Black iPhone 5, how sturdy is the paint?

[alexWithPhone]

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]

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

 

[johndhynes]

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]

It's anodized aluminum - not painted.

 

[GPAbsinthe]

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]

That's the word I couldn't remember. Yeah, it's buried in the [URL="https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2012/09/12Apple-Introduces-iPhone-5/#mn_p]press release[/URL]:

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]

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]

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

 

[Jackal]

It's anodized aluminum - not painted.

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

 

[trebor8806]

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

 

[alexWithPhone]

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]

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]

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

 

[iphonefizzle]

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]

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]

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

Casing has done no wear on mine

 

[gvndeb60]

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]

Mine is fine.

- - - Updated - - -

Mine is fine.

 

[jcj_ramos]

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]

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