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Stainless steel replacement backing for iPhone 4?
- Thread starter gnguyen
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Well I'll take a bullet for you. I placed an order for one of these, http://cnn.cn/shop/apple-iphone-beveled-back-cover-blacksilver-metal-insert-p-10351.html and I'll get back with a review. Happy? =D
I bought the bevel and flat version from cnn.cn on the 20th Oct. They haven't been shipped yet as I read from an article these items are backordered. I've sent an email to the owner. So hold off in the meantime guys.
Same here I ordered mine the 18th and was told on the 27th that the ordered had been back ordered and that my order could be sent the next day. Next still nothing so I emailed to see what happen, but no reply. So I canceled the order haven't received an refund yet. I just think they didn't expect the response they initially received. I'll order one later.
I ordered this one off ebay (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180580595780&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT).
I wanted essentially the exact same looking back as the standard issue glass, but in metal form so I can either use no case at all or one of my Element Vapor cases (and no the Vapor does not effect my reception unlike others).
A dollar more total price but that included shipping. I bought it yesterday and already have it marked as shipped. Should at my house sometime next week.
that one looks pretty nice. Please post a review or pics when you receive it. Thanks.
Update: good news guys. Received an email from cnn.cn that my order has just been shipped! I will update with photos once I received both the beveled and flat metal plates.
I just installed my stainless steel back, and I must say I am very surprised at the quality. Even fit and finish, as well as no flash issues or odd video quality.
My back was purchased in Shenzhen 3 days ago, and yes there are many levels of "quality;" indeed there are some really cheap quality backs.
Will post pics when I get home.
Truly this and a bumper make for one of the best "case" solutions.
Edit: some quick pics. disregard dirt on cloth. I will resize if someone complains.
My back was purchased in Shenzhen 3 days ago, and yes there are many levels of "quality;" indeed there are some really cheap quality backs.
Will post pics when I get home.
Truly this and a bumper make for one of the best "case" solutions.
Edit: some quick pics. disregard dirt on cloth. I will resize if someone complains.
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looking forward to some pics. did you order online? if so, can you please post link? thank you.
Pictures on my original post.
It was bought at the "market" in shenzhen. I was in Asia for business and luckily my knowledgeable colleague had the chance to pick one up for me.
This was not without some difficulty as every "vendor" had some tale of "black market runs" at the factory and it was OEM
Just a few notes, the back that I obtained is truly metal, inlaid in the same black "frame" that the black back has. As such it disturbs the over-all weight of the phone, and through limited use I feel it has affected signal negatively! I have the "flat" version and it is dimensionally identical to the black back.
My colleague did not pick up the "bezelled" back as he was specifically told this was not oem product and inferior. Of course we all know that this is just selling tactics etc. He did confirm it was cheaper and lower quality though there was no actual Iphone 4 on display with it.
Furthermore there are literally dozens of white kits for sale, in various quality and material (soft?).
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Pictures on my original post.
It was bought at the "market" in shenzhen. I was in Asia for business and luckily my knowledgeable colleague had the chance to pick one up for me.
This was not without some difficulty as every "vendor" had some tale of "black market runs" at the factory and it was OEM
Just a few notes, the back that I obtained is truly metal, inlaid in the same black "frame" that the black back has. As such it disturbs the over-all weight of the phone, and through limited use I feel it has affected signal negatively! I have the "flat" version and it is dimensionally identical to the black back.
My colleague did not pick up the "bezelled" back as he was specifically told this was not oem product and inferior. Of course we all know that this is just selling tactics etc. He did confirm it was cheaper and lower quality though there was no actual Iphone 4 on display with it.
Furthermore there are literally dozens of white kits for sale, in various quality and material (soft?).
They actually look awesome!! Can you tell us if the lens covering the camera and flash is glass or plastic? Does it reduce camera quality at all?
Looks like this is identical with a flat edge!!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Metal-Bac...ssories_RL&hash=item2a0b6a7fa2#ht_2714wt_1141
Last night I received the beveled brushed aluminum back from cnn.cn that was mentioned on Gizmodo a couple of weeks ago. I must say, it looks very nice, but has a number of problems...
It adds about 1mm to the thickness of the back. Aesthetically it doesn't hurt the phone, but most cases will not fit over it (the Apple bumper fits fine).
The next issue is also related to the added thickness but is far more problematic. As a result of adding 1mm to the thickness, the camera opening is also pushed out further. This results in the edges of the camera frame being blocked, creating a dark vignette around your photos. Additionally the flash does not include a diffuser. I had suspected that the diffuser would be missing, but I didn't really care since I don't like flash photography. However, the back obscuring the lens is unacceptable.
