[PetrolHead2272]

Team,

Last year I decided to upgrade from my iPhone XR that I had been using since Dec 2021. In September of 2024 during some big sale on Amazon on electronic devices, I went ahead and bought an iPhone 13.

Due to the ongoing sale it was priced at 39,999 and upon exchange of my XR and a few other discounts, the final price came out to be 27,5xx.

I don't ever use my phone without a screen protector installed so naturally the day I ordered the 13, I ordered a screen protector too. The problem now arises a week into the purchase, I start to see an air bubble forming on the top corner of my screen protector. Shrugging it off as my fault during installation (I install them myself), I continued with life. With each passing day the bubble grew until a point where I had to change it. Once the bubble reaches the front camera, the phone stops unlocking with Face ID, I need to wait for it to return to the password screen.

A month later, I got rid of that screen protector and got another one (same brand). To my surprise, same issue. I had been installing screen protectors on my own even on the XR and from the same brand, and throughout the 3 years of my XR, I never faced this bubbling issue.

This time I changed brands, but installed it myself. Same result, the protector started bubbling within a week.

The fourth time, I used my go to brand but got it installed from outside. Same result, bubbling within a week.

Fifth time, same shop but the guy put on a screen protector he recommended. No guess, same result.

Sixth time, I ordered an expensive screen protector. Normally the ones used up till now were in the ballpark of around 300-400, this was 1100. STILL THE SAME. It lasted me two weeks.

Now some would say it can be because of moisture, but I don't take my phone to the washroom, my AC is never below 25 and moreover since September, North India has seen three very distinct seasons.


Important points -

1. I have used four different brands, each one lasts 1-2 weeks

2. I have had three people install them, me and two different shop keepers.

3. I have ordered an installation kit as well which helps in aligning the protector to the screen so that there's symmetry.

4. The most important and peculiar part of this ordeal is - the screen protector always and I mean always bubbles from either the top right or the top left corner.


What I read on the net -

One thing that really caught my eye was this guy on reddit saying that sometimes there are some phones which develop manufacturing defects during production. Apple has a large production line and there are chances few phones don't come out perfect.
There can be a possibility that the screen is bent from the sides (even if the angle of bend is microscopic), it can still cause the tempered glass to come off.


What do I do now? Would the fact that I bought this phone from amazon give Apple an excuse not to fix or replace it??
Could any of the members maybe give me some contacts I can email to escalate this issue. I am honestly just tired of spending a minimum of 500 per month every month since September just to get my phone to be normal. Any help, suggestions, inputs about next steps and some contacts would really help me out.

Attaching a pic for reference -

Thanks.

[shancz]

Either use a better cover, usually the ones with raised edges from the likes of Spigen(expensive but perfect) will prevent the case of the tempered glass getting ripped when you slide it in and out of your pocket.

Or and if your phone doesn't get dropped a lot, go without it. I don't use any on my Pixel 3 since there aren't any available but now I just love how sleek it is. I have a Spigen back cover too which I've removed.

[IshaanIan]

Ceramic Shield is in a league of its own. I too had an XR before switching to a 12 and the Ceramic Shield glass that Apple uses from the 12 onwards, is truly a revelation compared to even gorilla glass that I was used to on the Androids I was using before the XR as well as the pixel 8 which I use as my work phone currently. Ceramic Shield is softer and less resistant to scratches compared to gorilla glass and even to older iPhone models, but it is way more resistant to breaking or cracking and is capable of withstanding multiple hip height drops. I have dropped my phone countless times in the nearly 4 years since I’ve had it and it truly hasn’t cracked anywhere front or back even in the slightest. I would therefore recommend not using a screen protector. This is what I recommend to everyone I know who uses an iPhone except the pro models since they are super heavy and hit the ground when dropped, with more force. The regular iPhones I can confidently state, do not break from normal drops and I have been able to convince many of my friends to use their regular iPhones naked. Thus far there have been zero issues.

That said if you still cannot bear to try using the phone as it was intended (the touch feels so much better), then you can call apple support and they will be able to guide you appropriately on warranty claims. Apple support is one of top two customer care outfits I have ever experienced with Dell being the other. They are knowledgeable and can communicate effectively helping you understand processes better.

[promit]

Will second the suggestion to change your cover. Pick a Spigen on Amazon and see. It’s possible the cover is dislodging your screen guard - had experienced this ages ago.

[shancz]

Agree with Promit, just to try out, try using your phone with the screen protector but without the back cover and see if the protector comes out. If it still does then its either the protector, usage or the phone. Else its just the protector not built accurately.

[esp33]

I have faced similar issue with my old Samsung galaxy phone. The problem was that my expensive Spigen case was not compatible with most tampered glass screen protectors. So I got rid of the tampered glass and switch to normal plastic screen protector and the issue was resolved.

[Cyborg]

Originally Posted by PetrolHead2272

The fourth time, I used my go to brand but got it installed from outside. Same result, bubbling within a week.

Just use the phone without a screen protector - no issues, nothing will happen. Don’t stress on this, just enjoy the iPhone. You will have an unnecessary headache trying to prove some defect with the phone which they will not accept anyway.

I have a Spigen Tough Armour case bought from Amazon with side lips on my 11. It makes the phone slightly bulky but gives a nice firm grip + it has a side or kickstand at the back. Dropped the phone quite a few times - no issues at all.

