Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE:

2ND POST: 8/5/08. 7PM.
Here's an update folks... the new iPhone 3G I was given as a replacement on Sunday, August 3rd to my original phone that had developed cracks in the casing has now itself started to crack... yes, that's right, I found a crack near the volume rocker switch today. I took it back to the original genius at the SF store and he pulled out another new one, it already had cracks right out of the box, he pulled out a 2nd, and a 3rd... both had cracks in different places... it wasn't until he pulled a 4th out that we found one with NO cracks. Now I'm home, its all set up and we'll see after the next couple days if this one develops cracks. This is a major major issue that I don't think too many people are aware about, simply because most of those still standing in lines to get the 3G iPhone don't watch macrumors.com or the discussions on here. Spread the word folks or nothing will be done about this.


That is pretty damming. Hmmm . .. better stock up on nice cases it seems to literally cover up this mess until, when, and if Apple ever fixes this.


Also, that pretty much dispels the notion that this may be caused by excessive heat right? I mean how much heat can there be in a new box in an air conditioned retail store?
 
Im taking my phone into an O2 or apple store to get it replaced. It was obviously defective when manufactured. If it isnt replaced Im seeking legal advice as in UK its not on selling something that is not fit for purpose. Little cracks tend to develop into big cracks then your phone falls to pieces!!

Just an update for anyone here in UK taking your cracked iPhones back. I upgraded online from a first gen from O2. I went into store today to say I was pretty p***ed that after only owning it for 28 days it had developed a crack near docking port for no apparent reason :eek:

Was told by the bloke at O2 store in Trafford centre, after running in and out of the back of the store with my phone??, that I could have it sent away for repair and it would be 10 days! Told him it wasn't really on, that the phone was defective and not fit for the purpose. Was told they couldnt give me a new one as they dont do in store replacements??!?! " Go to apple store or get in touch with O2?!?!?! "

Erm thought the O2 shop was O2?!?! :confused:

So f**ked off with O2 Trafford centre store (the small one) I went to the Apple Store. What a different experience all together. One of the shop floor sales reps said that cracking was pretty poor and made me an appointment that day for the Genius Bar. Showed the Genius Bar and they exchanged my defective cracking model for a new one, simple as that!! Thank you Trafford Centre Apple Store. :)

To make sure my new phone doesnt crack, Im keeping it in its box at all times, just incase this one is made out of paper mache too ;)
Looks lame when holding said box upto my ear but at least my iPhone will remain in pristine condition :p
 
No cracks so far

2 new iPhones that arrived yesterday so far have no cracks.

16 Gig White serial: 87830
16 Gig Black serial: 86830

This is right out of the box, hardly touched. Today I immediately ran to the Apple store to get a case, which it is in now. I'll keep an eye on both phones once they have been used a bit to see if any cracks develop.
 
I just picked my 16GB in black up on monday after waiting 2 weeks with a DF order through AT&T and i don't have any cracks looks like its from factory 88 build week of 31
 
I am at the Sydney Apple store at the moment and I've checked all the iPhones for cracks. Pretty much every white iPhone has cracks on the bottom of the plastic coming off the dock connector. The black ones seem to not have that problem, even in strong light I can't see it on the black ones.

Some white iPhones also have cracks near the headphone jack, I can not see any black ones with this issue under the lighting in the Apple store.

I really wanted a white but I can't get one if it will crack, I'd rather get black now.
 
I have also had this problem occur. I am on my third iPhone 3G as the first one was replaced due to a scratch and the second one was cracked.

I had Apple replace it with no problem this morning and the Genius people were cool with it. The other week when I had my first phone replaced the Genius gave me a brand new phone. Today they tried to give me a replacement....I guess refurbished model but guess what...that was cracked too lol. I eventually had him give me what he was calling "a new replacement model" which right now has no cracks.

I tried to make reference to this problem saying there is plenty of information on the web relating to this. The Genius said he couldn't go with the third-party information so when he looked everything up on his computer he said he saw it. Looks like Apple is finally aware of this annoying problem.


What I am not liking is that this may happen yet again but the Genius said this is covered.
 
