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3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing
- Thread starter dogheadboy
- Start date
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Just got back from the Apple Store to exchange my cracking white iPhone. Simple process. I showed the genius the cracking, he said they are aware of the problem and official policy right now is to replace the phone under warranty. They don't know why the phones are cracking though, so he couldn't guarentee a replacement wouldn't crack, too. He asked me some questions and filled out a survey, since they are trying to find a pattern. I think they're trying to blame it on being dropped, or being put in cases that are too tight, but I've never dropped the phone and don't use a case. He did definitely give me a refurbished phone even though I had purchased my phone from Apple, but said that one thing all the refurbished phones get, regardless of the repair they came in for, was a replacement of the back plastic casing. So I traded my cracked phone with a badly fitted bezzle and screen for a phone that now has the crooked sleep button and a tough silent ringer switch, but I think I came out ahead. A crooked sleep button is something I'll get used to, the cracking was only going to get worse.
Hope this helps some people who are on the fence about getting their phones replaced.
Hope this helps some people who are on the fence about getting their phones replaced.
That would make sense in looking at how much this thread has died down. Maybe as they ramped up production they had issues with the plastic. My phone that was just replaced was a week 28. New one is week 35.
I don't really understand how they get away with replacing new phones with refurbs. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with refurbs, but Apple sells refurbished products for less than new ones. If someone pays for a new phone, and is given a refurb, shouldn't they also get a store credit or something?
The genius explained it to me very carefully, and even danced around using the word "refurbished" for as long as possible, because I think he was afraid I'd get angry about a refurb. He justified it as saying it is the same as if they took my phone, sent it off to be fixed while I waited for a couple weeks without a phone, and then picked my phone back up. They just skip the waiting around part by giving me a phone that's already gone through the repair process. And he stressed a couple times that the phone is guarenteed to be good as new, which is why it is now covered by my warranty.
DMC-12
macrumors 6502
I really think that this is going to turn into an issue almost on par with the MacBook cracking. My first black iPhone 3G had the classic headphone jack cracking, and was replaced easily. My second has not cracked in the same place (yet), but it has cracked very subtly around the camera lens. However, the plastic looks sort of "disrupted" at the weak point between the headphone jack and bezel as if it will crack soon. I have a feeling that if I had the white model, I would be able to see further cracking that isn't easily seen with the black.
Good news.
Vodafone accepted to replace my phone.
One remark, they said that Apple didn't recognize any problem and is vodafone that is going to be responsible by the costs.
This is very strange Apple... what are you doing?
It seems to me that Apple have rushed the release of iPhone 3G.
Initial batch of iPhones 3G was probably produced to sub-standard quality and therefore developed some unusual advert defects - "get them out of the door quickly", because of the the demand...
Now that everything "settled" a little bit, less and less "cracked" iPhones appear on the marketplace.
The "new" plastic/ceramic compound used by Iphones, probably requires certain time to "settle down" - (cool down) before used in any way at all.
Bottom line is - I have my iPhone week 27 replaced (for headphone crack} with the brand new (NOT refurbished) iPhone week 27 6 weeks ago and it is still FLAWLESS.
"It" (iPhone) will probably remain that way (flawless), because I have given it a true torture test in the first week - plug and unplug headphones (at least 200 times, flicking mute button on/off and pressing hard on volume switches as well)...
Guess what..?
My replacement white iPhone (week 27) is still PERFECT...
Initial batch of iPhones 3G was probably produced to sub-standard quality and therefore developed some unusual advert defects - "get them out of the door quickly", because of the the demand...
Now that everything "settled" a little bit, less and less "cracked" iPhones appear on the marketplace.
The "new" plastic/ceramic compound used by Iphones, probably requires certain time to "settle down" - (cool down) before used in any way at all.
Bottom line is - I have my iPhone week 27 replaced (for headphone crack} with the brand new (NOT refurbished) iPhone week 27 6 weeks ago and it is still FLAWLESS.
"It" (iPhone) will probably remain that way (flawless), because I have given it a true torture test in the first week - plug and unplug headphones (at least 200 times, flicking mute button on/off and pressing hard on volume switches as well)...
Guess what..?
My replacement white iPhone (week 27) is still PERFECT...
tongteh
macrumors 6502
That is the exact problem i have!! there is no Apple store here in Perth, Australia!! what can i do?? any advise from anyone??
