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Apple Bumper WARNING (This thing is terrible!)

D

dmb420

macrumors member
Original poster
Jun 24, 2010
62
0
I wanted to warn everyone out there that the iPhone 4 Bumper from apple is terrible!

Do you guys remember with the original iPhone how you couldn't use aftermarket headphones because the headphone hole was recessed in the body of the phone?

Well, the apple bumper causes the same problem. I have tried numerous pairs of headphones and cables and NONE of them are able to work with the bumper.

Also, the ringer / vibrate switch is impossible to use with the bumper. I have larger fingers and I can't activate the switch. My girlfriend has tiny hands and even she isn't able to switch it. Only after cramming her nail in there was she able to switch it.

The build quality is descent and its a solid case / bumper / whatever you want to call it.

I would advise everyone to stay away from the bumper, unless you can deal with the issues mentioned above. This thing is completely useless to me, hopefully my local apple store will accept a return.

--edit--

My post title is a bit sensational. Terrible isn't the right word. This thing feels like a quality case, but it has some major flaws that make it a poor case in my opinion. (The headphone jack hole isn't large enough and the ringer switch is difficult to use with the bumper.)
 
The bumper is not terrible at all.

The aftermarket headphone issue isn't great but the majority of people won't use aftermarket headphones.

As for the vibrate switch, it's a non issue for me. Do you have the bumper on properly?
 
dmb420 said:
I wanted to warn everyone out there that the iPhone 4 Bumper from apple is terrible!

Do you guys remember with the original iPhone how you couldn't use aftermarket headphones because the headphone hole was recessed in the body of the phone?

Well, the apple bumper causes the same problem. I have tried numerous pairs of headphones and cables and NONE of them are able to work with the bumper.

Also, the ringer / vibrate switch is impossible to use with the bumper. I have larger fingers and I can't activate the switch. My girlfriend has tiny hands and even she isn't able to switch it. Only after cramming her nail in there was she able to switch it.

I would advise everyone to stay away from the bumper, unless you can deal with the issues mentioned above. This thing is completely useless to me, hopefully my local apple store will accept a return.
Click to expand...

I can confirm the ringer / vibrate switch problem. I certainly have to use my nails to get to it.

My headphones (B&W P5 and Bose In-Ear), however, work perfectly. They have the regular plugs, though.
 
Pointer said:
The bumper is not terrible at all.

The aftermarket headphone issue isn't great but the majority of people won't use aftermarket headphones.

As for the vibrate switch, it's a non issue for me. Do you have the bumper on properly?
Click to expand...

Yes its on properly. I'm glad it isn't an issue for everyone. It's an issue for me because i use my phone for music while in the car. I've tried a bunch of headphones and different 3.5mm cables and none of them work. I've used a lot of other cases (mainly different iskins) without issue.
 
Mpjohnny5 said:
What color, where did you get it and did they have alot? And wheres the pics?
Click to expand...


I'll get some pics up in a minute. I got it at the apple store in richmond va. They had a lot of them, but only in black.
 
I was going to say nonsense, the bumper (while being overpriced) is actually quite good, nice attention to detail with the silver buttons and all... but I suspect you're right about the headphone port. I don't have a problem with my Sleek Audio SA1's, but from having certain other brands in the past it could well be a sticky issue for some.

As it's purely rubber around the port it could be enlarged... but then if you've already paid for a relatively expensive case, why would you have too?

Definitely worth checking first if you have an oversized headphone jack.
 
Thanks for the heads-up man. BTW, any reception issues while holding it in your hand without the bumper?
 
eezing said:
Thanks for the heads-up man. BTW, any reception issues while holding it in your hand without the bumper?
Click to expand...

I haven't had a chance to test it without the bumper. It's been great so far with the bumper.

Here are some pics of the bumper. I tried to take a picture of it with a 3.5mm cable plugged in that wouldn't fit, but pictures really don't do it any justice. It looks normal in the picture.
 

