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Pseudo-Fed

macrumors 6502a
Jan 28, 2017
545
318
Dust got in during production, not when use it right?

The speck was NOT there when I bought the phone 3 days ago. Whether it was already in there and came loose or got in later, I don't know. It looks like a piece of ash (cigar smoker) or grass to me. It doesn't look like lint or dust under magnification.
 

googlyboo

macrumors newbie
Dec 3, 2017
14
9
The speck was NOT there when I bought the phone 3 days ago. Whether it was already in there and came loose or got in later, I don't know. It looks like a piece of ash (cigar smoker) or grass to me. It doesn't look like lint or dust under magnification.

Exactly like mine as my previous post here. The only difference is that both my eyes witnessed the speck moving into sight in a sliding motion while wiping the lens in the same direction. It’s as if some air pressure pushed it to move into sight.

Mine is on the exact location but on the upper lens.

Kinda considering of returning or replacing it (again) if it can get worse and affect pictures after few months.

Also there are some really really fine dust scattered on both lenses but they are not visible in normal lighting. So that’s fine..

So much for a water and dust resistant rated expensive phone...
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,495
So much for a water and dust resistant rated expensive phone...

What happened during the manufacturing process of your iPhone wouldn't necessarily affect the dust/water resistance, because your iPhone was already exposed during that Assembly process. What you don't want to happen is any type of moisture or debris being trapped in the iPhone after the manufacturing process, which that would be a direct result of the water/dust resistance being compromised.
 

googlyboo

macrumors newbie
Dec 3, 2017
14
9
What happened during the manufacturing process of your iPhone wouldn't necessarily affect the dust/water resistance, because your iPhone was already exposed during that Assembly process. What you don't want to happen is any type of moisture or debris being trapped in the iPhone after the manufacturing process, which that would be a direct result of the water/dust resistance being compromised.

Yep. I understand. Just worried that dust is actually already building up slowly in it (but it’s only been 5 days). And a speck literally moved inside while rubbing from outside (as if the air pressure from outside thru the mic grill or any possible gap between glass and flashlight caused it to move).

I don’t know. I’ll just go with the flow. If it gets worse, I will do something about it. If not, it stays. Just that this uncertainty makes me feel that this exact iPhone X I’m holding is not really entirely mine (because of the possibility of needing to replace it).

How’s yours? Does yours have specks of dust as well? Does it get worse? Are you just gonna hold onto it?

It’s definitely much logical to just replace it (when it worsens) with a much much much newer batch (after the assembly lines stop ‘rushing’ and pay more attention on quality control).
 

44267547

Cancelled
Jul 12, 2016
37,642
42,495
Yep. I understand. Just worried that dust is actually already building up slowly in it (but it’s only been 5 days). And a speck literally moved inside while rubbing from outside (as if the air pressure from outside thru the mic grill or any possible gap between glass and flashlight caused it to move).

I don’t know. I’ll just go with the flow. If it gets worse, I will do something about it. If not, it stays. Just that this uncertainty makes me feel that this exact iPhone X I’m holding is not really entirely mine (because of the possibility of needing to replace it).

How’s yours? Does yours have specks of dust as well? Does it get worse? Are you just gonna hold onto it?

It’s definitely much logical to just replace it (when it worsens) with a much much much newer batch (after the assembly lines stop ‘rushing’ and pay more attention on quality control).

I have never actually had dust under the camera lens cover any of my iPhones, but if I did, it would depend on the severity of it for me in order to replace my iPhone. If it was affecting my photos, then absolutely I would have it replaced. But regardless, if you want to exchange it for a replacement device, Apple likely would likely do so. I don't necessarily see your situation getting any worse, because what's it's already trapped been during the manufacturing process, which nothing else would likely be able to get in.

I would just ask yourself if this is something that you're able to ignore over the course of time or if it bothers you enough to where you want to address it with Apple.
 
