What are my chances of getting this iPhone 5 replaced?

FishFluff

FishFluff

FishFluff

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Joined
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Scotland
The other day I noticed a problem with my iPhone 5. It's bent considerably near one corner:

JcK8dSz.jpg

Now I realise the obvious conclusion to jump is that I've dropped it/smashed it/made wild passionate love to it/etc but this phone is otherwise immaculate as I tend to look after my stuff. My theory is that it happened on a day when I'd been watching a few hours of streaming video from the internet (Twitch, not porn :p) whilst charging the phone at the same time. By complete coincidence that's the corner of the phone that gets warmest when you do that.

Now to my mind that's a pretty serious design fault (albeit the price we pay for thinner, lighter phones). I've booked an appointment with a "Genius" next Wednesday. Where do I stand on this? Is there any UK law I can spout about goods being fit for purpose if they refuse to replace it under warranty?
 
The only issue you would have is if they didn't accept that it was due to heat / wasn't your fault. Goods being fit for purpose won't cover you for breaking something either unless its a recognised issue with a lot of people. I doubt you will have any problems to be honest. Doesn't look like the sort of damage that impact would make certainly.
 
The fact it has no visible damage to the phone itself and that corner they do get pretty toasty I should imagine will work in your favour.

Edit: If one say's no try book another appointment If not too much of a hassle and try again.. I know this shouldn't happen but usually I find with most places not just Apple one employee says one thing and another says differently.
 
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I would say that if there's no signs of impact anywhere on the phone, you should have no problem.

In my experience, Apple are pretty good for their customer service. I had an iPhone 4S that I dropped in the washing up 2 weeks after it was released. Went to an Apple store, was completely honest with them and they replaced it for a £130 fee. Can't say fairer than that :)
 
Playing devil's advocate, mightn't this be caused by having it in your pocket and sitting on it? I find it unlikely that heat would warp it otherwise the Internet would be rife with complaints.
 
likwid said:
Playing devil's advocate, mightn't this be caused by having it in your pocket and sitting on it? I find it unlikely that heat would warp it otherwise the Internet would be rife with complaints.
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Had my 4s for over year in my pocket sat down with it there every day never bent once, a phone should be robust enough to not bend in your pocket when you sit down.
 
Ok, but you can imagine a circumstance where it could happen; leaning against a table edge, for example.
 
likwid said:
Ok, but you can imagine a circumstance where it could happen; leaning against a table edge, for example.
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The only time it would bend though is when the aluminium frame is hot enough, if you try and bend one that's cold they don't budge (although they definitely feel less solid than the old design). If a phone gets warm enough to allow it to be permanently warped while in your pocket, and for reference mine only ever goes in my front pocket, then I see that as a design flaw.
 
FishFluff said:
The only time it would bend though is when the aluminium frame is hot enough, if you try and bend one that's cold they don't budge (although they definitely feel less solid than the old design). If a phone gets warm enough to allow it to be permanently warped while in your pocket, and for reference mine only ever goes in my front pocket, then I see that as a design flaw.
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It's made from aluminium and not very thick, it can bend cold.
 
I suspect if this was done by yourself you would likely see signs of cracking on the paint or sharp creases, looking at how smooth it is I imagine it's been made like this during manufacturing. Especially if there's no damage to any other part of the phone.
 
Antowns said:
I suspect if this was done by yourself you would likely see signs of cracking on the paint or sharp creases, looking at how smooth it is I imagine it's been made like this during manufacturing. Especially if there's no damage to any other part of the phone.
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The only painted parts are the chamfered edges. The rest is anodised. Let alone the fact that you'd notice if it were like this from new, it wouldn't pass QC, even under the worst of circumstances.

As for the sharp creases, it's a minor bend, so it won't.
 
Ive been on the iPhone 5 "returning" scene since it came out due to scuff gate. Best bet is that if it was due to heat, they WILL return it.... BUT, theyll give you a white boxed iPhone which are mostly refurbished handsets that have been returned to Apple as they had some sort of fault.
People have said that all they do is send it off to Apple for a wipe down and chuck it into a white box.
Since demand is low now adays, try and persuade the geniuses to let you get your hands onto a retail boxed one. Many people have and the 5's that are boxed now dont suffer from WiFi or scuff gate issues.
 
wow thats some bend ! my Iphone 4 has been dropped multiple times, sat on, sat on whilst in pocket etc - and not a scratch (or bend)

you're helping my Iphone 5 or SG4 decision ....
 
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