If your matte black iPhone 7 or 7 Plus is still impeccable, you may be among the lucky ones: those who are unlucky – and there is a growing number of them, as spotted by 9to5Mac on the Apple Support forums – have been suffering from paint chips.
The first poster says that after a month of usage with the iPhone 7 Plus protected by a TPU case and full-screen tempered glass (most of the time) the “black anodised paint has been chipped off from the phone body. I am really disappointed with what happened to the phone because I have been using it very carefully.”
Although the thread currently counts four pages only, it turns out that this poster isn’t the only one encountering the issue. Users say they see paint chips around the edges and back. Apparently, the 7 Plus is the most affected model, and, as you can imagine, support won’t be able to help you here, as Apple won’t replace the devices.
The most common area seems to be around the speaker grille.
As 9to5Mac points out, this is similar to the cosmetic flaw reported with the launch of the black iPhone 5. Although the issue is limited to a handful of devices, there may be others who haven’t had the “courage” to show it to the world. Are you affected by this cosmetic flaw of the matte black iPhone 7? Mine is matte black, but I haven’t encountered this issue.
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I would hazard a guess the woman in the above photograph has dropped that phone multiple times. Just a guess.
All it takes is 1 drop.
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Sharpie to the rescue!
Until the Sharpie ink rubs off on your clothes.
Wear black cloths, and More Sharpie!!
Hah
Black nail polish works better. Especially on a cheaply made phone with a crappy paint job.
Apple warns in the fine print that the phone won’t look good unless you hide it in a case:
“The high-gloss finish of the jet black iPhone 7 is achieved through a precision nine-step anodization and polishing process. Its surface is equally as hard as other anodized Apple products; however, its high shine may show fine micro-abrasions with use. If you are concerned about this, we suggest you use one of the many cases available to protect your iPhone.”
I think they’re talking about the matte black not jet.
Ah yes. Well, I guess Apple has some more fine print to write…
No need be sexist assume blame woman.
What did you think was going to happen with with amounts to a painted phone. I’m shocked Apple would even create such an option that will only maintain its appearance… if you can’t see it (using a case). What’s the point?
My GF and I both have some chipping around the speaker area of my matt black iPhone. Never dropped mine, always in my empty pocket, and GF’s is always in her folio case. Not sure what’s causing the chipping, as it’s not in contact with any other objects.
Coincidentally, my iPhone 7 *isn’t* chipping at the bottom as described in this article however my aluminum bumper case *is* chipping as described. I don’t think this problem is unique to the iPhone 7 since it seems to happen to all anodized aluminum.
Mine is like that, about a month in, bottom, never dropped the phone, case on it, tempered glass…just shows poor workmanship, and lack of care in making their premium phone. I now have a case that cover the phone almost entirely, sad to have to cover it up to use it, negates the thinner and lighter sales pitch!
Sure, it sucks. I don’t have any chips on mine, but even if I did, I would never know. I love the form factor of the iPhone 7, and I wanted a case that would not cover it up. Got myself a matte black case from Caudable on sale, and it’s like using a “naked” phone, only it’s protected from scratches and scuffs. Plus I was able to hide a slim metal plate between the case and the phone for use with the magnetic holder in my car.