Black iPhone 5 Anodized Aluminum Back Susceptible to Scratching?

Posted by iPhoneHacks on Sep 21, 2012 | Comments (18)

Apple’s new iPhone 5  looks similar to the iPhone 4S and iPhone 4, but the back is made of anodized aluminum with inlays along the top and bottom made of ceramic glass (on the white and silver model) or pigmented glass (on the black and slate model), which gives it a cool two-tone effect.

Early drop tests of the iPhone 5 suggest that replacing the glass back panel with a metal back plate has improved the durability of the new iPhone as expected.

But users seem to raising concerns about the durability of the anodized coating on the aluminum back plate.

In fact, folks at Pocket-Lint had raised these concerns in their review as they noticed on the black model, the edge had started to wear after using it briefly.

Ditching the glass back and reducing the thickness of the glass panel on the front has affected the design of the metal band around the edge of the iPhone. It is now chamfered and while that looks pretty, we’ve already noticed that on the black model the edge has started to wear, revealing the shiny silver aluminium metal underneath the “slate” coloured coating and, indeed, we’ve witnessed it on two separate models, ruling out a fluke manufacturing error.

AppleInsider also reports that some users are reporting that their iPhone 5 came with scuffs and dings.

MacRumors points out that one of their forum member managed to scratch the device using keys and SIM card tray pin.

Are you worried about it? Do you plan to buy a case for your iPhone 5?

 

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  • samuel

    that why i didnt get black. i knew any small scratched will appear

  • cAndy

    Are they kidding?! I hate bumpers and cases and don’t like white colour… Aluminium can’t compete with the glass (iPhone 4 and 4s)… I don’t want to have noticable used phone after one week. The apple thinks that people will use it in laboratory conditions only or what?!?! This is a device for use, not stand on a pedestal! Rubbish! They are losing my loyalty and patience

    • captains1stm8

      bye….have fun with shitty androids.

      • iPhoneFreak!

        I’ve been having TONS of FUN with my Android phone! ICS is good, super excited about JellyBean! I download/transfer music I own from the web/email directly to my Adroid phone without having to sync to iTunes and now Apple is copying Android in call text msg notification which is sad…

        • greenshifted

          Yeah, what’s more fun than micro-managing your music via email…sweet.

  • Candy

    Are they kidding?! I hate bumpers and cases and don’t like white colour… Aluminium can’t compete with the glass (iPhone 4 and 4s)… I don’t want to have noticable used phone after one week. The apple thinks that people will use it in laboratory conditions only or what?!?! This is a device for use, not stand on a pedestal! Rubbish! They are losing my loyalty and patience

    • iPhoneFreak!

      Apple lost my loyalty and patience with 4S by telling me “You don’t need a screen larger than 3.5″ and releasing this junk. I wanted to see if the 5 was any good but it’s still far from the phone I have now by another mfg.

  • Boxakon

    Mine had scratches as soon as I opened it I think I’ll switch to white if I can

  • Vishnu

    Mine had exactly a similar nick at the spot

  • http://www.facebook.com/CorneliousJD Corey DeGrandchamp

    I’ve had that mark since it came out of the box as well. same spot. Perhaps where it detached from the mold or something?

  • http://www.facebook.com/QueSwanson Que Swanson

    Smh. Buy a case or watch it lose value like a new car off the lot.

  • zider

    I had a small nick just above the mid point of the left speaker. O

  • http://www.facebook.com/THExREALxTACO Jeremy Taco Patterson

    I handled my 4S with great care, never put it in a case of any kind. It doesn’t have a scratch on it.

    We’ll see if I am able to keep the black 5 in like-new condition as well. I’m not gonna lie, I’m worried about this now… :-/

  • http://profiles.google.com/sebastian.rasch Sebastian Rasch

    Apparently, only one badge is affected due to a defective machine. Apple know this problem and can easily exchange affected iPhones with iPhones that are not affected. They apparently can tell by the serial number.

  • FlowSoCold

    No offense but i dont see me takin my keys to my phone so I cant see this affecting my decision to get the black phone

  • Cooper

    Don’t care. I love this phone. So long as the glass doesn’t scratch, I am cool with it. Buy a Sharpie marker if you want to touch it up. I had a bumper case for my 4 because of the antennae problem (which was real). I am not covering this one up.

  • DayvG

    My black iPhone 5 came with a small nick on the right hand side 3/4 of the way up! I was on the phone to apple and within 1 hour I received notification that my replacement handset had been shipped! Not happy with the damage, however, well happy with apples aftercare!! I think the damage is caused by the machine that holds the phone in the build process.

  • Brad

    I bought a case for mine and the back of the phone now has silver specks all over!
    Has this happened to anyone else?