The last thing I want to mention is build quality. As expected, it is not built as well as the original Apple back and the tint of the metal is darker then the antenna band, but it does seem relatively solid. That said I have two concerns: First the anchors for the screws are plastic and very thin. One of them was damaged upon arrival and the other split while placing the screws. A dab of glue fixed both sides, but due to the thin plastic I fear that they could snap and the back could come loose. The other issue is with the Apple logo on the back. It appears to be a decal that may scratch off over time. None of these issues should pose much risk to the phone itself, and in many ways the back offers added protection since the original glass back can shatter if dropped.
Overall, if it wasn't for the obscured camera I would have no reservations with this being a permanent replacement.
It adds about 1mm to the thickness of the back. Aesthetically it doesn't hurt the phone, but most cases will not fit over it (the Apple bumper fits fine).
The next issue is also related to the added thickness but is far more problematic. As a result of adding 1mm to the thickness, the camera opening is also pushed out further. This results in the edges of the camera frame being blocked, creating a dark vignette around your photos. Additionally the flash does not include a diffuser. I had suspected that the diffuser would be missing, but I didn't really care since I don't like flash photography. However, the back obscuring the lens is unacceptable.
The last thing I want to mention is build quality. As expected, it is not built as well as the original Apple back and the tint of the metal is darker then the antenna band, but it does seem relatively solid. That said I have two concerns: First the anchors for the screws are plastic and very thin. One of them was damaged upon arrival and the other split while placing the screws. A dab of glue fixed both sides, but due to the thin plastic I fear that they could snap and the back could come loose. The other issue is with the Apple logo on the back. It appears to be a decal that may scratch off over time. None of these issues should pose much risk to the phone itself, and in many ways the back offers added protection since the original glass back can shatter if dropped.
Overall, if it wasn't for the obscured camera I would have no reservations with this being a permanent replacement.
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Pictures on my original post.
It was bought at the "market" in shenzhen. I was in Asia for business and luckily my knowledgeable colleague had the chance to pick one up for me.
This was not without some difficulty as every "vendor" had some tale of "black market runs" at the factory and it was OEM
Just a few notes, the back that I obtained is truly metal, inlaid in the same black "frame" that the black back has. As such it disturbs the over-all weight of the phone, and through limited use I feel it has affected signal negatively! I have the "flat" version and it is dimensionally identical to the black back.
My colleague did not pick up the "bezelled" back as he was specifically told this was not oem product and inferior. Of course we all know that this is just selling tactics etc. He did confirm it was cheaper and lower quality though there was no actual Iphone 4 on display with it.
Furthermore there are literally dozens of white kits for sale, in various quality and material (soft?).
Can you give us an update on the signal loss issue? Upon my investigation, part of the back panel is an extension of the iphone antenna system. I suspect 3rd party back panel (or cheap knockoff) does not include such a design.
You are correct that the beveled back does not include the antenna inlay. That said I do not see any difference in signal strength. Using the JB Signal app from my desk at work, I receive 104db with either backplate.
I can confirm that mine does not have the antenna inlay as well.
Furthermore to answer the questions above I cannot confirm if my lens is glass or plastic yet. Using a coin to tap it lightly it has the distinct feedback of glass however i am not concerned as picture quality does not seem degraded.
Also, my screw tabs are metal, however they are not flush or "even" as the oem back. The apple logo is cut out of the metal on mine, however the writing is printed. The black frame is the same shade as the front screen and oem back.
If any of you guys live near a chinatown or asian district I would suggest waiting until those "asia cellphone" stores get these in. Indeed there are so many versions I am pretty sure they are not made equal. My colleague confirms this as there is a plastic white back, glass white back, premium white gloss back, metal brushed white back etc.
Hey how long did it take for the back plate to finally get processed? And if anyone else knows what's the standard wait time for shipping from the cnn website since it's back ordered. Thank You
Wow that's two whole weeks! I wonder if the back orders are only for the beveled iPhone backs. I want to order the flat silver version but debating it since processing and shipping takes a whole month..thanks
if you want a metal back why not go with something like the SGP Metal skins giving the look of a metal back. without risking antenna issues or taking apart the phone. plus some of the designs are very elaborate and some are simple. I am sure SGP is not the only maker out there.
http://www.sgpstore.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=metal
http://www.sgpstore.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=metal
One of the reasons to swap the back is to add durability. Covering a glass plate doesn't change the fact that it's glass. Swapping the plate is extremely simple and is actually quicker and then trying to apply a sticker straight. Very little can go wrong. About the worse you could do is lose a screw.
That said, the quality of the plates can vary and the beveled ones seam to be fundamental flawed by blocking the camera.