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RANT: Shoddy iPhone Build Quality!

Kardashian

Kardashian

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Sep 4, 2005
2,083
2
Britain.
My first iPhone had to be returned.

This second one "works" flawlessly - but has physical imperfections.

1. The left side casing, where black and silver parts meet is out - you can feel a step/ridge.
2. The silver edging in the same area isn't "flush".
3. There are 2 sets of hairline scratches along the chrome - 3 top, 2 bottom.

I'm really embarissed about going back to Carphone. The staff are lovely, but this will be the 5/6th product I've returned.

Am I expecting too much for my £269?
 
JDT said:
1. The left side casing, where black and silver parts meet is out - you can feel a step/ridge.
2. The silver edging in the same area isn't "flush".
3. There are 2 sets of hairline scratches along the chrome - 3 top, 2 bottom.
Click to expand...

There is a very slight edge that you can feel on mine as well where the black plastic and metal back meet and where the black plastic part meets the chrome surround. I hadn't noticed it until I specifically felt for it just now and it has zero significance in day to day use, so it really doesn't bother me. The scratches shouldn't be there right enough, but I'd guess that within a week or so you'll have others anyway.

Personally I'd not worry about it, unless there's a big gap between the black plastic and metal parts or something is loose.

p.s. I wouldn't describe the build of mine as shoddy, even with the above: I've had plenty of other consumer products with worse tolerances.
 
alFR said:
There is a very slight edge that you can feel on mine as well where the black plastic and metal back meet and where the black plastic part meets the chrome surround.
Click to expand...

Thing is, the right side of the phone is totally flush.

The left side is noticeable when holding, its a step - your finger gets stuck on the metal. Its got a sharp edge - its not just a small ridge.

On the phone to Apple.. :(
 
my iPhone is the same in that the black back is not flush on one side with the metal back and the chrome bezel is not flush in a couple of places. I took mine back to O2 and the assistant had a look and we compared it to the display models and they were just the same.

There is a similar thread to this posted a while ago and a few other people did comment that there's was the same. Looks like it is a manufacturing problem and although it is annoying that you know it is there you may have to live with it. O2 would not do anything about mine because the others were the same. You may have better luck getting yours replaced but you may end up with one that has the same problem with the casing.
 
Thanks, DanielForman.

That's reassuring, but worrying knowing that Apple ship them like this.

I'd be grateful if someone could locate that thread. :)
 
Your #1 and #2 rants seem rather valid, but if my iPhone had a hairline scratch I certainly wouldn't waste my time with Apple. I mean, if it were deep and long sure, but not some hairline scratch that is going to probably wind up there due to use. It's metal, is it not? I'd assume mine has a few scratches today and I have a case on it. :)
I hope the other issues are fixed though. Something doesn't sound right about the casing.
 
I agree the build quality is inconsistent.

I've had several phones, and I think only one was perfect. They either have screen issues, this or that, or a lot have either the volume or lock buttons not not quite right and they feel mushy.
 
Only thing I can complain about for my iPhone is the home button kinda wiggles ever so slightly...

I can't remember which thread I read about someone with that issue, and I had to go and ruin it for myself and test it on my iPhone...

now I can't stop thinking about it.... not a big deal anymore, but when I first discovered it I was kinda sad :p
 
3gs Build Quality SUCKS!!!!!!!!!

I'm on my fourth White 3gs 32gb iPhone. the Sim tray does not sit flush and the silent switch rattles bad on all of them so far. My 16gb 3g was Flawless, I really wish I had not upgraded to this piece of crap. Sure wish I had not sold the old phone to get this one.
 
Sometimes there are duds. I dropped my phone on the asphalt a week ago with nothing but a film covering most of it. The only damage was a couple of knicks along the steel edges, which is now allllll covered up by an Incase Slider. I also dropped my original iPhone countless times with about the same amount of damage.

Seriously, these things are really well built on the whole. But some will be defective. Just take it back and they usually exchange stuff.
 
secondself said:
I'm on my fourth White 3gs 32gb iPhone. the Sim tray does not sit flush and the silent switch rattles bad on all of them so far. My 16gb 3g was Flawless, I really wish I had not upgraded to this piece of crap. Sure wish I had not sold the old phone to get this one.
Click to expand...

I think some slight physical imperfections are far outweighed by the 3GS's new features and massive increase in performance quality.
 
I have that too, except mine is on the right side. That is really the only flaw on my 3GS, and it's not worth it for me to replace it.
 
I have those imperfections too, but I wouldn't bother exchanging it. You will just get another one with the same thing.

More scratches will come with your phone. I know it hurts being brand-new right now, but in one year you will have so many scratches that you won't even care at that point.
 
I had 4 original iPhone's, the first three all had dead pixels. I had 2 iPhone 3G's - case cracked on the first one, and I am already on my 2nd iPhone 3GS because the first had battery issues. I have horrible luck.
 
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