iPhone 15 Pro Max Imperfection on my iPhone 15 Pro Max

[antiprotest]

What I want to know is the people every year that notice these minor imperfections on their phones, what do they do about their cars? I imagine there are far more minor flaws on cars and they cost far more than an iPhone, are people just returning their cars?

A car is different from a phone that you hold close to your face every day. A car is also much bigger than a phone. For a proper comparison, you'd have to make the flaws accordingly big and then ask the question. A car is, say, 1000 times bigger than a phone. What if you have three big round blots each the size of your head on the side of your new car on delivery? After paying $30,000-60,000 for it? Huh?

 

[antiprotest]

Imagine waiting a month for your new phone while a dude with 3 microdots is getting a replacement.
Be more like Japanese, they accept nothing is perfect and lasts forever.

Imagine paying the same amount of money as everybody else, only to have a flawed unit while other people received perfect ones.

Don't stereotype an entire culture and use that to lecture someone possibly in another culture. That is backward and offensive. Many Japanese complain about these things. You hear the saying "nothing lasts forever" much more often from westerners like Americans.

And Japanese or not, why is that a superior approach? Why not say that demanding perfection and accountability from a company that charges premium prices is the superior approach?

 

[Dark-Signature]

What I want to know is the people every year that notice these minor imperfections on their phones, what do they do about their cars? I imagine there are far more minor flaws on cars and they cost far more than an iPhone, are people just returning their cars?

I often know such users from Germany. There I also wonder if such people also immediately exchange your girlfriend/wife if a birthmark is found in the wrong place.

What would Mother Nature say to that

 

[Bstephens]

It's best to wait a few months to get the new phone to give them a chance to fix production issues and if there is still an issue then there will be plenty of stock to make an exchange.

 

[george88]

Hi everyone, i just got my 15 PM Natural Titanium 256GB and i immediately noticed tiny black dots around the frame. I tried to wipe it with a cloth and wet towel but, it is still there I ordered the phone from Apple and i have the right to send it back and wait for replacement within 14 days, but as you all know i have to wait for a long time to get the new one since the phone is out of stock in everywhere. My question is, what do you think about this problem, should i just use it with a case since the defects are so small or i should definitely look for a replacement? I also scared from the possibility of it is also not sure that the replacement phone will come at perfect condition...

this is definitely NOT a flaw but a feature. Apple has no reason to replace the phone

 

[coso]

Imagine paying the same amount of money as everybody else, only to have a flawed unit while other people received perfect ones.

Don't stereotype an entire culture and use that lecture someone possibly in another culture. That is backward and offensive. Many Japanese complain about these things. You hear the saying "nothing lasts forever" much more often from westerners like Americans.

And Japanese or not, why is that a superior approach? Why not say that demanding perfection from a company that charges premium prices is the superior approach?

Except, there are no perfect units. There just aren't. There are people more and less obsessed with perfection, and you (or me) will find minor flaws. I did in every Apple product I ever owned, in 15 years. A lot. You are swapping a unit with defects with a unit with other defects. Maybe worse, maybe better. It's still a gamble. We deserve perfect identical iPhones, especially for what they cost. Of course. But the reality is that this is an impossible dream. The reality is that manufacturing is a mess and it's a miracle already that most flaws are minor and the majority of people will not spot them. But a perfectionist or real OCD person will never be satisfied. That's your only certainty. So I think that managing this is a good healing practice. There are things that I won't accept either (a dead pixel for example), but in any of my Apple devices I accepted some minor flaws instead than obsessing over them and I'm now happier. I did start some return chains which made me realize this, as neither new unit was perfect. I'm not doing that ever again, just not worth it. I'm settling for good enough, and not an unobtainable perfection (would love that, but it's just not possible with current technology/cost).

 

[dantay]

What I want to know is the people every year that notice these minor imperfections on their phones, what do they do about their cars? I imagine there are far more minor flaws on cars and they cost far more than an iPhone, are people just returning their cars?

I have rejected a few cars under UK law for being “not of merchantable quality” as when I’ve got them home and had a proper look I’ve found transit damage that has been “smart repaired”.

A brand new product especially a car should not have noticeable paint defects.

Alas an eye for detail is both a curse and a blessing.

If you are not happy with something and consumer law allows return then return.

 

[Fat_Guy]

What I want to know is the people every year that notice these minor imperfections on their phones, what do they do about their cars? I imagine there are far more minor flaws on cars and they cost far more than an iPhone, are people just returning their cars?

Really?


Have you seen most people take delivery of a new car?


You get to the dealership and eyeball over the panels for any dings or chips or paint defects. Then you inspect that everything is correct and works on the car. Then and only then do you drive it off the lot.


Most people have their phone delivered in a box sight unseen till they open it. So it is ok for them to look it over and return it if there are factory defects.