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googlyboo

macrumors newbie
Dec 3, 2017
14
9
I have never actually had dust under the camera lens cover any of my iPhones, but if I did, it would depend on the severity of it for me in order to replace my iPhone. If it was affecting my photos, then absolutely I would have it replaced. But regardless, if you want to exchange it for a replacement device, Apple likely would likely do so. I don't necessarily see your situation getting any worse, because what's it's already trapped been during the manufacturing process, which nothing else would likely be able to get in.

I would just ask yourself if this is something that you're able to ignore over the course of time or if it bothers you enough to where you want to address it with Apple.

Very true. I agree with this. It’s just that I feel my seal is compromised because I can move 1 speck in the lens just by rubbing the outside lens — as if there’s access for air (hence, that would also include dust and water) to cause it to move.

But then again, I would need time as well to confirm my findings as above.
 

garethjs

macrumors 65816
Nov 11, 2008
1,148
637
Got a speck of dust righty smack bang center of lense. It’s not affecting photos in a noticeable sense but what I don’t understand how is it that it doesn’t move?

It’s clearly attached to the lense. Are there 2 layers of lense where it’s one over the other and dust is caught in between.

But the screen of my phone is perfect and I don’t want to go back chancing a new phone
 

Pseudo-Fed

macrumors 6502a
Jan 28, 2017
545
318
Very true. I agree with this. It’s just that I feel my seal is compromised because I can move 1 speck in the lens just by rubbing the outside lens — as if there’s access for air (hence, that would also include dust and water) to cause it to move.

But then again, I would need time as well to confirm my findings as above.

Or it could be static allowing the movement of inside piece from the outside.

I posted a dust magnet thread with my scientific :cool: results, and for me the X attracts 5 times the dust and lint as the 7+.

We don’t really know if the particles were already inside the outer glass cover or if they got in there. But I know this—particle was not visible at buy or until 4th day after, I cant get them out, they might increase, and I only had until 1/7/18 to return. So back it went until possibly a later batch or the bigger phone.
 

googlyboo

macrumors newbie
Dec 3, 2017
14
9
Got a speck of dust righty smack bang center of lense. It’s not affecting photos in a noticeable sense but what I don’t understand how is it that it doesn’t move?

It’s clearly attached to the lense. Are there 2 layers of lense where it’s one over the other and dust is caught in between.

But the screen of my phone is perfect and I don’t want to go back chancing a new phone

I think it’s clinging on the lens due to static. A speck of mine moved from being unsighted to sighted. It could move again since mine moved.

Also, this.. once u got the perfect screen, it’s hard to take another chance of replacing it due to .. a freakin’ dust.
 

Lando555

macrumors newbie
Jul 2, 2017
24
22
Germany
Yup, my 5th one was good and it still is. The exchange train isn’t fun at all...it actually affects me greatlly, making me really nervous each time I inspect the replacement phone. And yes, it’s like playing cards...you never know what’s coming up next.

If you happen to buy online and there are no Apple Stores close to you, I agree that this can be very frustrating and impossible even.
I understand how you feel with these exchanges. When I bought a Late 2008 MacBook Pro (which, back then, had a completely new design, the first one with an aluminum unibody) from the Apple online store I had to exchange it several times. Frustrating experience.

Also there are some really really fine dust scattered on both lenses but they are not visible in normal lighting. So that’s fine..
I am pretty sure now that the majority of devices has this really fine dust. And with majority I mean like more than 80 or 90 percent. You can easily see it when using a flashlight and pointing it at the iPhone from the side. Without thoroughly inspecting the device, most average users won’t even notice.

I have never actually had dust under the camera lens cover any of my iPhones, but if I did, it would depend on the severity of it for me in order to replace my iPhone. If it was affecting my photos, then absolutely I would have it replaced. But regardless, if you want to exchange it for a replacement device, Apple likely would likely do so. I don't necessarily see your situation getting any worse, because what's it's already trapped been during the manufacturing process, which nothing else would likely be able to get in.

