iPhone X Dust/Speck Inside The iPhone X Camera Lens

[TravisPNW]

Why don’t you read through the thread to find out what you’re asking? Lazy?

A little bit. Would be easier if you'd just post a summary and let us all know if you manage to find an X that is suitable before September's new iPhone. That's really what I'm curious about.

It's already blatantly obvious that you are one of those people who are difficult... if not impossible... to please. So I'm genuinely curious if you've found a suitable phone. I see you're still talking about dust and seals so I'm guessing you're still not happy with your current "defective" phone?

 

[donster28]

A little bit. Would be easier if you'd just post a summary and let us all know if you manage to find an X that is suitable before September's new iPhone. That's really what I'm curious about.

It's already blatantly obvious that you are one of those people who are difficult... if not impossible... to please. So I'm genuinely curious if you've found a suitable phone. I see you're still talking about dust and seals so I'm guessing you're still not happy with your current "defective" phone?

First, I’m not hard to please and I don’t appreciate your generalization of me.

Second, if you actually read my original post (even the TLDR - which means Too Long Did Not Read), you would know I stopped at 5 phones.

Third, are you jealous my thread lasted this long? Why are you surprised it lasted this long? There are actually people experiencing what I experienced and they are voicing out in the appropriate thread. If I were you and if you’re annoyed by my topic, I would just sit and relax or do something else and oh, not accuse me of being difficult.

Oh and thank you for keeping this thread up-to-date and lasting even more.

 

[TravisPNW]

Third, are you jealous my thread lasted this long? Why are you surprised it lasted this long? There are actually people experiencing what I experienced and they are voicing out in the appropriate thread. If I were you and if you’re annoyed by my topic, I would just sit and relax and not accuse me of being difficult.

Jealous? Not at all. Surprised? Maybe a little because I figured Apple would have taken care of you in a month. If dustgate is a common problem... so be it. Haven't seen much on the topic other than this thread.

... and I'm not annoyed by your topic. "Entertained" would be a better word.

Glad to hear you stopped at 5.

 

[donster28]

Jealous? Not at all. Surprised? Maybe a little because I figured Apple would have taken care of you in a month. If dustgate is a common problem... so be it. Haven't seen much on the topic other than this thread.

... and I'm not annoyed by your topic. "Entertained" would be a better word.

Glad to hear you stopped at 5.

Good to hear, thanks!

 

[Lando555]

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.

Of course, it makes sense to let Apple know about this.
However, for the moment and under the assumption that it currently doesn’t affect photos, I see four options for the individual user. This is my subjective opinion again.

a) Live with it.
b) Live with it and get AppleCare.
c) Return the iPhone X and get a different model or make.
d) Get on the exchange train and play the game of chance but be aware that odds are pretty bad at the moment.

c is not an option for me. d might be way too frustrating and time-consuming. Additionally, I personally haven’t seen a single dust-free device (0 out of 13, including my own one, 11 display models and a store employee’s private phone). I sleep better with b, especially because I was planning to get AppleCare+ anyway.

 

[44267547]

I personally haven’t seen a single dust-free device (0 out of 13, including my own one, 11 display models and a store employee’s private phone).

Allow me to pre-face by saying that I'm someone that pays attention to extreme detail, that's just because of the person that I am and expectation level I have with expensive products. And I can tell you my last three Apple devices have never had any dust, fibers or any other debris embedded under the camera lens cover. And yes, I inspect that closely to make that statement. So they do exist, it's just a matter of the manufacturing process that comes from Apple is variable. For the record, that includes my iPhones and iPads.

 

[Lando555]

Allow me to pre-face by saying that I'm someone that pays attention to extreme detail, that's just because of the person that I am and expectation level I have with expensive products. And I can tell you my last three Apple devices have never had any dust, fibers or any other debris embedded under the camera lens cover. And yes, I inspect that closely to make that statement. So they do exist, it's just a matter of the manufacturing process that comes from Apple is variable. For the record, that includes my iPhones and iPads.