I have also had this problem occur. I am on my third iPhone 3G as the first one was replaced due to a scratch and the second one was cracked.

I had Apple replace it with no problem this morning and the Genius people were cool with it. The other week when I had my first phone replaced the Genius gave me a brand new phone. Today they tried to give me a replacement....I guess refurbished model but guess what...that was cracked too lol. I eventually had him give me what he was calling "a new replacement model" which right now has no cracks.

I tried to make reference to this problem saying there is plenty of information on the web relating to this. The Genius said he couldn't go with the third-party information so when he looked everything up on his computer he said he saw it. Looks like Apple is finally aware of this annoying problem.


What I am not liking is that this may happen yet again but the Genius said this is covered.

... white?
 
hi!! i am from italy... i would like to share with you my experience :eek:
sorry for my bad english :p

White 16 giga - 88826... : poorly aligned bezel. two red stuck pixels.no cracks. dust under screen : bought on july 11th. replaced on july 26th (too much dust!!).

White 16 giga - 87827... : poorly aligned bezel. several stuck pixels - replaced in shop after opening it.

White 16 giga - 87826... : light leak on the left - replaced in shop after opening it.

White 16 giga - 85829... : already cracked as out of the box : one crack between bezel and earphones jack - another crack between volume keys and bezel.. :( i took off the cellophan... the phone was already cracked as soon as out of the box!! replaced in shop obviusly... the vendor says i am the first with this problem....:rolleyes:
 
To make sure my new phone doesnt crack, Im keeping it in its box at all times, just incase this one is made out of paper mache too ;)
Looks lame when holding said box upto my ear but at least my iPhone will remain in pristine condition :p

I hope you are joking. Read the first 10 pages of this thread. The iPhones also crack in the box, and replacements fresh unboxed in the apple store have been shown to have cracks.

The cracking is not caused by heavy usage or dropping, but most likely by temperature differences.
 
Anyone have success getting a replacement at Apple stores in NJ? I've gone to MA and NYC ones and was denied both times. Mine has a crack from the bezel to the headphone jack.
 
I am at the Sydney Apple store at the moment and I've checked all the iPhones for cracks. Pretty much every white iPhone has cracks on the bottom of the plastic coming off the dock connector. The black ones seem to not have that problem, even in strong light I can't see it on the black ones.

Some white iPhones also have cracks near the headphone jack, I can not see any black ones with this issue under the lighting in the Apple store.

I really wanted a white but I can't get one if it will crack, I'd rather get black now.
You are reaching an unreliable conclusion based on a small sample. Take a look on this thread and you will see many with black iPhones have this problem too.
 
I sent an email to Apple regarding this issue and submitted a feedback to Apple. :apple: I will post the response I get for all to see. I have to believe Apple is aware since they are exchanging the phones with almost no questions asked, but I am perplexed by the lack of an official statement??? :confused: It's seems to me like Apple believe a recall would be an admission of failure or bring shame on their product. I believe it would achieve the exact opposite. I think an official statement that something went wrong, bad batch, poorly executed assembly, etc... was the cause and that they were recalling all 3G iPhone bought before XX Aug 2008 for immediate replacement at your local Apple Store would bring a lot of credibility on Apple. I believe it would prove what I always thought about Apple products. That they are the best, and a badge of status. I think that by making it right, Apple would prove themselves worthy of this belief. I think that they will eventually, but I think sooner is much better than later! :eek:
 
The problem with that is they dont have it fixed yet. So there is no way to do a recall unless you are just going to take everyones iphone away. I do think they will change the build materials in the future.
 
I agree, just like an automobile recall. I got a notice recently that there was a recall on my car and I had to take it in to the dealer for an adjustment. It looks like Apple could do the same thing once a solution is found. Incidentally, though, except for a couple of tiny bubbles in the finish that can't be seen except with a magnifying glass, my phone looks OK. I can't see any cracks....yet, but I know they might develop. I've had it since 7/19.


