Black iPhone 5, how sturdy is the paint?

**alexWithPhone** · 09-12-2012, 05:15 PM

Hi,

it seems the black iPhone 5 will have the metal back and the side rails all painted black. I think this looks good, but I'm concerned that the paint will rub or scratch off eventually. With my previous two iPhones I was impressed how they looked close to new after two years in my pocket, and I hope the 3rd one will, too.

Do you have experience with other Apple painted metal surfaces, for example the iPod shuffle/nanos? How sturdy is the paint?

Thanks,
Alex

**mohawk apple** · 09-12-2012, 05:21 PM

I'm hopeing the paint doesn't flake off the phone after awhile lol,

**johndhynes** · 09-12-2012, 06:14 PM

I read about how they color iPods, and the color is fused into the metal somehow. I don't think it'll flake. My shuffle never did.

**kch50428** · 09-12-2012, 06:17 PM

It's anodized aluminum - not painted.

**GPAbsinthe** · 09-12-2012, 11:44 PM

And it's not like they explain that in the video you can find on the Home page of Apple's website since this afternoon...

**johndhynes** · 09-13-2012, 01:26 AM

That's the word I couldn't remember. Yeah, it's buried in the :

iPhone 5 is the thinnest smartphone in the world, with an all-new 7.6 mm anodized aluminum body that is 18 percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than iPhone 4S. Designed with an unprecedented level of precision, iPhone 5 combines an anodized aluminum body with diamond cut chamfered edges and glass inlays for a truly incredible fit and finish. (emphasis added)

Chamfered!

**phil7900000** · 10-21-2012, 10:59 AM

hi alex funny u should say that had mine for 4 weeks now and it looks a mess all chipped and rubbed off im reaaly not happy with phone just hope ive got a bad batch lol its booked into apple so i think they wil replace it

**nikkisharif** · 10-21-2012, 11:22 AM

Had mine for 4 weeks also & haven't had any issues!!!!

**Jackal** · 10-21-2012, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by kch50428

It's anodized aluminum - not painted.

thank you, ugh I couldn't stand people thinking it was paint

**trebor8806** · 10-21-2012, 01:35 PM

The aluminum is chipping on mine, can't go naked anymore.

**alexWithPhone** · 10-22-2012, 04:32 PM

Hi, I can answer my own question after having a black phone after 4 weeks. No, the black color is not sturdy at all. Especially around the sharp edges. If it has contact with anything hard, the bare aluminum is showing in an instant. I have other anodized things, like Calphalon pots, and no rough handling ca expose the metal.
Oddly, the all-black 5 looks less sophisticated than the silver+black 4/4S phones. I hope they will have the silver+black ones back next time around.

Regards,
Alex

**LCW** · 10-22-2012, 04:55 PM

Mine's been naked for a couple weeks now - holding up rather well. Ever so slight signs of wear or little nicks. Maybe 2 little tiny specks that have popped up.

But to me it's worth it not to hide it under a case. Feels so much better. I always pocket it, and if I lay it on a table I brush it off first with my hand.

I'm willing to bet a case would cause more scuffing and wear than anything else. But that's just IMHO.

**ridiculocity** · 10-22-2012, 05:14 PM

I refuse to risk it. The incipio case I have barely adds any bulk and I know it will be safe.

**iphonefizzle** · 10-22-2012, 05:59 PM

My black one is doing well no issues no chipping must have gotten a lucky one still naked got it at launch. 😎

Sent from my iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

**mohawk apple** · 10-22-2012, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by LCW

Mine's been naked for a couple weeks now - holding up rather well. Ever so slight signs of wear or little nicks. Maybe 2 little tiny specks that have popped up.

But to me it's worth it not to hide it under a case. Feels so much better. I always pocket it, and if I lay it on a table I brush it off first with my hand.

I'm willing to bet a case would cause more scuffing and wear than anything else. But that's just IMHO.

i agree with you that the case would do more wear!!

**Garz** · 10-22-2012, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by mohawk apple

i agree with you that the case would do more wear!!

Casing has done no wear on mine

**gvndeb60** · 10-22-2012, 08:59 PM

Originally Posted by mohawk apple

i agree with you that the case would do more wear!!

Yeah an iFrogz case scratched mine in 2 spots.....I took someone else's suggestion in another thread and purchased apple care+. The way I look at it, the $99 isn't much more than an otterbox and nice screen protector, so I am breaking even at the beginning. Then if I have to use apple care and pay the $49 fee, I will break even there bc I normally get 2-3 cases a year bc I have an addiction. So, I get to keep my phone naked and not worry about it.

But, I am a little disappointed about how easy it is to scratch, I baby my phone and it has several scuffs and scratches on the metal band.

**Tbry** · 10-23-2012, 03:33 AM

Mine is fine.

- - - Updated - - -

Mine is fine.

**jcj_ramos** · 10-25-2012, 04:20 AM

I have been using my black iPhone 5 for 3 weeks now and I already have 5 very minor scratches on the side rails. I have been using an Incipio Case and I think it scratched the black paint off my phone. I suggest iPhone 5 users should find cases that are too hard and sharp so it won't scratch of the paint. I plan to just get a rubber case or something. This is disappointing. Apple should do something about this but I doubt it. This is a hardware issue.

I really take care of my iPhones. My 4S does not have a scratch at all but this new black iPhone 5 is not so new at all. I wonder how the white iPhone 5 is holding up.

**Kaitokomauri** · 10-25-2012, 12:12 PM

Mine was (ab)used for about 3 weeks too. I use a case to wrap it around but so far no scratches...

**Amy wineBerry** · 10-30-2012, 02:55 AM

I have seen so many black iPhone 5s that look way as if they have been used for two years. Breaks my heart. I've seen few white iPhone 5s but none are noticeably damaged.