a phone, so I'm not worried about the glass breaking. It's easily repaired anyway ).
 
They replace those display phones every 2 weeks to 2 months. They probably replaced the 4S when they got the new phone and everybody that came in was only touch/beating the crap out of the iP5.
 
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UBS28 said:
All the demo models of the iPhone 5 that I have seen were severely scratched or damaged ( less than a month ). However, the demo models of the iPhone 4S look more new while they have been exposed to potential customer for almost a year.

I'm starting to think that "scratch gate" is real after inspecting the demo models in comparison to the iPhone 4S. So should I buy the iPhone 4S over the iPhone 5? ( i have never dropped a phone, so I'm not worried about the glass breaking. It's easily repaired anyway ).
Click to expand...

Why would you go for a inferior phone? The 5 is much better in every aspect, and the coating is not as scratchable as you think, i tried scratching it with a pair of keys and it did not scratch at all. I was trying to take off one of those 2 piece clear cases and there was a slot for you to use a quarter to open it, but i was trying really hard to open it and i finally did...i made a bunch of silver marks from the quarter and i thought "DAMM i scratched the hell out of my phone" but the marks came completly off with hard rubbing
 
iPhone 5 looks so beautiful and hard to get scratch unless it was scratch in the factory but in real life it's so hard .. Here look at my pretty phone
 

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I use olloclip for 4s to take these pic btw
 

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The iphone 4s is certainly better at hiding damage, but i wouldn't let that be a reason to not buy iPhone 5. You probably wont have any issues
 
The aluminum on the back and edges scratches pretty easily. The glass is tough as ever though. I've had my iPhone 5 since release day and have one small hair sized scratch on the back panel aluminum but other than that it looks brand new. I'm admittedly majorly OCD about all my stuff though so the average person definitely beats up their gear far worse than I do.
 
I would say that the aluminum on the back of the iPhone 5 is easy to scratch but as for the whole phone itself when it comes to fall damage is not as bad as other smartphones.

It holds well from multiple fall damage because of the lightness and thinner glass.
 
UBS28 said:
All the demo models of the iPhone 5 that I have seen were severely scratched or damaged ( less than a month ). However, the demo models of the iPhone 4S look more new while they have been exposed to potential customer for almost a year.

I'm starting to think that "scratch gate" is real after inspecting the demo models in comparison to the iPhone 4S. So should I buy the iPhone 4S over the iPhone 5? ( i have never dropped a phone, so I'm not worried about the glass breaking. It's easily repaired anyway ).
Click to expand...

Just get a bumper and screen protector or full body protective coating if you're worried. If you scratch clear vinyl (which is very hard) just replace the protector. You can even get matte vynil and its nearly impossible to tell there is a protector if applied right.
 
i got the iphone 5 last week. not a scratch on it. just get the 5 you wont regret it.

UBS28 said:
All the demo models of the iPhone 5 that I have seen were severely scratched or damaged ( less than a month ). However, the demo models of the iPhone 4S look more new while they have been exposed to potential customer for almost a year.

I'm starting to think that "scratch gate" is real after inspecting the demo models in comparison to the iPhone 4S. So should I buy the iPhone 4S over the iPhone 5? ( i have never dropped a phone, so I'm not worried about the glass breaking. It's easily repaired anyway ).
Click to expand...
 
FallenRook said:
They replace those display phones every 2 weeks to 2 months. They probably replaced the 4S when they got the new phone and everybody that came in was only touch/beating the crap out of the iP5.
Click to expand...

Maybe that depends on where you are. I worked for Verizon for years and we never replaced our iPhones or iPads. Ever.
 
My 5 has shown wear quicker than my 4's or 4S's did, but if you're careful with them or use cases it shouldn't be that big of a deal.
 
Yes, aluminium anodizing will wear off. News at 11. Unless it's the thick kind found on flashlights for example, but if Apple did that you'd all be complaining that you want the gunmetal look they use now :rolleyes: Can't have it both ways folks, and no, Apple's anodizing is not magical (no, really, it's not). That won't stop me from getting the black one though. Whenever the hell 3-4 weeks becomes 2-3 days that is.
 
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