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3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing

I had a dream last night that one of my friends was holding my iPhone and then they dropped it onto concrete and the back burst into a thousand pieces. I was soooo pissed off, especially since the friend holding the iPhone has one as well. Luckily, he agreed to pay for a new one.

When I woke up, I thought it had actually happened (one of those really realistic dreams) and was so upset that I would be having to get a replacement iPhone for the 7th time. I've gone through six since July 11th (talking about real life now) that were substandard and did not function properly. Thankfully, the one I'm using now works great and my only complaint is light leak, but the genius last time said he would not replace them for that issue. So keep holding out until you get one you are satisfied with is my message. :)
 
Umm

well, I actually am on my 4th iPhone, but had the this one replaced about 2 months ago, and this is the first one to have a hard case on it, the 'Incase Slider' which I love; and I'm certain if not for the case I'd be on #5, 6 and maybe even 7 already...
 
Well, I've had my iPhone 3G since August and it's lived in an Agent 18 case since day 1. It's also babied like no other electronic device I own. Even with that, a large crack has appeared near the dock connector. This is not a hairline - you can run your finger over it and feel it. Anyway, I wanted to add my image to this thread.

3019381035_8a56979343_b.jpg


I have an appointment at the Genius Bar today to get a replacement. As a huge Apple fan, it's discouraging to see this lack of QC in both the iPhones and (my wife's) white MacBook.

:(
 
MMPC said:
Well, I've had my iPhone 3G since August and it's lived in an Agent 18 case since day 1. It's also babied like no other electronic device I own. Even with that, a large crack has appeared near the dock connector. This is not a hairline - you can run your finger over it and feel it. Anyway, I wanted to add my image to this thread.

3019381035_8a56979343_b.jpg


I have an appointment at the Genius Bar today to get a replacement. As a huge Apple fan, it's discouraging to see this lack of QC in both the iPhones and (my wife's) white MacBook.

:(
Click to expand...

Judging by the photo, he may not give you a replacement. It looks like the iPhone hit the ground near the dock connector. If you look carefully, it looks like a bunch of tiny chips in the plastic where rocks from the asphalt may have come in contact with it. You say that you babied it, but mine looks way better than yours.
 
TheSpaz said:
Judging by the photo, he may not give you a replacement. It looks like the iPhone hit the ground near the dock connector. If you look carefully, it looks like a bunch of tiny chips in the plastic where rocks from the asphalt may have come in contact with it. You say that you babied it, but mine looks way better than yours.
Click to expand...
Got a new phone at the Apple Store today - no problem at all - I'm restoring it as I type this.

As for the "pits" you can see in the picture, they are magnified and look much worse due to the camera's flash. They're actually from the case, too, not a ground impact. My iPhone lived in an Agent 18 case from the very first day - never hit the ground in or out of the case. ;) That said, I'm not thrilled by how scratched up it got in said case, so I'm trying an Incase Slider on my new iPhone 3G. But even with the scratches, that doesn't explain the crack in the case near the dock connector...
 
MMPC said:
Got a new phone at the Apple Store today - no problem at all - I'm restoring it as I type this.

As for the "pits" you can see in the picture, they are magnified and look much worse due to the camera's flash. They're actually from the case, too, not a ground impact. My iPhone lived in an Agent 18 case from the very first day - never hit the ground in or out of the case. ;) That said, I'm not thrilled by how scratched up it got in said case, so I'm trying an Incase Slider on my new iPhone 3G. But even with the scratches, that doesn't explain the crack in the case near the dock connector...
Click to expand...

Oh. I have no case and I have yet to see a scratch or pit. Caseless is the way to go. Don't ruin your phone's beauty by covering it up. The incase slider makes your phone look HUGE like it's some sort of ice-cream sandwich. Don't bother with them. I have 2, gun metal and silver and I don't even use them. I thought about getting matte black and silver to mix them to give the appearance of a 2G iPhone though.
 
I had my #4 replacement on Saturday, after I got it home and set it back up, after waiting 27 minutes after the scheduled time of my appointment to get help... I realized the home button just 'smushed' instead of clicking, and the power button to turn the screen on/off only worked sporadically, also it turned itself off Sunday night and I missed class on Monday morning...

So Monday I set up an appointment for after my evening class for 5:40 and get over there, this time help comes a little sooner at 5:54... but still... and some creepy guy kept trying to talk to me about movies, dude...

Anyway, this one seems good, but for some reason my QuickPwn on my MBP wasn't working... so I did it on windows... oh well. It's all set back up now, so this is #5 replacement, phone #6, and so far so good... my #3 replacement lasted the longest with about 2 months of usage before getting cracked... every other one has happened almost immediately... but it seems to just be a matter of time for all of them.

Also I use a Incase Slider Black case on mine, which I love.
 
So I am sad to report that I have noticed cracks near the headphone jack. I'm not going to get it replaced yet but to wait until I notice more.

Just thought I would report it.
 
djinn said:
So I am sad to report that I have noticed cracks near the headphone jack. I'm not going to get it replaced yet but to wait until I notice more.

Just thought I would report it.
Click to expand...

