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Yes the replacement phones are service spares and not what the iHoles on this board think are refurbs just because they come in a small white box.
 
Call Apple for a Cracked iPhone

Just call Apple and they will exchange a new one for you. I did that and they sent me a brand new one to replace my 6 month old 3G. Great customer service.

Call now before they change their policy because of the nutty economy.
 
I can confirm they replace cracked phones with new ones

They said they changed the formulation of the plastic. It looks the same to me.

My 13 year old saw the crack one day when I had my phone out of its case. I couldn't even see it with my 50+ year old eyesight. It was between the mute button and the screen.

Call them up and get a new one! They take your credit card then send yo a new one plus a return box. They only charge you if yo do not return the new one.

FedEx is all paid by them. Awesome.
 
My first one, a Week 33, had multiple cracks out of the box when I first received it. It was on the back, near the ringer mute switch.

Took a few weeks to sort that out. Got a replacement at an Apple Store.

The second one, a Week 32 unit, developed a crack back in December. I have never dropped it and one day, while fiddling with the ringer mute switch, I saw a crack there... same area, but this time, it's on the right side of the switch closer to the screen, not on the back.

I think I will wait a couple of more months before going to an Apple Store and get a replacement. Let more cracks develop first... Hopefully, they still do swaps then.
 
crack :(

just found a crack starting at the dock connector running up the back of the phone (black model). Can actually feel it when you run your finger or nail over it........

i'm in the uk and bought the phone on 02 pay as you go about 4 months ago.

Problem is my phone is jailbroken and unlocked.........

i can simply restore it to an un-jailbroken state and and put my origional 02 sim back in....

I bought it from the carphone warehouse..... where should i take it in? apple store or back to carphone warehouse? or should i call apple first?
 
i can simply restore it to an un-jailbroken state and and put my origional 02 sim back in...

I was wondering about that.
When I got mine replaced they ran some sort of diagnostic that showed all sorts vital stats. They said they "had to do a test" that was part of the procedure. I caught a glance at one thing, the screen displayed No# of dropped calls and a bunch of other things. It happened pretty fast.

I was wondering if they check to see if its been hacked with that test. It would be a good way to not replace phones since any jail breaking voids the warranty.

Anyone got info on that?
 
They said they changed the formulation of the plastic. It looks the same to me.

When I went about 2 days ago, the guy also told me it was a "new" formula or something along those lines.

I can't say if it's a 100% "new" phone and not a refurb or anything ... but this one I have now really does feel great (man, is not having any rough edges ever nice), and hopefully will not crack or anything.

I HOPE it's some new formula, that's for sure.
 
I finally got around making the photos of the dock connector of my black iphone. I used the macro and flash options and while doing so, I found two new cracks around the headphone jacks. They seem to be very deep cracks but I guess the area around is stronger than the dock connector and hence it's not apparent.

I just received the box today to return my iphone to Apple (that's how it works in Spain..).

We'll see.

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/112449/1/DSC04814.JPG
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/112449/1/DSC04819.JPG
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/112449/1/DSC04821.JPG
 
I finally got around making the photos of the dock connector of my black iphone. I used the macro and flash options and while doing so, I found two new cracks around the headphone jacks. They seem to be very deep cracks but I guess the area around is stronger than the dock connector and hence it's not apparent.

I just received the box today to return my iphone to Apple (that's how it works in Spain..).

We'll see.

http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/112449/1/DSC04814.JPG
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/112449/1/DSC04819.JPG
http://dl.getdropbox.com/u/112449/1/DSC04821.JPG

I had the issue with cracks around the dock, took it to the apple store and got a straight swap. They said it was the first they had seen with cracks round the dock.
 
I had the issue with cracks around the dock, took it to the apple store and got a straight swap. They said it was the first they had seen with cracks round the dock.

then they'll have the second one LOL.
But It really really surprises me because I really use the Dock about 95% of the time..
 
I was wondering about that.
When I got mine replaced they ran some sort of diagnostic that showed all sorts vital stats. They said they "had to do a test" that was part of the procedure. I caught a glance at one thing, the screen displayed No# of dropped calls and a bunch of other things. It happened pretty fast.

I was wondering if they check to see if its been hacked with that test. It would be a good way to not replace phones since any jail breaking voids the warranty.

Anyone got info on that?

The diagnostics can be performed with any iphone

*3001#12345#*

type that in as if your making a call , hit call

feild test

(apple better not kill me for giving this out :p)
 
(Sorry I don't have a picture)

After discovering a crack coming from the silence switch on my 7 month old phone yesterday, I quickly made an appointment at my local apple store where I'm glad to say they replaced it.

The Genius said "Just so you know, we don't cover physical damage, but you seem to have taken good care of your phone so I'll just go ahead and replace it." Seems as though they're aware of the problem, so as long as your phone isn't abused you'll get a brand new one.

Good luck to anyone else who discovers this problem.
 
Apple will still definitely replace iPhones with cracked backs. I had mine replaced this weekend. It had a large crack starting from the middle of the dock adapter. My replacement looked brand new, and after using a serial number decoder I found on google, here is the phone i received.

