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

[NewBench]

If there is a gap, why are people complaining like it's a bad thing? Surely it's an unexpected benefit, especially if you don't like magsafe you can keep a credit card slotted in there, or some small crumbs from food so you can store a snack for later?

 

[IconIc215]

Ok. Well I have it here also. And I fear/think any replacements will have the same thing.

Already using this phone for 4 days, having it my jeans pocket - it's not quite water I fear, it's perhaps lint getting UNDER the screen eventually.

No idea, I'll keep my eye on it. 🙄

Did you wind up swapping yours out or just keep it?

 

[Mikeeee]

I see both sides of the argument here...For the prices Apple charges, one expects perfection. However perfection and Apple do not go together. Generally when you start swapping phones you return one issue or another (or even two new issues). What one views theirs as pristine someone would find something wrong with it whether it be something with the screen or cosmetic. But I get it as I have been there before opening up a brand new phone on launch day to find it scratched or some other cosmetic defect. On the flipside, I feel like people go above and beyond looking for issues. These forums are a gift and a curse at the same time. While its a fun place for Apple enthusiasts to come chat about products, it also nitpicks every little flaw possible on a "mass produced" device. Its sort of ridiculous to sit there examining the device under a light over and over....just use the damn thing for what it is. You can spend months worrying about ticky tack crap instead of just enjoying the new phone. This thread is completely overblown in my opinion. Just because you don't have a slight gap near the ear piece that doesn't mean there isn't one somewhere else in the frame (which were common in the 12's) you just don't see it or there wasn't a thread yet to let you know where to go look for it with your flashlight. I would take this issue any day over screen defects or scratches or chips on the stainless. When you go to sell it or trade it in this would have absolutely zero impact on anything.

Normally I’d agree with your 2nd point but in this case I’ve seen many posts by members who spoke with support or Genius Bar tech. They have all immmediately recognized the problem as a defect and recommended a return. When Apple’s own employees suggest an exchange, then it’s probably a good idea to get it exchanged.

 

[IconIc215]

Unfortunately it’s like playing lottery….

I had now 10 different iPhone 13 Pro Max here, 3 of them did not have the gap but instead they had scratches on the frame, on the camera ring or on the LiDAR-sensor.

So you could play this return and exchange game forever.

10 different ones...wow! That's the risk...sometimes you trade one issue in for another. Once you go down that rabbit hole you are inclined to find one better than the next when in reality that doesn't exist. I'd be more worried about scratches/chips in the frame or camera & bad screens than this gap honestly. You could continue to try your luck but eventually the time and energy spent is just taxing and I don't know about you but I don't have that kind of time to waste.

 

[IconIc215]

Normally I’d agree with your 2nd point but in this case I’ve seen many posts by members who spoke with support or Genius Bar tech. They have all immmediately recognized the problem as a defect and recommended a return. When Apple’s own employees suggest an exchange, then it’s probably a good idea to get it exchanged.

You can ask 10 people and you will get different answers across the board from them. If you have that kind of time to waste gambling on the next one being better and are that worried about a phone more power to you. I would hate to see some people buy an expensive car or house. I mean I could see someone bringing a flashlight examining the paint and underneath the car at a dealership looking for imperfections.

 

[Mikeeee]

You can ask 10 people and you will get different answers across the board from them. If you have that kind of time to waste gambling on the next one being better and are that worried about a phone more power to you. I would hate to see some people buy an expensive car or house. I mean I could see someone bringing a flashlight examining the paint and underneath the car at a dealership looking for imperfections.

Come on be honest. You work for Apple don’t you? 😉

 

[IconIc215]

Come on be honest. You work for Apple don’t you? 😉

Ha....What gave it away : )

 

[alyssap22]

I don’t have the ear piece gap but I am able to fit a piece of paper on the bottom by the lightening port, should I worry about this?

 

[IconIc215]

I don’t have the ear piece gap but I am able to fit a piece of paper on the bottom by the lightening port, should I worry about this?