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Here are a few more pictures...
 

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I just picked up the Griffin Reveal, which is a no brainer compared to the Bumpers unless you want a special color.
Cheaper and protects the back glass.

No problem with the headphone jack of course.
 
bova80 said:
here's how you resolve the headphone issue, get a drill bit larger then that hole and drill it out more.
Click to expand...

I thought about that, but I don't feel like I should have to modify a 30 dollar product just to do something as simple as fit a standard 3.5mm jack. I'm going to try and return it to my local apple store tomorrow. I'd go today, but its an absolute zoo up there.

Zimmy68 said:
I just picked up the Griffin Reveal, which is a no brainer compared to the Bumpers unless you want a special color.
Cheaper and protects the back glass.

No problem with the headphone jack of course.
Click to expand...

Nice. I'll have to check those out. I'll probably end up buying an iskin case, as i've owned a lot of their products in the past and they've been top-notch. I watched my 3gs go tumbling down a steep aggregate driveway (20+ feet) and it survived no problem. I had it in an iskin solo fx se case.
 
Just picked up my bumper. Was using two different cases before i picked up at ATT yesterday. Bumper is so much better in terms of:

- Build Quality. Its very nice. Metal buttons are a sleek touch
- Fit
- Thinness. One thing about this phone is its so thin i dont want to add bulk. On my previous 3gs i had the incipio feather which was perfect. The bumpers provide very limited additional bulk.

I tried my two pair of headphones - the crappy gym one and the expensive ones. Both worked fine. But i can DEF see how certain headphones would not work without mod of either of the headphones or case.

This is a perfect everyday case for me. My biggest thing is whether i want the bumper in white. I love the black on black but white may make it easier to distinguish.

I aslo dont care about protecting the screen and back (the bump limp is perfect for the occasional drop). Never had a prob on the 3Gs and i like the look and feel without.
 
i agree. i don't like using the provided headphones by apple and i have my own headphones. i have the same problem. i can't plug it in all the way. what a POS
 
Zimmy68 said:
I just picked up the Griffin Reveal, which is a no brainer compared to the Bumpers unless you want a special color.
Cheaper and protects the back glass.

No problem with the headphone jack of course.
Click to expand...
I was going to get the reveal, but it looked like a really cheap plastic on the back.
 
If fit is a problem, get a razor blade and make it work. I'm sure you could neatly cut the bumper a bit. Not sure if that was mentioned, getting overwhelmed by so many threads to post in. lolz
 
I'm assuming NO, but with the bumpers on does the phone still fit in the iPhone4 dock?
 
The fact that is can't take a larger headphone piece is a dealbreaker for me. So glad i didn't get one. I may have tried it if they had white or orange.
 
dmb420 said:
I wanted to warn everyone out there that the iPhone 4 Bumper from apple is terrible!

Do you guys remember with the original iPhone how you couldn't use aftermarket headphones because the headphone hole was recessed in the body of the phone?

Well, the apple bumper causes the same problem. I have tried numerous pairs of headphones and cables and NONE of them are able to work with the bumper.

Also, the ringer / vibrate switch is impossible to use with the bumper. I have larger fingers and I can't activate the switch. My girlfriend has tiny hands and even she isn't able to switch it. Only after cramming her nail in there was she able to switch it.

The build quality is descent and its a solid case / bumper / whatever you want to call it.

I would advise everyone to stay away from the bumper, unless you can deal with the issues mentioned above. This thing is completely useless to me, hopefully my local apple store will accept a return.

--edit--

My post title is a bit sensational. Terrible isn't the right word. This thing feels like a quality case, but it has some major flaws that make it a poor case in my opinion. (The headphone jack hole isn't large enough and the ringer switch is difficult to use with the bumper.)
Click to expand...

Glad my Shure earphones still work.
 
Well the bumper's not the only case that restricts other headphone plugs. I have a UE-10Pro that I uses often with my phone, and so I never use any cases on it.
 
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