Serial number:
Model: MB496 iPhone 3G 16GB Black
Memory - number of slots: Please tell us how many memory (RAM) slots this machine has.
Factory: 5K (China)
Production year: 2009
Production week: 07 (February)
Production number: 5377 (within this week)

So if you have a cracked back, chances are your apple store will replace it. I have never had any issues with apple fixing their products. I have been through a couple first gen iPhones, and now my second 3g. For this reason Apple has won we over, and I just upgraded to a new alum Macbook, because I know they will continue to update the software, and if I have any issues they will fix it. I am willing to pay a premium for apple products for this reason (step off of soapbox).
 
Just call Apple and they will exchange a new one for you. I did that and they sent me a brand new one to replace my 6 month old 3G. Great customer service.

Call now before they change their policy because of the nutty economy.

Did you just call the 800 number? Id rather not drive an hour to the Apple store. Thanks!
 
Look mom, its cracking in the same place as last time!
Have had this replacement for 3 months now. I'll give it another month or so before its noticeable.
 

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hi all,
found this site searching for others that have the same problems as i have, with my 16Gig Black IPhone. There are stress cracks in the back casing and small piece has broken away between the mute button and the chrome outer ring of the phone and fallen inside the phone, causing the mute button to stay in the "ON" position (if activated). The glass appears to be separating from the black backing between the glass and main frame of the phone. I have never dropped the phone and only ever carry it in my top pocket. I live in Queensland, Australia and the only Apple stores seems to be in southern states. Any information would be very helpful. My IPhone is still under warranty (expires 29 Sept 2009)
iphone014o.jpg



iphone016.jpg
 
hi all,
found this site searching for others that have the same problems as i have, with my 16Gig Black IPhone. There are stress cracks in the back casing and small piece has broken away between the mute button and the chrome outer ring of the phone and fallen inside the phone, causing the mute button to stay in the "ON" position (if activated). The glass appears to be separating from the black backing between the glass and main frame of the phone. I have never dropped the phone and only ever carry it in my top pocket. I live in Queensland, Australia and the only Apple stores seems to be in southern states. Any information would be very helpful. My IPhone is still under warranty (expires 29 Sept 2009)
iphone014o.jpg

Ouch. All I can say is that you'd certainly qualify for replacement.
 
I had a very small crack on my white iPhone. Just about double the length of the vibrate/ring toggle running parallel with said toggle. Made an appointment with a Genius who took one look at it and proceeded to replace my phone. He did say they were starting to be a little more picky about the current state of the iPhones when they get brought in. e.g. is it scratched to hell, obvious signs of rough use etc. He asked me where I normally carried my phone and then used what looked like one of those ear scopes your doctor uses on to look in your ears to see if the water damage indicators were red, mine weren't.

Went home, restored my phone, away I go.

FWIW, mine was purchased 7/11/08.
 
for the first photo, what is that between the bezel and the silent switch? looks like a chunk broke off

for the second? that looks like a scratch

sorry, imo that looks like an abused iphone rather than cracked from manu defects

How on earth would a tiny chunk like that fall out from a drop?
 
thanks for the replies

quick update:
i phoned the Apple Store in Sydney today and they have arranged to have my iphone freighted to them (at no charge) and return a new phone of the same type (ie: 16 Gig Black) to me within 10 working days. If i wanted the phone sooner (3 days) they could send me a phone straight away and i then send them my faulty phone, at a cost of $39 charged to my visa card.

very pleased with the service and response so far
thanks Apple

cheers
Brett

Originally Posted by dukebound85 View Post
for the first photo, what is that between the bezel and the silent switch? looks like a chunk broke off

for the second? that looks like a scratch

sorry, imo that looks like an abused iphone rather than cracked from manu defects

as i stated in my first post
There are stress cracks in the back casing and small piece has broken away between the mute button and the chrome outer ring of the phone and fallen inside the phone, causing the mute button to stay in the "ON" position (if activated). The glass appears to be separating from the black backing between the glass and main frame of the phone
 
Hi guys, first post here, I just got my white iphone right after the holidays, and I totally baby it, its always in its pouch, the back of the phone is immaculate! whens the last time you saw a used iphone with a 100% PERFECT apple logo without the faintest scratch?

Anyways, its really been bothering me that there is a crack on in the case at the mute botton, all the way thru that i can catch my nail on,

The phone also has a bad light leak on the left side becuase there is a gap becuase the glass on the left side isnt flush with the chrome bezel.

the Glass is uneven and the whole left side of the phone dosent feel smooth,
its got a sharp edge feel, feels like a cheap knockoff compared to a co-workers 2g phone.

My Nearest apple store is about 50 miles away, is there anyway Apple will send a replacement phone or will i NEED to go to an applestore?

It seems like the area around the mute button is a very common area where these have been cracking,

the crack and the uneven glass has really been angering me, especially for a $300 phone..

what are the chances they will swap my phone for a replacement without these issues?

Thanks!
 
Just got off the phone with apple support, the rep said its been a known issue, "out of the millions of iphones sold, only a very small percentage have had this problem."


I got pitched to purchase apple care for $69.00,

Then offered a replacement phone for $29.00 shipping.

Or replacement at an apple store, Will make an appointment at the closest apple store, (50 miles away.) on Saturday to get my new replacement.

Problems are,

Glass is not flush with chrome bezel, the edge of the glass feels sharp,
this misaligned glass since its not flush is creating a bad light leak on the left side of the phone and, also the case is cracked at the mute button.
 
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