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3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing

I still fail to see why the Moderators don't make a sticky thread for this, it comes up like every 3-4 days

my guess is that apple must sponsor this website

and therefore any thread that would confirm that the iPhone has a manufacturing problem would probably be looked down upon
 
lollicup said:
I still fail to see why the Moderators don't make a sticky thread for this, it comes up like every 3-4 days

my guess is that apple must sponsor this website

and therefore any thread that would confirm that the iPhone has a manufacturing problem would probably be looked down upon
Click to expand...

Apple doesn't sponsor the website.

If you think this should be a sticky report it to the mods, but I doubt that will fix the repeated threads. We have stickies now for other things, and still get new posts.
 
So the replacements are always refurbs, or no?

Mine has a crack near the ringer on/off switch that I found about 2 months ago. I thought about taking it to get a new one but I'm not really sure that I mind the crack. The phone works just as well and the only one who knows about the crack is me. The thought of getting a refurb instead of a new one is a turn-off.
 
The replacements are always refurbs, unless you get a replacement right after a new model comes out.

Refurbs are kind of better than new, since they use a new battery and case. They also get more attention than one off the factory.

However, I just got a refurb a month ago, and it had a wifi issue. Went back and got another and that one has been perfect. It's better than the new one I had over a year ago. Anyway, I don't think you can lose going with a refurb. You have 3 months or the rest of your warranty, whichever is greater, to get another if there's something wrong with it.
 
CarboysDesire said:
The thought of getting a refurb instead of a new one is a turn-off.
Click to expand...

Refurbs have new cases, every component checked, and are re-manufactured in the US with Apple quality control. I'm not sure I wouldn't choose that over the Foxconn lottery. Don't get me wrong, my iPhone's been perfect; but a re-manufactured one should have at least as high quality components and more testing.
 
Well, today I noticed a hairline crack between my headphone socket and the chrome trim. It's small, and I feel a little silly for moaning about it, but at the end of the day I paid £342 of hard earned money for this phone so I don't see why I should tolerate a crack that I didn't create. I know it's a crack because when you pass your nail over it, it catches ... so it's not a scratch.

The only thing that worries me is that I've used a Bezel Blaster to brush the chrome trim, will this go against me when I take it to the Genius Bar?
 
Well, MAJOR thanks to Apple and especially to Craig at the Glasgow store Genius Bar. This kind of service is why I continue buying from Apple.

I phoned shortly after making the post above, and made an appointment with the Genius Bar, explaining the situation to the woman about my headphone socket.

When I got to store for my 5:20pm appointment (it's worth pointing out that the store is 5 minutes walk from my work in Glasgow City Centre), I was seen promptly and explained that it may seen trivial, but a crack had developed at my headphone socket.

Craig said right away that I could have it replaced, no problem at all. He did warn me I'd lose my screen protector and Invisible Shield back protector, but I didn't care.

He used the magnifying eyepiece to inspect the crack and said, "Thats only going to get worse". He then checked the dock port and headphone port with the torch enabled magnifying tool for water damage. I wasn't worrying, I knew it would pass that test as I never use it in the rain, etc.

Craig filled in some details on his Macbook and said, "OK, I'll just go get you're replacement". He came back with a refurbished iPhone 3G and before removing my SIM card he activated the wipe function on my (now) old iPhone and let me confirm the erase by pressing the button.

My new iPhone was then activated and a new receipt printed out, the deatils of which I found interesting:

Issue Verified: Yes
Known Liquid Damage: No
Issue: Crack at headphone jack
Steps to Reproduce: Visual
Proposed Resolution: Swap
Cosmetic Condition: Excellent (was proud of this)

Many thanks to Craig, he could not have been more helpful.
 
WeegieMac said:
Well, MAJOR thanks to Apple and especially to Craig at the Glasgow store Genius Bar. This kind of service is why I continue buying from Apple.

I phoned shortly after making the post above, and made an appointment with the Genius Bar, explaining the situation to the woman about my headphone socket.

When I got to store for my 5:20pm appointment (it's worth pointing out that the store is 5 minutes walk from my work in Glasgow City Centre), I was seen promptly and explained that it may seen trivial, but a crack had developed at my headphone socket.

Craig said right away that I could have it replaced, no problem at all. He did warn me I'd lose my screen protector and Invisible Shield back protector, but I didn't care.

He used the magnifying eyepiece to inspect the crack and said, "Thats only going to get worse". He then checked the dock port and headphone port with the torch enabled magnifying tool for water damage. I wasn't worrying, I knew it would pass that test as I never use it in the rain, etc.

