Finally found a perfect iPhone 3G — It's rare! Long Story.

[Bryan Bowler]

...but unfortunately, over the past 10 years, Apple has gotten me accustomed to quality, so maybe that's why I'm so anal about it. I'm not used to crappy Apple products. Period.

I have to agree with you. As a 9-year veteran with Apple, I too have become accustomed to top-notch quality. I've yet to have ever had a bad product from Apple.

no I wont agree if you believe that he complains and his threads hold no water then its very simple, dont read them

So you're saying that if I don't agree with something, then I shouldn't read it or respond to it?

And OP, just so there's no hard feelings, I truly am happy that you found one you're happy with.

 

[anjinha]

I think that a lot of people expect too much from their apple products, especially people who read these forums. I agree that we should expect quality from apple but a lot of people seem to expect something perfect.

Also a lot of problems that people complain about are things they wouldn't have noticed have they not read threads about those issues. I never noticed light leaks on my iPhone until I went looking for them after reading threads about them. And I don't think we inspect other products for flaws like we inspect apple products, so it makes sense we always find something wrong with them.

But I'm really glad that you found an iPhone you're pleased with and I agree that for the price it should be pretty near perfect.

 

[tremlock]

glad you finally got good one. Got mine last saturday and i'm completely happy.

 

[gentlegiantcrai]

Yes, correct. I am OCD when spending half-a-grand on something. For some reason I expect it to feel like $500... and that makes me waaaaaaay OCD eh? I'm glad you're fine with your problems. What you do not realize is that you and I are different people with different personalities.... You said your iPhone is "just a phone" and "a tool"... well that's good for you. I tried telling myself it's "just a phone" and the more I thought about it... the more angry I got because I didn't buy JUST A PHONE... I bought an iPhone and after owning the original iPhone I had some pretty big expectations for it. I never once worried if my 1st Gen was going to crack or seeing light leak out the sides or the hold switch snapping off... It was just a rugged piece of equipment. If they put 3G and GPS into an original iPhone shell, I'd get that in a heartbeat.

I can only imagine seeing you buying an automobile.

 

[Bryan Bowler]

Or a house!

 

[rotobadger]

I think the OP has a right to be satisfied with his purchase. I think the fact that he finally DID find an iPhone with no issues points to Apple needing to up their quality rather than the OP bringing his expectations down.

Essentially, if a satisfactory example of the iPhone exisits (obviously for the OP it does) than why are so many bad examples manufactured and sold?

 

[TheSpaz]

I can only imagine seeing you buying an automobile.

I didn't post this thread to be made fun of. I am pickier than the average gadget buyer and yes I read the threads here on MacRumors and I still would have noticed the issues. Afterall, that's the kind I person I am.

By the way, I did buy a car, but I do not treat everything else the same way I treat my Macs.

If the issues I had with my iPhones were small then why the heck did they agree to replace it?

I didn't start this thread to receive sympathy, I started it to tell my story and clear some questions people have about the hardware quality of the iPhone 3G. I can now enjoy my life just a little bit more.

 

[kleo]

This is the reason why iPhones cost $600 un-subsidized. We are paying for 10 phone replacements for picky nerds who find faults with perfectly functional products.

 

[gentlegiantcrai]

I didn't post this thread to be made fun of. I am pickier than the average gadget buyer and yes I read the threads here on MacRumors and I still would have noticed the issues. Afterall, that's the kind I person I am.

By the way, I did buy a car, but I do not treat everything else the same way I treat my Macs.

If the issues I had with my iPhones were small then why the heck did they agree to replace it?

I didn't start this thread to receive sympathy, I started it to tell my story and clear some questions people have about the hardware quality of the iPhone 3G. I can now enjoy my life just a little bit more.

Honestly, you shared your story and I am sharing my comment. It was a friendly gesture, and I even included an emotion, so maybe someone would see my point. You did state that your were spending 500 and wanted a quality product. When posting a thread, EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED. Anyways, I am glad you found your perfect iphone. But IMO, I think you deserve to have a quality product, but sometimes I feel the quality of costumer of service is abused with the genius bar with minor issues that do not effect the functionality of the product. If the product does what it suggest, then I am satisfied. But again that is my 2 cents.

 

[Vegastouch]

If Apple products werent so overpriced, i guess we wouldnt worry so much about them being perfect.

I dont have an iphone YET, but i am going to get one and unlock it to t-mobile and then maybe jaibreak it . I do like the looks of the 3g better than the 2g( on the backside...and i like the white)

I hate the chrome on the back of my iPod touch. Too slippery and scrathes too easily but i just put it in a holster after a week. Problem solved.

