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JohnnyChuttz

macrumors regular
Oct 31, 2017
152
125
512 SB Pro, speaker is flush against the frame and glass is flush around the speaker. Frame is snug all the way around the glass. Couldn’t fit a sheet of paper anywhere.

03AD0E44-3153-45D2-83D0-FDFD77CB6589.jpeg
 

Reyden

macrumors member
Oct 5, 2021
32
21
Hello everyone, I'm new, forgive the English.
Since I am obsessive about these things too, I documented myself with the various video teardowns, and I noticed that what we see (myself included), is not any metal component, but is the internal body of the steel frame.
If you notice the frame, it has grooves and little bumps all along the inner edge, and what we see is basically that.
Nothing that compromises its impermeability therefore.

Here is the video.

I hope I was helpful
 

richard13

macrumors 6502a
Aug 1, 2008
923
481
Odessa, FL
Hello everyone, I'm new, forgive the English.
Since I am obsessive about these things too, I documented myself with the various video teardowns, and I noticed that what we see (myself included), is not any metal component, but is the internal body of the steel frame.
If you notice the frame, it has grooves and little bumps all along the inner edge, and what we see is basically that.
Nothing that compromises its impermeability therefore.

Here is the video.

I hope I was helpful
First, thanks for posting and sharing this video. I want to say that the person who did this teardown has mad skills. And I'm sure you do too. Super impressed with the work here! But this is a teardown of an iPhone 13, not an iPhone 13 Pro. Also, the frame on the 13 is aluminum, not steel. So I'm not sure this is an apples to apples (no pun intended) comparison. It is clear that the blue color from the outer band on this iPhone is also on the inside. However, the metal I am seeing (and I believe others) in the gap (the heart of this thread) does not match. Mine is Sierra Blue, and what I'm seeing is bare "silver" colored, something not matching the case. Does it compromise the phone? Probably not (or at least I hope not). I really wish this was the "silver bullet" (again, no pun intended) but I don't think it is.
 

leebroath

macrumors 65816
Jul 26, 2010
1,357
950
Scotland
Ya no, risking breaking it… when I can either let it be or return it still… I’m good thanks though.

Probably not the best advise TBH. But at your own risk.

Haha, your not going to break it, your just pushing down on the top with a slight bit of pressure from your fingers. I'm not saying you get a sledgehammer and thump it 😅😅

I push the phone down into my pocket every day at work from the top of the phone, and with me doing this every day, it's sorted this tiny issue.

It's probably a stage in the manufacturing process which hasn't closed the phone properly, I'm pretty sure the phone is still water tight, even with this tiniest of gap, as the rubber seal runs past it.

Each to their own though, hope you get an exchange :)
 
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No One Unique

macrumors newbie
Oct 4, 2021
14
5
Haha, your not going to break it, your just pushing down on the top with a slight bit of pressure from your fingers. I'm not saying you get a sledgehammer and thump it 😅😅

I push the phone down into my pocket every day at work from the top of the phone, and with me doing this every day, it's sorted this tiny issue.

It's probably a stage in the manufacturing process which hasn't closed the phone properly, I'm pretty sure the phone is still water tight, even with this tiniest of gap, as the rubber seal runs past it.

Each to their own though, hope you get an exchange :)
I’m just gonna deal. I have Apple care if the phone has an issue I’ll get it replaced. just wanted to post my story, being the Apple Genius telling me it’s normal. Def not satisfied 100% but 99% is close enough. I tried to push a bit but it’s not worth it the average person probably couldn’t notice the gap. I’m just a crow, the shine inside my phone catches my eye. If there is a true issue I know Apple care will take care of me. They always have.
 
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richard13

macrumors 6502a
Aug 1, 2008
923
481
Odessa, FL
Say, I've been thinking about this whole "metal in the gap" thing... When I use my iPhone X, I don't stare at the earpiece (or edge) when I use it. I look at the screen mostly. Why would I do things differently with the iPhone 13 Pro? Maybe I'm just being a little over sensitive right now and it's drawing my eyes to something I normally wouldn't look at? Maybe I won't notice this anomaly that much or care so much moving forward? There's always hope.
 