I would just ask yourself if this is something that you're able to ignore over the course of time or if it bothers you enough to where you want to address it with Apple.
I also think that this is an iPhone X issue... or let’s say iPhone X thing because most of us suppose it won’t affect photos. That said I have absolutely no dust in the lens of an old iPhone 6. I also suppose the dust in the iPhone X got in there during production.


I want to give you an update on my experience with the iPhone X. I am a scientist and I know that this is not a representative sample or a sophisticated research design... ;-) However, in an earlier post, I wrote that apart from my own iPhone X, I inspected the display models in 2 T-Mobile stores, 3 Vodafone stores and a Vodafone employee’s private iPhone with a small but bright flashlight. Today, I did the same with 6 display models in one of the two Apple stores in Munich. They had like 20 devices there but 6 were enough for me.

My individual and subjective result is: ALL of the 13 devices (12 display models plus my own device) I have seen in 6 different stores of 3 different companies in 2 big cities in Germany had fine dust under the glass. 1-2 had even larger particles, the worst one was a display model at the Munich Apple store with a larger piece right in the middle of the upper lens.

So I really don’t see much sense in trying to find an absolutely dust-free iPhone X. Getting AppleCare+ might make more sense considering the glass on the back, the high repair costs, and the fact that a new design always could have some issues.
 
Last edited:

Pseudo-Fed

macrumors 6502a
Jan 28, 2017
545
318
I understand how you feel with these exchanges. When I bought a Late 2008 MacBook Pro (which, back then, had a completely new design, the first one with an aluminum unibody) from the Apple online store I had to exchange it several times. Frustrating experience.


I am pretty sure now that the majority of devices has this really fine dust. And with majority I mean like more than 80 or 90 percent. You can easily see it when using a flashlight and pointing it at the iPhone from the side. Without thoroughly inspecting the device, most average users won’t even notice.


I also think that this is an iPhone X issue... or let’s say iPhone X thing because most of us suppose it won’t affect photos. That said I have absolutely no dust in the lens of an old iPhone 6. I also suppose the dust in the iPhone X got in there during production.


I want to give you an update on my experience with the iPhone X. I am a scientist and I know that this is not a representative sample or a sophisticated research design... ;-) However, in an earlier post, I wrote that apart from my own iPhone X, I inspected the display models in 2 T-Mobile stores, 3 Vodafone stores and a Vodafone employee’s private iPhone with a small but bright flashlight. Today, I did the same with 6 display models in one of the two Apple stores in Munich. They had like 20 devices there but 6 were enough for me.

My individual and subjective result is: ALL of the 13 devices (12 display models plus my own device) I have seen in 6 different stores of 3 different companies in 2 big cities in Germany had fine dust under the glass. 1-2 had even larger particles, the worst one was a display model at the Munich Apple store with a larger piece right in the middle of the upper lens.

So I really don’t see much sense in trying to find an absolutely dust-free iPhone X. Getting AppleCare+ might make more sense considering the glass on the back, the high repair costs, and the fact that a new design always could have some issues.

Yep, and in my Dust Magnet thread I noted that the dust collected on the outside of the X screen was much finer than the lint particles that the 7+ collected (both after thorough moist cleaning, in exact same case, and 10 mins in and out of same jeans pocket). In addition to bigger pieces of lint, etc., there was a fine haze that gathered on the screen. I think either some of this can get through the camera area microphone or elsewhere. It then is gathered together by static. My fear is it will accumulate over time. And even though it was not obvious in my photos, who knows--maybe it could accumulate to be a problem--and outside of return period or warranty.
 

donster28

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 5, 2006
1,726
811
Great White North
I understand how you feel with these exchanges. When I bought a Late 2008 MacBook Pro (which, back then, had a completely new design, the first one with an aluminum unibody) from the Apple online store I had to exchange it several times. Frustrating experience.


I am pretty sure now that the majority of devices has this really fine dust. And with majority I mean like more than 80 or 90 percent. You can easily see it when using a flashlight and pointing it at the iPhone from the side. Without thoroughly inspecting the device, most average users won’t even notice.


