3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing

dogheadboy · Jul 18, 2008, 02:04 AM

Hi All,

Read a few posts about cracks already start to appear on the edge of the housing. The phone is only a week old (obviously) and was not dropped or pressed. Is it common?

oftheheavens · Jul 18, 2008, 02:09 AM

that sucks bro...i have heard about it, mainly in the white though.

jecapaga · Jul 18, 2008, 02:10 AM

Too early to tell how common it is. Take it back and get it replaced.

dogheadboy · Jul 18, 2008, 03:11 AM

The phone is not mine. I order a white one, and suppose to it pick up on Monday.

NOW I'M NOT SO SURE.

As for the color. I think dirt in the crack make it easiler to be seen if it is white. So it could be as well happening for black too.

TimothyB · Jul 18, 2008, 03:21 AM

I recall someone spotting cracks on their white iPhone the moment he took it out of the box at home. When he went back to the store they accused him of dropping it and wouldn't exchange it or something.

liltechdude · Jul 18, 2008, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimothyB

I recall someone spotting cracks on their white iPhone the moment he took it out of the box at home. When he went back to the store they accused him of dropping it and wouldn't exchange it or something.

Thankfully I haven't gotten my phone yet. I was planning on getting the white one and I wouldn't have even thought of looking for stuff like that when actually buying the phone in store. When I do get it (most likely this weekend), I am going to make sure there isn't any of that **** on it. Thanks for the heads up guys!

Chris Bangle · Jul 18, 2008, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogheadboy

As for the color. I think dirt in the crack make it easiler to be seen if it is white. So it could be as well happening for black too.

i was thinking the same thing

cyberone · Jul 18, 2008, 05:43 AM

Looks like a classical dropper to me, but who am I to tell ...

Andrew K. · 11:59 AM

hmmm I heard of a black one cracking when they put the headphone jack in but not on the white. Did you use a different jack? Don't worry Apple will understand if it gets worse and they will replace it

just wait next month til everyone gets there phones

Also If you have Twitter I think the twitter Bird is trying to get out because it looks like an eggshell crack

Oh no I just didn't!!! Waa Wa Waaaaa!

jsgreen · Jul 18, 2008, 02:52 PM

My white iPhone has cracks too - never dropped it, looks a lot like the OP's photos.

ben5959 · Jul 18, 2008, 03:12 PM

guys i have the exact same problem, I have never dropped it either. my crack is near the silent switch, im going to try and take it back tomorrow.

wonderbread57 · Jul 18, 2008, 03:18 PM

Is it just me or does the right pic look like the chrome has a dent in it right near the crack? Kinda seems dropped or something.

marksman · Jul 18, 2008, 03:20 PM

They always said Black Don't Crack!

Anyways, I think people should not put their iphones in their back pockets and sit on them.

electrobix · Jul 18, 2008, 04:40 PM

Mine has the exact same thing, crack between the headphone and silent swtich, going to return it tomorrow, it's only a day old!

instig8r · Jul 18, 2008, 07:50 PM

Cracks in my white one, too, and I did NOT drop it or sit on it. Apple had better resolve this quickly or it could get ugly. BTW, the white is BY FAR the nicest looking iPhone yet. But those cracks really show up bad, especially because the finish is so-far totally unscratched and as smooth as glass. (What looks like abrasions in the attached photo are actually just fingerprint smudges.)

brewno · Jul 18, 2008, 07:53 PM

I just noticed it today, with this thread. My white one has a barely noticeble crack on the bottom. Never dropped - damn, never even went out with it, I'm still waiting for the damn invisible shield to come.

instig8r · Jul 18, 2008, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewno

I just noticed it today, with this thread. My white one has a barely noticeble crack on the bottom. Never dropped - damn, never even went out with it, I'm still waiting for the damn invisible shield to come.

