The new Jet Black color for the iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus is the most beautiful coat of paint we’ve ever seen on a smartphone, but according to Apple’s website, you shouldn’t get one if you hate scuff marks.
Apple just posted the technical details of the new iPhones on its website that promotes the high-gloss finish. However, if you scroll all the way to the bottom and read the fine print, Apple reveals the device is more susceptible to “fine micro-abrasions,” which normal people just call “scratches.”
Check out point #2:
It wouldn’t be an iPhone launch without some type of controversy. We can already see ScuffGate becoming a real thing among uniformed iPhone 7 owners who prefer to keep their device nude.
Most people will read the fine print before placing their pre-orders on Friday, so Apple might have a bunch of unhappy customers on its hands when devices start showing wear and tear from normal use in a couple weeks.
Buster Hein is a freelance writer who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Twitter: @bst3r.
19 responses to “Scuffgate? Jet Black iPhone 7 will be prone to scratching”
I think they learned their lesson from the 5 or else they wouldn’t.
With the glossy jet black 7, Apple has brought sexy back.
Wrong. Apple says it will scratch easily.
Bonkers
BEFORE READING THE ARTICLE:
AFTER READING THE ARTICLE:
Just found it funny to read was all :D
why buy a jet black iphone if you slap a cover on it. scratches are ok for me .. i really don’t mind that much!
I have never used a case on any of my iPhones, and I’ve had basically every one besides the first two editions. (3,3G) so had 3GS, 4, 4s, 5, 5s, 6+, 6s – and never have i had a cracked screen or much scuffing besides arounds the charging port when I’m blindly trying to plug in half asleep when I’ve forgot or in the car. (Wireless charging next please apple- even like the apple watch would be good) but i also don’t throw on tables or hold it so it can drop etc, common sense tells me to think about where i out it etc, (never in a pocket with change or keys)
Having said that, i do see it being a problem that will only get worse once the surface has a ‘micro abrasion’
Now having written this comment, i think just the Black will be my choice.
Easy fix would be Invisible Shield
Ahem – “Most people will ‘NOT’ read the fine print”
Also, “uniformed”???
Apple doesn’t say this will scratch easily. What Apple says it that due to the high shine micro abrasions will be more noticeable. Basically all of the iPhones will get scratched but due to the gloss this one look worse over time.
i like my black iphone 5 battered and bruised. It gives it personality :)
Thanks for the sensible comment. We are indeed talking about the laws of physics here: no matter what you do, a high gloss finish will show up fine scratches more than a matte finish will – it’s just the nature of things.
This falls under no duh. Piano black on anything will show scratches and a lot of fine scratches. Take a look at the interior or your car, I bet you have lots of shiny plastic in their, clear, piano black, whatever. I bet it looks like crap after a year and you don’t rub sand on it. Dust kills and the best thing you can do is buy the 3M clear film for the back of your glossy iphone 7 to protect it with or without a case.
Don’t need to read the fine print about this, it’s obvious that a gloss finish will be prone to scratches… Isn’t it?
As a guy that has done numerous wet sanding/polishing jobs on vehicles, boats, etc, I wonder if this black finish can be wet sanded and/or compounded once it gets really scratched. Seems plausible.
My thoughts exactly… I ordered the Jet Black one. Black might be a better choice…
I believe you meant “Most people will NOT read the fine print…” in the first line of the last paragraph. I concur with that statement.
How about presenting dust proof case options instead of leaving your readers to bicker.
In a market economy people provide services. It seems that your service is drama, not solutions to a problem. It’s hard to built a “cult” with bickering.
That couldn’t be truer
Can we just stop with the “-gate” names? Watergate was over 40 years ago. There are two generations of people who have been born since then. This meme is tired.