3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing

[zjmuse]

Update: Its Growing

picked up last night at the AT&T place from a direct fulfillment order. Looked it over in the spots I saw others were cracked. Must have missed these.... Found them after driving home (1hr away).

Call apple or at&t?

Model: MB705LL
Week 28, purchased on the 7/26, picked up 7/30

I never did anything about my crack because I didn't want to get a phone that was worse than just a crack. But I might have to do something about it now, its growing and you can actually feel the crack with your nail now. Its been in a DLO Jam Jacket since day 1.

 

[zjmuse]

going to get it exchanged tonight at the apple store, just called apple iphone support but couldn't get them to budge on the dumb 29 dollar send the new phone to you first policy.

 

[ec51]

Mine is growing...

 

[mmonnh]

Mine growing also!
Anyone think Apple is addressing this issue?

 

[Indy21]

Anyone think Apple is addressing this issue?

No Kidding!

I'm thinking of not buying one until they give atleast SOME KIND of explanation!

It seems as if it's becoming more and more common!

 

[zjmuse]

No Kidding!

I'm thinking of not buying one until they give atleast SOME KIND of explanation!

It seems as if it's becoming more and more common!

I replaced mine last night, the Genius said that it is pretty common.. asked the normal questions, what case, did you drop it, what pocket..blah blah. Said Apple is trying to figure out a pattern. But I told him that it was cracked out of the box so its not a usage issue.

Anyway I got a "new" one. Not sure if it is, but it works any how. No cracks out of the box.

 

[mulze22]

So I've had my 3G since day one but never used a case or anything so like any normal phone it has been dropped now and then. My big thing is that the top by my power button and headphone jack is losing the plastic around it. Mainly between the metal bezel and the buttons. My phone also looks pretty beat up at least on the back. Do you think they'll replace the back or say tough luck?

 

[Indy21]

Said Apple is trying to figure out a pattern.

Well there's a pinch of hope.

Atleast he mentioned that Apple is aware of all the returned cracked cases and may possibly being trying to solve the problem.

 

[doodads]

So I've had my 3G since day one but never used a case or anything so like any normal phone it has been dropped now and then. My big thing is that the top by my power button and headphone jack is losing the plastic around it. Mainly between the metal bezel and the buttons. My phone also looks pretty beat up at least on the back. Do you think they'll replace the back or say tough luck?

The will say it's normal wear and tear. I'm sure they will replace the back if you pay for it.

 

[torakaru]

I have a Black iPhone 3G 16GB, and it has a tiny crack between the earphone conector and the metal frame too

I don't know what to do because I live in Belgium and the mobile telecommunications country retailer (Mobistar) doesn't want to exchange me it by another one.

P.D: My iPhone is 6 months old and I never dropped it and I never make strong pressure in the earphone jack.

 

[dbsecnd]

my story

I got a brand new 16 gig 3G in black about a week and a half ago and upon inspecting my phone carefully (thanks to this thread) I too did discover a tiny crack near the headphone plug. From day 1 I noticed moderate light leak all across the left of my screen, and on day 10 I started to see dust entering in the screen.

It might be hard to see the crack from above photo, but it is there.

I can foresee what would happen to my phone over time- cracks will get bigger, dust will keep entering through gaps. I admired apple products, but this phone was a big disappointment.

So yesterday I returned the phone, and exchanged for a Samsung A837, which I know for sure I won't have to deal with these issues of back casing self-destructing and dust finding home inside the display.

and yes, the phone still works! I miss the large display and UI of the iPhone, but I find being able to dunk a phone is a peculiar form of entertainment.

 

[uiop.]

Update: Posted pics of my cracked iPhone 3G in an earlier post. (https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/6691168/)

I went to the Apple store this evening and they exchanged it, no questions asked. I was very happy. And to those wondering, they do give you a brand-new iPhone, not a refurb. The build week for my new iPhone 3G is 47...so the end of last month.

Glad to have a perfect, crack-free iPhone now.

 

[ec51]

Headed to the Genius bar yesterday, they replaced my launch day white iPhone no questions asked (had a small hairline crack near the vibrate switch). They crack had been growing since about august. I was reluctant to be provided with these "mystery" white box phones. I did not want more problems, but the crack began annoying me more and more. So I did it. No problems. Now if they would just change/fix the plastic.

 

[djinn]

Headed to the Genius bar yesterday, they replaced my launch day white iPhone no questions asked (had a small hairline crack near the vibrate switch). They crack had been growing since about august. I was reluctant to be provided with these "mystery" white box phones. I did not want more problems, but the crack began annoying me more and more. So I did it. No problems. Now if they would just change/fix the plastic.