Pretty sure any plastic laminate won't keep these from cracking, and from what I gather about the material Apple is using in the backs of the 3G, it won't be needed to stop scratches either. I have had mine since 8:15 AM on the 11th and there is still not one scratch on the "plastic" back. I suspect it is NOT plastic. Various rumors around the 'net point to a ceramic and crystal coating material combination that is transparent to radio waves yet REALLY hard. I can see fine scratches in the metal Apple logo, but NONE on the white part.

Looks like what it needs is a china cabinet, though. Belt clips and hip pockets need not apply.

Van Wildonher · Jul 18, 2008, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by instig8r

I suspect it is NOT plastic. Various rumors around the 'net point to a ceramic and crystal coating material combination that is transparent to radio waves yet REALLY hard.

Pretty sure that they even said the back is plastic during the keynote about it.

instig8r · Jul 18, 2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Van Wildonher

Pretty sure that they even said the back is plastic during the keynote about it.

You're right but maybe plastic in the generic sense. You've got to see this thing. Obviously you haven't been carrying one of these around for a week: NO scratches. That back (or at least the coating) is NOT plastic. Other evidence:

1. There was an Apple patent that was published a while back that WAS for a radio-transparent ceramic material for hand-held devices. You can look up the patent here: <http://appft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsearch-bool.html&r=1&f=G&l=50&co1=AND&d=PG01&s1=20060268528.PGNR.&OS=DN/20060268528RS=DN/20060268528>

2. The guy who blends everything on YouTube could not get the back to blend:
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLxq90xmYUs> Notice the shot about 1:45 in.

It may not be crack-proof, but it IS some unique kind of material.

albeli · Jul 18, 2008, 08:48 PM

Uh, mine has a few minor scratches from that infernally tight Sena case. It does scratch. It's plastic. Plastic scratches.

wonderbread57 · Jul 18, 2008, 08:50 PM

No doubt it scratches. It's not like the glass touch screen which won't scratch even with a razor. The back is a different story. I saw tons of scratches on the floor models' backsides. Don't put it in the same pocket as keys change or anything else metal or harder than plastic lol.

iPhone Pro will be made of titanium

reboad · Jul 18, 2008, 09:33 PM

I'm glad my white iphone doesn't have any cracks, but it does already have some scratches since I don't have a case for it, and will not have any either. My mind is at peace with scratches.

Although, with the white you have to look for the scratches, not that easy to spot.

protekt0r · 11:59 AM

Yeah I noticed the crack in mine about 4-5 days ago. I most certainly did NOT drop the phone... the crack pretty much appeared out of nowhere. I believe the crack is beneath the glossy coating on the plastic because I can't feel it. Here's a pic.

instig8r · Jul 18, 2008, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wonderbread57

iPhone Pro will be made of titanium

Then it WILL crack, just like the TiBooks. ::-)

knome · Jul 18, 2008, 11:01 PM

Anyway to see if there is a crack on the black version?

Jul 18, 2008, 02:04 AM	#1
dogheadboy macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2008	3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing Hi All, Read a few posts about cracks already start to appear on the edge of the housing. The phone is only a week old (obviously) and was not dropped or pressed. Is it common? Attached Thumbnails

Jul 18, 2008, 07:05 AM	#9
Andrew K. macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2008	hmmm I heard of a black one cracking when they put the headphone jack in but not on the white. Did you use a different jack? Don't worry Apple will understand if it gets worse and they will replace it just wait next month til everyone gets there phones Also If you have Twitter I think the twitter Bird is trying to get out because it looks like an eggshell crack Oh no I just didn't!!! Waa Wa Waaaaa! Last edited by Doctor Q : Aug 4, 2009 at 11:59 AM. Reason: post merge

Jul 18, 2008, 07:50 PM	#15
instig8r macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2008	Me too Cracks in my white one, too, and I did NOT drop it or sit on it. Apple had better resolve this quickly or it could get ugly. BTW, the white is BY FAR the nicest looking iPhone yet. But those cracks really show up bad, especially because the finish is so-far totally unscratched and as smooth as glass. (What looks like abrasions in the attached photo are actually just fingerprint smudges.) Attached Thumbnails

