iPhone 5 Rattle

This has been bugging me since day 1, as my Verizon model has the same rattle. Two other guys I work with both got them at the same time I did, as well as one of their daughters, and all 4 of our phones rattle in an equally annoying fashion (plus a floor model at the VZ store, but those are abused so I won't include that one in the tally, although the rattle was identical). The camera lens thing makes me feel slightly better, coupled with the fact that others are experiencing the problem just the same. But the YouTube video with the loose battery, and pressing of the backplate makes me nervous! For my sanity I will just go with the camera excuse, and not press on the back of my phone and possibly exacerbate the problem; or even worse, cause a new one (plus I'd be worried I'd scratch the back! -which is also "perfectly normal" lol). I still love the thing; LTE and the lightning fast web experience is nice. It's not the buttons however, because you can hold those and eliminate those from the equation. The problem persists with all buttons and the switch held. I thought it might be a ribbon cable against the back, or the SIM tray fitting loosely, or something like that. Maybe Apple will address this issue also, but I don't think this thread is getting enough play for that to happen. Sadly I do feel better after reading this, although we shouldn't. What can I say, I love my iPhones!

Took my iPhone 5 into my local Apple Store and called Customer Support. It is a known hardware issue (Auto Focus for Camera), but no fix in the pipeline yet. However, the more people we have calling-in to create case numbers, the sooner a fix will be available. I LOVE Apple, but unfortunately this rattling sound isn't natural, and it's not the quality I've come to expect from great Apple products. I've have had other various Smart Phones (HTC EVO 3D & Galaxy III) none of which had this issue; and in my opinion were lesser quality products. So bottom line, please call-in to create a case number to have this issue resolved asap. Hope this helps a little bit...thanks everyone!

the guy at the apple store acted like the rattle was a "design feature" - as i understood (in the loud madhouse that are apple stores) he was saying that it was indentionally left loose to keep whatever is involved with it from breaking.

the rattle doesnt seem to have any effect on performance... so i'm not too bothered. so far...

BUT with this odd (though possibly intentional) anomaly combined with the dreaded purple lens flare and the maps issue, i'd say the shine of the apple is definitely dulling a bit... with this being the first major releae since jobs' passing - i HOPE this isn't an indication of what we can expect from apple in the future...

Mine does this also. It kinda feels like the Up volume is a bit "loose". But I now have to listen for the autofocus.

I too have noticed this issue with my iphone 5. This rattle is an appalling feature. It has completly taken the gloss off my purchase of this product. Who wants a Phone that rattles? Poor effort Apple. I did not pay big bucks for this. I have just heard back from my phone provider who told me that it is a normal feature on the IPhone. We need an urgent remedy to this problem from Apple. A statement at least. Please don't try and brush this issue under the carpet.

long story short...

for everyone with the rattle, it's normal unless it makes the "thud sound". you can try getting it exchanged, but most likely your next unit will do the same. i too don't think this is acceptable quality from Apple though.

reference to the "thud sound" when shaked:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KebdQ3Fg-A8

My iPhone 4s also has this rattle, I took it back to the apple store and they replaced for a new one...it did exactly the same!! Appetantly it's the optics of the auto focus and is normal. I have to say I checked my old htc and it does exactly the same.

The noise is really annoying and not what you expect from an apple product but think we have to learn to live with it and hope that in future products they can fix the issue.

Same here everyone! My IPhone 5 rattles when you tap the top back panel by the camera lens.

Can anyone tell me what the tiny hole is in between the camera lens and the flash. I looked at

it under an eye loop and was wondering if this hole should be a hole or was something in the hole

that fell inside the phone an is now rattling?

BruceCT

I took mine in the other day and the genius confirmed that it was a "loose camera." We swapped it out for a new retail phone (sealed in box, not those "service" replacements), and it too had a rattle - although less profound.

But after checking each and every display model they had on the floor, each iphone 5 had the same issue. I tapped on the camera lenses of the new ipod touches and they had a rattle too.

All in all, i feel that it isnt an issue, especially since it doesnt affect the overall performance of the phone.

My phone also rattles and it is driving me insane.

The issue with this being "normal" is that not every phone rattles, so it cannot be a design feature. My wife and father both have Iphone 5's and neither rattle. Apple calling this 'normal' is complete cope out.

Ultimately, I paid a premium for the phone due to its aesthetic value. This rattle detracts for that value.

I will be working to have my issue resulved...

I too have the rattle. My fiancé as well. These are our first iPhones and we are both a little disappointed in the annoying sound they make. Oh well. I thought apple quality was better.

I've had my 64Gig White AT&T iPhone 5 for 13 days. I noticed the rattling sound right off the bat. It's not the thud of the battery being loose like some people are also experiencing.

It's as if a screw is loose inside. And when I tap by the camera it makes a rattling noise. While I think that is normal as most of the phones that I have tapped do this. I agree with others who have stated that you should hear a rattle when you tap by the camera, but no sound when you shake the phone.

Well, mine has a fairly annoying rattle when I shake the phone. So much so that I can often hear it when I put the phone down, or when I quickly pick it up to hold it in my ear to make a call.

I went to the Apple store today to decide if I am going to return it and I shook and tapped every iPhone 5 they have as well as most of the iPhone 4's. Every one of them made a noise when you tapped by the camera, but most did not make a rattling noise when you shook them.

So, yeah, going back. They can either replace the phone if there are any stock if not, I want my money back and I'll just wait a bit until their QC has improved. I might even wait and get on the S cycle or get a different handset altogether. We paid a premium for these phones. We should get what we're paying for.

Mine also rattles, and I just noticed today that my camera lens is loose to the touch. I didn't push it hard or anything, but it is very clearly loose. I don't think it will fall out, but the rattle is very noticeable and annoying.

Does anyone else's lens move a little if pressed gently? Should I get (yet another) replacement?

Stop shaking your phone needlessly.

I just noticed the same thing. How disappointing. I'm returning it. Ill stick with my 4S without a rattle.