Seems kinda anal to me to have to go thru 6 iPhones before being satisfied with one. It may cost $500 but to say you want it to feel $500 is funny. The thing isnt worth $500 and next year will be only cost $400 as they overprice the next one they release while the G1 is coming out for only $179....but hey, it doesnt have a headphone jack and is why im not getting one this time around

Anyways, glad you are satisfied at last. It isnt a bad thing to take it back....but 6 times.....LOL
Maybe the iPhone Clone will be in better shape. Anybody know anyone who has one of those?

 

[TheSpaz]

This is the reason why iPhones cost $600 un-subsidized. We are paying for 10 phone replacements for picky nerds who find faults with perfectly functional products.

Actually, this iPhone costs $699 unsubsidised and I don't even get 3G in my area yet so I'm paying a higher price per month on top of that.

Here's an idea for Apple: Design your iPhone to be easier to build! The rubber seal around the screen looks really hard to get perfect and since the glass is no longer glued on, it seems to be difficult to get it to be flush with the bezel. I'm just talking about what I noticed, I'm not certain exactly how they're built, but since it took me six tries, it seems like a pretty complicated product.

 

[JML42691]

...Did your post get longer before I replied? For some reason your post was much shorter than this before I clicked reply... hah.

Sorry, it did. I posted the first half, and then by the time the post was submitted, there were a few more posts that had been made. I noticed the other post right before mine, and rather than risk double-posting with my reply to that, I just edited my response into my original post, figuring at the time nobody had posted after me.

 

[doodads]

The next day, I brought my iPhone 3G back to Best Buy to return it because I was not happy with this one. The stupid lady there refused to see anything wrong with it and she said there was nothing she could do except for letting me pay a $50 restocking fee to return it and buy a whole new one... I was going to spend money on a case so I decided to use that money on a new iPhone instead. I figured, if I get one that's better, I'll be happy.

Your experience at Best Buy should be a warning to people not to buy the iPhone there. It is ridiculous to pay a $50 restocking fee in order to get a phone with no problems. You should have requested to talk to a manager.

 

[DaftUnion]

Alright, I had to chip into this thread when I read about the search for a perfect phone. I too went through about 3 original iPhone Edge phones when I first got mine over a year ago b/c I noticed one or two stuck pixels and/or light leakage issues (yeah, I've got OCD without a doubt--and no drugs don't get rid of it ever with or without therapy as someone else mentioned--been there before).

Eventually, I found one that was better than the first two and pretty close to as good as it was going to get. Eventually, when I dropped my iPhone a couple times I got over treating it like it's in a safe deposit box and actually enjoy the thing now.

Same goes with everything else, a brand new LaCie external I bought has a scrape on the aluminum bottom--oh well. Brand new car I bought got a couple paint chips on the front bumper--sucks but oh well.

Point is: I just tell myself if you're constantly going to be looking for problems or perfection in everythign you buy, you're going to be a wreck. Life's full of scratches, and as long as the thing is functioning as it should and not falling apart, be happy with that. That's how I try to see it

 

[suzerain]

...The 3rd iPhone he gave me was the winner. He let me take this into the bathroom too...

This made me laugh. Was just wondering what testing you had to do with the phone in the bathroom to confirm it was right for you...?

 

[mavis]

CASHIER: I'm sorry, we can't take this back.
GEORGE: Why not?
CASHIER: It's been flagged.
GEORGE: (Confused) Flagged?
CASHIER: It's been in the bathroom.

Classic!! Isn't that the one where he blows the whistle on Uncle Leo?

 

[jellybean]

My iPhone has the scanlines over the screen too. Sometimes it's bad and very noticeable, sometimes it's not as bad and more subtle. I've learnt to live with it (rather than have it sent off to be repaired or replaced which Vodafone says takes "4-6 weeks") and don't notice it as much any more, but it's there.

My best friend bought an iPhone. After using it for an hour or two, realized the accelerometer was completely screwed, even after doing a software restore. Took it back to the Optus store, was told it would have to be sent off to be repaired. So basically he bought this phone and had to send it away the day he bought it. As much as he insisted on getting a replacement or refund, he was told by the store manager that their hands were tied and all they could do was send it to Apple. He received it back from Apple the following week, and Apple had determined there was nothing wrong with it. However the problem was STILL there. Safari/iPod/games which use the accelerometer automatically switch to landscape mode regardless of how it's held.

