I was beginning to wonder if there was such a thing as a 3G iPhone with not cracks in the plastic....
I'm a 2G iPhone owner who is worried about upgrading due to the seemingly inferior build quality.
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3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing
- Thread starter dogheadboy
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I was beginning to wonder if there was such a thing as a 3G iPhone with not cracks in the plastic....
I'm a 2G iPhone owner who is worried about upgrading due to the seemingly inferior build quality.
I too am waiting to get a new iPhone (When OS 3.0 is released - I need MMS) However, reading all the horror stories of bits falling off, cracks, overheating, light leaks, freezes, regular reboots, replacements because of various problems etc. etc. I'm beginning to wonder if, after all, it's such a good idea!!
I too am waiting to get a new iPhone (When OS 3.0 is released - I need MMS) However, reading all the horror stories of bits falling off, cracks, overheating, light leaks, freezes, regular reboots, replacements because of various problems etc. etc. I'm beginning to wonder if, after all, it's such a good idea!!
Stay with your 2G, the build quality is awful on the 3G. I've had 5 replacements: one for the back being uneven with the chrome and having a gap (as well as bad light leaking and a cracked headphone port), the second for dock connector and volume cracking, the third I gave right back when they handed it to me because it had dust under the glass, the fourth had light leaks, cracks, and wifi stopped working, the fifth I'm using now has very bad light leaking and is also beginning to crack near the volume buttons but Apple has told me they cannot give me another replacement because these are MINOR COSMETIC ISSUES and EVERY phone will have some issue (this came from the genius and the manager). I found this to be completely unacceptable and told him that after five lemon "refurb" phones I wanted a brand new one in the box, he told me cannot do this due to terms and conditions with AT&T. Eventually he told me I needed to walk out of his store as an unsatisfied customer. I will be calling customer service soon.
Reluctantly, that's the conclusion I'm coming to
. Over the years, I've owned 'phones from Nokia, Panasonic, Sony Ericsson and Motorola. As far as I remember, apart from the Razr which developed a dodgy keypad, none of them had any problems with their casework/switches etc.I have always been impressed with the quality and design of Apple products (iMac and iPod) - that is, until the iPhone! Let's hope the next iteration will be built to a higher standard...
I would have to say that the build quality and design is far greater on the 3G in my opinion. It doesn't FEEL like it sometimes because it's plastic, but it has more support because of the domed back, less volume loss from the metal grated speakers/mic, and more solid button mounts and feel thanks to internal design and metal button caps. Since it is plastic though, it can't be cut with a laser or be as precise as far as fitment goes, which is why certain demands of perfection by some people are just unreasonable from a manufacturing standpoint. (I've worked in a machine/plastics shop for some time in the past)
Unfortunately it sounds like you are just one of "those customers". Seriously, the issues you describe sound very suspicious. Stop putting L-shaped or extra long headphone jacks in it, don't keep it in a speaker dock or iphone dock all the time, and stop pushing the volume buttons so hard or hitting them on things. That will resolve the cracking issues. Then all you're left with are the so-called "light leak" problem. ALL 3G IPHONES DO THAT! Some more than others, but it's still only noticeable in a dark room with high brightness levels and you won't even see it if you use a case. They use a rubber gasket now so there isn't a metal rim contacting bare glass. Rubber moves and changes shape slightly... Would you rather have a hit on the ring transmit straight to the glass and crack it or have a little bit of protection against bumps and drops?
The only problems out of spec with the ones you listed were:
-dust under glass when new
&
-Wifi stopped working (which can sometimes be resolved through DFU restore, etc.)
Anyways, I'm just saying to people basing their buying decisions off of a topic on the internet where everyone goes to complain about the same thing, think it through and talk to the happy customers about the problem too. The issue is, those satisfied customers don't go into a thread about a problem to say "Hi guys, mine works great! OK bye." They far outnumber the people with constant build quality problems.
I have had 2 launch day white 16gb iphones and they still haven't had any cracks or 'major' light leak issues. I have used it in an incase slider case for quite some time now and have stopped using it in the iphone dock because one wrong push on it to turn off my alarm when I'm half asleep will probably make the dock connector crack.
