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Many purchasers of the new iPhone have reported that the phone was damaged or “scuffed,” even before it was removed from its packaging. While unsavory production processes in China, poor shipping or poor packaging setbacks may be the cause of these problems, the new issues may more likely be due to the phone’s new design.

Previous iPhones were made from stainless steel, the new iPhones are made from aluminum. Though the aluminum makes the phones lighter and more resistant to ‘wear and tear,' the metal is still soft and easily scratched.

As upsetting as this may be for buyers, Apple Vice President Phil Shiller said these issues are “normal.” 

In an email response to a customer, Shiller said, “Any aluminum product may scratch or chip with use, exposing its natural silver color. That is normal.”

A similar response was given with the addition of complaints regarding “purple halos” in most iPhone camera pictures.  

This seems to be the only response from Apple regarding problems with its new product. If this is the case with the new phones, why would a consumer want a product that loses its aesthetic appeal after only a couple weeks of normal use? Apple may need to seriously consider re-evaluating its new product. 

Reach Staff Reporter Greg West here.