iPhone 5 separation

[eyoungren]

I just wanted to update this for anybody that might see this and has the same issue. I went in today and told them the phone display all of a sudden popped up from the top on its own didnt happen from a drop. They took it to the back, came back no questions asked and said its a swollen battery and that they'll order me a replacement. They didn't have any in store so they're going to call me when it's in.

They always come through time and time again this phone is 3 yrs never had AppleCare just the basic manufacturer warranty that's just awesome. The phone had a broken ringer switch so that'll be fixed along with it.

Awesome, that's good to hear!

 

[JaySoul]

Separation anxiety.

 

[MrGuder]

I just wanted to update this for anybody that might see this and has the same issue. I went in today and told them the phone display all of a sudden popped up from the top on its own didnt happen from a drop. They took it to the back, came back no questions asked and said its a swollen battery and that they'll order me a replacement. They didn't have any in store so they're going to call me when it's in.

They always come through time and time again this phone is 3 yrs never had AppleCare just the basic manufacturer warranty that's just awesome. The phone had a broken ringer switch so that'll be fixed along with it.

What phone did you have that they didn't have in store? That's odd.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I just wanted to update this for anybody that might see this and has the same issue. I went in today and told them the phone display all of a sudden popped up from the top on its own didnt happen from a drop. They took it to the back, came back no questions asked and said its a swollen battery and that they'll order me a replacement. They didn't have any in store so they're going to call me when it's in.

They always come through time and time again this phone is 3 yrs never had AppleCare just the basic manufacturer warranty that's just awesome. The phone had a broken ringer switch so that'll be fixed along with it.

Hope you made a complete backup!

 

[bobright]

Hope you made a complete backup!

I did still got the phone actually won't do the swap until it comes in.

What phone did you have that they didn't have in store? That's odd.

iPhone 5, forgot to ask but hopefully it's the same 32gb capacity.

 

[airb330]

This is happening to my iPhone 5 that was replaced in May (AppleCare+ ended on July 3). I know the 90 day warranty also ended on this specific replacement, but this phone isn't even that old and really probably worse than the one I replaced in May (which was also battery related).

 

[eyoungren]

iPhone 5, forgot to ask but hopefully it's the same 32gb capacity.

You will get back EXACTLY what you gave them.

Apple is not into free upgrades unless stock is absolutely gone or there is some other mitigating factor (such as a history of bad replacements). But they are also not in the habit of downgrading a customer either just because they don't have the exact model/capacity immediately on hand.

That's why you have to wait. The replacement will be the same color, the same model, and the same capacity. If it was locked, it will be locked. If it was unlocked, it will be unlocked. Guaranteed.

 

[MrGuder]

I did still got the phone actually won't do the swap until it comes in.
iPhone 5, forgot to ask but hopefully it's the same 32gb capacity.

I have an iPhone 5 but it's the 64 GB version, I've had it since it launched, man I hope this never happens to my battery, do they even make the 64 GB version iPhone 5?

 

[eyoungren]

I have an iPhone 5 but it's the 64 GB version, I've had it since it launched, man I hope this never happens to my battery, do they even make the 64 GB version iPhone 5?

No, but it doesn't matter.

Apple made more than enough iPhone 5's for warranty replacement and anyone who turns in an iPhone 5 for replacement or upgrade will have the 5 turned around as a refurb back into the system.

Apple had replacement iPhones for warranty for the original iPhone up until 2013-2014.

If you ever have to replace yours there will be a 64GB iPhone 5 in your color and carrier waiting for you.

P.S. I have the Black/Slate 64GB iPhone 5.

 

[skbird]

Here's my iPhone 5C 16Gb - I used it for a year, then my husband used it for most of a year, then he upgraded. It still worked so we were using it as an alarm and WIFI device upstairs in our bedroom but it's been in his nightstand drawer for the last two weeks because the charge kept dropping - it would go from 99% to 40% in an hour and then suddenly be dead. Now it looks like this - we're taking it to the Genius Store on Tuesday. You can see the swollen battery in the profile shots.

 

[bobright]

^They hooked us up should get a new refurb. Good luck.

 

[millerj123]

Mine did this about 2 months ago, so I upgraded to a 6S. It's about $40 for a replacement battery, but good for you if Apple will replace it for free. My 5 is fine now, otherwise.

 

[Jaggrey]

I wish I saw this thread earlier. This happened to my mother in law's 5c twice. Once T-Mobile replaced it under warranty. The second time I tried to gently push the screen in and ended up cracking it, so I had to pay to get the screen replaced. Once I did that I traded it in and got her a 6s.

 

[d'andre44]

These are my separation photos. As you can see, the body of the iPhone is not bent at all. Placed next to straight edge for reference. Yes, I just joined, but photos don't lie.

 

[eyoungren]

These are my separation photos. As you can see, the body of the iPhone is not bent at all. Placed next to straight edge for reference. Yes, I just joined, but photos don't lie.

So…if it's a swollen battery get it replaced by Apple. They probably won't charge you.

 

[Retired Cat]

So…if it's a swollen battery get it replaced by Apple. They probably won't charge you.

My first iPhone 5 had the swollen battery issue after more than 2.5 years. The Apple Store sold me a white box iPhone 5 of the same model for the cost of a replacement battery ($79).

 

[Peter K.]

My first iPhone 5 had the swollen battery issue after more than 2.5 years. The Apple Store sold me a white box iPhone 5 of the same model for the cost of a replacement battery ($79).

