Level 1

26 points

iphone 12 aluminum band scratches/scuffs too easily

Had my iphone 12 for 3 days. It already has a few scratches/scuffs on the aluminum band. I didn't put on a case on it because none of my prior iphones ever had this issue. Everyone has been focusing on the durability of the screen, but no one has mentioned the durability of the band. I haven't dropped it, kept it with keys/coins or anything that would scratch it, but with just normal daily use, the corners have scuffs on it so that the blue has been scuffed off and it is showing the silver underneath.

I don't expect the phone to stay pristine forever, but with very minimal use, it's already showing a lot of wear on the edges.

Anyone else having this issue?

iPhone 12, iOS 14

Posted on Oct 27, 2020 1:34 PM

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Captain Sloth

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Nov 30, 2020 3:44 PM

This is unfortunately typical of Apple’s aluminium phones going right back to the iPhone 5, where ‘scuffgate’ created quite some noise.

The iPhones with steel bands don’t suffer from this (4, 4S, X, XS, 11 Pro, 12 Pro), nor do the iPhones with natural-colour aluminium.

Sadly, any iPhone with coloured aluminium to date is vulnerable. You need to put it in a skin/case or accept this will happen.

Strangely, the old iPods which had coloured aluminium didn’t seem to suffer so much, nor do the coloured aluminium Macs — not sure why the difference.

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37 replies

Oct 9, 2021 8:08 PM in response to jihong

Planned Obsolescence

The more scratches it has, the. more likely you are to want a new one in a years time. There must be money in cases 😉

My 6s hasn't had a case for the last three years and still looks original, as far as scratches are concerned.

It's such a great shame. I haven't bought a phone since the 6s and the anodised colour scratching is one of the main reasons.

Im waiting for a black phone with the plain outer frame. They seem to be a lot more durable, just like the older ones.

Mohdme

Level 1

4 points

May 5, 2021 8:39 PM in response to martinovr

My new iphone 12 colour black i use a selicon cover from the first hour i use it and the aluminium from the side like 3 points the colour has gone and the silver behind it is shown by self

jihong Author

Level 1

26 points

Oct 27, 2020 1:44 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

This post isn't about needing a case or not, it's about people's experience with the band damaging too easily without a case. If apple makes a product that damages that easily, they should sell it with case, or better yet, built better?

Nov 3, 2021 11:24 PM in response to Myphone6s

don’t buy the color sides

never and never

just small drop and you will cray like me!

get the normal chrome one. So that I can sand it in 3000 grid and use motorcycle chrome cream to bring it back to new

the colors one will turn your life upside down !’

Oct 27, 2020 1:37 PM in response to jihong

You missed your chance when you didn't put it in a case from day one.

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,546 points

Oct 27, 2020 1:43 PM in response to jihong

It's aluminum, not tungsten steel.

Nov 10, 2020 5:34 AM in response to jihong

Ive had the exact same issue mate on my Blue iphone 12! Absolutely devastated! Its in a case and screen protector now and just doesn’t feel like the same sweet phone!

yazeed0

Level 1

4 points

Mar 31, 2021 1:16 AM in response to jihong

I just bought it and the moment I unboxed it I put a screen protector and a cover on

and the day after I noticed a big scratch on one of the corners

hope it doesn’t get worst from normal daily use

soliman6

Level 1

8 points

May 21, 2021 6:05 AM in response to jihong

It was deeply scratched even With original case on.

[Edited by Moderator]

Nov 4, 2021 1:00 PM in response to Ozzyozzyozzy

i think the sanding even with 3000 will let awful marks.

i keep my spigen liquid air blue and thinking about other stuff

Jan 7, 2021 12:05 PM in response to user0197

Thanks my friend for the advice!

I know that the white one is the most forgiving... I just don’t expected that it would have been so soft! I thought that with everyday use, with a cover, it would be safe (sorry for eventual grammatical mistakes) 😂

Jun 17, 2021 11:25 PM in response to jihong

I have a small scuff near the bottom speaker grill and the silver metal thing is visible. I initially thought something is stuck there…and found it’s really scuffed a bit….My iPhone 12 is a new device and I have a case on. Never expected this to happen.

jihong Author

Level 1

26 points

Oct 27, 2020 1:41 PM in response to QuickTimeKirk

It shouldn't need a case. The aluminum band scuffs too easily.

jihong Author

Level 1

26 points

Nov 19, 2020 9:37 AM in response to Dalejames83

Glad I'm not the only one!

Jan 31, 2021 12:23 PM in response to jihong

Yeah the same happened with me

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iphone 12 aluminum band scratches/scuffs too easily