iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone scratched out of box

[abcedfg]

I just unpacked my iPhone 12 Pro Max and noticed some light scratches near the charging port and on the sides. I’m wondering if your devices came with similar defects in the coating? Am I expecting too much from a +1k$ phone?
Other than that it is flawless, no dust inside camera etc.
Would you keep it? It’s not really visible unless you look at it in the right angle.

 

[usagora]

Ordered directly from Apple?

In any case, I'd keep it personally. It's so minor, and I case mine, which would hide that anyway.

 

[now i see it]

It's going to get some scratches in the future anyway. It's not like those tiny blemishes make any difference.
If that was my phone, I'd keep it

 

[alyssap22]

Did you buy it from apple ? You can take it to the store and return it for a new one.

 

[LFC2020]

If from apple, return asap!!!

 

[abcedfg]

Ordered directly from Apple?

In any case, I'd keep it personally. It's so minor, and I case mine, which would hide that anyway.

Not directly from apple, but I could just return it within 14 days since I bought it online.

 

[chabig]

I’d keep it.

 

[Agent OrangeZ]

Not directly from apple, but I could just return it within 14 days since I bought it online.

Some carriers charge a restocking fee. I dunno how the scratch comes into play... but I thought I'd mention it.

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Return it.

 

[leslieg]

You are definitely not being unreasonable to return for a replacement given how expensive the device is.

 

[Abstract]

I’d keep it. It’s steel, which scratches so easily it may leave a mark like that the next time you take it out of your jeans!!

 

[Fred Zed]

I just unpacked my iPhone 12 Pro Max and noticed some light scratches near the charging port and on the sides. I’m wondering if your devices came with similar defects in the coating? Am I expecting too much from a +1k$ phone?
Other than that it is flawless, no dust inside camera etc.
Would you keep it? It’s not really visible unless you look at it in the right angle.

I had the same thing when I bought my 12 pro max gold. Alas mine was much worse. The stainless steel band edge above the charge port was chipped meaning it was pitted. Almost as if the phone had been dropped face down on a gravel road. Mine was definitely QC issues ,since viewing the chips and defects of the gold band under magnification showed no color mismatch, it appears the gold process was applied on mine when the frame was already damaged.
Sent it straight back.

 

[tedley]

I’d keep it. It’s steel, which scratches so easily it may leave a mark like that the next time you take it out of your jeans!!

I’d return it. Not because of the scratch, but because of what the scratch tells you. It was probably used by someone else and returned. You don’t know the how the phone was handled and cared for. If you paid for a ‘new’ phone, you should get a ‘new’ phone.

 

[Velin]

I'd definitely keep it. That mark is so minor, and so barely noticeable, you'll forget about it after a day or two. And, you are going to get a couple more scratches just from daily use.

 

[vroom2]

First, that stinks, they should do better, second, call Apple, have it documented by a genius requesting that detailed notes are written about the situation. Let them know you are going to see if it is something that bothers you, as it is a bit of an inconvenience to go through a replacement, and request the option to have it replaced for this issue at a later date should you decide it is something you cannot live with. Or as others have said return to carrier. With clear documented notes in place, you will be set up for a basically no questions asked future replacement, as long as you are within the warranty period (and there is no major unrelated physical damage at the time of swap). Either way good luck.

 

[MaxGolden12]

The only damage to your iPhone should be caused by yourself. I’d return it ASAP.

 

[mikethemartian]

Return it.

 

[shady16]

return it and get the 13 pro max lol

 

[SisterBlue22]

I’d return it. Not because of the scratch, but because of what the scratch tells you. It was probably used by someone else and returned. You don’t know the how the phone was handled and cared for. If you paid for a ‘new’ phone, you should get a ‘new’ phone.

If it was sold as new and not a refurb, it likely happened at the factory when they were testing the charging port.

 

[moxxey]

I just unpacked my iPhone 12 Pro Max and noticed some light scratches near the charging port and on the sides. I’m wondering if your devices came with similar defects in the coating? Am I expecting too much from a +1k$ phone?
Other than that it is flawless, no dust inside camera etc.
Would you keep it? It’s not really visible unless you look at it in the right angle.

Remember, a lot of products bought from retail are 'unused' returns and most retailers simply get repackaged after checking, but often miss minor scratches.


In 2020, a tonne of people were buying items online as they had nothing else to do. As they couldn't see them in person, a tonne of people decided those items weren't for them and returned them!

I'd say 50% of the items I bought new from June 2020 through March 2021 looked liked they'd been evaluated. One retailer in particularly sent two products I had to return as both were slightly damaged: one had a door which wouldn't sit flush, the other had minor scratches.

That's the fundamental issue of buying from retail online. You think you're getting brand new, but so many people return 'unused' items for a refund, it's often been in the hands of another person first.

 

[teohyc]

The cable is going to scratch that area eventually unless you're only going to charge the phone wireless all the time.

 

[auwkeung]

I think you need to balance the troublesome of returning it and the agony of knowing your phone is not perfect out of the box.
If it's easy for you to return it, do it. Otherwise just cover it with a case.

Having the phone scratched out of the box is not the same of scratching it yourself.

 

[abcedfg]

Thanks for your opinions, I think I will keep it though. Knowing my luck, I will get a phone with worse problems.

 

[Shadowbech]

I'd just keep it. To much hassle and yes you are right, even if you did return and got a new one, it could have other issues too.

 

[caligurl]

I'd be pissed! And if I had gotten if from apple, I'd be returning it!