I need to make an appointment cause I'm getting more cracks.

 

[gadgetdad]

I need to do the same. My replacement iPhone now has a solid crack by the ringer switch and also at the dock connector. Iam wondering though if it will be worth it or will it just do the same again?

 

[CACTUARU]

Update: Posted pics of my cracked iPhone 3G in an earlier post. (https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/6691168/)

I went to the Apple store this evening and they exchanged it, no questions asked. I was very happy. And to those wondering, they do give you a brand-new iPhone, not a refurb. The build week for my new iPhone 3G is 47...so the end of last month.

Glad to have a perfect, crack-free iPhone now.

How long did you have your phone? Did they charge you anything? I've had mine for about 3 months now, and I have an inch long crack near the base of the dock. I didn't purchase the extended warranty though...

 

[uiop.]

How long did you have your phone? Did they charge you anything? I've had mine for about 3 months now, and I have an inch long crack near the base of the dock. I didn't purchase the extended warranty though...

I had purchased my phone in mid July. They replaced it for free under the 1 year warranty the phone came with.

 

[skramsfan13]

Mine has the cracks taking it to the Apple store at 8 tonight I'll post how it went. I have been following this thread since day one. TODAY IS MY DAY TO GET A NEW PHONE!

 

[djrobsd]

Mine has the cracks taking it to the Apple store at 8 tonight I'll post how it went. I have been following this thread since day one. TODAY IS MY DAY TO GET A NEW PHONE!

I take it you are going to unjailbreak your phone before you take it in??!!!!

 

[uiop.]

I take it you are going to unjailbreak your phone before you take it in??!!!!

Will Apple still void the warranty even though it's something that's physically wrong with the phone? Clearly they can't say the jailbreak is related to the cracking.

 

[skramsfan13]

I take it you are going to unjailbreak your phone before you take it in??!!!!

Will Apple still void the warranty even though it's something that's physically wrong with the phone? Clearly they can't say the jailbreak is related to the cracking.

Yes and yes. Before i went to the store, i unjailbroke it. It was also success the "Genius" said that this happened in some of the initial batches of phones. No questions asked. The funny part is I got my first in August the day i got it I went out and the mic didn't work--i got a second one the day i got it. Now this is my third and hopefuly last until a new iphone surfaces.

 

[LiveForever]

I have seen cracks in other peoples iphones but mine has always been fine.

With mass production, things like this unfortunately happen. One of their suppliers was probably molding cases using a badly optimised process, probably running the mold or melt too cold.

The cracks will get worse as they propogate I am afraid

Yes probably many 000's would be like this but they would have isolated the batch and either made design or process changes so it won't happen ever again.

My guess is that if you buy one of the first iphones this could be a risk but one made more than a month or two after launch would be fine.

Just take it back to an apple store and they will give you a new iphone.

Job done.

 

[loskickking23]

Im on my 5th white 16gb...The last 2 I took back because of the cracking.Its now a month later after my last exchange I just found another crack.As much as I like my white one,I might swap it for the black 16gb.My wife has had a black one and has had no problems what so ever.

 

[Canuck22]

Update.

I'm now on my eighth one. First six were on the white model. I then had Apple exchange it for the black model. I'm now on my second black one due to the first having two cracks around the volume button.
I have used a few different cases, inclueding none at all.
Before the cracks were very noticeable, you could see several hairline fractures on the top surface. Now with my current phone, I'm seeing a lot of hairlines around the volume buttons. I would bet that the cracks will soon follow.

And for all you Tools that don't believe this without some abuse on my part, I have never dropped my phone and I care for it quite well.

 

[TheSpaz]

Update.

I'm now on my eighth one. First six were on the white model. I then had Apple exchange it for the black model. I'm now on my second black one due to the first having two cracks around the volume button.
I have used a few different cases, inclueding none at all.
Before the cracks were very noticeable, you could see several hairline fractures on the top surface. Now with my current phone, I'm seeing a lot of hairlines around the volume buttons. I would bet that the cracks will soon follow.

And for all you Tools that don't believe this without some abuse on my part, I have never dropped my phone and I care for it quite well.

That sounds like what a lot of people are saying. These things crack without even doing anything to them. Some people are pretty thick by saying "You must be treating your phone carelessly, so when it cracks, don't complain". Well, if the cracks were caused by me, then I wouldn't complain but, they are not caused by me, they just appear. I keep my iPhone very protected. I hold it very gently and I've never dropped it. I don't keep it in my pocket either. I suggest the nay-sayers to go to an Apple store and check out their floor model iPhone. They're almost ALL cracked. The original iPhone wasn't this fragile.