Yah you should wait. That way apple doesnt think you did the damage. :rolleyes:
 
BLACK MAC said:
Yah you should wait. That way apple doesnt think you did the damage. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

This is iphone number 2 right now. First one had a bad home button. Today I noticed the cracks, no big deal. Its amazing the turn around that Apple has with these.
 
I have 2 cracks coming off of my headphone jack and I noticed another near my dock connector, but not coming from the opening, but rather 1/16" away from the opening. Hmm. It almost looks like a chip too, I don't remember rough-housing my iPhone. I keep it in my side holster (which is very padded) and I never dropped it. I can understand the cracks near the headphone jack though because I plug headphones in there. I'm not going to return this iPhone though. I love it too much. I'm sure when a new iPhone comes out, I'll upgrade.
 
Damn MMPC my nude iphone has less damage to it than yours. TBH the only damage that my nude iphone has is the scratching on the chrome bezel.
 
dubels said:
Damn MMPC my nude iphone has less damage to it than yours. TBH the only damage that my nude iphone has is the scratching on the chrome bezel.
Click to expand...

x2! Cases not only make your beautiful iPhone ugly and bulky, half of them cause more damage than they prevent. I dont know why people insist on using them! My iPhone 3G I've had since launch day looks mint unless you look very carefully at certain angles in bright light, and it's never been in a case.
 
slicecom said:
x2! Cases not only make your beautiful iPhone ugly and bulky, half of them cause more damage than they prevent. I dont know why people insist on using them! My iPhone 3G I've had since launch day looks mint unless you look very carefully at certain angles in bright light, and it's never been in a case.
Click to expand...

A friend went naked style at first he just got chrome scratches i use bodyguardz and i am very satisfied.
 
Same thing here

MMPC said:
Well, I've had my iPhone 3G since August and it's lived in an Agent 18 case since day 1. It's also babied like no other electronic device I own. Even with that, a large crack has appeared near the dock connector. This is not a hairline - you can run your finger over it and feel it. Anyway, I wanted to add my image to this thread.

3019381035_8a56979343_b.jpg


I have an appointment at the Genius Bar today to get a replacement. As a huge Apple fan, it's discouraging to see this lack of QC in both the iPhones and (my wife's) white MacBook.

:(
Click to expand...

I've got an almost identical crack on my iPhone 3G. I suspect it's something to do with the fact that its the only place where there is a hard edge on the plastic casing that's exposed. Even the headphone and camera have metal rims but not this part.

What's interesting is that I have the proper Apple iPhone 3G Dock which looks great but has nothing to stop the iPhone being tilted forward when removing the phone. This causes the connector itself to act as an anchor which can almost prise the the case away from the body of the phone. This is slight but certainly enough to create or worsen the cracks we are both seeing.

How much convincing did it take you to get them to swap the phone?

Also can anyone tell me if I'll lose my SMS history/apps/emails or other information if I restore my backup to a replacement iPhone?

Thanks!
 
Anyone with their iPhone plastic case cracked just make a reservation and go to your nearest Apple Store Genius Bar and ask for a replacement.
If you face issues, just ask for the manager, and act like a customer, no begging, no angry, no insulting, just be rational and act like a customer, you'll get a replacement as you deserve it, they will ask you some questions about how you use your phone, if you use a case and in which pocket you put your phone in, :apple: is collecting these data, anyway go for it and don't hesitate.

My last one had the crack, was my 4th iPhone and then i dropped over asphalt and got serious dents/pitting, anyway they replaced it due to the crack on the headphone area.
The plastic cracks are well known defects and no iPhone should have it.

:APPLE: quality has gone to hell, but their service is still good.
 
Ugh...it's happening. I got my iPhone on July 27th and has been case-less since day 1. Never been dropped. Do you think this is enough to have it replaced?
 

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uiop. said:
Ugh...it's happening. I got my iPhone on July 27th and has been case-less since day 1. Never been dropped. Do you think this is enough to have it replaced?
Click to expand...

If you had to ask, then I'd say "yes" it is enough.

Not trying to be a smartass but if my shell cracks, that bitch is goin back ASAP!
 
Had mine replaced today.

Just wanted to let you know that I had mine replaced today at the Kingston Upon Thames Apple Store with no problems or questioning at all.

I've been a Mac/iPod/iPhone user for 7 years now and have never needed to take advantage of the Mac Genius services until that tiny hairline crack appeared at the base of my phone. I was extremely impressed with how helpful the guy was and that he talked me through the whole process of wiping the present data. He also reactivated the phone so that I was able to make and receive calls until I had the chance to restore my old backup from my iTunes.

Make sure you backup and sync your iPhone with iTunes before your appointment at the Genius Bar and you'll be given a new iPhone there and then. I asked if it were a refurb and he said nope they're straight off the factory line.

Very impressed.
 
I sent mine in for several cracks between the headphone-jack and the metal around the screen.
I just got a message that it has been replaced under warranty and replacement will be sent to the store where I sent my old one in, and I will be able to pick it up in a day or two.

This is with Telia & Anovo, in Sweden.
 
So, are these cracks happening on "just a few" phones (compared to the millions sold) or is this really a mass-produced flaw? It's hard to tell from this thread/forum because of the nature of forums (mainly that no one starts a thread "my phone isn't cracked!"). I'm going to buy my wife an iPhone for Christmas and I don't want to have to return it every few months because they can't get the case right.
 
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