iPhone 4 custom back glass replacements?

[The Phazer]

Here is something I saw on Gizmodo which is the concept Im talking about...though this is some exotic African wood and it costs $3000.

Yeah, this is pretty much the only stupidly expensive phone customisation I've ever seen that I thought looked nice. But it also looks nice in a way that's pretty easy to replicate on the cheap, so hopefully we see an explosion in third party materials like this.

I think we might see some really creative stuff soon, which is good, because most of the iPhone 4 case solutions so far have been pig ugly.

Phazer

 

[topmounter]

This could get out of hand real quick.


I'll be waiting for the "Mini-aquarium iPhone4 Back-plate w/ Live! Goldfish and feeding hole"

 

[ijen0311]

here's a white back for 30 bucks!

http://chinaontrade.com/apple-iphone-4-back-cover-panel-white-p-507.html

Why is it so cheap

 

[scootaru]

White back glass. Non-OEM, but cheap.

http://eketshop.com/goods.php?id=2464

 

[richard371]

Something tells me Apple will release the backs to be replaced at the Apple store for less then $50 eventualy. If it costs 150-200 to replace these back then that will open up the market for 3rd party backs and I am sure Apple doesn't want this. Although I look forward to seeing them as competition will drive the price down.

I took my back off yesterday just to see how easy it was and it is a piece of cake. Take out the 2 screws push the back forward a bit towards the top and it lifts right off. I got the ip4 for work that had a piece of dust under the back glass that bugged me so I swapped it with the 1 I am returning to Apple.

 

[randomerratum]

Something tells me Apple will release the backs to be replaced at the Apple store for less then $50 eventualy. If it costs 150-200 to replace these back then that will open up the market for 3rd party backs and I am sure Apple doesn't want this. Although I look forward to seeing them as competition will drive the price down.

I took my back off yesterday just to see how easy it was and it is a piece of cake. Take out the 2 screws push the back forward a bit towards the top and it lifts right off. I got the ip4 for work that had a piece of dust under the back glass that bugged me so I swapped it with the 1 I am returning to Apple.

EDIT: just realized I read your post wrong.. My point still stands, it's just not much of a counter-point to your post as it sounds like.


I'm not sure why everybody thinks that apple doesn't want 3rd party support for things like this. Once I asked an Apple genius why Apple always charged so much more then anyone else for things like RAM and he told me that it was because Apple wanted to encourage the 3rd party support infrastructure.. They WANT resellers and repair shops to Flourish without having to break their backs competing with Apple stores.

It makes sense to me that if they didn't want 3rd party products on the market, they'd edge them out with cheaper prices on things like bunpers. Since *some* people are going to want the official Apple branded solution, apple will sell it, but they don't want to compete with the $15 price point products, they want to leave room for the open market still so they charge $30 to let people consider buying a 3rd party case that may better suit their taste anyway.

Maybe it's bull, but it's certainly in their greater interest to inspire a thriving market of 3rd party accessories to give people the options they want. They'll sell more phones if people know they have plenty of great options.

 

[dglasser13]

Something tells me Apple will release the backs to be replaced at the Apple store for less then $50 eventualy. If it costs 150-200 to replace these back then that will open up the market for 3rd party backs and I am sure Apple doesn't want this. Although I look forward to seeing them as competition will drive the price down.

I took my back off yesterday just to see how easy it was and it is a piece of cake. Take out the 2 screws push the back forward a bit towards the top and it lifts right off. I got the ip4 for work that had a piece of dust under the back glass that bugged me so I swapped it with the 1 I am returning to Apple.

What is the back assembly like? From photos, it looks like there is a frame and some other pieces in addition to the glass. Most of the replacement parts I've seen online are glass only, and I'm wondering how hard it would be to switch out the glass with what is already there.

 

[J273]

Transparent would pretty nice IMO

 

[mgmusicman94]

Transparent would pretty nice IMO

I agree. Maybe you can separate the black piece from the glass on your current back.

 

[mgmusicman94]

Edit: Sorry, accidental double post.

 

[BeyondtheTech]

I'm looking forward to some creative replacement backs.

• Leatherette version like BB Bold.
• With lens cover / conversion lens attachement.
• Custom illustration laser engraved.
• Larger battery integrated.

Let's go even further than that:

• Sliding Bluetooth/dock-connected keyboard
• Sliding Bluetooth/dock-connected gamepad
• Bluetooth/headphone jack/dock-connected infrared remote transmitter
• Bluetooth/headphone jack/dock-connected credit card reader
• Bluetooth/headphone jack/dock-connected laser scanner
• Bluetooth/headphone jack/dock-connected credit card reader
• Slimline Wi-Fi access point (think MiFi 2372 attached to the back of the iPhone)
• Tripod-screw mount for professional photography/videography
• Integrated wallet/credit card holster
• Interlocking wall mount for placement anywhere
• Interlocking mechanism to a belt holster
• Simple strengthened back covers with Kensington lock holes, eyelets for wrist straps, or slits for arm bands, LED light-up designs, etc.

