iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro: gap at top in between speaker and chassis?

[Fred Zed]

iPhone 13 Pro Max gap above earpiece…

The water tight seal is actually stuck to the glass underneath the display so the small gap you see is not a weak spot for water ingress. You can see this by looking at tare down videos. There is probably a gap on most either at the top or bottom some might be more noticeable than others but...

forums.macrumors.com

thread posted about it on same day as yours

I have it too. got my first in California. did an even exchange here in Hawaii. same gap on same area. every single display phone had it too. you can only see it in certain lightings at certain angles.

if ppl here say they dont have it, they either arent noticing it or very lucky. if every display phone had it, im leaning towards normal.

There's going to be a gap somewhere either top bottom or left or right. It's normal. These posts also appear on Android forums with people putting note it or piece of paper in gap. 🤣👍🏼😂😂

So your observation is accurate.

 

[richard13]

There's going to be a gap somewhere either top bottom or left or right. It's normal. These posts also appear on Android forums with people putting note it or piece of paper in gap. 🤣👍🏼😂😂

So your observation is accurate.

OMG... nobody is saying that a gap isn't normal. We are talking about the metal looking bits in the gap.

 

[dstew201]

OMG... nobody is saying that a gap isn't normal. We are talking about the metal looking bits in the gap.

Not normal to me! With the metal piece reflecting light!
That’s why I took that crap back to the apple store and got it replaced. Some people can deal with it, I couldn’t … I actually had a pristine graphite on stand by just in case!

 

[Taz Mangus]

If you are unhappy with the build quality, get it replaced with another phone. I certainly would. These are expensive phones and it is your right to be satisfied with what you purchased. It really is as simple as that. I would be doing that instead of complaining about the issue on a forum. If you don’t do something about it that is your choice but don’t complain about it like there is nothing can be done.

 

[You’re not me]

Just chiming in with another vote for "take it back, that is a defect". My sierra blue 13 pro max is sealed tight all the way around.

 

[QuietGamer]

Just chiming in with another vote for "take it back, that is a defect". My sierra blue 13 pro max is sealed tight all the way around.

Mine is sealed as well.

 

[richard13]

Not normal to me! With the metal piece reflecting light!
That’s why I took that crap back to the apple store and got it replaced. Some people can deal with it, I couldn’t … I actually had a pristine graphite on stand by just in case!

I think you misunderstood what I was saying here. I specifically called out that we are talking about the metal looking bits in the gap, not merely the gap.

 

[dstew201]

I think you misunderstood what I was saying here. I specifically called out that we are talking about the metal looking bits in the gap, not merely the gap.

I think you misunderstood….
I’m agreeing with you

 

[richard13]

I think you misunderstood….
I’m agreeing with you

You are right. I thought you were saying I was disagreeing with you. Ahh, the joys of text.

 

[dstew201]

You are right. I thought you were saying I was disagreeing with you. Ahh, the joys of text.

No problem.. I wasn’t too clear, but we’re on the same page 😂😂

 

[dstew201]

Kinda strange none of the “reviewers” have noticed this issue….I’m sure they received well inspected units!

 

[Mr. Jenkins]

I don't have that gap on mine 🤷‍♂️

Neither does mine.

 

[smoking monkey]

Everybody trying to justifying a gap at the top that has visible metal to the naked eye is allowing Apple to think this is okay. Yes, it’s a PITA to return and you might get the same, but it’s definitely not how it should be. Absolutely it is a defect. A gap isn’t a defect but a gap that size is. Mine has absolutely nothing like this as I’m sure many also don’t. I wonder if it’s an early manufacturing issue or simply luck of the draw. We simply can’t speculate on anecdotal evidence. What’s I do know is that it’s not right. Don’t trick yourself into keeping a defective phone. Especially at the cost of 1000-2000 bucks.

 

[BigMcGuire]

Here is what my 13 Pro Max looks like (I'm using a 12 Pro Max screen protector while I wait for the 13 Pro Max screen protectors to arrive in the mail later this month, so that's why the screen looks a little weird).