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leebroath

macrumors 65816
Jul 26, 2010
1,357
950
Scotland
Hello everyone, I'm new, forgive the English.
Since I am obsessive about these things too, I documented myself with the various video teardowns, and I noticed that what we see (myself included), is not any metal component, but is the internal body of the steel frame.
If you notice the frame, it has grooves and little bumps all along the inner edge, and what we see is basically that.
Nothing that compromises its impermeability therefore.

Here is the video.

I hope I was helpful

Fully agree with this, the seal is actually way behind the silver what you can see at the front

1633497138180.png
 
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richard13

macrumors 6502a
Aug 1, 2008
923
481
Odessa, FL
I’m just gonna deal. I have Apple care if the phone has an issue I’ll get it replaced. just wanted to post my story, being the Apple Genius telling me it’s normal. Def not satisfied 100% but 99% is close enough. I tried to push a bit but it’s not worth it the average person probably couldn’t notice the gap. I’m just a crow, the shine inside my phone catches my eye. If there is a true issue I know Apple care will take care of me. They always have.
Say, I don't normally get AppleCare+ for iPhones but I'm strongly thinking about it this time. Did you get the regular or the +Theft/Loss thing? I'm trying to figure out if it's really worth the added expense. I think I'd be more concerned with an accident rather than it getting stolen.
 

No One Unique

macrumors newbie
Oct 4, 2021
14
5
Say, I don't normally get AppleCare+ for iPhones but I'm strongly thinking about it this time. Did you get the regular or the +Theft/Loss thing? I'm trying to figure out if it's really worth the added expense. I think I'd be more concerned with an accident rather than it getting stolen.
I got theft and loss, only because I have had my phone fall in the sewer before… without theft and loss… meaning I had to jump in and muck around for the phone. I’m also paying by month because you can extend the Apple care as long as you keep paying instead of only 2 years. Apple care is straight up worth it. I had the XS max, 2 years after having the phone and with 15 days left on Apple care support I had an issue with Apple Pay which couldn’t not be reproduced in store…. And on top of everything they didn’t have replacement stock for my exact device so upgraded me for free to the 11 pro max. I will always but Apple care.
 
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richard13

macrumors 6502a
Aug 1, 2008
923
481
Odessa, FL
I got theft and loss, only because I have had my phone fall in the sewer before… without theft and loss… meaning I had to jump in and muck around for the phone. I’m also paying by month because you can extend the Apple care as long as you keep paying instead of only 2 years. Apple care is straight up worth it. I had the XS max, 2 years after having the phone and with 15 days left on Apple care support I had an issue with Apple Pay which couldn’t not be reproduced in store…. And on top of everything they didn’t have replacement stock for my exact device so upgraded me for free to the 11 pro max. I will always but Apple care.
Ok cool. I'm guessing you get to do the monthly because you are in some plan. When I clicked on sign up for AppleCare+ they only showed me a flat price. Anyway, sounds like I'll wind up getting this. Thanks for your help.
 

No One Unique

macrumors newbie
Oct 4, 2021
14
5
Ok cool. I'm guessing you get to do the monthly because you are in some plan. When I clicked on sign up for AppleCare+ they only showed me a flat price. Anyway, sounds like I'll wind up getting this. Thanks for your help.
I bought mine unlocked. Not on any plan. You can pay monthly for AppleCare on the watches, iPads, or iPhones. Macs are different changing the plans to yearly until canceled. I’m pretty sure it’s not just unlocked phones that can do this, I’m also in the US, not sure where you’re located but I think monthly may only be available in 10 or so countries. The only other thing I can think could be affecting you is… if you try to buy the iPhone with your Apple Card and pay with the monthly installments it will only allow you to add the AppleCare 2 year plan, so if you want to buy the Apple care monthly then you don’t buy Apple care at purchase, and buy it through settings on your iPhone.
 