Yes, I mentioned in an earlier post that I think this is iPhone X-specific. I had quite a few Apple devices from different product categories and I also wrote that my (old/used) iPhone 6 doesn’t have any dust under the camera glass.
When using the term device in my post above, I was referring exclusively to the iPhone X. I have seen 13 with (fine) dust under the glass and not a single one that was completely dust-free.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

I wonder if having the microphone hole in the same housing as the lenses is the problem. My 7+ has no issues, and it's been carried in the pocket since a couple months after launch, but its microphone is off the to the side of the camera bump. My iPhone SE (work issued) also has the hole in the camera housing and no detectable intrusions to the camera housing, but it is NEVER carried in the pocket--only ever in my backpack or on belt.

 

[googlyboo]

I wonder if having the microphone hole in the same housing as the lenses is the problem.

This. Highlighted this as well. But Apple should know about this.

Anyway, I spoke to a friend of mine, about the dust issue on the X, who is a photographer. She highlighted something interesting:-

If dust can move from hidden (like maybe on the edge of lens) to visible (center of lens).. that means there’s access to air in the phone — not really sealed / no vacuum.. = not good = not really IP67.

Sure, dust clings due to static, and can also be moved due to a motion of a static. But it is rare. I mean, if that’s the case, other models / make will have dust move around easily as well.

Like yeah, during assembly of any device, dust can be inevitable. But if there’s air in it / no vacuum, it will move around.

For all devices I’ve used (I change device every less than a year *facepalm*‍♂️), this dust issue only occur to me on iPhone X. My previous iPhone X (I own a replacement now) had dust too.

So yeah, that’s just what my friend and I think. There is air in it, no vacuum = potential of IP67 compromised. But then again, some of you might say it can be due to impact and dust moves around.

But then.. meh. Exposed to dust during assembly / compromised seal, both still means poor quality control possibly due to rushed production. But the latter is worse of course.

Now it also feels like a gamble to even just live with it .. as it can be due to compromised seal. Especially for people like me with no possibility of getting an AppleCare.

But going for an exchange is also a gamble. Sigh. #firstworldproblem

 

[Tgrey]

But there is a lot water test on youtube, none of them reported any issues, if air can get in , water can get in as well, I think phone is properly sealed including lenses, dust was there during assembly of devices

 

[Dirtydutch]

But there is a lot water test on youtube, none of them reported any issues, if air can get in , water can get in as well, I think phone is properly sealed including lenses, dust was there during assembly of devices

Exactly, you would see remnants of moisture if there was a seal issue on these. It is almost certainly during production.

 

[donster28]

But there is a lot water test on youtube, none of them reported any issues, if air can get in , water can get in as well, I think phone is properly sealed including lenses, dust was there during assembly of devices

We’re not sure if the water tests involved ones with dust inside so those phones in the tests can possibly have good seals.

 

[JBNgZy]

Just bought my iPhone X and Lo and behold there’s a very obvious flake of dust or whatever it is behind the camera lens. it’s quite prominent and is an obvious manufacturing defect. Apple support says I can’t exchange the set at an Apple store because it’s tied to my mobile carrier. My mobile carrier says it’s not their problem cos it’s a manufacturing defect. it’s unbelievable that Apple’s most expensive phone has such poor build q.c. And even worse, I’m stuck with it.

 

[applewatch]

View attachment 740786 Just bought my iPhone X and Lo and behold there’s a very obvious flake of dust or whatever it is behind the camera lens. it’s quite prominent and is an obvious manufacturing defect. Apple support says I can’t exchange the set at an Apple store because it’s tied to my mobile carrier. My mobile carrier says it’s not their problem cos it’s a manufacturing defect. it’s unbelievable that Apple’s most expensive phone has such poor build q.c. And even worse, I’m stuck with it.

I talked to Apple Support and they said you can make an appointment with a Genius and they can blow out the dust for you.

 

[JBNgZy]

I talked to Apple Support and they said you can make an appointment with a Genius and they can blow out the dust for you.

Apple support Singapore told me that I can’t get suppprt because the phone was bought under my carrier plan. My carrier won’t do an exchange because they say it’s a manufacturing flaw. Basically im stuck as it is.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

Apple support Singapore told me that I can’t get suppprt because the phone was bought under my carrier plan. My carrier won’t do an exchange because they say it’s a manufacturing flaw. Basically im stuck as it is.

