Will Apple replace my phone?

obom · May 11, 2011

Hey guys, I went into the Apple shop today and looked at the new white iPhone 4 While looking at the phone I realised the camera was A LOT better than mine.

After 10 seconds of investigation I realised that the housing (camera lens) on my phone was heavily scratched even though the rest of the phone has no scratches at all.

I look after my phone very well, never drooped it, so I was rather surprised to find so many scratches on my phone.

I came to the conclusion that the reason why its scratched is that the camera housing slightly elevated from the back of the phone so every time I place my phone on the table or something like that the lens get scratched.

So the question is the phone is under the warranty will it be replaced free of charge or if not how much will it cost?

Bellow are a few images of the damage

Picture of the phone, not embedded as it made the page massive :0
http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/1343/p5110028.jpg

Small White Car · May 11, 2011

It looks like the lens on the camera is raised up higher than the back of the phone. Is that really the case?

If so, point that out to the Apple tech and tell him it's a menufacturing default. There was another thread about lens scratches and one or two other people had that issue but no one else did.

It's not how it's supposed to be and if you can honestly show that the lens protrudes then you have a real complaint.

iAmYou · May 11, 2011

There is no need to replace the whole phone just the back.
At most if not a manufacturing defect it's $29

King Julian · May 11, 2011

The scratches do look bad, how old is the phone by the way

obom · May 11, 2011

iAmYou said:
They ended to replace the whole phone just the back.
At most if not a manufacturing defect it's $29

Thats good wouldn't want the whole phone replaced
I am in the UK so I guess that's around £20 - £25
The price is a bit steep but the again its :apple:

King Julian said:
The scratches do look bad, how old is the phone by the way

I am a proud release date owner (;

obom · May 11, 2011

Small White Car said:
It looks like the lens on the camera is raised up higher than the back of the phone. Is that really the case?

If so, point that out to the Apple tech and tell him it's a menufacturing default. There was another thread about lens scratches and one or two other people had that issue but no one else did.

It's not how it's supposed to be and if you can honestly show that the lens protrudes then you have a real complaint.

Thanks for the tip, I shall point that out to the Genius.
Made an appointment for tomorrow, hope I don't have to pay.

awadeee · May 11, 2011

They'll probably rule it off as user damage and not give you a new one.

vincenz · May 11, 2011

They probably will replace it for free once you tell them how it's slightly raised. You're better off getting just the back replaced and not the entire phone because of the yellow screen of death problem with the replacements apparently.

MattZani · May 11, 2011

They'll just replace the back, seem to do it basically free

italeki · May 11, 2011

Aren't all 4s slightly raised at the lens? My new white one is. Can others here confirm theirs?

TheE3Guy · May 11, 2011

How can you own an iPhone 4 and not have a case for it? Sounds more like arrogant ownership to me.

87am · May 11, 2011

TheE3Guy said:
How can you own an iPhone 4 and not have a case for it? Sounds more like arrogant ownership to me.

I think its arrogant to imply that you must have a case.

Goldinboy17 · May 11, 2011

87am said:
I think its arrogant to imply that you must have a case.

I agree. Many individuals simply like the look of the "naked" phone, especially the antenna band. I used a simple spectra wrap for about six months

obom said:
I look after my phone very well, never drooped it, so I was rather surprised to find so many scratches on my phone.

I came to the conclusion that the reason why its scratched is that the camera housing slightly elevated from the back of the phone so every time I place my phone on the table or something like that the lens get scratched.

So the question is the phone is under the warranty will it be replaced free of charge or if not how much will it cost?

I expect that the Genius would replace your phone free of charge. Simply explain why you believe so and I'm sure they'll agree with you.

bowlerman625 · May 11, 2011

it looks like damage from use. I doubt they replace it.

Givmeabrek · May 11, 2011

I can't believe that people would place it flat on it's back with no protection at all. Just don't get it.

TheE3Guy · May 11, 2011

87am said:
I think its arrogant to imply that you must have a case.

I think it's arrogant for OP to think it should be replaced. It's not a "design flaw" in the phone, it's called normal wear and tear. If people like the look of the phone without a case then great, deal with the damage being done to your phone, that's the trade off for being negligent and not having a case. Why do you think they make devices to protect your phone? If every Joe Schmo who got a scratch on their phone could get it replaced for free nobody would buy a case.

MotleyGrrl · May 11, 2011

There is something definitely wrong with the way that lens is placed. I have had mine since day 1. The most protective case I have used is a bumper - and I carry the phone every day in my purse that's fully loaded with keys and pens - I do not have one scratch on my camera lens. I actually don't even have a scratch on my phone period. I see no reason why this shouldn't be replaced.

PaulyD · May 12, 2011

I think most people are missing the point that the lens itself is raised higher than the back so this is why its getting scratched and the back is not

On my iPhone 4 the camera is slightly recessed so it doesn't do this.

I feel Apple should replace it for him due to this as its not how it should have been manufactured.

Worst case is buying a new back for it

obom · May 12, 2011

TheE3Guy said:
I think it's arrogant for OP to think it should be replaced. It's not a "design flaw" in the phone, it's called normal wear and tear. If people like the look of the phone without a case then great, deal with the damage being done to your phone, that's the trade off for being negligent and not having a case. Why do you think they make devices to protect your phone? If every Joe Schmo who got a scratch on their phone could get it replaced for free nobody would buy a case.

If you look at my original post I never stated that iPhone 4s had a design flaw.
All I said is that the camera housing on mine seemed to be slightly raised unlike other iPhone 4s.
I never said Apple should replace it, the whole point of this thread was asking the community on their views on my issue, in which you did nothing to contribute to.
I don't have a case as I like the design of the iPhone and I like it how it looks without a case and I don't mind a few scratches here and there.
I just decided to take it back to the Apple shop as its the closest certified place that fixes iPhones in my area and the cosmetic damage was effecting the hardware.
Dont go calling people that don't have cases negligent as for one its not very civilised.
Believe it or not some people that own iPhone 4s are in a fortunate position to afford to pay for the damage on the worst case scenario.

obom · May 12, 2011

Thanks for the advice everyone
Went to the Apple Store today and the Genius agreed with me that the camera lens was sticking out a bit.
He replaced free of charge

mtnDewFTW · May 12, 2011

I think theres about 50/50 chance that they'll replace it. It kinda depends on who you get to assist you at the Apple store. If you get a nice, chill, genius then most likely they'll fix it, but if you get some prick, they probably wont. Only one way to find out

But luckily for you, most Apple reps are super nice, so chances are they will replace the lens for you

Hans Brix · May 12, 2011

My lens is very scratched, too. But so is the back glass.

I think I'll but the $29 back plate from iFixit.

vincenz · May 12, 2011

obom said:
Thanks for the advice everyone
Went to the Apple Store today and the Genius agreed with me that the camera lens was sticking out a bit.
He replaced free of charge

Good to hear. Did he replace the back or the entire thing?

iKnowMr.Jobs · May 12, 2011

The lens on my 4 is slightly recessed as well. When did you get yours? I ordered mine in mid July and got it early August(they were still the bee's knees) so maybe they is a difference in manufacturing.

obom · May 13, 2011

vincenz said:
Good to hear. Did he replace the back or the entire thing?

He only replaced the back of it, I have no scratches on the front so the phone looks as good as new.

iKnowMr.Jobs said:
The lens on my 4 is slightly recessed as well. When did you get yours? I ordered mine in mid July and got it early August(they were still the bee's knees) so maybe they is a difference in manufacturing.

My one is a pretty old one as I got when it was released.

Will Apple replace my phone?

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