NO...there are gaps in all the frames. Whether it was the 12 or the 13 that is just the way this design phone is built with some more obvious than others. Stop looking for problems and sticking pieces of paper in the frame of your phone and just enjoy it for crying out loud!

 

[alyssap22]

NO...there are gaps in all the frames. Whether it was the 12 or the 13 that is just the way this design phone is built with some more obvious than others. Stop looking for problems and sticking pieces of paper in the frame of your phone and just enjoy it for crying out loud!

I have ocd and should probably leave this forum lol. So a slight gap in the frame is normal? I really can’t see it but I saw this thread and of course had to check mine. Ocd is not fun. I don’t have the gap at the top like the OP does but a slight one at the bottom. I’ve already had to return this phone for a screen issue I really don’t want to go through that again.

 

[IconIc215]

I have ocd and should probably leave this forum lol. So a slight gap in the frame is normal? I really can’t see it at all but I saw this thread and of course had to check mine. Ocd is not fun. I don’t have the gap at the top like the OP does but a slight one at the bottom. I’ve already had to return this phone for a screen issue I really don’t want to go through that again.

Yes, there is a tolerance for the spacing to allow expansion and contraction of the various materials. You checked around the earpiece with a bright flashlight shining it from the right hand side? It all varies per unit but I hear you on the screen issue as I have been there already. The screen is more important than any cosmetic issue IMO.

 

[daultonollis]

Some people see it worse than others. If you, yourself, think it's a problem and it's going to mess with how you see the phone, then go in and get it replaced. If this is something that doesn't bother you and you just don't care at all, keep it. Everyone sees and handles things differently than others. I am going to the Apple Store to get mine replaced as I am someone that thinks deeply into this and I want an aesthetically pleasing phone. Now that I saw that gap above my front speaker I am never going to unsee it. It isn't normal to me. I payed a lot of money and I do not want to be bothered by something like this.

 

[alyssap22]

Yes, there is a tolerance for the spacing to allow expansion and contraction of the various materials. You checked around the earpiece with a bright flashlight shining it from the right hand side? It all varies per unit but I hear you on the screen issue as I have been there already. The screen is more important than any cosmetic issue IMO.

Ok because I saw a few people say that if you can slide a pice of paper in there it’s an issue. I wouldn’t want my waterproofing to be compromised. I want to hold on to this phone for at least a few years. The earpiece seems totally fine. The screen on my phone is not yellow or have that red tint in the dark so I really don’t want to have to return it and enter the lottery again. Does this have to do with the more square design of the 12s and13s?

 

[daultonollis]

I have ocd and should probably leave this forum lol. So a slight gap in the frame is normal? I really can’t see it but I saw this thread and of course had to check mine. Ocd is not fun. I don’t have the gap at the top like the OP does but a slight one at the bottom. I’ve already had to return this phone for a screen issue I really don’t want to go through that again.

In my opinion, a gap being at the bottom is less noticeable than having it at the top of the phone. There is a gap on the top of mine, and I wouldn't have a problem with it if it wasn't for the fact that I can see the inside chassis of the aluminum in some parts.

 

[IconIc215]

Some people see it worse than others. If you, yourself, think it's a problem and it's going to mess with how you see the phone, then go in and get it replaced. If this is something that doesn't bother you and you just don't care at all, keep it. Everyone sees and handles things differently than others. I am going to the Apple Store to get mine replaced as I am someone that thinks deeply into this and I want an aesthetically pleasing phone. Now that I saw that gap above my front speaker I am never going to unsee it. It isn't normal to me. I payed a lot of money and I do not want to be bothered by something like this.

Everyone is different and you have to do what makes you happy but good chance your next unit either has the same issue plus more but that is the risk when you start playing the lottery. QC this year is horrible, so the odds are worse than ever it seems but best of luck to ya! The main concern for me is the screens. I had two units where the screen quality was absolutely atrocious (dull, washed out, and dimmer than my 12 PM). That is where I personally draw the line as the screen is a functional aspect of the device not just cosmetic.

 

[alyssap22]

Does a slight gap in the frame have to do with the more boxy square design of the 12s and 13s? I just want to confirm this is normal and put it away in my mind.