The 3G cracks without having to hit it on anything or press hard. I was very careful with my iPhone 3G and it cracked for no reason. Plastic sucks. Also, how come you don't see other phones crack... aren't they made out of plastic too? Apple used a super hard plastic and therefore it can crack instead of just bend or warp. Like some plastics will bend and bend and bend, but it's almost impossible to break it and some plastics will just snap under pressure (like those plastic forks you get with your salad at Wendy's). As for the light leaks... I finally got an iPhone 3G with almost NO light leak. It's very hard to notice and it's VERY small. I have to turn the brightness all the way up on a black background in the pitch dark in order to see any light shine through the tiny 1/8" gap... so I don't really see that as a problem on my 4th iPhone, but the other 3 had it bad. Things like "I have to avoid using the Dock because it might crack" is the perfect example at how we shouldn't have to do that. We shouldn't need to use a case to prevent cracks and we shouldn't have to avoid the Dock for fear of cracking. You know what... the first gen plastic is hard to crack... it's a softer plastic that is more likely to bend than crack. (I'm referring to the antenna cover, not the metal housing).
Reluctantly, that's the conclusion I'm coming to
I have always been impressed with the quality and design of Apple products (iMac and iPod) - that is, until the iPhone! Let's hope the next iteration will be built to a higher standard...
They cheapened up on the components unfortunately. The silent switch, the cracks, etc. I agree, I hope the next version is a lot better.
Absolutely! My wife still insists on using her prehistoric Nokia
She drops it, throws it in her bag, sits on it - and there's not a mark on it In my opinion, Apple's desk-tops, laptops and iPods are example of superb design and engineering. As far as the iPhone is concerned - I'm afraid they've got a lot to learn.
I only got my iPhone in December and have been looking after it like it's my first born - and the other day I noticed a crack starting at the USB going right up about an inch almost - you can feel it - it's not been dropped so no obvious breakages etc. I've made an appointment with "genius" mob in Glasgow on Sat - is the policy still to replace these? I wont be happy if it aint!
I don't understand what you are saying by stating I am "one of those customers". I paid $300 for an iPhone, it should NOT have these problems. Many others phones are made of plastic and you don't see them cracking, do you? And btw, I only use the iPhone headphones with it, so you can't say I'm using "L-shaped or extra long" headphones because I am not. I baby this phone and there is no reason it should be cracking all over the place. As for you saying all 3G's have the light leak, I have to agree with you on that because every single one that I've had leaks but it shouldn't. You can't sit here and justify the leaking by saying the all have it, because the bottom line is that they shouldn't. iPhone 2G's had NONE of these problems, no cracking or leaking, the 3G should be the same way.
UPDATE:
Finally got to the apple store today, showed the genius (always makes me laugh) the cracking around the headphone jack, he checked the water sensors and got straight to swapping it round.
He also replaced my ailing Headset (the button had stopped working) and my USB cable (the wires inside were exposed at the usb end - and it was my second - They didnt have any in stock, and because i would have to travel for 3 hours a round trip he gave me one of the apple store demo cables which is like 4 meters long)
The replacement unit looks perfect, no dust under the screen and ive just checked it for light leaks and its all good, the genius even started checking his own 3G while he was waiting for it to activate.
so all in all, very satisfied, i was in and out in 15 minutes and i wont get paranoid about a chunk falling off my phone
Finally got to the apple store today, showed the genius (always makes me laugh) the cracking around the headphone jack, he checked the water sensors and got straight to swapping it round.
He also replaced my ailing Headset (the button had stopped working) and my USB cable (the wires inside were exposed at the usb end - and it was my second - They didnt have any in stock, and because i would have to travel for 3 hours a round trip he gave me one of the apple store demo cables which is like 4 meters long
)The replacement unit looks perfect, no dust under the screen and ive just checked it for light leaks and its all good, the genius even started checking his own 3G while he was waiting for it to activate.
so all in all, very satisfied, i was in and out in 15 minutes and i wont get paranoid about a chunk falling off my phone
Reading this thread with great interest and was thining "I'm so glad my iPhone is practically perfect"
This was obviously the kiss of death Just looked very closely at my iPhone and one side of the phone sticks out a little from the chrome surround, all along this slightly stuck out edge are small cracks starting from the edge and going about 2cm
Also where the silent switch it there is actually a large crack from switch to the front of the phone which actually moves when you push it as if the piece of plastic is about to fall out
This was obviously the kiss of death
Just looked very closely at my iPhone and one side of the phone sticks out a little from the chrome surround, all along this slightly stuck out edge are small cracks starting from the edge and going about 2cm Also where the silent switch it there is actually a large crack from switch to the front of the phone which actually moves when you push it as if the piece of plastic is about to fall out
went to the genius bar yesterday ,explained to him my situation ,all he said was " oh i see" and then said " well let's get you a new one " and then i said " um ok ! " , right before he bust out with a new replacement ,he checked my old iphone with an odd looking flashlight equipment.after all that he just finished up the exchange process and explain to me the backing up your data procedure ,duh ! lol........