I'm glad you didn't pay more, but it is a shame that you had to pay anything. I took my 3 year, 5 day old iPhone 5 in and after a brief conversation with the manager, the Genius replaced it for free.

 

[aKansasKid]

My wife's iPhone 5 just did this yesterday. Nearest Apple store is 180 miles away. The screen almost looks delaminated . The glass is popped out, with glue residue under it but I can't see that the LCD is popped out with it. If a local shop puts a new battery in, will the glass pop back into place?

She wasn't happy when I told her it would be 2 or 3 weeks to get an SE. And neither of us want to charge a swollen battery.

 

[M. Gustave]

I had to exchange three 5s in the Apple store because the back was popping off on them. The one I kept ended up lasting 1.5 years, but eventually popped off as well. That was when I went for the 6s+ on trade in.

There was obviously a design flaw, kind of surprised that they kept that body for the SE.

 

[eyoungren]

There was obviously a design flaw, kind of surprised that they kept that body for the SE.

My August 2014 iPhone 5 replacement will be two years old in about two months. No back popping off, no screen issues, no battery issues.

My wife got her iPhone 5 in 2013. It's never had one single issue. The only time I used warranty on it was to replace her damaged lightning cable. Her iPhone still has the battery it shipped with. No bulging, no swelling and it still holds a good charge.

Her phone is still functioning very well and has zero issues as well - almost three years later.

 

[GuardsRed Apple]

My wife's iPhone 5 just did this yesterday. Nearest Apple store is 180 miles away. The screen almost looks delaminated . The glass is popped out, with glue residue under it but I can't see that the LCD is popped out with it. If a local shop puts a new battery in, will the glass pop back into place?

She wasn't happy when I told her it would be 2 or 3 weeks to get an SE. And neither of us want to charge a swollen battery.

My dad's iPhone 5 just did this 2 weeks ago. Took it into the Apple store and they replaced the phone with a "white box" refurb unit (identical model). The Genius said they do not even attempt to take the screen off or change the battery when it's swollen like this because of the risk of cracking the screen (which is already delaminated from its plastic ring) and because the battery can "vent". She said when that happens, they have to evacuate the store and send Genius's to the hospital due to chemicals or burns. She said it's happened like 3 times.

I was thinking that it was a good thing we took it in for exchange then instead of charging it and him trying to live it like that...LOL

Edit: Should add that they charged him $79 for the replacement because the phone had been in service for 3.5 years. If it was <3 years, it would've been free.

 

[Retired Cat]

I'm glad you didn't pay more, but it is a shame that you had to pay anything. I took my 3 year, 5 day old iPhone 5 in and after a brief conversation with the manager, the Genius replaced it for free.

I don't mind at all really. The battery was at 800-900 mAh by that point and I was going to pay to have it replaced with a new battery anyways. Getting a whole "new" iPhone 5 instead was a better outcome than I expected.

I had to exchange three 5s in the Apple store because the back was popping off on them. The one I kept ended up lasting 1.5 years, but eventually popped off as well. That was when I went for the 6s+ on trade in.

There was obviously a design flaw, kind of surprised that they kept that body for the SE.

Really bad luck. I don't think there's much spare space inside any mobile phone. If the battery starts to expand inside, something has to give.

 

[aKansasKid]

Got my wife's iPhone 5 battery replaced for $35 at a local shop today. Wished I had an Apple Store closer than 180 miles. But the phone is working fine now with whatever battery the shop stuck in it. She's not a heavy battery drainer, so it will likely go another 2 years, I suspect - long after the phone's useful life.

 

[HEK]

I've never seen that so can it explode??

Anything with Li-Ion battery can explode. It's happened to these batteries on planes, in shipment, devices in pockets, laptops, phones, the list goes on. Does it happen often? No it's quite rare. But it can happen. If one of the internal cells shorts out, is damaged, overcharged, undercharged, it can become an incendiary device.

This is why manufacturers take such care and have built in charging circuits to prevent over and under voltage conditions. However, nothing is perfect. When hundreds of millions of these batteries are produced there will be defective cells. Should you experience any kind of swelling, severe overheating, or exceedingly short life that occurs all of a sudden. Get the device to the manufacturer/store ASAP, as your hand held time bomb is ticking.
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I had to exchange three 5s in the Apple store because the back was popping off on them. The one I kept ended up lasting 1.5 years, but eventually popped off as well. That was when I went for the 6s+ on trade in.

There was obviously a design flaw, kind of surprised that they kept that body for the SE.

NO it is not obviously a design flaw. What is obvious is you know very little about batteries and how devices are put together. When a Li-Ion battery cell internally goes bad, they many times will swell up. This will destroy by expansion any device, phone, laptop, GPS unit, whatever, that is made from multiple components. The chemical reaction in the battery is quite strong. Anything short of a solid steel box with no seams will be expanded.

Actually it's a good thing the phone screen pops of and shows expansion. This is a warning sign that battery cell is defective. It could explode catching fire. Take it in and have it replaced. No one, not even Apple can make millions of batteries and not have a few defective ones that get out in the field. Batteries are a very dynamic device. The chemical reactions going on inside are quite volatile by nature, to provide the hours of power you as consumer desire.

 

[wproct]

Many people underestimate how potentially dangerous such a small battery can be. It's kind of unnerving to be constantly carrying something that can be so dangerous, but the number of failures is extremely small for the number of cell phones that are in service. I always figured that if this happened to my Iphone that the phone would either be repaired/replaced for free or at a reasonable cost. I don't consider the 5 or 5s to be a flawed design at all. I think it is one of the best, hence the newly introduced SE.