Craig filled in some details on his Macbook and said, "OK, I'll just go get you're replacement". He came back with a refurbished iPhone 3G and before removing my SIM card he activated the wipe function on my (now) old iPhone and let me confirm the erase by pressing the button.

My new iPhone was then activated and a new receipt printed out, the deatils of which I found interesting:

Issue Verified: Yes
Known Liquid Damage: No
Issue: Crack at headphone jack
Steps to Reproduce: Visual
Proposed Resolution: Swap
Cosmetic Condition: Excellent (was proud of this)

Many thanks to Craig, he could not have been more helpful.
Click to expand...

If u don't mind me asking how long had you had the phone and where u bought it ie: o2 store or apple store or cpw

cheers mark
 
Well, in a bizarre "twist of fate", tonight while using my "new" iPhone in a darker room, I noticed that I have some light leaking on the left hand side of the iPhone.

If you hold the bezel tight on the left side, it closes up. Loosen your grip, it opens up again. It's only 1mm at most, but in dark conditions you really see it.

I'm happy with the replacement except for this, and can this gap not lead to dirt/dust getting into the device?

I can't believe I'll need to go back to the store tomorrow ... *sigh*
 
thelatinist said:
Happens with new phones, too. Sorry for the bad luck.
Click to expand...

I cancelled my reservation for the Genius Bar tomorrow.

I'm not going to be anal and walk into a brightly lit Apple Store and try to show a 1mm gap with a little bit of light coming through.

The new phone works great, and who's to say the next one has no light leak but a wonky silent switch or dodgy speaker?
 
Had my 32gb white 3Gs about a month, just noticed its first headphone jack crack today.

I keep it in a foof.

*sad face*

I'm not picky enough to get it replaced, but perhaps its a useful ace to have up my sleeeve if ever i need it replaced in the future.
 
I'm just waiting for my white 3G to arrive. Looking in the Apple shop in ALL the one display were defective.

I figure if mine cracks I will wait for the warranty to expire, then replace the back with an after-market product. Plenty on ebay, cheap & colorful. Taking the phone apart doesnt look too daunting....plenty of youtube vids.
 
Terrible hairline cracks

Hi everyone,

My situation is exactly the same as people who noticed the hairline cracks on iPhone 3G/3GS.

After two weeks purchasing White iPhone 3GS 32G from the store, two hairline cracks appeared around the volume +/- button and some small signs around ports. If the happen stops at these cracks I'll feel free to accept it but ... some long hairline cracks have been developing on the body. Now, I'm feeling too bad for these cracks. Eventually, I've a good decision to live with it but I have just bought the phone nearly a month.. waiting for other hairline cracks appear.. It's terrible :confused:

I bought the phone in Australia with no insurance. I reckon the phone is covering by official warranty from Apple. Is there any chance to take a replacement? (Melbourne)

My experience from the hairline crack
DO NOT CHARGE THE PHONE WITH A ADAPTER , PLEASE USE USB.
 

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How are apple like at replacing 3G's out of warranty with cracked cases?

i previously posted my 1st 3G back in april when this thread was about 30 pages old when it was 9 months old, got it replaced at the apple store no problems.

now its obviously out of warranty and my replacement has a 1.5cm crack at the bottom on the back starting at the charger port. Originally i thought i had really unlucky scratch from the universal dock, but after a week i inspected it properly and realised its actually a crack that flexes.

usually the Geniuses are really good with any problems ive had, but ive got a feeling im not going to be so lucky this time, any thoughts? ive got a genius appointment booked for friday.

The thing is i can argue the sale of goods act saying its not of satisfactory quality, and obviously apple must recognise that this does happen with iPhones.
 
My 15 month old 16gig black 3G iphone developed cracks along both end of the USB connector. The plastic piece around one of the bottom screws came off allowing the speaker grill to hang out. Apple would not do anything because it was out of warranty but they admitted that it did not look like it had been dropped. I plug the USB connector to it about 10 per day because in my office I do not get a signal but I take it with me when I step out of the office.

This site had the original back plate if you are handy with taking things apart.

http://pacifictoy.com/

It swapped the back plate and it took me about 75 mins.
 
peterwalsh said:
Legolai said:
How are apple like at replacing 3G's out of warranty with cracked cases?

