It was late 2012. Phil Schiller stood on stage, and the world finally saw it. The iPhone 5. It was taller, thinner, and—most importantly—it was metallic. After years of glass sandwiches with the 4 and 4S, Apple went back to its roots. But the colors for iPhone 5 weren't just about aesthetics; they represented a massive engineering headache that Apple eventually had to abandon just a year later.
Honestly, if you look at the phone today, it’s a relic. But it’s a beautiful one. It was the last "pure" vision of Steve Jobs, reportedly, and the color choices reflected that serious, industrial vibe. You didn't get "Midnight" or "Starlight." You got two choices. Black & Slate. White & Silver. That was it.
The "Scuffgate" Drama of Black & Slate
The Black & Slate model was arguably the most handsome phone Apple ever made. It featured a deep, dark grey anodized aluminum back with glassy black "windows" at the top and bottom for the antennas. It looked stealthy. It looked like something a Bond villain would carry. But there was a problem.
Aluminum is naturally silver. To get that "Slate" look, Apple had to use an anodization process that essentially dyed the surface. It was thin. Really thin. Within weeks—sometimes days—users noticed the edges of their brand-new $649 phones were chipping. The silver aluminum underneath peeked through like a sore thumb. People called it "Scuffgate."
It became such a PR nightmare that Apple's SVP of Marketing, Phil Schiller, allegedly responded to a customer email saying that aluminum products "may chip or scratch with use, revealing its natural silver color," and that this was "normal."
Imagine paying a premium for a luxury device only to be told that the paint falling off is "normal." This is exactly why the colors for iPhone 5 are so fascinating in retrospect. Apple was pushing the limits of materials science and, frankly, they overreached. By the time the iPhone 5s rolled around in 2013, "Slate" was dead. It was replaced by "Space Gray," a much lighter shade that hid scratches far better because the contrast between the dye and the raw metal was less jarring.
Why White & Silver Won the Longevity War
While the Black & Slate model was shedding its skin, the White & Silver iPhone 5 was thriving. It didn't have the "Scuffgate" issue. Why? Because the back was raw, clear-coated aluminum. If you scratched it, you just saw... more silver. It was practical.
The white glass panels on the front and back gave it a clinical, clean look that matched the new "flat" aesthetic Jony Ive was cooking up for iOS 7. It’s funny how the colors for iPhone 5 predicted the software shift. The hardware was getting lighter, both in weight and in tone.
The Two-Tone Problem
If you look closely at an iPhone 5, you'll see those glass strips. They weren't just for decoration. Metal blocks radio waves. Apple needed those windows so your LTE and Wi-Fi could actually work.
In the White & Silver model, these strips were a ceramic glass that stayed remarkably white over time. In the Black & Slate version, they were pigmented glass. This created a "three-step" visual:
💡 You might also like: How to Watch IG Lives Without Getting Caught or Missing the Best Parts
- Glass (Top)
- Aluminum (Middle)
- Glass (Bottom)
This fragmented design was polarizing. Some loved the "engine part" look. Others missed the seamless glass back of the iPhone 4. But these specific colors for iPhone 5 were dictated by the physics of the antenna, not just a designer’s whim.
Comparing the 5 to the 5c and 5s
We can’t talk about the 5 without mentioning what happened next. Apple realized people wanted more variety. In 2013, they split the line.
The iPhone 5c went "unapologetically plastic" with neon greens, blues, and yellows. It was a complete 180-degree turn from the somber tones of the iPhone 5. Meanwhile, the 5s introduced Gold. Gold was a massive gamble. People thought it would look tacky, but it ended up becoming the most coveted color in the lineup, sparking a decade-long trend of "Champagne" electronics.
The original iPhone 5 sat in the middle of this transition. It was the last time Apple tried to be "serious" with just two professional tones before the "lifestyle" era of the 5c and the "luxury" era of the 5s took over.
🔗 Read more: Why Above and Beyond Space Still Matters for the Future of Satellite Tech
The Rarity of a "Mint" Black & Slate
If you go on eBay today to find an iPhone 5, you’ll notice something. Finding a Black & Slate model without "nicks" on the chamfered edges is like finding a unicorn. Collectors actually pay a premium for "pristine" Slate units because they are so fragile.
The colors for iPhone 5 weren't just a choice; they were a moment in time where Apple prioritized form over durability. They learned their lesson, though. Every iPhone since has used a more robust finishing process or lighter base metals to ensure that "normal wear and tear" doesn't make the phone look like it went through a blender.
Technical Breakdown of the Finish
- Process: Type II Anodization.
- Layer Thickness: Measured in microns (extremely thin).
- Edge Design: Diamond-cut chamfered edges (the "danger zone" for chips).
- Material: 6000-series aluminum (which was later upgraded to 7000-series on the 6s to prevent bending).
It’s easy to forget how much of a leap the iPhone 5 was. It was the first 4-inch iPhone. It was the first with the Lightning connector. It was the first with EarPods. But for most enthusiasts, it’s remembered for those two distinct finishes and the drama that followed.
What You Should Do If You Own One
Maybe you have an old iPhone 5 sitting in a drawer. Maybe you’re thinking about buying one for a collection.
First, check the edges. If it’s a Black & Slate model, don't use a harsh case. Strange as it sounds, some hard plastic cases actually trapped grit against the aluminum and caused more scratches than if the phone were naked. Use a microfiber cloth for cleaning—avoid any abrasives.
Second, appreciate the color for what it is: a historical pivot point. The colors for iPhone 5 marked the end of the "Glass Era" and the beginning of the "Aluminum Era" that defined Apple for nearly a decade until the iPhone X brought glass back to the front and center.
If you are looking to preserve the value of a Slate model, keep it out of the sun. The anodization can occasionally fade or "purple" slightly under heavy UV exposure over many years, though this is rarer than the chipping issue.
👉 See also: Snapchat Bots That Send Pics: Why the Reality Is Stranger Than You Think
The iPhone 5 remains a masterclass in industrial design, even if the "Slate" finish was a bit of a literal flake. It was the moment Apple decided that phones should feel like jewelry, even if that jewelry was a little bit delicate.
Practical Steps for Collectors:
- Identify the Model: Check the back for model A1428 or A1429 to ensure it's an original 5 and not a 5s.
- Verify the Finish: Look for the "Slate" vs "Space Gray" difference. Slate is significantly darker, almost blue-black.
- Inspect the Chamfers: Use a magnifying glass on the angled edges. If there are no silver specks, you have a museum-quality piece.
- Battery Care: These units are old. If the screen is "lifting," the battery is swelling. Get it out of your house or get it replaced immediately; it can crush the internal components and ruin that rare color finish from the inside out.