Other iPhone 15 Pro and (16 Pro?): paint peeling off?

[Mity]

I'm thinking about buying a 15 Pro Max in either Blue Titanium or Natural Titanium. Does the paint peeling issue affect only the blue and black models?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12923231/Apple-iPhone-15-Pro-edges-peeling.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1bjm5ob/iphone_15_pro_max_finish_chipping/
https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1833a7j/iphone_15_pro_paint_peeling/
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255306054?

I checked used listings on eBay to see how well the phones have fared over this last year and I see many phones with similar problems with the finish, especially around the camera lens.

Does this happen with the Natural Titanium models as well? Is this also occurring on the colored iPhone 16 Pro models?

 

[StaceyMJ86]

I have a blue titanium 15Pm and have a few spots where the paint has chipped.

 

[Ta0jin]

I have a black titanium and a natural titanium iPhone and neither have had any paint peeling issues. I mean there is always the possibility that can happen but I’ve never had that issue and I’ve used the slim aramid fiber cases that are hard to take off and no scratching of the paint.

 

[StaceyMJ86]

I have a black titanium and a natural titanium iPhone and neither have had any paint peeling issues. I mean there is always the possibility that can happen but I’ve never had that issue and I’ve used the slim aramid fiber cases that are hard to take off and no scratching of the paint.

I just started using the Süti case which covers just the back. I’ve never had a phone’s sides scratch inside the case. This makes me hate the blue titanium even more now.

 

[840quadra]

All of the pictures you linked look like scratches from putting devices in a pocket, bag or purse and not realizing, or deliberately disregarding the fact that keys, rings, other phones, or other objects were sharing the same space.

Ran a 13 Pro, 14 Pro, 15 pro, and now 16 pro without a case, and (knock on wood) no issues so far.

That said, I also recheck a pocket before I place a phone into it. Honestly muscle memory at this point.

 

[StaceyMJ86]

All of the pictures you linked look like scratches from putting devices in a pocket, bag or purse and not realizing, or deliberately disregarding the fact that keys, rings, other phones, or other objects were sharing the same space.

Ran a 13 Pro, 14 Pro, 15 pro, and now 16 pro without a case, and (knock on wood) no issues so far.

That said, I also recheck a pocket before I place a phone into it. Honestly muscle memory at this point.

I use a case. My phone never goes into the same pocket with my keys as I carry either a back pack or purse. I baby my devices because I trade them in.

 

[840quadra]

I use a case. My phone never goes into the same pocket with my keys as I carry either a back pack or purse. I baby my devices because I trade them in.

Fair enough, though I was not commenting on your image or post.

That said, be sure the case you have is well sealed, doesn't let sand or other debris into it. I have absolutely scratched previous phones in that method over the years. iPhone 7 and X cases I had were poor with regards to sealing quality.

Sure the case protected them, but the sand / debris acted like sandpaper when I removed the case, or the debris worked around int he case

This situation was a factor in my stopping using cases. I fond I am MUCH more careful with a naked phone. 🤣

 

[StaceyMJ86]

Fair enough, though I was not commenting on your image or post.

That said, be sure the case you have is well sealed, doesn't let sand or other debris into it. I have absolutely scratched previous phones in that method over the years. iPhone 7 and X cases I had were poor with regards to sealing quality.

Sure the case protected them, but the sand / debris acted like sandpaper when I removed the case, or the debris worked around int he case

This situation was a factor in my stopping using cases. I fond I am MUCH more careful with a naked phone. 🤣

That’s one of the things I looked for in a case. Once I started to see the paint getting scratched, I started looking for cases to make my iPhone look caseless. I just started using the Süti case that covers just the back and a screen protector that I need to change again. I have been more aware of where I sit my phone down. I just hate seeing the scratches though.

 

[840quadra]

That’s one of the things I looked for in a case. Once I started to see the paint getting scratched, I started looking for cases to make my iPhone look caseless. I just started using the Süti case that covers just the back and a screen protector that I need to change again. I have been more aware of where I sit my phone down. I just hate seeing the scratches though.

Yeah scratches are annoying!

Thankfully have had zero in the past few years, with the only exception being around the lightning (later USB-C) port sometimes.

I have a magsafe wallet so my phones don't get set on hard surfaces, and I always keep my left pocket 100% open and never put anything but my phone in it now. has been muscle memory for years now.

I find that without a case, I am 100% more careful where I set my phone down. Even in situations such as TSA checks and such.

 

[StaceyMJ86]

Yeah scratches are annoying!

Thankfully have had zero in the past few years, with the only exception being around the lightning (later USB-C) port sometimes.

I have a magsafe wallet so my phones don't get set on hard surfaces, and I always keep my left pocket 100% open and never put anything but my phone in it now. has been muscle memory for years now.

I find that without a case, I am 100% more careful where I set my phone down. Even in situations such as TSA checks and such.

I’m becoming more aware by the day while using this case. Once I switch back to an actual case, all of that goes out the window 😂 for a week or two, and then the cycle repeats.

 

[Mity]

All of the pictures you linked look like scratches from putting devices in a pocket, bag or purse and not realizing, or deliberately disregarding the fact that keys, rings, other phones, or other objects were sharing the same space.

Ran a 13 Pro, 14 Pro, 15 pro, and now 16 pro without a case, and (knock on wood) no issues so far.

That said, I also recheck a pocket before I place a phone into it. Honestly muscle memory at this point.

