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donster28

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 5, 2006
1,726
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Great White North
Just my luck, right? Gone through 1 exchange already because my very first X had a speck inside one of the back camera lenses.

My new one was perfect, except, in the evening while shopping, an even bigger speck appeared on the same lens, as if it was already there hiding, then, bam!

I’m now awaiting to have it exchanged again tomorrow morning because the Apple Store didn’t have spares until then.

I gotta give it to Apple customer service, though. They really treat you well and will take care of you.

TLDR to updates: Gone through 5 phones in 2 days. All but the one I have right now had tiny specs of white dust on the rear bottom camera. Some only showing up after having the phone for about a little bit. I am crossing my fingers on the one I have right now which is so far dust free after about 2 hours or so. If you don't get a 4th update here, all is dandy!

UPDATE 3: Got to the Apple Store and as usual, the team was more than happy to rectify the problem. I was brought another brand new unit, opened it up and checked it again...what the heck is happening?...this one has it too, and on the same bottom camera! Showed it to the sales associate, this time I was really disappointed. Then she saw it but she had to call a supervisor to verify since this brand new unit she just got for me was barely touched. Then the supervisor checked it himself but instead of agreeing, he kept saying he cannot see anything. This went on for about 15 minutes until he wouldn't want to do an exchange anymore, telling me that these specks of dust are to Apple's manufacturing standards...yada yada yada. I stood my ground and insisted on another exchange...the last one for me or I'll walk away without a phone. Then they agreed. Lo and behold, the last one didn't have specs, but knowing this might not be the ultimate ending to my story, I left the Apple Store anxious and nerve racked. So far, I got home after about an hour and no dust...fingers are still crossed.

UPDATE 2:
Well, what do you know, folks...another tiny speck showed up in the bottom rear camera again! I swear, I checked my replacement properly before I left the store and kept checking, walked around the mall a bit then checked it again after about 30 mins...and there it was. This proves that dust is definitely inside the modules ready for them to be shaken loose. It's disappointing indeed. Back to the Apple Store for another replacement.

UPDATE 1: I got a perfect replacement finally. Now let’s see how this holds up and if it’s hiding another speck in there somehow.
 
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Just my luck, right? Gone through 1 exchange already because my very first X had a speck inside one of the back camera lenses.

My new one was perfect, except, in the evening while shopping, an even bigger speck appeared on the same lens, as if it was already there hiding, then, bam!

I’m now awaiting to have it exchanged again tomorrow morning because the Apple Store didn’t have spares until then.

I gotta give it Apple customer service, though. They really treat you well and will take care of you.

I just realize mines have a dust right in the near the edge of the bottom lens.
 
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Got two specks near the top lens and one near the bottom but after running some test photos I don't think they interfere. Yet. I panicked at one point during testing but I deduced that it was a street light reflecting a ghostly speck on the lens. Waiting for the girlfriend to return home so she can open her iPhone X so I can immediately inspect whether I have the superior build.
 
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Dust in two different phones :rolleyes:
 

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Got two specks near the top lens and one near the bottom but after running some test photos I don't think they interfere. Yet. I panicked at one point during testing but I deduced that it was a street light reflecting a ghostly speck on the lens. Waiting for the girlfriend to return home so she can open her iPhone X so I can immediately inspect whether I have the superior build.
Dust in two different phones :rolleyes:
Oh man...so much for early adopting.

I am nervous for my exchange tomorrow. I’m hoping it’s not gonna become a train of replacements just to get a good one.
 
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I am nervous for my exchange tomorrow. I’m hoping it’s not gonna become a train of replacements just to get a good one.

That's what happened to me today. Three phones with dust (one that shipped, one brand new exchange, one white coffin). The white coffin one (not pictured) has one piece further to the side, but definitely still noticeable. They definitely pressured me to keep the white coffin one, but also said I can try to exchange when they have further stock. I'll probably do the latter or just return and re-buy a latter batch.

