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Lots of great replies and analysis. I agree that the underlying question here is if this impacts all 15PM or just a select few? I might stop by the Apple Store later today to take a look.

I'm also going to see if this spot "reappears" after wiping it down while the phone remains off.
UPDATE: So interestingly, it looks like heat has 0 impact to my discoloration blotch. At least on my device...

I had my phone off for 10 minutes (which was completely cool to the touch), wiped it down with isopropyl alcohol (which temporarily removed the discoloration), then proceeded to wipe it with a microfiber cloth and the blotch instantly reappeared.

Looks to be material related and a manufacturing defect. I definitely plan on returning it, but I'm curious on what may be causing this. I absolutely suspect it's something related to the PVD coating being incorrectly applied at the factory.
 
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Just took mine out of the case, and don’t see any imperfections.

I say keep it. It adds more character and personality to your iPhone.
 
I have a blue pro max and I’ve not got this. My phone is hot as it’s been on charge, so I took it out of the case and checked. Zero discolouration. Mines a UK device.

The heat might depend on what you are doing.


Her: “What’s that blotch on the side of your phone?”


Him: “Oh, that’s Instagram….”




🤣
 
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UPDATE: So interestingly, it looks like heat has 0 impact to my discoloration blotch. At least on my device...

I had my phone off for 10 minutes (which was completely cool to the touch), wiped it down with isopropyl alcohol (which temporarily removed the discoloration), then proceeded to wipe it with a microfiber cloth and the blotch instantly reappeared.

Looks to be material related and a manufacturing defect. I definitely plan on returning it, but I'm curious on what may be causing this. I absolutely suspect it's something PVD coating being incorrectly applied at the factory.
You’re here amongst us and have the problem in question. Please don’t return it just yet - enquiring minds want to know… 👍
 
I can understand people bothered by an issue like this, even if only cosmetic. If the paint job of a car you just bought had blotches on it, I doubt few would say "oh well, it works OK, so...good enough."
I think of it this way. If the paint on the car has blemishes but I am going to wrap it to a color of my desire then I wouldn't necessarily be overly concerned with the paint. If I am going to put a case (anything but clear) on my phone then I wouldn't necessarily be overly concerned with the band color.

I see it both ways.

Me, a case is going on it and next year trading
it in.
 
If you’re not planning to use a case, just get ready. The titanium attracts fingerprints and smudges. It’ll blend in eventually.
 
I was watching the teardown videos right now. Next to this place where the color changes, there is obviously the motherboard. However, which component is behind the area whose color changes directly? I don't know.

View attachment 2280748

The question we are looking for an answer to is exactly about this place. What is the component I circled in red? Because there is a color change right behind this. As you can see, the part after the screw on the left is thinner and continues to the right side.

Normally I have no material knowledge. But I started researching some sources on this subject and and found the following explanation;

"Titanium changes color at different temperatures due to a phenomenon known as thermochromism. This is when a material's color changes in response to changes in temperature. In the case of titanium, the color change is caused by changes in the crystal structure of the metal as it is heated or cooled. This results in changes in the way that light is absorbed and reflected by the metal, which in turn results in changes in its color."

And I should remind you that they already see this when they are under strong light. It darkens when heated and returns to its normal color when cooled. Since it is the situation that titanium creates during a natural heat exchange process, "in my opinion" it isn't a problem to worry about.

All I want to know is what is the component I marked in red? People just sit and wait for an explanation. Why isn't anyone investigating the issue?
Nice work! Interesting about the thermochromism. I have been fortunate to have no screen to finish issues but will take a look at that exact spot on my natural titanium 15 PM, especially after using it for a while to warm it up.
 
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I did various research for hours to find out what this problem could be.

Moreover, I am not an engineer or materials scientist. I have a company that provides foreign trade and foreign trade finance consultancy services.

I couldn't find detailed information. But only one thing came to my mind.

In my previous message, I wrote that the area I mentioned changed color due to heat and that this was a titanium-related phenomenon.

But there's one thing I know. Heat dissipation doesn't matter the material, it spreads and dissipates. It doesn't spread with distinct edges as seen in the pictures. If it were due to NAND flash as I suspect, it wouldn't be confined to an area with clear edges. The color change should also extend towards the volume up button.

I think this is a production issue. Because while some users have no complaints, some users experience this problem.

If it is a manufacturing problem, replace your phone under warranty.
 
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Looks like mine has this too and I’m starting to see more posts about it online. Wondering how “normal” this may be.
 
Looks like mine has this too and I’m starting to see more posts about it online. Wondering how “normal” this may be.
Looks like it impacts a lot of people but not everyone. It’s a defect given that, but I’m not sure everyone with the issue will be willing to do a return. Most people slap a case on and won’t see it and won’t care to return.

If you ever plan on reselling your phone, this might be a potential concern. Or of course if you’re using your phone without a case, like how I intended.
 
Looks like it impacts a lot of people but not everyone. It’s a defect given that, but I’m not sure everyone with the issue will be willing to do a return. Most people slap a case on and won’t see it and won’t care to return.

If you ever plan on reselling your phone, this might be a potential concern. Or of course if you’re using your phone without a case, like how I intended.
Yep when I pick one up used I will be looking for this and sharp edges to knock the price down 😀
 
Checked my 15 PM Blue Titanium. No blotch. I can see the fainter color around the buttons, but that‘s all. I do have a case (Blue FW) on at all times. hence, would not care either way. Thankfully, my unit seems “flawless”. No overheating, great screen. Sorry for those with problems.
 
I think this might affect more people than we might know and can be easily reproduced.

It was not visible on my phone, but became visible after it heated up. It disappears again after it cools down.

Try it out by playing Genshin for example or anything that generates some modest heat. Most that only do basic things might never see it.
 
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Same “issue” - my intuition is that this is due to antennas needing a modified section of material.

Highly doubt it’s a bad spray job, it’s identical across posts.

It’s also very hard to see, it needs the light at the right angle. I didn’t notice mine in the first few days.



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All of the display models in the store have it.

Can you check once more using a flashlight and angling the phone back and forth, or even post a pic, it’s really faint.
When I read that it can depend on the angle of the light I had a really good look (why do we do this to ourselves 😂) but seriously nothing was there. Will see if I can get a pic at some point but this is my only phone!
 
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When I read that it can depend on the angle of the light I had a really good look (why do we do this to ourselves 😂) but seriously nothing was there. Will see if I can get a pic at some point but this is my only phone!
Thanks for checking!

I believe ya, there’s another fellow on Reddit that got a replacement without it too! Bizarre stuff.
 
I had a really good look at mine and I don’t have it, checked every angle with led flashlight and the attached pic is with flash on.

Mine is a 15 Pro White Titanium UK model, is this just affecting the darker colours (Blue & Black) or does someone with Natural or White Titanium have it?

It’s very strange how exact an area is affected, almost like it was braced there whilst being PVD’d.
 

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I had a really good look at mine and I don’t have it, checked every angle with led flashlight and the attached pic is with flash on.

Mine is a 15 Pro White Titanium UK model, is this just affecting the darker colours (Blue & Black) or does someone with Natural or White Titanium have it?

It’s very strange how exact an area is affected, almost like it was braced there whilst being PVD’d.
Yeah it’s weird and agreed you don’t have it!

It affects all colours:



I’m using a UK 256GB PM -
, 🤷‍♂️ back it goes I guess.
 
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