Well here's my experience of the "genius" bar in Glasgow today - I discovered quite a noticable crack from the USB last Sunday - quite obvious - you could feel it - I'm 100% certain I didn't sit on it - drop it - in fact it was in mint condition. Apart from the crack.
Made my appointment - the guy gave it a good look over "Hmm'd and Ha'd" and then came back and said - that it was a pressure crack - not caused by the casing but by maybe me sitting on it/dropping it etc. I was prepared for this and quoted the 50 odd pages from here that it was an obvious fault and other Genius bars had recognised it.
After tapping away on his PC he said "as a gesture of goodwill" we'll replace it. 5 Mins later I was re-activated with a new iPhone which appears to be perfect.
Stand your ground with this one - they are not as much of a pushover as some of the other 'bars'.
Made my appointment - the guy gave it a good look over "Hmm'd and Ha'd" and then came back and said - that it was a pressure crack - not caused by the casing but by maybe me sitting on it/dropping it etc. I was prepared for this and quoted the 50 odd pages from here that it was an obvious fault and other Genius bars had recognised it.
After tapping away on his PC he said "as a gesture of goodwill" we'll replace it. 5 Mins later I was re-activated with a new iPhone which appears to be perfect.
Stand your ground with this one - they are not as much of a pushover as some of the other 'bars'.
I feel like crying.
I've just felt a crack running in from the vibrate switch on my iPhone.
I have no idea how it's got there and I look after this thing like its radioactive. Is Apple doing a replacement on the covers by any chance? It's still within the 1 year warranty
Came back from the Apple Store yesterday aswell when I went to pick up my Macbook which had the cracked topcase
I've just felt a crack running in from the vibrate switch on my iPhone.
I have no idea how it's got there and I look after this thing like its radioactive. Is Apple doing a replacement on the covers by any chance? It's still within the 1 year warranty
Came back from the Apple Store yesterday aswell when I went to pick up my Macbook which had the cracked topcase
Me Too
Found one of those hairline cracks by my vibrate button and a smaller one by the volume button.
Wondering if it's worth taking it back or not. My iPhone is only five months old.
Found one of those hairline cracks by my vibrate button and a smaller one by the volume button.
Wondering if it's worth taking it back or not. My iPhone is only five months old.
Providing you haven't been mistreating it, as it's only 5 months old - don't hesitate!Found one of those hairline cracks by my vibrate button and a smaller one by the volume button.
Wondering if it's worth taking it back or not. My iPhone is only five months old.
I just noticed three cracks at the dock connector. Spidering up towards the top of the phone. And another one between the other side of the dock connector to the chrome surround. I have been having an issue with the silent switch. Literally touch it and the phone will vibrate randomly sometimes just in my pocket.
I just found a hairline crack near my vibrate button too. With my luck the apple guys will just laugh at me and send me on my way...
Or they'll give me a faulty replacement that will self combust when I bring it home...
Or they'll give me a faulty replacement that will self combust when I bring it home...
Had mine replaced yesterday for 2 hairline cracks by each of the screws at the bottom. The guy looked at it and right away said "let's replace the phone!"
He asked me 3 questions (has it been dropped, do you use a case and which pocket do you keep it in), signed the paper and was out of there within 10 minutes. I love Apple customer support.
He asked me 3 questions (has it been dropped, do you use a case and which pocket do you keep it in), signed the paper and was out of there within 10 minutes. I love Apple customer support.
I made a reservation to visit the Genius Bar about the cracked housing, and the Apple representative on the phone had one question that made me curious - about whether I used a case. I said "no. Why do you ask?" The rep downplayed the question, saying it's just a question they ask. I'm a little suspicious now, though. I wonder if they are trying to deny replacement for housing cracks by blaming tight cases - or carrying the phone in the back pocket (sitting on it), or any other minor detail.
I got mine replaced about a week ago for cracks in the housing. Although I had to wait 20 minutes past my appointment time (he was helping someone without an appointment) when it got to me, the process took less than five minutes. He acknowledged it as a known issue and asked me some questions (e.g. where I kept the phone, if it was in a case).
Luckily he didn't check the modem version, as I had downgraded to 2.2.1 from 3.0.
Luckily he didn't check the modem version, as I had downgraded to 2.2.1 from 3.0.