 

[MACis122]

it'd be nice to see something that allows heat disipation probably didn't spell that right but o well

 

[mgmusicman94]

Let's go even further than that:

• Sliding Bluetooth/dock-connected keyboard
• Sliding Bluetooth/dock-connected gamepad
• Bluetooth/headphone jack/dock-connected infrared remote transmitter
• Bluetooth/headphone jack/dock-connected credit card reader
• Bluetooth/headphone jack/dock-connected laser scanner
• Bluetooth/headphone jack/dock-connected credit card reader
• Slimline Wi-Fi access point (think MiFi 2372 attached to the back of the iPhone)
• Tripod-screw mount for professional photography/videography
• Integrated wallet/credit card holster
• Interlocking wall mount for placement anywhere
• Interlocking mechanism to a belt holster
• Simple strengthened back covers with Kensington lock holes, eyelets for wrist straps, or slits for arm bands, LED light-up designs, etc.

I hope you're joking.

 

[snook911]

So I guess there is no reason to worry about the back of the iphone breaking if you can just replace with OEM part for 30 Bucks including the shipping. No real reason not to go naked now. If the back gets scratched up you can just replace it. Hell, I might order a back up to have just in case.

 

[LordOBoogie]

I hope you're joking.

+1

 

[mlts22]

I hope the people making non OEM glass replacement backs use the same Gorilla Glass as Apple does. Normal glass just won't cut it (well, more exactly will cut it... and your fingers too) when used this way.

 

[andresito360]

hey guys I found this forum looking for a way to fix my iphone.

I just ordered one of the chinese replicas from ebay, for $13 I cant go wrong
I dropped the phone and this happened

I was going to leave it that way but the glass started to cut my hands so I had to do something, I took the back off and Removed all the glass and glue

it was actually pretty easy but if you are going to do it please use something to protect your eyes as little pieces of glass will fly around.

Once I get the replacement from china I will post pics and a review of it.

 

[zippster]

TAG

very interested to see what the replacement looks like

 

[ipodlover77]

hey guys I found this forum looking for a way to fix my iphone.

I just ordered one of the chinese replicas from ebay, for $13 I cant go wrong
I dropped the phone and this happened

I was going to leave it that way but the glass started to cut my hands so I had to do something, I took the back off and Removed all the glass and glue

it was actually pretty easy but if you are going to do it please use something to protect your eyes as little pieces of glass will fly around.

Once I get the replacement from china I will post pics and a review of it.

was it actually easy to take off? or harder then expected?

 

[Hellishness]

I'm looking forward to some creative replacement backs.

• Leatherette version like BB Bold. Steinheil has a skin for that
• With lens cover / conversion lens attachement.
• Custom illustration laser engraved. This'll be cool
• Larger battery integrated. I highly doubt that will ever happen

Bold

White back glass. Non-OEM, but cheap.

http://eketshop.com/goods.php?id=2464

This "glass only" thing worries me. I think that's biting off more than I'm willing to chew on a $600 phone. I'll see how it works out for the guy a post above me, though.

 

[antok86]

link to video removing the back? i think if i get one ill remove the glass and put it back if i need to get it fixed?

 

[Frenchjay]

link to video removing the back? i think if i get one ill remove the glass and put it back if i need to get it fixed?

Here is the video on how to take off the back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKez7oPVkxc&feature=youtube_

It looks very simple indeed

 

[antok86]

Here is the video on how to take off the back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKez7oPVkxc&feature=youtube_

It looks very simple indeed

yes very interesting...i wonder if it has some kind of seal so it shows if you opened it or not. nice to see a rubberized back

 

[Savor]

This thread just made me less OCD about the back.

The iP4 looks to be the most customizable. With an ocean full of iPhones that look the same, some of us with enough resources and creativity can pimp out this device as much as we want. If I changed mine, I may go for a different material and less prone to shatter and fingerprints. More grip.

This is good news for the free spirits. Good thing I saved the money on screen protectors for the back. Prior to the bumper, I was considering to put a IS on the back only. No longer have to. One less thing to be OCD about.

 

[antok86]

This thread just made me less OCD about the back.

The iP4 looks to be the most customizable. With an ocean full of iPhones that look the same, some of us with enough resources and creativity can pimp out this device as much as we want. If I changed mine, I may go for a different material and less prone to shatter and fingerprints. More grip.

This is good news for the free spirits. Good thing I saved the money on screen protectors for the back. Prior to the bumper, I was considering to put a IS on the back only. No longer have to. One less thing to be OCD about.

exactly i how i feel.