Cheers

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by promit

Will second the suggestion to change your cover. Pick a Spigen on Amazon and see. It’s possible the cover is dislodging your screen guard - had experienced this ages ago.

Just on this point. If buying a Spigen case, its best to get the Spigen screen protector as well. If the screen protector is of the edge-to-edge type, the extreme tight fit of the case could push the screen protector and cause bubbles on the edges.

[PetrolHead2272]

Originally Posted by shancz

Either use a better cover, usually the ones with raised edges from the likes of Spigen(expensive but perfect) will prevent the case of the tempered glass getting ripped when you slide it in and out of your pocket.

Originally Posted by promit

Will second the suggestion to change your cover. Pick a Spigen on Amazon and see. It’s possible the cover is dislodging your screen guard - had experienced this ages ago.

Originally Posted by shancz

Agree with Promit, just to try out, try using your phone with the screen protector but without the back cover and see if the protector comes out. If it still does then its either the protector, usage or the phone. Else its just the protector not built accurately.

Originally Posted by esp33

I have faced similar issue with my old Samsung galaxy phone. The problem was that my expensive Spigen case was not compatible with most tampered glass screen protectors. So I got rid of the tampered glass and switch to normal plastic screen protector and the issue was resolved.

Originally Posted by Cyborg

I have a Spigen Tough Armour case bought from Amazon with side lips on my 11. It makes the phone slightly bulky but gives a nice firm grip + it has a side or kickstand at the back. Dropped the phone quite a few times - no issues at all.

Originally Posted by vb-saan

Just on this point. If buying a Spigen case, its best to get the Spigen screen protector as well. If the screen protector is of the edge-to-edge type, the extreme tight fit of the case could push the screen protector and cause bubbles on the edges.

Folks now that almost every reply is similar and on the same lines as this, I should've mentioned that I have been using a spigen cover only since September. I have tried using the phone without the cover for a month, but the issue still persisted.

Any other inputs would be helpful

[dragonfire]

I had a similar issue with my iPhone 13. The bubbles used to appear on the right side. In my case they appeared several months after I stuck the screen protector. It was an ESR screen protector. I replaced the screen protector and it was fine for several months and again appeared. Replaced again, and was fine for several months. Later upgraded to the 15 pro and it is fine so far. Am assuming that the screen of the 13 was a bit uneven at that area. It was not a major annoyance for me as it would be fine for several months (6+ I reckon). Maybe you can try using it without a screen protector and invest some money on Apple care.

PS: This issue does not deserve a thread of it's own.

[PetrolHead2272]

Originally Posted by dragonfire

PS: This issue does not deserve a thread of it's own.

The purpose of this thread was for me to get inputs on warranty claim, etc.

PS: Leave it to the mods to decide which topic deserves a thread and which doesn't.

[Brumby]

Sometimes a phone case can be a culprit. A tight fitting phone case can cause microscopic bends on the body of the phone which will lead to screen protector developing bubbles.

You can try installing the screen protector and going without the phone case for 2 to 3 days. This allows the screen protector to form a good bond with the screen. If this does not help try using a different phone case.

Cheers.

[Vikash Kumawat]

Originally Posted by PetrolHead2272

Would the fact that I bought this phone from amazon give Apple an excuse not to fix or replace it??

It doesn't matter where from you have bought the phone, Apple will give you 1 year warranty, infact Apple gives Global Warranty unlike other brands, you can make your iphone repair or replace from any country.

You can check the warranty status in settings.

Visit the nearest Apple Authorized service center, atleast let them check and see what they have to say on this, and write a Mail and call Apple customer care, find email and phone number on Apple India website.

[sarathlal]

Originally Posted by PetrolHead2272

What do I do now?

The best way out is to use the phone without screen protector. As other members pointed out, these phones don't need screen protectors unless and until the usage is in contact dusty environment.

Would the fact that I bought this phone from amazon give Apple an excuse not to fix or replace it??

No. Apple warranty is very easy.
Walk into an authorised service centre and they will give you a solution. This particular case looks little tough to prove though.

[charanreddy]

A bit of friendly advice.


Apple repairs are very costly. Though its service centres are generally good, they take your phone away for a week atleast as they ship the phone to a central location for repair and back.

Apple care in India is expensive too. Apart from the upfront payment there is a charge of about INR 7K for each instance you claim apple care ( this charge is not present for phones on US / EU apple care contracts , tried it on my 13 pro max multiple times).

I see that you have already spend close to INR 2K - 3K on screen protectors, Which is almost 10% of your phone price.

My advice is to use the phone for a few years with out the screen protector as long as it works well. May be exchange it for a newer model in about 2-3 years. Any phone loses value very fast in about 3 yrs time and it doesn’t make sense to keep repairing.

Alternatively if you can get apple to admit to a manufacturing defect (unlikely as everything seems to work) and get them to replace your screen, that should work as well. Also there are decent phone technicians who replace apple screens at about half the price of authorised service centres. But these options will cost you about 7K - 10K. I paid close to 22K for my iPhone 13 Pro Max earlier in the year post my 2 year apple care expired as screen was not functioning. An iPhone 13 should cost much lesser.