Hope you have better luck tomorrow!
 
That's what happened to me today. Three phones with dust (one that shipped, one brand new exchange, one white coffin). The white coffin one (not pictured) has one piece further to the side, but definitely still noticeable. They definitely pressured me to keep the white coffin one, but also said I can try to exchange when they have further stock. I'll probably do the latter or just return and re-buy a latter batch.

Hope you have better luck tomorrow!
Thanks! Crossing fingers.

Apple should do better QC on these darn camera modules.
 
Just a reminder that once you accept a warranty replacement unit you can't return it for a refund and buy from a later batch. You have 14 days to return for a new retail device as long as there is available new device inventory.

Dave
 
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two phones arrived, they both had a speck of dust in the lens. other flaws I saw in both were scuffs around he bezel of the rear lens assembly. at first I was getting ready to battle up and start the exchange war with apple but then I made my self a bet, if my 6s, a phone that I've used since launch, and its been wonderful, has a speck of dust and just never noticed, then I'll let it go and just accept it. Well sure enough it did. I mean if 2 had it already, I can't imagine how many times I'll have to exchange and that could be a real nightmare and absolutely waste of time. so I just ended up picking the better one which has a speck to the side rather than the middle. and it really light, you need a magnifying glass to see, and yes, I inspect every apple device I buy with a magnifying glass the moment I open it. When your older I'll tell you about the time I went thru 4 apples watches in a week with a different flaw on each one.

p.s. why doesn't MacRumors let us use Emojis?
 
....p.s. why doesn't MacRumors let us use Emojis?
They do but only Smiles are available in their Forum hosting software. Do you want them to license the Emojis from Apple? That would turn this site into a Pay Wall site very quickly just to pay Apple for a few Emojis.

Dave
 
They do but only Smiles are available in their Forum hosting software. Do you want them to license the Emojis from Apple? That would turn this site into a Pay Wall site very quickly just to pay Apple for a few Emojis.

Dave

Emojis were not invented by apple. Apple isn't the only one who makes emojis. It was invented in Japan and there is a Unicode Standard thats part of the Unicode Consortium which multiples companies are part of. Plus there are open source emoji sets like PhantomOpenEmoji. So thats not it. its like a font. I have apples emojis because they come with OS X. Its up to you to have them, if not its comes up as obscure symbols or a fallback. Mac Rumors has no part in copyright volition for allowing Unicode Standard emojis.
 
One small speck on the edge of the lower camera. Not super happy but since everything else is solid, probably not worth the return and exchange hassle.
66eb9ec54ba7d06a9cbdc5dbb30e7e9e.jpg
 
two phones arrived, they both had a speck of dust in the lens. other flaws I saw in both were scuffs around he bezel of the rear lens assembly. at first I was getting ready to battle up and start the exchange war with apple but then I made my self a bet, if my 6s, a phone that I've used since launch, and its been wonderful, has a speck of dust and just never noticed, then I'll let it go and just accept it. Well sure enough it did. I mean if 2 had it already, I can't imagine how many times I'll have to exchange and that could be a real nightmare and absolutely waste of time. so I just ended up picking the better one which has a speck to the side rather than the middle. and it really light, you need a magnifying glass to see, and yes, I inspect every apple device I buy with a magnifying glass the moment I open it. When your older I'll tell you about the time I went thru 4 apples watches in a week with a different flaw on each one.

p.s. why doesn't MacRumors let us use Emojis?
I am the total opposite and I think we deserve better after spending $2000 on it including AppleCare+.

I respect your decisions but man, would you accept a brand new car with a dent even if it doesn’t affect it’s driving?

Also, the size of the product in question is no excuse. When it’s advertised to you in clean, prestine close-up shots, the condition of what’s being advertised should reflect the actual product.
 