The thing is i can argue the sale of goods act saying its not of satisfactory quality...
Click to expand...
Legolai said:
Have a look at my post about replacing an out of warranty 3G:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/812277/

I wrote to apple outlining expectation of quality/not fit for purpose and they called me the next day to offer a free replacement.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, My genius appointment isn't until tomorrow but i am expecting some kind of rebuttal, the geniuses at meadowhall are usually pretty good, even for problems with my macbook out of warranty, but like i said i can see this turning sour on me. Where did you send your letter to, and what was the gist of it? (if you dont mind me asking)
Click to expand...
 
Legolai said:
I wrote to the Customer Service Director in Ireland...

Hollyhill Industrial Estate
Hollyhill, Cork
Republic of Ireland

Sent pics too.

Don't know if I'm too late...but if you can get the genius to acknowledge that the cracks are not your fault you should be able to argue that the phone casing has failed to match your expectations. I'd emphasize your loyalty to apple products and disappointment that you have to pay £139 to fix the casing. Good luck.
Click to expand...
 
peterwalsh said:
Legolai said:
I wrote to the Customer Service Director in Ireland...

Hollyhill Industrial Estate
Hollyhill, Cork
Republic of Ireland

Sent pics too.

Don't know if I'm too late...but if you can get the genius to acknowledge that the cracks are not your fault you should be able to argue that the phone casing has failed to match your expectations. I'd emphasize your loyalty to apple products and disappointment that you have to pay £139 to fix the casing. Good luck.
Click to expand...

thanks for the reply, you're not too late, my appointment isn't until later, i'm going to have them take a look at it and see what they say, but it is my second one now, both of them producing cracks between 7-9 months into their lives, this one being a lot more noticeable than the last, but if i get no-where i'll definitely write. The thing is i'm also going in to replace a power adapter on my girlfriends macbook, and since i started buying apple products i've had the cracks and splitting on my whitebook, my power adapter failing, my 3G crack, twice, and now my girlfriends power adapter too. Maybe i should just give up?
Click to expand...
 
Maybe i should just give up?[/QUOTE]

But move to what? Something about the OS keeps me hooked - even on the iphone.

In true doppelganger style, my white macbook is held together with tape and I've just had to buy a new power adapter through amazon - twenty smackers, not the sixty apple were asking.

But it has been hard-used. Perhaps apple owners just use the gear a lot more than most.

I think the 7-9 months cracking pattern only strengthens your case - sorry - to claim substandard materials.
 
yeah thats what keeps me staying the OS and the Apps,

So, after my 3 hour round trip to Meadowhall, i got my power adapter replaced no problem. Not so lucky with my iPhone, So the genius was very understanding saying that he knows about it because his handset was cracked too, BUT i would have to pay for the £139 replacement, because its over a year old, his 'hands were tied' and couldn't do anything about it. however he did crucially mention that it was a Manufacturing fault and that it does happen. BONUS which means i can now write in to apple and say their representative has basically said there is an inherent fault with the 3G plastics. Not that i can really prove it, but im going to give it a go. Ill keep you updated.
 
I just noticed my iphone having a hairline crack as well today. I swear my warranty was up but I decided to take it to the genius bar anyways. Apparently I purchased my phone in August of 09. =P

I don't know when the original purchase date was because I got this phone used from a person on craigslist.

I guess I lucked out or the apple employee made a mistake.

Legolai said:
yeah thats what keeps me staying the OS and the Apps,

So, after my 3 hour round trip to Meadowhall, i got my power adapter replaced no problem. Not so lucky with my iPhone, So the genius was very understanding saying that he knows about it because his handset was cracked too, BUT i would have to pay for the £139 replacement, because its over a year old, his 'hands were tied' and couldn't do anything about it. however he did crucially mention that it was a Manufacturing fault and that it does happen. BONUS which means i can now write in to apple and say their representative has basically said there is an inherent fault with the 3G plastics. Not that i can really prove it, but im going to give it a go. Ill keep you updated.
Click to expand...
 
Hi, I've been reading up about the iPhone cracks, and unfortunately I have had the problem.

I had a small crack from the base of the iPhone which starts from the charging socket, originally it was small.. but not it is approx, 15mm long, running upwards, this is disappointing, I also have a problem, that under the glass before the LCD, it seems that I have dust or something inside, this is very annoying and can be seen when watching a movie or doing anything really.

From Apples support site: Estimated Expiration Date: 22 April 2010
So i'm well in my warranty.

Will i be able to get a replacement iPhone? I can either drive 65Miles and take it to a store, and then 65miles back, or send it too apple by post, which is the best option?
 
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