Titanium Apple Card shows signs of wear after only a month

With its elegant white finish, deep etchings and flush surfaces, Apple's titanium Apple Card is quite remarkable. The durability of the card is now questioning, as early customers report significant signs of wear after only a month.

Apple initially suggested that the white finish of physical specimens of Apple Card – obtained through a "multilayer coating process" – is likely to be scratched, damaged, and discolored in a Support Pages document published this week.

On Tuesday, the company released an explanatory describing the proper methods of cleaning and maintaining the credit card, noting that users should carefully wipe its surface with a soft, slightly damp, non-moist microfiber cloth. Users whose cards are particularly dirty may try to wipe them off (gently!) With a cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol.

Needless to say, such steps are generally not provided by card issuers, including those using titanium versions.

Additional precautionary notes emphasize that fabrics such as leather and denim can permanently discolor the matte white finish of the card. The coating may also be damaged if it comes into contact with hard surfaces or materials such as keys.

After the support document was released, users of the Apple Card Preview program began sharing their experiences online.

AppleInsider The Zed reader shared pictures of his card, which would have been kept in a leather wallet and used for about two months. In one tweet, the first adopter and former Apple employee, said the white finish of the card was starting to "peel off" from its titanium base, leaving a former virgin surface disfigured with dark marks.

One person, who has been using the Apple card on a daily basis since the beginning of June, said his copy showed signs of erosion after about a month. The white part of the card started to wear on the edges and above the magnetic strip after being stowed in a leather wallet next to other cards, a practice that, according to Apple, is a no-no.

For the moment, the superficial problem seems to be that, since users with cosmetically damaged cards do not report any difficulty in making transactions at point-of-sale terminals. It remains to be seen whether the apparent alteration will one day cause operational problems, particularly in sensitive areas such as the magnetic strip.

Nevertheless, photos and testimonials serve as a warning to those who want to keep their brand new Apple product in perfect condition.

Apple opened Apple Card applications for US customers on Tuesday. A wide availability came after a month of internal testing and a public "preview" period of several weeks during which the company allowed access to the service to random users.

Apple's credit card solution offers extensive integration with Apple Pay, with a focus on contactless transactions based on NFC technology and a high degree of confidence in the Wallet app. With an ecosystem entirely based on the iPhone, customers are invited to make digital purchases and physical stores that support Apple Pay. As such, the Apple Titanium card can be seen more as a concession than a tent option, an option deemed necessary because Apple is expanding its network of participating retailers.