That's ridiculous. The X was the first phone I've bought in Apple store, but I'm thinking from now on if even a chance of carrier denying responsibility, I'll buy from Apple.
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I talked to Apple Support and they said you can make an appointment with a Genius and they can blow out the dust for you.

That's sounds interesting. Someone please get this done, video it if you can, or at least report back how they managed that.

 

[applewatch]

That's sounds interesting. Someone please get this done, video it if you can, or at least report back how they managed that.

They put it up to their mouth and with a big puff of air from their lungs, they blow into the rear camera to expel the dust. /s

Honestly though, I think they just take it apart and use an air can to expel it.

 

[Pseudo-Fed]

They put it up to their mouth and with a big puff of air from their lungs, they blow into the rear camera to expel the dust. /s

Honestly though, I think they just take it apart and use an air can to expel it.

I tried the first one before returning it. Didn't work....... ;-)

 

[Surratt14]

Jus got my unit yesterday. Sprint 64gb ss. Screen-gate=perfect, cracklegate=non existent, dustgate=none. Seems as if some of the quality issues are resolved. Or I jus got lucky.

 

[JBNgZy]

All I’ll says is be wary of Apple’s policy with local mobile carriers. My carrier telco says they won’t do an exchange nor fix it because it’s a product flaw. Local Apple suppprt says their current policy is to refer buyers back to carrier because that’s the original point of purchase. I’m so disappointed in Apple. The phone is obviously a fantastic product, but I’m floored by the product suppprt policy in Singapore and the quality control at the end of the production line. I have a feeling phones with this issue came from the same production batch.

 

[Lando555]

Jus got my unit yesterday. Sprint 64gb ss. Screen-gate=perfect, cracklegate=non existent, dustgate=none. Seems as if some of the quality issues are resolved. Or I jus got lucky.

I think you are lucky. Or you haven’t checked your device as thoroughly as others. ;-) I received my own iPhone last Friday and inspected others this week. I personally am not willing to play the exchange game as I doubt that this has been clarified... and also because I have bought online from a reseller (extremely good price together with a new 2-year contract), not directly from Apple. On the other hand, I have made some good experiences with Apple Care in the past.

JBNgZy, if I was you, I would try to solve the issue with your carrier and if this is not possible, get AppleCare+ if it is available in your country and you can afford it.

 

[alau0115]

View attachment 740786 Just bought my iPhone X and Lo and behold there’s a very obvious flake of dust or whatever it is behind the camera lens. it’s quite prominent and is an obvious manufacturing defect. Apple support says I can’t exchange the set at an Apple store because it’s tied to my mobile carrier. My mobile carrier says it’s not their problem cos it’s a manufacturing defect. it’s unbelievable that Apple’s most expensive phone has such poor build q.c. And even worse, I’m stuck with it.

Compared to yours, ours are not as bad but under certain very strong bright white light, you can see one or two very tiny speck of dusts are laying inside the camera module but not in front of the actual lens.

Specks of dusts or smear inside the camera lens module is not new to me. I had the situation in iPhone 6 Plus and returned and exchanged the unit solved our problems years ago.

For your issue, the flake of dust seems large and obvious. I hope it gets resolved because it is not just a cosmetic issue but rather a performance issue related to your phone camera.

 

[googlyboo]

I talked to Apple Support and they said you can make an appointment with a Genius and they can blow out the dust for you.

Hmmm. Just wondering. If they were to open it and assemble it back thereafter, would that ruin its water and dust resistance feature?

 

[44267547]

Hmmm. Just wondering. If they were to open it and assemble it back thereafter, would that ruin its water and dust resistance feature?

If Apple reassembled it back to manufacture specifications, then it would not.

 

[garethjs]

If Apple reassembled it back to manufacture specifications, then it would not.

Really... because I’m sure if u get this done and water damage occurs apples not going to be responsible

Id like to see u prove it wasn’t put together properly by a technician