[matthabbo45]

Hey guys,

The back plate of my first iPhone 5S started losing its color quickly and started to go white, but only at the top and bottom sections of the plate (the middle still had its color). I don't really like to use a case, but I'm waiting on one to come in the mail from amazon since I just got a replacement phone almost a week ago. Now this one looks like its about to lose its color in the exact same spots as my first one, and I've only had it for 5 days now. Anyone else having the same issue? What could cause the color to do this? Bad battery?

Thanks guys

[iEd]

First I've heard of this. Can you post pictures.

[pr1nce]

Never heard of this before. Post pics please.


Sent from my iPhone using iMore Forums mobile app

[matthabbo45]

This was my first 5S

[iEd]

This was my first 5S

Yikes!!!! How long did you have this one? And you say the the same thing is happening to your replacement?

[matthabbo45]

I had got that one in october and I wanna say I took that pic sometime in December, so it probably wasnt even a full two months that I had it. And yes, I can tell the color is starting to go away a bit in the same spots. I really don't know how this could happen, seems like I'm the only one its happening to. lol

[iEd]

I can't find any other reports on this on the net. A problem like this usually comes to users news wise.

Did you get the replacement from a Apple store? If so what did they say about it?

[matthabbo45]

I didn't have any luck myself searching the web. I didn't get the replacement from the Apple store, I thought it was just the phone, so I just got the replacement from Sprint. Once this new one gets worse, which I'm sure it will, I'll take it to the Apple store to see what they say.

[iEd]

So the replacement is only a week old and it's showing signs of this?
I would take the replacement to the Apple store if it's showing signs of it.

[rayz336]

Could it be the oils on your hands? It looks like it's almost in places where you would hold the iPhone.

[warcraftWidow]

Are you spinning it around on a metal surface?

[Jaguarr40]

It looks very much like you are placing it on a surface that like Karen said is metal or any other abrasive service that is doing it because I have never seen that before.

[iEd]

I thought the back was a piece of aluminum through and through.
Similar to the Magic Track Pad.
I never seen anything like this on any Apple aluminum products.
Even my original iPhone the years of wear on the aluminum is gray.

[anon(4698833)]

I'm calling BS on this "5 day" discoloration story...unless you knowingly did something to the back of the device that would cause this kind of wear, there's absolutely no way the rear panel would end up like this. You're either knowingly doing something to the device to cause the discoloration, or the entire story is hogwash.

[kataran]

Something your in contact with on a daily bases must be causing this the odds of getting two phones with a rare issue like this is to big of a chance


Sent from my iPhone 5s Gold 64GB

[matthabbo45]

That picture I posted wasn't after 5 days, that was a little over a month after I got the phone. My replacement that I've had for 5 days is showing just a tiny bit discoloration, maybe only noticable is you really focus on it.

No I do not on any metal surfaces throughout my day. My counter at work is like a hard plywood.

Maybe it could be the oils on my hands, never thought about that.

[matthabbo45]

Just read a couple threads on aluminum macbooks becoming discolored. I guess it is the sweat and oils from my hands doing this.

[iRiidium]

Just read a couple threads on aluminum macbooks becoming discolored. I guess it is the sweat and oils from my hands doing this.

I have no idea what's causing the issue, since I've never seen anything like that. Something is either abrading the area (are there any scratches?) or something is reacting with the finish. I'm a firm believer of using a case, even if its just a slim one to protect against bumps, bruises, scratches, and whatever is happening to your phone.

If you don't want to use a case you could try having a Zagg Invisible Shield full-body installed. I think some protection is certainly warranted.


Sent from my iridium iPad Air LTE 

[anon(4698833)]

Just read a couple threads on aluminum macbooks becoming discolored. I guess it is the sweat and oils from my hands doing this.

There is no relation to the discoloration referenced on MacBooks (which is 99.999999% of the time on the palm rests and track pads and is not "white" in color).

Also, you said yourself that your 5 day old replacement was doing the same exact thing...not sure what you did with the post (edited or deleted it) but there's simply no way that is true unless you yourself are doing something to it.

Your story just does not add up at all.

[nikkisharif]

Wow...I've never seen anything like that happen in such a short period of time. That's crazy!!

[haldner]

This is also the first I have seen of this, and I have seen many iPhones

[boovish]

Maybe sock elves use sand paper on it at night

[Haseeb Rehman]

Never heard of any such thing before. Maybe its just you and the way you're using your phone.

[Spencerdl]

Hummm, maybe it's not a "real" iPhone. This is very peculiar and unheard of ....NOT exactly sure what to think

[Septembersrain]

https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4940974

I'm guessing it's possible but not too frequent.