I also think that this is an iPhone X issue... or let’s say iPhone X thing because most of us suppose it won’t affect photos. That said I have absolutely no dust in the lens of an old iPhone 6. I also suppose the dust in the iPhone X got in there during production.


I want to give you an update on my experience with the iPhone X. I am a scientist and I know that this is not a representative sample or a sophisticated research design... ;-) However, in an earlier post, I wrote that apart from my own iPhone X, I inspected the display models in 2 T-Mobile stores, 3 Vodafone stores and a Vodafone employee’s private iPhone with a small but bright flashlight. Today, I did the same with 6 display models in one of the two Apple stores in Munich. They had like 20 devices there but 6 were enough for me.

My individual and subjective result is: ALL of the 13 devices (12 display models plus my own device) I have seen in 6 different stores of 3 different companies in 2 big cities in Germany had fine dust under the glass. 1-2 had even larger particles, the worst one was a display model at the Munich Apple store with a larger piece right in the middle of the upper lens.

So I really don’t see much sense in trying to find an absolutely dust-free iPhone X. Getting AppleCare+ might make more sense considering the glass on the back, the high repair costs, and the fact that a new design always could have some issues.

Good observations, but for what it's worth, I think you just uncovered a major problem with these phones. They're supposed to be sealed and free from dust.

AppleCare+ does not rectify the problem for people who do not want to buy it or just cannot afford it...we shouldn't be paying for Apple's insufficient Quality Control!

Your logic of assuming most or all have some kind of dust inside and we should all just accept it is enabling Quality Control to defeat its own purpose.
 
Last edited:

Archer1440

Suspended
Mar 10, 2012
730
302
USA
Yep. I understand. Just worried that dust is actually already building up slowly in it (but it’s only been 5 days). And a speck literally moved inside while rubbing from outside (as if the air pressure from outside thru the mic grill or any possible gap between glass and flashlight caused it to move).
\.

Or static electricity from your rubbing of the phone.
 

Archer1440

Suspended
Mar 10, 2012
730
302
USA
There's a lot here making me cringe. I would worry if this affected photos in a meaningful way. But then again I have no dust or other particulates showing up in or on my camera lenses.
 

donster28

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 5, 2006
1,726
811
Great White North
There's a lot here making me cringe. I would worry if this affected photos in a meaningful way. But then again I have no dust or other particulates showing up in or on my camera lenses.
Same here...we're one of the lucky ones. Problem is, it's not just the worry in photo quality, it's the seal on the camera assembly that's questionable.
 

Archer1440

Suspended
Mar 10, 2012
730
302
USA
It's obvious that IF this is a legitimate complaint, odds favor the contamination being in there BEFORE the unit was sealed. Otherwise, two minutes and a glass of water would prove or invalidate your theory.
 

donster28

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 5, 2006
1,726
811
Great White North
It's obvious that IF this is a legitimate complaint, odds favor the contamination being in there BEFORE the unit was sealed. Otherwise, two minutes and a glass of water would prove or invalidate your theory.
There is also possibility of the dust coming in after using the phone as I indicated on my original post here. This surely proves the seals are not made equal.
 

TravisPNW

macrumors 6502a
Sep 15, 2017
653
924
Renton, WA
Wow! This thread is still going on a month later?

I only skimmed the last page but as I recall the OP was on something like his 5th phone due to specs of dust?

So how's it worked out for you OP? You on your... 8th phone now? 10th? 13th?

Really curious. How are those Apple store employees treating you? Still happy to see you for the umteenth time?
 

donster28

macrumors 68000
Original poster
Oct 5, 2006
1,726
811
Great White North
Wow! This thread is still going on a month later?

I only skimmed the last page but as I recall the OP was on something like his 5th phone due to specs of dust?

So how's it worked out for you OP? You on your... 8th phone now? 10th? 13th?

Really curious. How are those Apple store employees treating you? Still happy to see you for the umteenth time?
Why don’t you read through the thread to find out what you’re asking? Lazy?

It seems you cannot get your facts straight too...oh wait, you didn’t read.

FYI: I had 5 exchanges.
 
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