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two phones arrived, they both had a speck of dust in the lens. other flaws I saw in both were scuffs around he bezel of the rear lens assembly. at first I was getting ready to battle up and start the exchange war with apple but then I made my self a bet, if my 6s, a phone that I've used since launch, and its been wonderful, has a speck of dust and just never noticed, then I'll let it go and just accept it. Well sure enough it did. I mean if 2 had it already, I can't imagine how many times I'll have to exchange and that could be a real nightmare and absolutely waste of time. so I just ended up picking the better one which has a speck to the side rather than the middle. and it really light, you need a magnifying glass to see, and yes, I inspect every apple device I buy with a magnifying glass the moment I open it. When your older I'll tell you about the time I went thru 4 apples watches in a week with a different flaw on each one.

p.s. why doesn't MacRumors let us use Emojis?

Thanks for sharing—I like the spirit of this viewpoint and have considered bringing myself around to it as well. Exchanging is most certainly a time sink and certainly frustrating. There’s merit to just enjoying the thing, which I just want to do.

That said, when your friends receive flawless phones, it’s hard not to feel short-changed. They exist, not all have dust out of box. Like donster28 mentioned, these are expensive products. As for my own launch 6s—perfect condition since launch and no dust in the camera assembly for over 2 years despite a few drops.
 
But do they show up in photos. That's the pertinent thing.

I basically haven’t set them up yet or done proper testing. Would need a blue sky / flat background. I do know that two of my friend’s phones are dust free.

Did you get a chance to take a look at your GF’s phone?
 
I basically haven’t set them up yet or done proper testing. Would need a blue sky / flat background. I do know that two of my friend’s phones are dust free.

Did you get a chance to take a look at your GF’s phone?

Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Checking it now under bright light and strange looks from her, I can verify that her model also has dust specks. They also seem to be out of the center of the lens so I don't think they show up in photos. Will commence further testing.

Sucks too because both of our phones are immaculate otherwise. No scuffs on the glass or steel band. Both have identical displays. Both from Zhengzhou. I would assume with Apple's "legendary" industrial design they'd have more oversight with the camera.
 
Well folks, I was able to return my iPhone and place an in-store pickup order for a new iPhone (from new inventory this morning) and...

...my new one is dust free!

If your phone has dust, hair, or anything inside the camera, by all means get a replacement if you are not 100% satisfied with it. All of you deserve the best!
 

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I respect your decisions but man, would you accept a brand new car with a dent even if it doesn’t affect it’s driving?

I'm curious... do you own a car?

What do you do when it gets a scratch/dent/chip in it from a rock that flew out from some unknown person's car 100 ft in front of you?

Serious question.

5 phones returned? Wow!

If you do own a car did you spend 3 days going over it with a magnifying glass like you do your phones?

P.S.

Don't think I'm saying you don't have a right to be picky... it is a lot of money. All I'm saying is if you look hard enough you can probably find a flaw in each and every iPhone shipped.

Oh wait, did you find one that makes you happy? You obviously didn't look hard enough. There's a speck there somewhere. Find it.
 
Well folks, I was able to return my iPhone and place an in-store pickup order for a new iPhone (from new inventory this morning) and...

...my new one is dust free!

If your phone has dust, hair, or anything inside the camera, by all means get a replacement if you are not 100% satisfied with it. All of you deserve the best!

But how's the display? :)
 
Actually, if the spec of dust does not interfere with the quality of the photo's then Apple are not legally required to change the phone. They would only legally have to change the phone if it could be proved the spec of dust moves around, then it would be classed as interfering with the operation of the phone which then is a legal requirement of Apple to replace the phone.

The phones that are being changed due to aesthetic reasons are being done so at the discretion of the store because they do no want bad PR.

Remember, things like this are covered by your consumer rights of returning the device within x amount of days for a no question asked refund. After that it then becomes at the discretion of the store because it is taken that you accepted the phone as is, no matter what tiny aesthetic flaws it may have.
 
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I have one speck in the corner of the top lens. I don’t think it will interfere with pictures now but what if it moves. I may exchange.

#specgate2017
 
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