Reyden

macrumors member
Oct 5, 2021
32
21
First, thanks for posting and sharing this video. I want to say that the person who did this teardown has mad skills. And I'm sure you do too. Super impressed with the work here! But this is a teardown of an iPhone 13, not an iPhone 13 Pro. Also, the frame on the 13 is aluminum, not steel. So I'm not sure this is an apples to apples (no pun intended) comparison. It is clear that the blue color from the outer band on this iPhone is also on the inside. However, the metal I am seeing (and I believe others) in the gap (the heart of this thread) does not match. Mine is Sierra Blue, and what I'm seeing is bare "silver" colored, something not matching the case. Does it compromise the phone? Probably not (or at least I hope not). I really wish this was the "silver bullet" (again, no pun intended) but I don't think it is.

The "stamp" is that, the same for everyone, it doesn't change.
The material changes but the mold is the same, I don't think in factories they have machines to assemble 13, 13 mini, 13 pro and 13 pro max, it all happens in the same way, with the same mold but with different materials.

In minute 1:26 of this video, you can see the inner edge protruding from the actual frame (the edge of the normal phone in short, which everyone sees).


There are no seals, or pieces that can be left out without compromising the aesthetics and balance of the screen (perfectly flat) and the functionality of the cameras and face id.

I don't want to convince anyone, and I repeat I'm obsessive too.
Last year I changed 4 iPhone 12 pro max for the yellow screen problem, and then resigned.

But in this case, there really is nothing to worry about.
On some you can see why the screen is narrower at the bottom, on others it is narrower at the top, on others to the right and still others to the left. All phones have a gap between the metal edge and the screen, I sifted through all the ones in my house, and I'm 99.9% sure :)
 

Superrenz

macrumors 6502
Dec 2, 2018
379
183
Wiesbaden, Germany
I’m just gonna deal. I have Apple care if the phone has an issue I’ll get it replaced. just wanted to post my story, being the Apple Genius telling me it’s normal. Def not satisfied 100% but 99% is close enough. I tried to push a bit but it’s not worth it the average person probably couldn’t notice the gap. I’m just a crow, the shine inside my phone catches my eye. If there is a true issue I know Apple care will take care of me. They always have.
So you‘re not entering the replacement lottery?
 

Superrenz

macrumors 6502
Dec 2, 2018
379
183
Wiesbaden, Germany
The "stamp" is that, the same for everyone, it doesn't change.
The material changes but the mold is the same, I don't think in factories they have machines to assemble 13, 13 mini, 13 pro and 13 pro max, it all happens in the same way, with the same mold but with different materials.

In minute 1:26 of this video, you can see the inner edge protruding from the actual frame (the edge of the normal phone in short, which everyone sees).


There are no seals, or pieces that can be left out without compromising the aesthetics and balance of the screen (perfectly flat) and the functionality of the cameras and face id.

I don't want to convince anyone, and I repeat I'm obsessive too.
Last year I changed 4 iPhone 12 pro max for the yellow screen problem, and then resigned.

But in this case, there really is nothing to worry about.
On some you can see why the screen is narrower at the bottom, on others it is narrower at the top, on others to the right and still others to the left. All phones have a gap between the metal edge and the screen, I sifted through all the ones in my house, and I'm 99.9% sure :)
But you‘re talking about the metal shining through at the top? Right?
 

No One Unique

macrumors newbie
Oct 4, 2021
14
5
The "stamp" is that, the same for everyone, it doesn't change.
The material changes but the mold is the same, I don't think in factories they have machines to assemble 13, 13 mini, 13 pro and 13 pro max, it all happens in the same way, with the same mold but with different materials.

In minute 1:26 of this video, you can see the inner edge protruding from the actual frame (the edge of the normal phone in short, which everyone sees).


There are no seals, or pieces that can be left out without compromising the aesthetics and balance of the screen (perfectly flat) and the functionality of the cameras and face id.

I don't want to convince anyone, and I repeat I'm obsessive too.
Last year I changed 4 iPhone 12 pro max for the yellow screen problem, and then resigned.

But in this case, there really is nothing to worry about.
On some you can see why the screen is narrower at the bottom, on others it is narrower at the top, on others to the right and still others to the left. All phones have a gap between the metal edge and the screen, I sifted through all the ones in my house, and I'm 99.9% sure :)
The only thing is if you look at where the gap we are all talking about is, above the ear piece speaker… the earpiece might be tight however there’s a hole in the frame under the earpiece… that leads to the right to the earpiece speaker unit. if dust gets in the frame in this one spot then there might be issues. Also if water gets in there where would it go? It would most likely be trapped in that little section. On a unit with normal gaps and tolerances I expect it’s all good however with a gap you can clearly see into… more water and debris will enter.
 

