Other How thorough do you “inspect” new devices straight out of the box?

[ACE_350]

We’re a niche community, and I’m sure there’s no shortage of people on here, myself included with a varying degree of “OCD” and phones. It’s no exception with the annual “yellow screen” threads, battery life, scratches, etc.

It begs the question, when you unbox a new iPhone, do you have a certain QC standard? I’m sure 90% of people will take an iPhone immediately out of the box and slap a case and screen protector on their phone and move on with their lives. Admittedly I wish it was that easy for me, but personally I:

Take the phone out, I’ll make sure I’m in a well lit room and carefully look over each side front and back. As long as there’s no scratches that immediately stand out, it’s good enough for me.

Immediate take backs for me would be scratches on the screen / glass straight out of the box, which has happened twice to me. And blatant screen uniformity, which only has happened once.

Even all that being said I’m sure that’s beyond of what most people do, but I’ve even seen posts here dated back years ago where one user shined an LED light along the phone to look for scratches and if it wasn’t “perfect” they would return it. I’m assuming these were the kind that would only pick up when being hit in certain light angles.

 

[fatTribble]

To be honest I’ve never inspected my new iPhones looking for issues. So far I haven’t had any where I notice a defect a day or two later. They’ve all been fine. I often get accused of being uptight or particular, but hearing this makes me feel like I’m laid back. 😎

Now I do take a close look at any new car I buy mostly because there is so much opportunity for damage during transport.

 

[Apple_Tiger]

My standard is very high. Yes I do thorughly check my device when I first get them.

Here are few things I look for. The casing must be perfect out of the box. If the Stainless Steel has a scratch or a dent/nick or even markings, it's an immediate return and rebuy. Screen must be perfect (i.e must be uniform, no color shifting when being tilted).

 

[Coconutx]

Another one here with OCD the first thing.
I check is screen for any dead, dust and Stuck pixels next is the camera and any marks on the phone after that screen protector goes on with the iPhone case some people here go overboard like checking the weight on the phone and battery.....

 

[mebehere]

I don’t look at it. I just slap a case on it.

 

[Andeddu]

I just give my new phones a cursory look over all the edges, rear and front to ensure there are no scratches before placing it inside a case. I’ll then, throughout the first day, try to use all of the features such as make phone calls, use Apple Pay, Bluetooth, try wireless/wired charging to make sure the device is in full working order.

 

[floral]

All I do is make sure I didn't get conned out of my Apple stickers, and if they aren't there I immediately demand a full refund.
Otherwise, I dive right in.

(I don't buy iPhones, but the box experience is about the same.)

 

[Jackbequickly]

I take it out of the box, take a quick look and slide it into an ultra thin case for the grip and scratch protection. Not into inspecting with a microscope. Anyone who does will obsess to the point they will not be able to enjoy their phone.

 

[sam_dean]

I wear gloves when I unseal the box and touch the device for the 1st time.

I tend install the case to it to protect it from my fingerprints.

Then 1 month in... i accidently drop it to the floor and not freak because I know I did right.

 

[Fred Zed]

Extremely thoroughly. After experiencing two iPhones 12PM and 14PM with stainless steel damage out of the box.

 

[MercuryNL]

The most important things I check are screen colour temperature ( not too green/yellow/red?). If that's ok I then play some songs through my earbuds to check how the phone sounds. Every phone sounds different. Some are more bass heavy or sound airier or with more emphasis on higher notes. I use my phone for news and music predominantly, so sound and screen quality are most important to me.

 

[cableguy84]

If there’s nothing obvious i dont notice within the first couple minutes i slap a case on and move on with my life

 

[zorinlynx]

I look for obvious damage and scratches and get on with my life.

Barely visible microscratches in the screen coating, aka stuff that's going to happen anyway within the first month due to normal use, don't really concern me. But if I can easily see it, yeah, that sucker's getting swapped.

 

[cthompson94]

Like most people posted here, I look for any obvious signs of damage like dents and scratches. I look around the screen while on and a white screen and look for any possible screen issues, and then I just do a quick test of the camera and make sure that all of those internals are okay

 

[Itsedstech]

My usual iPhone day ritual -

1. Open box and bootup devices (always order 2, one for me and one for a buddy)

2. Inspect cameras for dust in lens, take a quick peek around for antenna damage.

3. Install cheap spigen screen protectors on both.

4. Speed through setup screens on both, Compare uniformity/gradient screen color tests. With that 5% grey picture in a pitch black room.

5. Debate for 45 minutes which one I like better lol the one that shifts to pink off axis or the one that has terrible grey uniformity.

6. Reset both devices via a DFU restore, And setup the one I will be Keeping.

7. Turn bathroom shower on to get a nice steamy room for no dust particles and slap on either a IMOs or Shellrus sapphire screen protector as well as sapphire lense covers.

8. Pop in either a brown or black Apple leather case that has been pre conditioned with leather conditioner for a few days at this point.

9. Setup device as new and get all my stuff synced, then I hop back in the car and go to work where I give my friend his device with a screen protector on it.

A bit much but it makes me happy lol

 

[Fred Zed]

I look for obvious damage and scratches and get on with my life.

Barely visible microscratches in the screen coating, aka stuff that's going to happen anyway within the first month due to normal use, don't really concern me. But if I can easily see it, yeah, that sucker's getting swapped.

Yep. My iPhone 14 PM had a very faint half a centimeter light mark on the lower screen ( coating probably ) It only showed at certain angles and I noticed it whilst unboxing it. It didn’t bother me and can’t be seen at all with a tempered glass screen protector. Overall the display was uniform and there was no blemished on frame or back so all good. My first time since the iPhone XS Max that I didn’t have a need to exchange during the first two weeks of ownership. I hope the 15 will be good out of the box for me also in September.

 

[eyoungren]

I just use the phone. I don't inspect it beyond any obvious damage or defects. Never goes in a case though - I do not use cases.

I gave up on scratches in the first couple of months of my first smartphone in 2009.

While I do not invite minor scratches or imperfections, quite frankly I'm okay with them if they exist or when they occur. That's what makes my phone unique to me.