In the second link the person stated that he keeps it in a case:

I keep my phone in a case. I take it out to clean the phone and inside the case monthly. Like I have done with all my phones. I’ve noticed that all around it the finish is chipping. Has anyone else had this problem? There’s no dents and you can’t feel the chipping with your fingers.​

 

[840quadra]

In the second link the person stated that he keeps it in a case:

I keep my phone in a case. I take it out to clean the phone and inside the case monthly. Like I have done with all my phones. I’ve noticed that all around it the finish is chipping. Has anyone else had this problem? There’s no dents and you can’t feel the chipping with your fingers.​

I saw, read that too.

Not all cases protect as well as others, hence my bringing it up in an earlier post.

Phones have been resiliant IMO. I shoot motorsports around dirt, and ran a full summer without a case with zero issues. Phone was subjected to sand and other dirt and was sold scratcless.

 

[cateye]

Just fyi, it’s not paint. It’s some form of anodization, which is a highly controlled electrochemical oxidation. In theory, it should be more durable than a paint layer would be, but it all depends on how the anodization is done. Tons of variables that I assume Apple is well in control of.

 

[Mity]

Just fyi, it’s not paint. It’s some form of anodization, which is a highly controlled electrochemical oxidation. In theory, it should be more durable than a paint layer would be, but it all depends on how the anodization is done. Tons of variables that I assume Apple is well in control of.

Does the Natural Titanium finish models undergo the same process? Because I've yet to see this peeling/chipping on a Natural Titanium model.

 

[FlyingDutch]

I use a case. My phone never goes into the same pocket with my keys as I carry either a back pack or purse. I baby my devices because I trade them in.

Actually in your third photo you can see the screen protector quite ruined. I wouldn’t call that “babying a device”, sorry.

 

[FlyingDutch]

Fair enough, though I was not commenting on your image or post.

That said, be sure the case you have is well sealed, doesn't let sand or other debris into it. I have absolutely scratched previous phones in that method over the years. iPhone 7 and X cases I had were poor with regards to sealing quality.

Sure the case protected them, but the sand / debris acted like sandpaper when I removed the case, or the debris worked around int he case

This situation was a factor in my stopping using cases. I fond I am MUCH more careful with a naked phone. 🤣

From her image you can see that iPhone suffered some light damage, in a way or another.


Chipping appeared for a reason. Maybe she didn’t realize (**** happens)

 

[Fred Zed]

I have a blue titanium 15Pm and have a few spots where the paint has chipped.

Use a touch up pen Stace 😅

 

[Fred Zed]

I'm thinking about buying a 15 Pro Max in either Blue Titanium or Natural Titanium. Does the paint peeling issue affect only the blue and black models?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-12923231/Apple-iPhone-15-Pro-edges-peeling.html
https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1bjm5ob/iphone_15_pro_max_finish_chipping/
https://www.reddit.com/r/iphone/comments/1833a7j/iphone_15_pro_paint_peeling/
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255306054?

I checked used listings on eBay to see how well the phones have fared over this last year and I see many phones with similar problems with the finish, especially around the camera lens.

Does this happen with the Natural Titanium models as well? Is this also occurring on the colored iPhone 16 Pro models?

The last Reddit link shows me how some of my iPhones came out of the box 🤣

 

[decafjava]

None here with my 10 month old 15 PM. Always keep my phones in a case mind you.

 

[shadowboi]

Well, this is probably "normal". If you have ever seen or used colored aluminum moka pot stovetop coffee maker they peel very similarly over time. Back in the days when I had iPhone 5 I used it without case, well "space grey" color turned into "space and stars" since the back was peeled everywhere, as well as the edges. Probably it also has something to do with the new square design, but this theory needs confirmation from iPhone 12 and up caseless users too

 

[kstewart61]

I have a blue titanium 15Pm and have a few spots where the paint has chipped.

Put a case on it problem solved

 

[Andeddu]

If you use a case make sure you clean it at least once per month to remove any debris and lint.

The anodised aluminium does seem to be more fragile on the iPhone 12 and later than on earlier phones. I have small chips on my iPhone 13 which has always been in a case and the case has been cleaned monthly. I have never had this happen on my iPhone 6S, 8 or SE which, despite rigorous use over a number of years, show no signs of ware and are completely immaculate.

I am not too annoyed because the chips are extremely small and not too noticeable at a glance.

I am not massively bummed by this as the phone has seen a fair amount of use and is still looking good for it’s age, it just isn’t in perfect condition like my previous iPhones.

 

[neuropsychguy]

I use a case. My phone never goes into the same pocket with my keys as I carry either a back pack or purse. I baby my devices because I trade them in.

It’s tough to see little damage like this in the paint.

Also, your screen protector has a damaged corner. Do you remember how it got that damage? It’s likely the nearby chip in the paint happened at the same time.

 

[kkclstuff]

Well not to put 'a fine point on it' its not 'paint peeling'. It's anodized metal, so yes if you scratch it deep enough it will expose bare metal. ALL products that use this method of colorizing (including power coating etc) will do this.

For the Ti models, that would depend on if they added pigment to set a specific color to the Ti. My guess, yes.

choices around this are; don't scratch it heavily (ie drop it), or use a case.

 

[shadowboi]

If you use a case make sure you clean it at least once per month to remove any debris and lint.

The anodised aluminium does seem to be more fragile on the iPhone 12 and later than on earlier phones. I have small chips on my iPhone 13 which has always been in a case and the case has been cleaned monthly. I have never had this happen on my iPhone 6S, 8 or SE which, despite rigorous use over a number of years, show no signs of ware and are completely immaculate.

I am not too annoyed because the chips are extremely small and not too noticeable at a glance.

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I am not massively bummed by this as the phone has seen a fair amount of use and is still looking good for it’s age, it just isn’t in perfect condition like my previous iPhones.

I guess it confirms my theory that the square design is a culprit. Still I hope they won’t move back to rounded designs as those never felt good