My other friend bought a white iPhone. The silent ringer switch was not straight, it was diagonal and couldn't be clicked back in place. She was told this was due to "accidental damage", therefore they could not repair or replace it, even though it was like that when it was taken out of the box brand new.

The other two people I know who have iPhones are constantly experiencing freezing and crashes (even after updating to 2.1 software) and disappointed every time they go to do something with their phones which they then discover they can't do (bluetooth file transfer, MMS, video recording, etc). Obviously that last bit isn't a fault, it's something they should've been aware of before they bought the phone, but the lack of basic phone features plus off-the-chart faulty units and problems has given this phone a terrible reputation with a lot of people. (Almost Windows Vista-like reputation.) It's considered a huge joke by so many people, which is such a shame because of all the great stuff it CAN do, and its potential. (Apple aren't helping it reach its potential by crippling the capabilities third party apps can add, limiting the apps developers can make to things like tip calculators and games. )

I love my iPhone, was waiting over a year to get mine, and whilst I still love it and it's still the best phone I've ever owned... it's just a lil disappointing when I look at my friends who hate their iPhones, and how much better it all could've been.

 

[TheSpaz]

Point is: I just tell myself if you're constantly going to be looking for problems or perfection in everythign you buy, you're going to be a wreck. Life's full of scratches, and as long as the thing is functioning as it should and not falling apart, be happy with that. That's how I try to see it

You know what though. I usually feel better about damages when *I* cause the damage. I should at least start with a problem free iPhone and go from there. I agree, as it gets used, scratches and dirt will find it's way onto it, but that wouldn't bother me because I would know that I was the one to cause it.

My iPhone has the scanlines over the screen too. Sometimes it's bad and very noticeable, sometimes it's not as bad and more subtle. I've learnt to live with it (rather than have it sent off to be repaired or replaced which Vodafone says takes "4-6 weeks") and don't notice it as much any more, but it's there.

I feel bad that you have to put up with the scan lines. I did not like them either. What I have found that has helped a lot with the scan lines problem is to dim your screen down a lot. The brighter the screen is, the easier they are to see. I was very fortunate to find one without the scanlines because every iPhone and iPod touch on display at the Apple Store had it! I still can't believe mine doesn't suffer from this... the screen is beautifully smooth and the colors are amazing.

 

[Steve Jobs=God]

So you went through $3000 worth of replacements?

 

[mavis]

You know what though. I usually feel better about damages when *I* cause the damage. I should at least start with a problem free iPhone and go from there. I agree, as it gets used, scratches and dirt will find it's way onto it, but that wouldn't bother me because I would know that I was the one to cause it.

Whatever. I'm sure you'll find something new to complain about soon enough - you tend to be very vocal about your likes/dislikes here on the boards, and you also tend to do complete 180s all the time. How did this one go? First you didn't see the need to get an iPhone 3G (your iPod Touch was enough?) and then you bought one and it was the greatest thing since sliced bread and then a couple weeks later you were really dissatisfied with it and now you're thrilled with it again ... I'm sure in another week or so you'll be singing a different tune (again)

 

[born4sky]

I am already on 3rd iPhone
1) battery problem (full charge for ~3 hours, no 3g, no internet, no video, only voice calls)
2) battery problem (full charge for ~3 hours, no 3g, no internet, no video, only voice calls)

 

[GRN99EX]

I bought my iPhone at the Apple Store in Christiana, DE, and it started to develop cracks a month or so ago.

I work in Portland, ME every other week, and returned mine to the same store as TheSpaz. I agree, the employees there are very friendly and helpful, and they gave me no issues about the return. I am happy with my replacement.

 

[TheSpaz]

I bought my iPhone at the Apple Store in Christiana, DE, and it started to develop cracks a month or so ago.

I work in Portland, ME every other week, and returned mine to the same store as TheSpaz. I agree, the employees there are very friendly and helpful, and they gave me no issues about the return. I am happy with my replacement.

The Portland store is now my favorite store! They always gave me such a hard time in Salem NH.

 

[skye12]

High maintenance to say the least. Apple should have told you to go
buy something else.

 

[TheSpaz]

High maintenance to say the least. Apple should have told you to go
buy something else.

Yeah because that will really help their customers to come back. That wasn't a very well thought out statement. Besides, all the ones I brought back are perfectly refurbishable and resellable. It's not like I'm wasting iPhones... Apple should really be paying me for wasting my time and gas money to get an iPhone that I should have gotten in the FIRST place.

You're not going to make me feel bad because I don't.