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3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing

On My Third iphone 3G

I've had 2 iphones with cracks - both white 16 GB models. Got a special dispensation from Apple to get the latest replaceed with a black one. Of course they screwed up my AT&T plan and it looks like I just bought a new phone with a new plan. My billing is all screwed up. AT&T tells me to see Apple as they screwed it up. Apple says I have to work it out with AT&T. What a nightmare, I'm so sorry I ever bought this thing...:mad:
 
RichBoston said:
I've had 2 iphones with cracks - both white 16 GB models. Got a special dispensation from Apple to get the latest replaceed with a black one. Of course they screwed up my AT&T plan and it looks like I just bought a new phone with a new plan. My billing is all screwed up. AT&T tells me to see Apple as they screwed it up. Apple says I have to work it out with AT&T. What a nightmare, I'm so sorry I ever bought this thing...:mad:
Click to expand...

I feel your pain!

I got my cracked phone replaced 3 weeks ago. When I got it I noticed that the silent switch was hard to move but figured it would loosen with time. I was right, unfortunately there are now cracks spreading from 3 of the 4 corners:( I have a genius bar appointment tuesday.

This is the first apple product I have owned and I really want to love this phone. Unfortunately between the dropped calls, buggy OS and cracking I am having a difficult time.

Hopefully the next one won't crack:confused: I was going to buy a macbook pro this winter to replace my current laptop, but I don't think I'm going to spend that amount of money on an apple laptop after my experience with the iphone:(
 
iphone 3G Nightmare

They replaced one phone when the dropped calls, closing apps problems were occurring. To no avail of course as it wasn't until 2.1 was released that cured these issues. Then the cracks... I've not had a hard time getting them to replace the phones but this is disgraceful. Other than ipods this was my first Apple product too and was also about to buy one of the new Mac Books. But I feel like I was used by Apple as a beta guinea pig. For the sake of their own profits they took this to market before adequate testing. Shame on Steve Jobs and shame on Apple. Shows what happens when a company gets too big and loses control.:eek:
 
I'm waiting to pick up iPhone number 3 tomorrow (they ran out and had to order me one). The Genius I spoke to said, that there weren't that many refurbs out there and that most of the white boxed iPhones were in fact brand new. They just didn't want to waste packaging money on them. The inventory is getting split between replacements and new. Fingers crossed number 3 is better then number 2. (I've got a gap in the bezel so the backlight shows under the screen, I have a huge piece of dust under the glass, about 5 stuck red pixels, and one stuck one white, and a wonky home button) so I'm thinking there is no way this one would have passed as a refurb. LOL
 
So to clarify...

1) Apple will replace iPhones with the cracks in the corners?

2) I need a Genius appointment for this to happen?

3) Will they swap phones right in the store or will I be without one for a while?
 
Phone exchanges

1. People have had differing experiences. I'm on my 4th iphone 3G (2 for cracks) and was given a brand new phone each time without a whimper. Other people have been refused or been given a hard time. Apparently they leave it to the store and there isn't a core corporate policy.

2. Yes, make a genius appointment. The online scheduler is easiest. If you tell your story on the phone they'll just end up telling you to go to the store anyway so save yourself a half hour and go to the store-with a genius appointment.

3. They will give you a brand new phone in the store. (At some point I'm sure this will change as they start to develop a supply of refurbs like the 3 phones I left them with) I refused to take a white one in exchange this week as the problems seem to be mostly on the white 16 GB model. They said they NEVER do this but they did give me a black one :apple: and were pretty cool about it but...now my billing is a mess. See my previous post. Back up your phone before you go in for the exchange!

Good luck! :apple:
 
Maxington said:
So to clarify...

1) Apple will replace iPhones with the cracks in the corners?

2) I need a Genius appointment for this to happen?

3) Will they swap phones right in the store or will I be without one for a while?
Click to expand...

1. first phone I had replaced was cracking from the corners of the dock.

2. Genius's are the ones with the authority to make swap. So make a genius bar appointment

3. When swapped mine they opened a drawer full of white box phones and swapped it right then.

I have been very impressed with the customer service at the apple store, I'm just not impressed with the quality of their product.
 
yetanotherdave said:
Or you could exchange it, They're supposed to be using a better plastic now.
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Just bought a new 8gig. I will keep my eyes out for any cracks. I did confirm with the Apple guy if I notice any problems they will exchange it for a new one. So atleast they are working with people.
 
Maxington said:
Anyone know if they are they willing to swap a cracked white iPhone for a black one same size?
Click to expand...

The answer is no, sort of - not without special approval. I had to spend quite awhile on the phone with a high level support guy (who was very nice) pointing out articles noting that the cracks were mostly in the 16 GB white models and I was not going to get a third white model if that's where the problem exists. Because of my prior difficultie he called my local store and they reluctantly agreed. BUT...they wanted back ALL original accessories, the box and receipt. The problem is when they swap colors (which for some freakin' reason is a big deal to Apple) they have to issue you a new phone as if you just opened a new AT&T account. So now my date of purchase has been moved up 3 months, my billing is a mess, I won't qualify for a new phone for 3 extra months and no one (Apple or AT&T) will help fix the mess.

So yes, it can be done but learn from my problem and explain this to them when you make the switch and hopefully avoid the same issues. Good luck.
 