Jul 18, 2008, 07:53 PM	#16
brewno macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada	I just noticed it today, with this thread. My white one has a barely noticeble crack on the bottom. Never dropped - damn, never even went out with it, I'm still waiting for the damn invisible shield to come. __________________ Blog - Flickr White iPhone 16Gb \| MBP 15" Matte 2.2 \| iMac 24" 2.8 \| 10.6 \| Video iPod 60Gb \| iPod HiFi \| Canon XSi

Jul 18, 2008, 08:48 PM	#20
albeli macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Here	Uh, mine has a few minor scratches from that infernally tight Sena case. It does scratch. It's plastic. Plastic scratches. __________________ iPhone 3G

Jul 18, 2008, 02:09 AM	#2
oftheheavens macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Japan	that sucks bro...i have heard about it, mainly in the white though.

Jul 18, 2008, 02:10 AM	#3
jecapaga macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Southern California	Too early to tell how common it is. Take it back and get it replaced.

Jul 18, 2008, 03:11 AM	#4
dogheadboy Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Jun 2008	The phone is not mine. I order a white one, and suppose to it pick up on Monday. NOW I'M NOT SO SURE. As for the color. I think dirt in the crack make it easiler to be seen if it is white. So it could be as well happening for black too.

Jul 18, 2008, 03:21 AM	#5
TimothyB macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jun 2008	I recall someone spotting cracks on their white iPhone the moment he took it out of the box at home. When he went back to the store they accused him of dropping it and wouldn't exchange it or something.

Jul 18, 2008, 05:43 AM	#8
cyberone macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2005	Looks like a classical dropper to me, but who am I to tell ...

Jul 18, 2008, 02:52 PM	#10
jsgreen macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: NH	My white iPhone has cracks too - never dropped it, looks a lot like the OP's photos.

Jul 18, 2008, 03:12 PM	#11
ben5959 macrumors regular Join Date: Aug 2007	guys i have the exact same problem, I have never dropped it either. my crack is near the silent switch, im going to try and take it back tomorrow.

Jul 18, 2008, 03:18 PM	#12
wonderbread57 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2008	Is it just me or does the right pic look like the chrome has a dent in it right near the crack? Kinda seems dropped or something.

Jul 18, 2008, 03:20 PM	#13
marksman macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jun 2007	They always said Black Don't Crack! Anyways, I think people should not put their iphones in their back pockets and sit on them.

Jul 18, 2008, 04:40 PM	#14
electrobix macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Brighton, UK	Mine has the exact same thing, crack between the headphone and silent swtich, going to return it tomorrow, it's only a day old!

Jul 18, 2008, 08:50 PM	#21
wonderbread57 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2008	No doubt it scratches. It's not like the glass touch screen which won't scratch even with a razor. The back is a different story. I saw tons of scratches on the floor models' backsides. Don't put it in the same pocket as keys change or anything else metal or harder than plastic lol. iPhone Pro will be made of titanium

Jul 18, 2008, 09:33 PM	#22
reboad macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Finland	I'm glad my white iphone doesn't have any cracks, but it does already have some scratches since I don't have a case for it, and will not have any either. My mind is at peace with scratches. Although, with the white you have to look for the scratches, not that easy to spot. __________________ 24" Apple iMac C2D 2.4GHz, White iPhone 3G.

Jul 18, 2008, 09:46 PM	#23
protekt0r macrumors regular Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Albuquerque, NM	Yeah I noticed the crack in mine about 4-5 days ago. I most certainly did NOT drop the phone... the crack pretty much appeared out of nowhere. I believe the crack is beneath the glossy coating on the plastic because I can't feel it. Here's a pic. Last edited by Doctor Q : Aug 4, 2009 at 11:59 AM. Reason: changed oversized image from IMG to TIMG

Jul 18, 2008, 11:01 PM	#25
knome macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2006	Anyway to see if there is a crack on the black version?