 

[dantay]

Except, there are no perfect units. There just aren't. There are people more and less obsessed with perfection, and you (or me) will find minor flaws. I did in every Apple product I ever owned, in 15 years. A lot. You are swapping a unit with defects with a unit with other defects. Maybe worse, maybe better. It's still a gamble. We deserve perfect identical iPhones, especially for what they cost. Of course. But the reality is that this is an impossible dream. The reality is that manufacturing is a mess and it's a miracle already that most flaws are minor and the majority of people will not spot them. But a perfectionist or real OCD person will never be satisfied. That's your only certainty. So I think that managing this is a good healing practice. There are things that I won't accept either (a dead pixel for example), but in any of my Apple devices I accepted some minor flaws instead than obsessing over them and I'm now happier. I did start some return chains which made me realize this, as neither new unit was perfect. I'm not doing that ever again, just not worth it. I'm settling for good enough, and not an unobtainable perfection (would love that, but it's just not possible with current technology/cost).

I’m SUPER fussy and return multiple units of multiple Apple devices every year until I get (not a perfect one) a unit that is undamaged and has consistent build. This year I got a 15 Pro that I can’t find cosmetic or functional fault with.

Most people would not notice the imperfections I do and that’s great for them, I wish my brain worked in a different way sometimes as a returns loop is draining but being satisfied with what you have purchased is important to me or I’d just rather not have it.

I don’t judge people either way.

 

[dantay]

this is definitely NOT a flaw but a feature. Apple has no reason to replace the phone

How on earth is debris in the finish a “feature”?! This is poor qc due to a push to shift units that are back-ordered.

 

[Alexrat1996]

Take it back return it and rebuy I had a speck of dust under display mine so I return and rebuy

 

[aria26]

Take it back return it and rebuy I had a speck of dust under display mine so I return and rebuy

The phone is out of stock until November. That's the issue...

 

[Alexrat1996]

The phone is out of stock until November. That's the issue...

Well try searching for it each day they put stock for store pickup I found found mine second day after return

 

[Wando64]

How on earth is debris in the finish a “feature”?! This is poor qc due to a push to shift units that are back-ordered.

“Debris”?
I am all for getting a visually perfect unit, after all they are not cheap, but I stop at the point when you need a magnifier glass to see the imperfections.

 

[Andeddu]

No iPhone is perfect as they are mass produced items produced within levels of tolerance. Tiny, near invisible, dots are extremely minor in terms of defects.

You give me any iPhone and I’ll show you something off with the physical build or OLED/LCD panel.

You are using it with a case anyway and if you end up not using a case, you’ll have more to contend with than tiny insignificant dots after you accidentally drop it a few times.

Keep the phone and enjoy it. If everything else is perfect then you have yourself an excellent device. Why nitpick?

 

[TheGeneralist]

Wow, now that one really takes the term "1st world problems" to a whole new level.
This really makes me mad - from my standpoint, the very thought of returning a smartphone (or similar) for such an absolutely insificant reason is, in my view, an absolute negative example of immoderateness, non-sustainability and decadence at its worst.
Has nothing to do with Apple (or whichever company responsible), but I see this as just a slap in the face of our heavily used planet - and an act of disrespect towards the resources and work which have been spent to generate this device.

I would always turn in a defective device that is really affecting your use (in fact, I also used the AppleCare+ Express Service mentioned earlier in this thread in the past in such cases). But in terms of negligible optical flaws, I've received two units in the past from apple which had much more noticeable shortcomings (one of them as a new device, the other as refurbished) and I did not care at all, as both of them worked perfectly on the functional level - and signs of wear occur anyway along the road, nothing lasts forever...

I hope you understand why I am being so blunt.
With all due respect, I ask you to think about this.

 

[crouch]

Wow, now that one really takes the term "1st world problems" to a whole new level.
This really makes me mad - from my standpoint, the very thought of returning a smartphone (or similar) for such an absolutely insificant reason is, in my view, an absolute negative example of immoderateness, non-sustainability and decadence at its worst.
Has nothing to do with Apple (or whichever company responsible), but I see this as just a slap in the face of our heavily used planet - and an act of disrespect towards the resources and work which have been spent to generate this device.

I would always turn in a defective device that is really affecting your use (in fact, I also used the AppleCare+ Express Service mentioned earlier in this thread in the past in such cases). But in terms of negligible optical flaws, I've received two units in the past from apple which had much more noticeable shortcomings (one of them as a new device, the other as refurbished) and I did not care at all, as both of them worked perfectly on the functional level - and signs of wear occur anyway along the road, nothing lasts forever...

I hope you understand why I am being so blunt.
With all due respect, I ask you to think about this.

Honestly, some people have OCD, which can be debilitating, causing high levels of distress and constant anxiety. Luckily, it sounds like you do not.

And I'm not saying that OP does. But he might.

Just because something's not a big deal to you doesn't mean it can't be to other people. You have no idea what it's like to walk in their shoes.

