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Andeddu

macrumors 68000
Dec 21, 2016
1,798
2,342
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
I thought that also however my OGSE has seen as much use as my 13 and it has zero pot marks. I really think they’ve changed the process they use to anodize the aluminium.

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cateye

macrumors 6502a
Oct 18, 2011
763
3,074
oes the Natural Titanium finish models undergo the same process?
Good question. I would assume Apple does something to protect the metal as bare metal will oxidize unpredictably. It’s possible to anodize minus any pigments, so perhaps that’s what they’re doing. Again, all anodizing is is forcing oxidation in a highly controlled way.

I thought that also however my OGSE has seen as much use as my 13 and it has zero pot marks. I really think they’ve changed the process they use to anodize the aluminium

Not surprising as aluminum is considered the best metal for anodization. It “takes” well and the oxidation layer can be made thicker more easily.
 
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Tsepz

macrumors 601
Jan 24, 2013
4,888
4,698
Johannesburg, South Africa
No paint chipping or peeling on my Black Titanium 15 Pro Max, I have a Tech21 EvoCrystal Kick case on it which has kept it pristine, though I do regularly take it out of it and use it naked when home sometimes.
 

840quadra

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 1, 2005
9,490
6,392
Twin Cities Minnesota
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
No,

The X got gouges and scratches on the frame from Apple's own case, and (for my work phone) otter box.

Rounded edges or not, it is the seal at the edge of the display that will, or will not let debris between the case and device.
 

StaceyMJ86

macrumors demi-goddess
Sep 22, 2015
8,478
14,901
Washington, DC
Actually in your third photo you can see the screen protector quite ruined. I wouldn’t call that “babying a device”, sorry.
A screen protector that has been on for 3 months and needs to be changed because I bumped against a wall I still considered babying in my book no matter what you think.
 

StaceyMJ86

macrumors demi-goddess
Sep 22, 2015
8,478
14,901
Washington, DC
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.
That chip has been there far longer than the screen protector. I bumped the edge of a wall scooting past someone. I also use a case.
 

FlyingDutch

macrumors 65816
Aug 21, 2019
1,454
1,296
Eindhoven (NL)
A screen protector that has been on for 3 months and needs to be changed because I bumped against a wall I still considered babying in my book no matter what you think.
I didn’t mean to offend you. Is just that if your iPhone accidentally bumped against a wall (it could happen ! Screen protectors are here for a reason), the chipping could have been caused by another accident you didn’t realize. I mean, it is not some sort of painting peeling off in this case.
Damage from a case? Obviously I have to take the case off to clean and wipe the device down.
I would avoid a case so rude on your iPhone just to be taken off.
 

StaceyMJ86

macrumors demi-goddess
Sep 22, 2015
8,478
14,901
Washington, DC
I didn’t mean to offend you. Is just that if your iPhone accidentally bumped against a wall (it could happen ! Screen protectors are here for a reason), the chipping could have been caused by another accident you didn’t realize. I mean, it is not some sort of painting peeling off in this case.

I would avoid a case so rude on your iPhone just to be taken off.
I’ve been noticed the chipping earlier this year, once again inside of my case. I have a Süti case which covers just the back, but I hate looking at the blue titanium color and the chipping sometimes, so the case lasts maybe 2-3 days before I go back to an actual case.
 

FlyingDutch

macrumors 65816
Aug 21, 2019
1,454
1,296
Eindhoven (NL)
I’ve been noticed the chipping earlier this year, once again inside of my case. I have a Süti case which covers just the back, but I hate looking at the blue titanium color and the chipping sometimes, so the case lasts maybe 2-3 days before I go back to an actual case.
I would opt for a proper case anyway. Those back covers offer very little damage protection against drops, where the sides are completely exposed. It changes very little from being caseless and they are even asking good money for that
 

Mity

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 1, 2014
798
728
I don't think cases should be damaging the phones at all. If that is indeed what happened, then Apple made a mistake with the colored Ti models. All those phones should be replaced or a refund / full store credit given to the buyers. This is what happens when a beancounter like Tim Cook is the CEO.

This is my 14PM that I bought in September 2023, a few days before the launch of the 15PM (deliberately). I went to the Apple Store on the 15PM launch day and I was utterly disappointed with what I saw. Only the Natural Titanium finished looked appealing.

This is what my SB 14PM looks like today. I've used an Otterbox Symmetry case and this is NOT a soft case at all. It is somewhere in between soft and hard but leans to the firmer side. When I first got the case, I was afraid it would damage the phone because it was so strong. But I'm glad to report that my 14PM is still flawless (except for a few scratches in the screen). Note: Any white items you see below is just dust & debris, not marks / scratches.

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StaceyMJ86

macrumors demi-goddess
Sep 22, 2015
8,478
14,901
Washington, DC
I would opt for a proper case anyway. Those back covers offer very little damage protection against drops, where the sides are completely exposed. It changes very little from being caseless and they are even asking good money for that
I recently started using a case like that, and only because I’m home. Of course I went back to my Caudabe sheath.
 

TechWhisperer

macrumors regular
May 17, 2024
102
284
Why are people so surprised when one of the most used products of the modern era wears out over time? It’s only natural with constant use, yet we still expect it to last forever.
 
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Mity

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Nov 1, 2014
798
728
Why are people so surprised when one of the most used products of the modern era wears out over time? It’s only natural with constant use, yet we still expect it to last forever.
That's not surprising. What is surprising is that the phone started shedding within the first month of ownership. As I wrote above, my 14PM SS isn't "peeling". It's a manufacturing / design flaw.
 

ManuCH

macrumors 68000
May 7, 2009
1,605
1,207
Switzerland
I had some chipping on my blue iPhone 15 Pro Max - despite always having a case on it. It actually happened while putting on or removing the case.

Now I got a natural titanium iPhone 16 Pro Max. I don't want to risk this anymore, I hate seeing the chipping, it almost made me buy a new phone before the 16 was released 😂
 
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