I am currently typing this at one of my local Apple stores, in the middle of trading my White phone for a new Black version. BTW, this will be my seventh phone due to cracks, so I am now going to try the black version and see how this new one holds up. :mad:
 
My crack dilemna

I just returned my 2nd phone due to cracks, The first one I bought had about 10 total cracks all over the place right out of the box. I didn't notice them in the store as they are hard to see on the black phone. But I noticed them the next day. Returned that one and got a brand new one out of the black box(original packaging week 40 serial) within a week multiple cracks all up and down the volume side of the phone all the way through the casing started appearing and also in the dock area and a nasty light leak all the way down the left side. Went in to Apple again today and asked for an even exchange because this was all done within the 14 days of purchase.I would have kept the last one but the cracks went all the way through the casing and even the store manager said that he hadn't seen cracking that serious and advised me to swap it. He even said he was going to send a report to Apple because this was unacceptable. At&t denied the activation of the last exchange because they thought I was buying phones and selling them, so after two hours in the Apple store At&T finally fixed the problem with the activation mess. This is the last time I'm going through all of this. The ironic thing is after inspecting this one when I got home because the lighting sucks at the Apple store there are cracks between the volume switch and the bezel on this one and this one is week 41. As long as this phone doesn't fall apart in my hands or self destruct and the screen works I'm keeping this one. I just have to live with the fact that my phone likes crack. BTW, props to the Apple store in Miami Beach they were more than professional, helpful and patient about the whole ordeal. Other than that I love my i phone to death, I can't live without it. Sorry for carrying on, just needed to vent. Take care all and have a safe weekend.
 
preguntonontrac said:
omg so i am not safe, in other words i wont buy bodyguardz just in case

chef jer you use case:confused:
if not what is your experience or any other person experience
Click to expand...

First phone used a contour isee and switcheasy rebel. Second phone went naked cause they said case might be the reason for cracks. I am using sgp case with third phone as I think it is a design flaw and not the case causing the cracks. The Iphone I purchased for my girlfriend launch weekend now has a crack near the silent switch so I will be replacing that soon.

The genius's have been very friendly and easy to deal with; so for me it hasn't been a big deal. With each cracked phone they have admitted the problem and I have been in and out with a new phone in 15 minutes. Its just a pain the a&* to keep going in for the same problem.
 
Chef-Jer said:
First phone used a contour isee and switcheasy rebel. Second phone went naked cause they said case might be the reason for cracks. I am using sgp case with third phone as I think it is a design flaw and not the case causing the cracks. The Iphone I purchased for my girlfriend launch weekend now has a crack near the silent switch so I will be replacing that soon.

The genius's have been very friendly and easy to deal with; so for me it hasn't been a big deal. With each cracked phone they have admitted the problem and I have been in and out with a new phone in 15 minutes. Its just a pain the a&* to keep going in for the same problem.
Click to expand...

I was considering bodyguards, mine is buid 40 week but not sure. The naked one, got many scratch etc:confused::confused: tell me your experience during the naked one
 
I've ownded the 3G since launch day. Immediately incased it in a Zagg IS and an Incase silicone case. Since then upgraded to a Vaja case, but had to remove the IS in order to get a snug fit.
Unsurprisingly the phone has tiny crack beween the vol buttons and the bezel and also around the camera lens.
The phone has been babied at all times and never dropped.
Oh well, no big deal, but frustrating none the less:(
 
Is apple doing anything to stop this issue, e.g. changing he plastic used like they did for the discolouration issue with the early macbooks?
 
Which Phone?

When people reply to this thread with comments both good and bad, please identify which phone you have. The 16 GB white model seems to be the culprit "most of the time" but it would be helpful here to see how this plays out. I had 2 white 16 GB phones with cracks and finally got them to replace with a black model :apple: a couple of weeks ago. So far, so good.

I think it fairly certain at this point that the next generation will return to a metal back. Wouldn't we all just LOVE to see the internal Apple memos and emails flying back and forth on this? Someone or some team or some manufacturing facility is/ are getting their collective arses kicked, I'm quite sure! :p
 
On my 3rd black 16gig due to cracking. The Black 16g I got for my girlfriend has cracks and is going back soon:(
 
preguntonontrac said:
So having IS or bodyguardz might be not a good option:confused:
Click to expand...

All I can say is that I had a back IS installed with an Incase then Vaja case, no knocks since I owned it, totally 'babied', no hot to cold sudden environments that might cause cracking.

when I removed the IS there were the cracks....
and to help out the question posed a couple of posts up, this is a 16GB black phone.
 
My phone also has cracks. I have returned it for different reasons before, (dead pixels and light leaking). I have about a dozen cracks along the headphone jack, sim card, camera, and volume button. Other then that the phone has no dead pixels and the light doesn't leak. Do you think I should exchange it for a new one? I just hate exchanging it over and over. I have the black 16gb.
 
BLACK MAC said:
My phone also has cracks. I have returned it for different reasons before, (dead pixels and light leaking). I have about a dozen cracks along the headphone jack, sim card, camera, and volume button. Other then that the phone has no dead pixels and the light doesn't leak. Do you think I should exchange it for a new one? I just hate exchanging it over and over. I have the black 16gb.
Click to expand...

Is it just the 16 gig that is affected with the cracks?
 
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