Also, why does it seem like the majority of MacRumors posters have an almost robot-like view of human beings, expecting us to walk around like Spock, being highly logical 100% of the time? I feel like this forum lacks humanity. But maybe that's just internet forums in general. But this one, especially over the past week, seems worse than typical.

I wish we could all meet in a bar in person to have these discussions, beer in hand. I bet most of you are pretty awesome in real life.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Hi everyone, i just got my 15 PM Natural Titanium 256GB and i immediately noticed tiny black dots around the frame. I tried to wipe it with a cloth and wet towel but, it is still there I ordered the phone from Apple and i have the right to send it back and wait for replacement within 14 days, but as you all know i have to wait for a long time to get the new one since the phone is out of stock in everywhere. My question is, what do you think about this problem, should i just use it with a case since the defects are so small or i should definitely look for a replacement? I also scared from the possibility of it is also not sure that the replacement phone will come at perfect condition...

Wow, those are miniscule IMO. Personally I would not care even remotely about any tiny cosmetic flaw, but I recognize that some folks are really concerned about such things. And I stopped using cases a few generations back as the iPhones became uber tough.

So personally I would fuggedaboutit, but FYI my go-to solution with device anomalies that are not minor cosmetics is to take it to an Apple Store and have a chat. They might coincidentally have one to exchange on the spot, or they may extend your 14-day period, or whatever. No real downside to the trip except your time, but obviously it depends on how close a Store is to you.

 

[Apple_Tiger]

The phone is out of stock until November. That's the issue...

It may be out of stock but I'd keep checking the apple store, If you are looking for the natural titanium, apple stores are receiving them and updating their stock, I've seen the apple store near me restock those last week Wednesday, they received over 20 qty of natural titanium pro max's (1 TB). Unfortunately it went out of stick within 10 minutes.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

It's best to wait a few months to get the new phone to give them a chance to fix production issues and if there is still an issue then there will be plenty of stock to make an exchange.

I could not disagree more with "It's best to wait a few months to get the new phone to give them a chance to fix production issues."

These are phones, not cars, and millions have already been made; certainly enough to fix production issues. Plus IMO Apple's QA/QC is good enough that the likelihood of a flawed device buying week one is similar to the likelihood of a flawed device buying week 16.

Waiting a few months means still paying full price but still (unnecessarily) choosing to do without the new tech for a third of a year. Once one has decided to buy it makes most sense to do it immediately, especially with Apple's bombproof return policy.

Edit: Right now is a great example. My iPhone 15 PM is a much better phone than my (already very good) 14 Pro. I would hate to not be using the superior 15 PM until February 2024 just because I thought the factory would do a better job in a few months.

 

[MarkNewton2023]

Hi everyone, i just got my 15 PM Natural Titanium 256GB and i immediately noticed tiny black dots around the frame. I tried to wipe it with a cloth and wet towel but, it is still there I ordered the phone from Apple and i have the right to send it back and wait for replacement within 14 days, but as you all know i have to wait for a long time to get the new one since the phone is out of stock in everywhere. My question is, what do you think about this problem, should i just use it with a case since the defects are so small or i should definitely look for a replacement? I also scared from the possibility of it is also not sure that the replacement phone will come at perfect condition...

Keep calm. The imperfection is so minor. no one will see it unless they take your phone and look for it. Just cover the phone in a case and do not overthink it. You are one of the luckiest ones who have the Pro Max as currently, no 15 pro max is available at stores and to get one, you need to wait for awhile. Be happy what you have despite small or very minor imperfection. 😊

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Keep calm. The imperfection is so minor. no one will see it unless they take your phone and look for it. Just cover the phone in a case and do not overthink it. You are one of the luckiest ones who have the Pro Max as currently, no 15 pro max is available at stores and to get one, you need to wait for awhile. Be happy what you have despite small or very minor imperfection. 😊

Sorry but I will never understand "cover the phone in a case." Except maybe for kids and for older less durable iPhones. I beat my iPhones pretty hard (when I used cases the cases would deteriorate in 5 months) and the modern iPhones survive fine with a few tiny cosmetic dings.

iPhones are beautiful industrial design. Why cover that up with a case, many of which are fugly?

 

[GuruZac]

I have checked and checked the finish, the glass-frame spacing, any pixels not working, and have also looked at the display to check for discoloration in a variety of settings and brightness levels. I've also been very mindful of heat, battery life while using certain apps, and charging both cordless and corded. I have absolutely zero issues with my 15 Pro Max. I hate that it appears to be a lottery for some people. Have a great experience thus far.

 

[Starscape]

Good grief.

 

[Andeddu]

Sorry but I will never understand "cover the phone in a case." Except maybe for kids and for older less durable iPhones. I beat my iPhones pretty hard (when I used cases the cases would deteriorate in 5 months) and the modern iPhones survive fine with a few tiny cosmetic dings.

iPhones are beautiful industrial design. Why cover that up with a case, many of which are fugly?

Because the phone becomes fugly when it’s scratched, chipped and dinged. It is only beautiful when it is perfect.