I sent an email to Apple regarding this issue and submitted a feedback to Apple. :apple: I will post the response I get for all to see. I have to believe Apple is aware since they are exchanging the phones with almost no questions asked, but I am perplexed by the lack of an official statement??? :confused: It's seems to me like Apple believe a recall would be an admission of failure or bring shame on their product. I believe it would achieve the exact opposite. I think an official statement that something went wrong, bad batch, poorly executed assembly, etc... was the cause and that they were recalling all 3G iPhone bought before XX Aug 2008 for immediate replacement at your local Apple Store would bring a lot of credibility on Apple. I believe it would prove what I always thought about Apple products. That they are the best, and a badge of status. I think that by making it right, Apple would prove themselves worthy of this belief. I think that they will eventually, but I think sooner is much better than later! :eek:
 
Add my wife's white 3G iphone purchased on day 1 to the list of phones with cracks. Hers is cracked by the silencer switched. I looked it over last week too and it was fine. I'm not sure if there is much point returning it though as it seems we may get another with cracks...
 
I am almost ready to upgrade my wife's first gen to the 3G. I am nervous about it though. I don't have cracks on mine but......

I sent an email to Steve Jobs with a link to this post.....no reply yet. :apple: :confused:
 
Anyone bought an iPhone in the last week with cracks developing?

Anyone bought one in the first week of release and only just now developing cracks?
 
Anyone bought an iPhone in the last week with cracks developing?

Anyone bought one in the first week of release and only just now developing cracks?

I want to know this too.

My first gen's glass shattered :(, so I have to get a 3G. I was very content with mine, so it's a bummer.

I wonder if the units shipping to stores now still have the cracking problem. :confused:
 
Returned original handset today at Apple store. Had cracks develop (one on either side of vol. switch). They were oh so very feignt when I discovered them about 1 week ago and darkened somewhat over the last few days I assume from dirt/dust. I also mentioned the other issues I was having regarding reception and dropped calls after 2.0.1 update. At any rate, I was given a "new" replacement phone (factory reconditioned) and it showed a small nick, in the case. I pointed it out and was brought another that the bezel was poorly aligned. The third one was almost perfect but for a small amount of whitish gray bit of matter that looked like it had been squeezed out from between the bezel and white plastic case which rubbed off with my fingernail. I am assuming it was left behind from the re-manufacturing. I don't like the idea of re-manufactured instead of out-of-the-box new by principle, but on the other hand, it may be a good thing as I'm sure these handsets are given a more thorough inspection before they are sent out. As I was informed the display, touchscreen, and case are all completely new and only certain reusable hardware are inside. I feel pretty ok about the customer service and what to expect if future problems develop cosmetically.
 
The Truth

Add my wife's white 3G iphone purchased on day 1 to the list of phones with cracks. Hers is cracked by the silencer switched. I looked it over last week too and it was fine. I'm not sure if there is much point returning it though as it seems we may get another with cracks...

RETURN IT. And if you get another one with cracks RETURN that one too, and if that 1 is cracked return that TOO. After a while :apple: will get tired of losing $$$. :apple: 's reputation is already damaged, nothing about The iPhone is quality. WE (& I mean U) hate to admit it.
 
Returned original handset today at Apple store. Had cracks develop (one on either side of vol. switch). They were oh so very feignt when I discovered them about 1 week ago and darkened somewhat over the last few days I assume from dirt/dust. I also mentioned the other issues I was having regarding reception and dropped calls after 2.0.1 update. At any rate, I was given a "new" replacement phone (factory reconditioned) and it showed a small nick, in the case. I pointed it out and was brought another that the bezel was poorly aligned. The third one was almost perfect but for a small amount of whitish gray bit of matter that looked like it had been squeezed out from between the bezel and white plastic case which rubbed off with my fingernail. I am assuming it was left behind from the re-manufacturing. I don't like the idea of re-manufactured instead of out-of-the-box new by principle, but on the other hand, it may be a good thing as I'm sure these handsets are given a more thorough inspection before they are sent out. As I was informed the display, touchscreen, and case are all completely new and only certain reusable hardware are inside. I feel pretty ok about the customer service and what to expect if future problems develop cosmetically.

Which model iPhone was that?
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.