iPhone 15 Pro Dust in iPhone 15 Pro camera - what a farce

[Parowdy]

I've recently gotten myself a used 15 Pro as my 11 Pro didn't work anymore and I refused to get a new phone without USB C and Pro Motion.
Im very happy with the deal I got, the phone even still had Apple Care until 11/09/2024 and another year of manufacturer warranty.
At some point I noticed a tiny speck of dust in the Ultra Wide camera and decided that, together with the Taptic Engine feeling a little loose, like on a dropped-too-often iPhone 6s, and the speakers not being the same volume, that'd merit a trip to the one and only AASP (Apple Authorised Service Provider) or similar in my region.
I've had many more experiences with technical support for Apple devices than I like, with varying degrees of success and quality. This time was bound to be no different.

The Actual Service Experience
was interesting, as I go to know some new technologies Apple uses to diagnose the device. The technician ran a complete hardware test after I mentioned my 3 issues, I didnt expect him to do much because of the Taptic Engine, but the "service" for the speakers and camera was very interesting.
Now, he ran the speaker test, which is the iPhone playing a couple of frequencies and recording them with its inbuilt mics and saying if everything is ok... the ear piece speaker is a whole lot quiet then the main speaker, and the higher frequencies triggered some tears out of me standing in the store next to the dude doing the whole thing. He said, well the test says everything is fine, so.
So? I told him you can hear the volume problem by just using your fingers, first covering one speaker and then the other and listen to the difference. I can hear it, you can hear, just because the test can't "hear" it doesn't make it not exist.

Now, to the dust in the camera. Similar story. He started the test, which consisted of taking a picture with each camera and have it process it itself. I told him he can't see the dust in the pictures as it's on the very edge of the lense. He then went into his office where he had some microscopes and stuff, just to come back and ask me to point it out. Which I did. He finally saw the speck but told me the test said there is nothing wrong, so he can't do anything. Well, the test actually said there was a problem, which surprised us both, probably because he pressed something by accident taking it to the back.
He said he seems to be able to offer service now but had to order a camera, which was to be expected. All that was on Friday. On Monday I was notified that Apple wanted to see the phone themselves, which will take another 7-10 days.
What for? Quality control? Suspicion because of the erroneous test? This is so annoying, I need my phone, I can't rely on my old SE for a day longer than I need to, on Saturday a band I do videos for has a big gig in Berlin and I was hoping to take my 15 Pro to it and finally get around to actually using the damn thing, but no. Just no.
Now I realised, I can't even use online banking because well that's what I need my main phone for.
I HATE the fact that the decision was out of my hand for how long MY PHONE would be gone for, despite the issue being with one replaceable part and the other two issues originally not even being listed on the receipt that I had to sign. To have NO SAY to either receive "advanced service" or whatever it is they are doing or get the phone back is for me almost incomprehensible for a gadget so mission critical for daily life and professional tasks. I rely on my phone, some weeks more and some less. This week I NEED it and I would rather have taken it back and returned later. Very annoying.

Anyone know why Apple decided to service the phone themselves? The store is a genuine AASP although the technicians are a mixed back, which has never bothered Apple once as far as I know.

Will update once I get it back.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Sounds like you got a pretty beat-up used phone geez. If I was Apple I would want to see this dust in the camera lens as that seems extremely hard to do. Pretty common for a company that receives an unusual claim to want their real techs to look at for future product improvement.

 

[Parowdy]

Sounds like you got a pretty beat-up used phone geez. If I was Apple I would want to see this dust in the camera lens as that seems extremely hard to do. Pretty common for a company that receives an unusual claim to want their real techs to look at for future product improvement.

The phone is in very good condition, the screen is scratched as the previous owner didn’t seem to use a protector, but it also seems like they didn’t use a case and the rest of the phone is spotless.
I’ve had multiple iPhones with dust in the camera before, a couple SE’s (back) and 2 X’s (front and back).
Last time this happened with a X Apple made an appointment for me at that store so they can take a picture with one of their microscopes. The dude from the store was adamant that they could fix it, too. I didn’t want them to, Apple offered me a free upgrade after that month long ordeal (had it send in 5 times just for it to come back with more dust in the front camera…)
So yeah the phone is appart from scratches on the screen basically pristine, battery also still at 100% and the hardware test said basically the same, although it also said the speakers were fine.
Anyway.
Had I had the option to send it in from the get go (as was the case with my SE’s) I’d done that instead of going to that store.
Tbh I guess I’m somewhat happy Apple took it in, as I’ve had too many disappointing visits there.

 

[Fred Zed]

Yeah the computer says “it’s fine “ the diagnostic machine says no faults found. All B$, like job applications these days, selective process being all done by software algorithms. Little to no human connection. I can see in the future that Apple will run remote diagnostics and will stand by its results regardless of what the customer says… wait a minute thats now 😂

 

[Parowdy]

So. Got the phone back, camera was either replaced or the dust simply removed. However, the outside lense/s have not been replaced, as they still show the same scratches as previously. The other problems have not been addressed. Got this in Settings now:

Dude that gave me the phone said the entire phone was replaced, the manager came from the back office to clarify that that was not the case. Just another subpar experience in this store.

 

[samven582]

camera dust is common on iPhones

 

[Parowdy]

camera dust is common on iPhones

I wish I could disagree, but speaking from personal experience I’ve had many iPhones with dust in the camera shipped from Apple directly, that gives me an interesting and disappointing perspective on Apple’s QC.

However, most dust is found in the front cameras of iPhones because they don’t seal the way they did before Face ID, dropping a phone can let dust inside and improper repairs and servicing are also common reasons.

 

[samven582]

I wish I could disagree, but speaking from personal experience I’ve had many iPhones with dust in the camera shipped from Apple directly, that gives me an interesting and disappointing perspective on Apple’s QC.

However, most dust is found in the front cameras of iPhones because they don’t seal the way they did before Face ID, dropping a phone can let dust inside and improper repairs and servicing are also common reasons.

yup, that's why i don't buy iPhone anymore

 

[Fred Zed]

Camera dust is common in many mobile phones. Same complaints were common when I was a Samsung fan.

 

[digitalcuriosity]

When you buy a used iPhone you just get what it is "USED" hope you get your new phone but gussing you won't get it.

 

[Parowdy]

When you buy a used iPhone you just get what it is "USED" hope you get your new phone but gussing you won't get it.

No no, I didn’t want a new phone.
Phone was not opened or serviced before I got it according to Apple. Usually dust in the main camera system comes from the factory, front camera dust comes from people servicing their own phones or paying for botched service.