iPhone X band discoloured?!

Question

Level 1

11 points

iPhone X band discoloured?!

Hi all,

New poster here. I brought my new iPhone X 256gb in space grey about 6 weeks ago. I love the phone but I’m starting to have a problem with the coating.

At the bottom, where it rests against my finger, there is an area which is starting to discolour. I took it to the Apple store who said that it’s cosmetic and therefore not covered under warranty but one other colleague stated they had seen this before recently and the customer had their device swapped as a result of it. Apple support said that even if all the coating on the device detached, it’s still cosmetic and therefore not a warranty issue. My counter argument that if I brought a car and the paint discoloured or flaked after 6 weeks, it would be redressed regardless of it being cosmetic if it wasn’t the customers fault.

I am worried that after 6 weeks, if the mark is already apparent, it can only get worse and for a device that costs as much as this does, I don’t think that it’s acceptable through no damage or misuse that the coating on the band is starting to deteriorate in such a short time.

I’ve had a quick look only and seen a few posts on Facebook and reddit with pictures of the same issue. Some have had them sorted by Apple and others haven’t. How do you think I should proceed?

Posted on Mar 6, 2018 11:52 AM

Reply

Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Mar 6, 2018 11:57 AM in response to AlexiLoki88

This is a user to user support forum, and Apple does not participate here. What any of us think really doesn't matter, since Apple has the final say. As Apple stated to you, cosmetic issues are not covered under warranty. Your counter argument is not material here, since the warranty on a vehicle differs from that of the iPhone, and Apple specifically states that they do not cover cosmetic issues, where the warranty on a vehicle does. Your only recourse is with Apple, and if they refuse, you have no further to go. Did you speak to the manager at the store in question? I can say that Apple does not do phone replacements for cosmetic issues. If you wish to provide feedback to Apple they would see, use their feedback link here, https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone.html

Reply

Answer 2

Mar 6, 2018 12:01 PM in response to AlexiLoki88

Hi

Buy a good double sided case to stop the problem getting worse.

Cheers

Brian 🇬-1F1E7;

Reply

Answer 3

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

236,309 points

Mar 6, 2018 12:33 PM in response to AlexiLoki88

You're welcome.

Reply

Answer 4

AlexiLoki88 Author

Level 1

11 points

Mar 6, 2018 12:23 PM in response to ChrisJ4203

Thank you for your reply. I’m aware that Apple doesn’t participate in these threads but rather was looking for opinions from others regarding the issues in hand.

Also I somewhat agree with you on the car analogy, except most manufacturers I’m aware of in Europe where I am from (and my phone was purchased) do not cover cosmetics in the case of misuse, accidental damage or unauthorised repair but do in all other cases, Apple is fairly unusual in respect that even if they made a batch with a faulty coating which was doomed to fail in all cases, they would not act upon it.

While Apple states they do not normally consider cosmetic damage as a warranty issue, they also state that any fault caused by manufacturing defect or failure is covered by the standard warranty.

I don’t want my device to be replaced at this stage, I am more concerned of how a device that is made to be handled and used can become discoloured and damaged by contact with skin within a short period. Is this a faulty batch or a possible chemical reaction and what can I (or Apple) do to mitigate any further damage, apart from put it into a skin or full body case, which is a little like putting a plaster over a stab wound.

All I really want is consistency. My work colleague who had this same issue had his swapped by a Apple store as to them they deemed it as a material failure, since after a number of months, his looked awful. I went in and was told it’s a cosmetic damage issue.

Reply

iPhone X band discoloured?!

Similar questions