 

[dstew201]

Take it back! I got a replacement phone 2 days after receiving the “gapped” phone.

here’s my before and after:

 

[richard13]

Everybody trying to justifying a gap at the top that has visible metal to the naked eye is allowing Apple to think this is okay. Yes, it’s a PITA to return and you might get the same, but it’s definitely not how it should be. Absolutely it is a defect. A gap isn’t a defect but a gap that size is. Mine has absolutely nothing like this as I’m sure many also don’t. I wonder if it’s an early manufacturing issue or simply luck of the draw. We simply can’t speculate on anecdotal evidence. What’s I do know is that it’s not right. Don’t trick yourself into keeping a defective phone. Especially at the cost of 1000-2000 bucks.

Completely off-topic but I have to ask... where is your avatar from? Reminds me of and old video game but can't place the name.

Edit: Is it Sinistar?

 

[Freeangel1]

I say return it. You pay a-lot of money for your iPhone these days.
If you drop that phone in water it may be toast because it is not properly water tight seal.

Enough said.

 

[Fred Zed]

OMG... nobody is saying that a gap isn't normal. We are talking about the metal looking bits in the gap.

So you're telling me now I've got to check not only screen tint and uniformity of the OLED panels , stainless steel band scratches gouges out of the box but this as well ? 🤣🤣😂🤣😭👍🏼 Good lawd.

 

[Royksöpp]

I knew something like this was bound to happen. They complicated the design with the separate speaker piece.

 

[dstew201]

So you're telling me now I've got to check not only screen tint and uniformity of the OLED panels , stainless steel band scratches gouges out of the box but this as well ? 🤣🤣😂🤣😭👍🏼 Good lawd.

No.. do whatever you want to do!

but if you refuse to accept mediocrity then yes, request a replacement or just return the device. Is that not reasonable?

The genius and apple online support agreed that my phone had a manufacturing error!
I now have a replacement, that I’d be happy to keep for 2-3 years! That’s how you build brand loyalty!!

I don’t accept cosmetic blemishes or mechanical issues from a new BMW or Porsche. Why should this be any different?
If that’s the case then reduce the price of the phone!

Do you see any of the major YouTube reviewers receiving the device in the same manner??
I’m sure they received well put together equipment, well I , as a consumer expect to receive a phone the same way!

 

[dstew201]

I knew something like this was bound to happen. They complicated the design with the separate speaker piece.

It’s the first version. If there is a major issue and enough people demanded it be corrected by receiving a replacement or flat out returning the device Apple will be force to respond appropriately.

But if we continue making excuses and “living with it”, well expect more of the same.

 

[absolutkev]

First of all: Sorry for my bad English. I am writing from Germany.

I suspect that every iPhone 13 (Pro) has this gap. In our company we received eight iPhone 13 Pro (Max). ALL (!) Have this gap and you can see two pieces of metal. If you look at videos in which the iPhones are being disassembled, you can clearly see that these pieces of metal are there to hold the new speaker in place. The display is in the frame, so the gap is normal. But depending on how accurately the display is embedded, there is a larger or smaller gap at the top. Then you can see the metal.

With my iPhone I don't see it at all in normal light. Only when the sun is shining directly on the iPhone and I am looking at the iPhone from a certain angle from the front. That is why I am convinced that the YouTubers' devices also have this gap. The light and camera just never show it so frontally and at an angle from which you can see it.

With this YouTuber from France you can see it very clearly - with corresponding frontal light:

I went to two Apple stores over the weekend. The light in the Apple Store is so "soft" that you can't always see the gap. But as soon as you light up the notch with the flashlight and change the angle a bit, you can see the metal. Sometimes more sometimes less.

With our eight iPhone 13 Pro (Max), the gap is sometimes larger, so you can see the metal even without direct sunlight. So it's pure luck how much manufacturing tolerance you have. Now that I have seen over 20 devices, I am convinced that every iPhone 13 (Pro) has this cosmetic "problem". I've also seen it on an iPhone 13, but in general the aluminum frame seems to close better to the display than the stainless steel versions.
I'm tired of playing that Apple lottery. My iPhone 12 Pro Max last year had similar issues - but at the bottom. There I also saw two elements made of metal, which probably fixed the Lightning connector to the housing. I had a total of 8 (!) Replacement devices, so I stayed with one device that was acceptable to me. After two weeks you don't think about it anymore in everyday life. Still, I find it annoying how badly Apple's quality control fails year after year - when we, as "normal" customers, discover these errors after unboxing.

