iPhone 13 Gap Between Screen & Frame (Manufacturing Flaw?)
Does your iPhone 13 come with a ‘small’ gap between screen and frame? It usually becomes more noticeable when dust builds up in the gasp! Are you worried that you might have purchased a brand new iPhone with a serious manufacturing flaw that could affect water resistance?
iPhone 13 Gap Between Screen And Frame
This ‘issue’ has been recently reported on Reddit and the topic has received a lot of replies in a short amount of time, signaling that we’re dealing with a widespread occurrence.
However, many users confirm that they’re noticing similar openings on older models too like the iPhone 12, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max. In fact, I’ve found a similar thread over here, with the main conclusion that a small gap is normal!
“I believe small gaps are actually by design. As the phone flexes and potentially expands and contracts with heat exchanges, you don’t want a 100% snug fit that allows no movement in glass or metal.”
On the other side of the coin, there are users that claim that their devices are perfectly tight all the way around the frame!
iPhone 13 Screen Gap A Manufacturing Flaw?
So, is this a manufacturing problem? If the opening isn’t big enough for you to fit a coin, your device should be safe!
A seal usually ensures the IP68 water resistance rating, even though there is a small space between the frame and glass!
In fact, the opening might actually help your iPhone to adapt in different climate conditions. The gap might appear bigger if you store your device in a colder environment, while it might become almost invisible in hot conditions when the device can expand a bit.
Should I Ask For A Device Replacement?
If it annoys you to that point you can go and have it checked out by an Apple support staff. If he finds it within parameters just make sure to double-check that water resistance isn’t affected.
Don’t hesitate to share your findings with us!
Is your iPhone 13 or iPhone 13 Pro also having a gap between screen and frame at the top or bottom edge of the display? Have you also noticed the same in older models? Do you plan to do something about? Use the comments section and share your feedback!
Related: Other day one iPhone 13 issues are:
– CarPlay crashing for iPhone 13 & 13 Pro in iOS 15!
– Device overheating when locked!
– Tape to wake not working as well as other iOS 15 touch screen issues.
Received my iPhone 13 Pro Max yesterday and had the same thing.
Thanks for reporting. Is the gap at the top or at the bottom of the screen? What do you intend to do? Do you plan to ask for a replacement or are you intending to live with it?
Same thing here. Every iPhone I’ve ever had before my 13 pro max was air tight edge to edge, but this one has the gap. I’m going to take it to my local apple store and see what they have to say.
Thanks for confirming. Waiting for your follow up. We’re also curious what Apple has to say about it.
Please let me know what Apple says.
I bought it through a 3rd party, I am returning it and getting a replacement in the next two days. The iPhones on display did not have it, so it can’t be normal. All my previous iPhones were perfect! If my replacement has the same gap, I will probably just leave it… must be a large production problem…
P.S.: I forgot to mention. It is at the top of the screen just above the ear piece. Just like the photo posted in the article.
Thanks for the follow up. Please keep us updated and let us know how the replacement looks like.
Just received my replacement today. It’s perfect, day and night difference. So happy I chose to return it.
Thanks for the follow up and for the valuable info. Enjoy your new device!
I have the same problem. I was about to put the screen protector on the screen and when I was cleaning the screen I noticed there was a gap between screen and frame. It is only on the left side of my iPhone 13 pro starting from the bottom part where the left speaker position and it goes up to near the volume down button. I think it is a huge gap. I chatted with apple and they said there should not be any gap and asked me to take the iPhone to the apple store near my location. I did and the assistant there saw the gap and I explained it and showed them. It looks like they were shocked but they did not want to lose themselves and asked me so now what are my concerns. I said that the water resistance of the phone may be compromised. They told me this gap has nothing to do with the water resistance because there is a sealing under the gap that keeps the iPhone water resistant but when you pay more that 1000 bucks for a high end phone at least you expect to have a phone with nothing like this. I double checked the other phones there for display and even the iPhone pro of one of those guys there. They weren’t that bad as mine. I mean lots of them were tight and if there was a gap it was like just a small gap but not from bottom through near volume buttons. I also checked a 13 pro max was attached to a TV to show the gaming capabilities of iPhone. It was completely tight. They told me they do not have any iPhone 13 pro right now in store and i can talk with apple and request for replacement. They put some notes on my account that I will be able to chat with Apple more conveniently and explain the problem.
Thanks for the detailed feedback Alex. Would appreciate if you can send us a photo of this gap at: contact@iphonetricks.org
Also please keep us updated about how this ends. From what you’ve explained I think that you should go for a replacement unit, when available. Good luck!
Noticed a gap on my 13 Pro Max between the earpiece & frame where I could see the internals. Took it to Apple & they said it’s not supposed to look like that & to get a screen replacement. Got the replacement & ended up with a BIGGER GAP that stretched across the entire top of the phone to the point that I could slide paper INSIDE the phone. So not only did the original problem not get solved but it was made worse. When I pointed this out to them they took it in back to get a “closer look.” After 10 minutes they came back out & their entire demeanor changed. Suddenly the gap was normal & there was nothing they could do because there was “nothing wrong.” So I went to the display units & asked why they didn’t have the gap if it were normal? Seems they didn’t have an answer. At this point they acknowledged the problem, made it worse, changed tactics & were now saying it was normal. I was extremely frustrated & said I just please want to fix the gap. I don’t want a new phone or a new screen just fix this & they refused saying & I quote “Apple is an eco-friendly company now so repairing your device again when there’s nothing wrong would be a waste of material.” I asked for the store contact info, said I’d file a claim with the Better Business Bureau & left. I’ve never felt so humiliated. They said it was an issue & that it was NOT normal but when they made it worse they gaslit me saying it was normal. I’ll also be filing a suit in small claims court for the price of the iPhone. It’s unacceptable.
That’s terrible. The frame of your iPhone 13 Pro might have shipped with a slight deformation (manufacturing flaw) which got worse when they swapped the screen. By the looks of, it they should have provided a replacement unit. How long did you use the device before reporting the problem? Did you by chance drop the device or ‘shocked’ it in any way?
P.S.: Can you send us a photo with the gap to contact@iphonetricks.org ?
I have the same gap above earpiece on my brand new iPhone 14 Pro. Unbelievable!
Thanks for reporting Amber. That’s crazy indeed. Would have expected them to sort this out for the new flagships. We’ve dedicated a new article about it over here: https://www.iphonetricks.org/iphone-14-gap-between-frame-and-screen/