I'll admit I'm not an Apple fan, but even I expected the iPhone 4 to feel a lot better in hand the first time I used one. I was very disappointed with how it felt, compared to my aluminum HTC Legend. It definitely felt like glass in hand, and in a bad way - like I was afraid that if I dropped it it would shatter in multiple pieces. And I guess I wasn't that far from the truth, considering how easily they cracked.
As for iPhone 5, Apple is being very misleading. Yes, it's "normal" for the scuffs to happen - if you're making a painted aluminum phone from 2005, like those LG or Nokia ones from years ago that lost their paint after 3 months of usage.
But I would've expected a lot better from Apple. It's obvious Apple is inexperienced with colored aluminum, and they weren't even aware of this issue, because HTC can already make dark aluminum handsets, and they don't scuff:
I got my MacBook Air replaced for free, literally because it shipped with a scratch on the cover one dot in size. Reading this response makes me put that experience into question.
Then again, they seemed unapologetic when the original iPod Nano got dinged like crazy. But still, that some people receive phones that ship with scratches is ridiculous.
In spite of the bold claims made by HTC about the micro-arc oxidation (MAO) process used on the One S making the phone almost immune to dents and scratches, reality (as it, too often, tends to do) begs to disagree.
They actually changed the coating of the phone for the US launch- mine is a much lighter grey, and has a smoother texture. Also has no scratches, but that's just anecdotal evidence.
As for iPhone 5, Apple is being very misleading. Yes, it's "normal" for the scuffs to happen - if you're making a painted aluminum phone from 2005, like those LG or Nokia ones from years ago that lost their paint after 3 months of usage.
But I would've expected a lot better from Apple. It's obvious Apple is inexperienced with colored aluminum, and they weren't even aware of this issue, because HTC can already make dark aluminum handsets, and they don't scuff:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPZ7y1EDKvk