Hey, I've got my iPhone replacement simply by calling Apple direct - even though I live in Sydney and there is (obviously) Apple Store around the corner...
Give it a shot, You'll be surprised by results... 😉
McGiord
macrumors 601
Just act like a customer, don't beg and just ask for a replacement, focus on the facts and avoid personal opinions unless they support your case.
If they deny the facts, show them the evidence with your iPhone's Safari, countless references are available online.
I am on my 4th black replacement due to these cracks, and the current one has the headphone one, so guess what...
I'm waiting some more weeks to get it replace when I hopefully buy a new MacBook.
One last suggestion: ask for the decision maker, where I come from we say: I want to talk with the circus owner... I'm tired of dealing with the clowns!
tongteh
macrumors 6502
Alright, i will give it a try.. 🙂 but should i get in contact with Optus, or Allphone(where i got my iPhone 3G).. thanks a lot for your help though!! appreciate it very much, can i replace it even if the crack is not very significant? i probably only have 2-3 cracks...
Hey Guys and Girls, just a reminder that Apple Australia gives brand new replacements to faulty (cracked) iPhones after completing the questionnaire...
tongteh
macrumors 6502
For God's sake!!! Just call Apple (Australia 1-300-321-456), the "questionnaire" is a standard Apple's quiz to determine your potential eligibility for replacement...
How simple can it be and and how many explanations does it need..?!
orijinal
macrumors 6502
Just bought a new iphone 16gb black over the weekend at the at&t store nearby here and just 3 days later I see small cracks around my silent switch. I used the silent switch it a lot since its purchase, and i think it may be the impact of it "hitting" the plastic when it moves, or whatever mechanism is under it that may have caused these cracks.
I also have my phone housed in a CapsuleNeo case with screen protector. I went through a handful of iphones early launch due to problems with dead pixels, dust, etc, but I think I will keep this one as those problems were from early manufacture, and it seems that all phones develop these cracks anyway. Getting a "new" (refurbished, actually - not new) phone is annoying to do. everything else with the phone is perfect so I think I will just stick with it. I also don't have an apple store nearby to do the exchange and I don't think at&t does them.
For what it's worth, my phone is a week build 35 from the 82 factory.
I also have my phone housed in a CapsuleNeo case with screen protector. I went through a handful of iphones early launch due to problems with dead pixels, dust, etc, but I think I will keep this one as those problems were from early manufacture, and it seems that all phones develop these cracks anyway. Getting a "new" (refurbished, actually - not new) phone is annoying to do. everything else with the phone is perfect so I think I will just stick with it. I also don't have an apple store nearby to do the exchange and I don't think at&t does them.
For what it's worth, my phone is a week build 35 from the 82 factory.
See above for possible solutions and for God's sake READ the forums before posting!!!
PS; and what's with the blue color...!
tongteh
macrumors 6502
hey, thanks for the info.. 🙂 i just called them this morning and got a brand new replacement, however they charged me A$39 for the phone shipment due to the second option i choose...
Note: they will take off A$765(or the market value of your current iPhone 3G) off your bank first if you choose the second option which is having them to send you the iPhone 3G first.. 🙂
atlatnesiti, thanks for you help, but do consider having a "chill pill" 🙂
orijinal
macrumors 6502
??? What are you talking about? Solutions for what? I didn't ask for any. And, there are none anyway and, actually, I don't have a problem. To remind you of what I had written: I'm not looking for a replacement, as all phones crack. Especially when the replacement is a refurbished (used) phone. I just was sharing my two cents on what I had experienced, and the fact that mine did crack. I do read the forums. The blue color is what I have set to write in. Too much coffee for you these past few days?
tongteh
macrumors 6502
I understand what you are feeling now, obviously you would want to have a brand new replacement just like any one of us.. 🙂 maybe try calling them and ask if the replacement is a refurbished or a brand new before exchanging it.. hope it helps.. 🙂
orijinal
macrumors 6502
Thanks, but I'm not feeling anything, really. All I was doing was sharing information. Like I said in my previous posts, the phone is fine otherwise. A replacement won't fix anything as there is 0% guarantee that it won't develop cracks or have other problems. Since the rest of my phone is essentially perfect, like I said, I will live with it. Others should, too.
