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iPhone 4 More Prone to Accidental Damage Than 3GS

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Apr 12, 2001
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132141-squaretrade_reported_iphone_accident_rate.jpg


Consumer electronics warranty firm SquareTrade today released the results of a study it has performed comparing accident rates for the iPhone 4 with those of the iPhone 3GS in the early months of ownership. According to the study, which is based on SquareTrade's extensive customer base, the iPhone 4 is generating an accident rate 68% higher than that of its predecessor.
Our data shows that iPhone 4 owners are reporting accidents 68% more frequently than iPhone 3gs owners. 4.7% of iPhone 4 owners reported an accident to SquareTrade in the first 4 months of ownership, almost 70% higher than iPhone 3gs owners, 2.8% of whom had an accident over the same time period.
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132141-squaretrade_iphone4_iphone3gs.jpg


When looking at cracked glass, which is responsible for about 80% of all warranty claims through the service, the gap increases to 82%, presumably due to the iPhone 4's use of glass on both front and back surfaces as opposed to the front-only glass of the iPhone 3GS. The iPhone 4's glass back has been rumored to be a source of concern for Apple, with some customers reporting that dirt trapped between the glass and slide-on cases has caused scratching and shattering of the glass back.
Multiplying the accident rate with the cracked screen distribution, we find that 3.9% of iPhone 4 owners reported a cracked screen within 4 months, as opposed to just 2.1% of iPhone 3gs owners.

While our data doesn't identify which broken screens resulted from dirt trapped behind a slide case, at least a quarter of the broken glass claims involved the back screen. With 82% more cracked screens reported, the evidence suggests that the iPhone 4 is more vulnerable to physical damage than its predecessor.
Click to expand...
Despite the apparent propensity for accidental damage, SquareTrade's data for non-accident related incidents of "normal" failure shows the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS demonstrating similar rates of under 0.5%, which compare favorably to other handsets on the market.

Article Link: iPhone 4 More Prone to Accidental Damage Than 3GS
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2010/10/12/iphone-4-more-prone-to-accidental-damage-than-3gs/
I've always stuck to the notion that only Apple could make a phone out of glass, and people wouldn't care. :)

The one piece of technology that owners carry everywhere, made out of one of the most breakable substances.
 
I've always been skeptical of the logic of putting a fragile glass back on the iP4. Looks nice at first, but not practical in the long run.
 
Frankly I am suprised the cracked screen percentage went up so little from a 3GS. I have had everyone of the iPhones and the iPhone 4 is the only one that I have a crack on. I had dropped it on concrete in the parking lot from about 2 feet. Thankfully it was only a small crack on the back side of the glass. Still, I could not believe how easily this was damaged and I hope this 'feature' changes on future models.
 
iPhone 4

Front cracked iPhone 4 screen since week two. Bought a replacement screen only to find out the LCD is bonded to it. I now have a broken screen and a spare white useless piece of glass. You still wont pry this :apple: iPhone 4 out of my hands.

Jake
 
Glass is tough

Maybe the number is low do to the fact that people will handle something they perceive to be fragile with more care.?:cool:
 
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I bought the first iPhone in 2007 and in early 2008 cracked the screen. Used it for over two years with the badly cracked screen before I got my iPhone 4. Believe me I've learned my lesson and never drop the new one.
 
well...

...as my mother used to say: "it hurts to be beautiful". If you want a heart-throb glass and steel device its gonna come at a cost, and that cost is fragility.

Besides, what are the breakage rates when used with a case (as nearly every iphone 4 owner uses)?
 
Funny how people can read numbers any way they want.

I see that and it convinced me how TOUGH the iPhone is. I see how people abuse their phones. I would have thought the numbers would be higher. The fact that it's near 1% per month shows me that both iPhones are even tougher than I thought.

But, hey, feel free to draw the exact opposite conclusion. Apparently I'm in the minority here.
 
Next year's model will be made of paper mache and wax.

"We need to make it thinner and more delicate as possible. Old Latin parchment paper wasn't available, but we think we have the next best thing..." - Steve Jobs
 
whatever... just gotta be careful about your device. never owned a 3gs, but happy to say that my dual-glassed device still doesnt have 1 scratch or crack on it. (case only, no screen protectors)
 
Just a side note... if you go to square trades web site, guess what's featured on the home page? iPhone Insurance.

Do you think they might be motivated to make sure their data shows more risk? I have issues with companies who sell remedies telling you what's wrong.

With all that said, the iPhone is still below the average.
 
To be fair, most cracked screens go like this:
- HI, Are are you?
- Hello? Hello?
- God damn it, Steve!
Throws phone.

Otherwise, better than 3GS
 
I'm sorry but this whole thing is complete crap.

Don't drop your phone! Its not Apples fault someone dropped their phone and it broke.

Thats like saying its a drinking glass companies fault because people at home are dropping their glasses on the floor and the glasses break.
 
I wonder...

... how many people went for a month without a case while they waited for their free one from Apple.
 
Actually mine dropped yesterday for the first time outside onto concrete.

It survived, no scratches.

Case: Belkin Grip vue! :D
 
SquareTrade is just reporting what pretty much everyone figured anyway. Now it is backed with actual numbers. What will be interesting is if the costs for the accidental damage warranties go up because of it. Or maybe it won't because more people will purchase it in the first place.
 
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