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No One Unique

macrumors newbie
Oct 4, 2021
14
5
So youre returning it because of this?
Not really sure, gonna sleep on it tonight. It’s most likely not that big of a deal it’s just the one spot. I’m not willing to go through the hassle of returning the phone just to get another one with the same issue. If their is an issue I’ll return the phone and stick with my perfectly functioning iPhone 11 Pro Max. I know my 11 is still water proof so I wouldn’t have to worry.
 

kkh786

macrumors 6502a
Nov 25, 2013
733
816
United Kingdom
Due to this thread the first thing I checked after unboxing my Pro 13 was for this gap above the speaker. Lol.

Thankfully there is no gap on mine anywhere. It is pretty uniform all the way around the front and the back glass and the steel frame.
 

Reyden

macrumors member
Oct 5, 2021
32
21
But you‘re talking about the metal shining through at the top? Right?

So the issue is not affecting the waterproofing. Right?
Yes, it's ok.
The only thing is if you look at where the gap we are all talking about is, above the ear piece speaker… the earpiece might be tight however there’s a hole in the frame under the earpiece… that leads to the wait price speaker unit. if dust gets in the frame in this one spot then there might be issues. Also if water gets in there where would it go? It would most likely be trapped in that little section. On a unit with normal gaps and tolerances I expect it’s all good however with a gap you can clearly see into… more water and debris will enter.
There is no gap guys. What you see is the inner edge of the phone body, it just hasn't been painted, it has discolored during assembly, it is less adherent in that area because it is more towards the bottom where there are the speakers and connectors, but not is no space. It's all sealed and closed. See the teardown.
Due to this thread the first thing I checked after unboxing my Pro 13 was for this gap above the speaker. Lol.

Thankfully there is no gap on mine anywhere. It is pretty uniform all the way around the front and the back glass and the steel frame.
I didn't see it either, I noticed it by chance under a particular light and angle.
If you don't have it in that area it is because in that area it is more adherent, and you will therefore notice that in the upper part of the phone there is little space, while in the lower one it will be a little greater. 100% sure.
 
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No One Unique

macrumors newbie
Oct 4, 2021
14
5
Yes, it's ok.

There is no gap guys. What you see is the inner edge of the phone body, it just hasn't been painted, it has discolored during assembly, it is less adherent in that area because it is more towards the bottom where there are the speakers and connectors, but not is no space. It's all sealed and closed. See the teardown.

I didn't see it either, I noticed it by chance under a particular light and angle.
If you don't have it in that area it is because in that area it is more adherent, and you will therefore notice that in the upper part of the phone there is little space, while in the lower one it will be a little greater. 100% sure.
I have watched multiple teardowns it’s not the color of the metal… Although odd that in the tear down of the blue 13, the frame looks like it’s all painted. It is interesting if I’m seeing discoloration. And it’s not that I’m worried about the water resistant seal being affected… it’s that in these teardowns we see the new earpiece design, which is right next to this gap. The water seal goes below the earpiece not above. Only time will tell if this is an issue. ifixit has a teardown of the 13 pro max if anyones interested.
 

Reyden

macrumors member
Oct 5, 2021
32
21
Thanks for beta testing the new product.
In Italy there is a saying.
When the fox does not get to the grapes, he says it is unripe :D
I have watched multiple teardowns it’s not the color of the metal… Although odd that in the tear down of the blue 13, the frame looks like it’s all painted. It is interesting if I’m seeing discoloration. And it’s not that I’m worried about the water resistant seal being affected… it’s that in these teardowns we see the new earpiece design, which is right next to this gap. The water seal goes below the earpiece not above. Only time will tell if this is an issue. ifixit has a teardown of the 13 pro max if anyones interested.
I am calm after watching the disassembly videos, everything is in order in my opinion, there is no defect and no problem, it is simply the assembly that has meant that on some models the upper space is greater than the lower one. That's all. :)
 
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