The iPhone 11 Pro had sharp edges on many devices, and the iPhone XS Pro had a cracking sound when the device was moved back and forth a little. And so forth ...

 

[dstew201]

First of all: Sorry for my bad English. I am writing from Germany.

I suspect that every iPhone 13 (Pro) has this gap. In our company we received eight iPhone 13 Pro (Max). ALL (!) Have this gap and you can see two pieces of metal. If you look at videos in which the iPhones are being disassembled, you can clearly see that these pieces of metal are there to hold the new speaker in place. The display is in the frame, so the gap is normal. But depending on how accurately the display is embedded, there is a larger or smaller gap at the top. Then you can see the metal.

With my iPhone I don't see it at all in normal light. Only when the sun is shining directly on the iPhone and I am looking at the iPhone from a certain angle from the front. That is why I am convinced that the YouTubers' devices also have this gap. The light and camera just never show it so frontally and at an angle from which you can see it.

I went to two Apple stores over the weekend. The light in the Apple Store is so "soft" that you can't always see the gap. But as soon as you light up the notch with the flashlight and change the angle a bit, you can see the metal. Sometimes more sometimes less.

With our eight iPhone 13 Pro (Max), the gap is sometimes larger, so you can see the metal even without direct sunlight. So it's pure luck how much manufacturing tolerance you have. Now that I have seen over 20 devices, I am convinced that every iPhone 13 (Pro) has this cosmetic "problem". I've also seen it on an iPhone 13, but in general the aluminum frame seems to close better to the display than the stainless steel versions.
I'm tired of playing that Apple lottery. My iPhone 12 Pro Max last year had similar issues - but at the bottom. There I also saw two elements made of metal, which probably fixed the Lightning connector to the housing. I had a total of 8 (!) Replacement devices, so I stayed with one device that was acceptable to me. After two weeks you don't think about it anymore in everyday life. Still, I find it annoying how badly Apple's quality control fails year after year - when we, as "normal" customers, discover these errors after unboxing.

The iPhone 11 Pro had sharp edges on many devices, and the iPhone XS Pro had a cracking sound when the device was moved back and forth a little. And so forth ...

Guten Tag!
You’re English is better than my German!😂
I don’t find it acceptable that some phones are more flush against the steel band than others. I had an apple genius and online support confirm it was a manufacturing error and received a replacement that is aesthetically better!
I could see it very easily outside in sunlight. I had to show the apple genius a pic of the metal showing, and after that he was able to zoom in on the issue. Without that pic, yes under Apple store lighting it would have been difficult.
I’ve always said make a choice that YOU are comfortable with… I understand there are tolerances for “gaps”, but the metal piece showing was not acceptable FOR ME.
I have numerous phones for work and personal and NONE of them have visible metal showing up. If that’s acceptable for you then good, but this is directed towards those of us who do not accept it.

I can show you pics of all of my phones including the 13 pro max and you will not see that. Even my son’s 13 Pro doesn’t show it, viewing from different angles with a flashlight.. I’m happy with my current phone!!

Tschüss!

 

[dantay]

Got my 13 Pro yesterday and it’s nice and tight all round the screen with no metal or gap showing round the earpiece.

If your phone has this issue and it bothers you exchange it.

 

[WNYX]

Mine has it, too, but I've only seen it once. When I first opened my box on Friday (and the rest of the day), I didn't see anything and I was relieved (I made sure to thoroughly inspect the phone because of the two other threads on here). Saturday morning, under certain lighting, I noticed it. Based on the pictures that have been shared here, I was expecting a huge gap. Mine was very tiny. It was barely the size of a grain of salt. I figured the pictures shared on here must be either really zoomed in or their gap is bigger than mine. Right now, my phone is in the Apple leather case, which is a tight fit, and I don't see the gap anymore, regardless of the lighting.