 

[PhillyGuy72]

Did you wind up swapping yours out or just keep it?

Honestly I actually forgot about it until now. LOL. Comparing mine to a few other pics here, mine is not horrible at all. Not like if if I pick up my phone outside, look at the screen, I see this silver glare shining back at me. If I saw that, now that would make me mental.

If I did get a replacement, God knows when I'd get it with the massive shortage also. I was JUST at the Apple Store also a few hours ago, picked up a backup case today (Midnight..*I love the darkish blue to that). Anyway, I would have looked at the display models if I remembered to see if those have gaps.

...off topic, some guy walked in and wanted...pretty much demanded the 13 Pro Max, Apple Store guy tying to explain "we do not have any...the shortage - chip delays, long delays" So now this guy wanted one of the display models. That was a fat "no" also. He stormed cursing like a nutcase.

But no problems right now with the phone what so ever w/ anything else. Software, battery especially. I have AC+, if I run into one...I'll deal with it then.

 

[Mustafa89898]

NO...there are gaps in all the frames. Whether it was the 12 or the 13 that is just the way this design phone is built with some more obvious than others. Stop looking for problems and sticking pieces of paper in the frame of your phone and just enjoy it for crying out loud!

What about the gab on the back side is that normal also ?!

 

[dstew201]

If there is a gap, why are people complaining like it's a bad thing? Surely it's an unexpected benefit, especially if you don't like magsafe you can keep a credit card slotted in there, or some small crumbs from food so you can store a snack for later?

😂🤔

 

[dstew201]

You can ask 10 people and you will get different answers across the board from them. If you have that kind of time to waste gambling on the next one being better and are that worried about a phone more power to you. I would hate to see some people buy an expensive car or house. I mean I could see someone bringing a flashlight examining the paint and underneath the car at a dealership looking for imperfections.

Oooooh. You have no idea!!!😂😂

darn right I examine my vehicles!!

 

[blkrfl556]

Ok, I had this same issue, I could def see the shiny metal in the opening, but this has since gone after checking.

I am at work just now, and I push my phone into a side leg pocket from the top, so essentially pushing the top of the phone case down, so I presume this is what's closed it.

Maybe a fix for some, but I def can't see the crack opening anymore, would save a trip or long wait for another phone (if it works for you)

I did the same thing you did and got rid of almost 100% of it. BARELY see it now. Each one of these units meet apples tolerances. I’m not too worried seeing as it was that easy to fix.

 

[dstew201]

Everyone is different and you have to do what makes you happy but good chance your next unit either has the same issue plus more but that is the risk when you start playing the lottery. QC this year is horrible, so the odds are worse than ever it seems but best of luck to ya! The main concern for me is the screens. I had two units where the screen quality was absolutely atrocious (dull, washed out, and dimmer than my 12 PM). That is where I personally draw the line as the screen is a functional aspect of the device not just cosmetic.

That’s the glass half empty approach. 😂😂
Im aware I lucked out and got a pristine phone after my first attempt at replacing the bad one. I need to plan a Vegas trip!!😂😂

 

[dstew201]

I did the same thing you did and got rid of almost 100% of it. BARELY see it now. Each one of these units meet apples tolerances. I’m not too worried seeing as it was that easy to fix.

There may be something to this! I did the same thing before going into the apple store, and it made enough of a difference for me to question if I should keep the genius appt. 🤷

 

[blkrfl556]

This gap is the same all the way across the top of my phone. I see what people are saying but it’s also at the bottom of the phone. Mine is the same width all the way across the top of the phone. It’s just more noticeable above the speaker because the frame under goes from black to silver right there… I don’t know that I would worry about it. If the silver wasn’t there no one would notice it 🤷🏻‍♂️. Personally, it’s within tolerances and metal can’t be right against the glass… first drop and boom.

 

[IconIc215]

Oooooh. You have no idea!!!😂😂

darn right I examine my vehicles!!

I guess it goes without saying you don’t own any black colored vehicles?