I don't think you've the faintest chance on that one! - you've got a contract which covers the spec. on your existing 'phone - to change to a different spec. would mean a new contract etc
However - it's still worth a punt! 
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Replace iPhone 3G for light leak?
- Thread starter thadoggfather
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However - it's still worth a punt! 
The only problem is the fact that there is no light at the back of the 'phone
Wow. Sorry about that brain burp.
I took mine in to the Genius bar a couple of hours ago for the same reason. The guy said he had never seen the light leak problem before, and swapped it over for a new one. As I left the store, I noticed the new one also had a light leak which was worse, so I took it back and he happily swapped it over for another one. This one also has a minor light leak, but it's nowhere near as bad as the previous ones, so I'll stick with this one.
That sounds reassuring, i don't want to have to battle with these guys
Right folks im off now, wish me luck in terms of blagging a 16Gb!
The guy who served me was v understanding and swapped it over without hesitation in both instances. Good luck!
I got my original iPhone replaced and the new one had a light leak and it doesn't bother me at all... I won't replace it based on that... The first one had some dust under the screen and a rattle when you shook the phone, both drove me nuts so I got it replaced
Right, i'm back and what a interesting visit with lots to report back on!
I will write the post as the events folded out.
So i wait my turn and when the customer infront of me has finished i take my seat at the bar. The Genius asks me what my problem is so i explain to him i have a stinking light leak top to bottom on the left hand side, so he asks can i take a look at it.
I hand the phone to him and he tries to inspect it but under the lights he finds it difficult so takes it to the back and tries there. Before he goes though he says to me that the light leak may not be a fault, but more a 'feature' of the phone. I thought what a strange thing to say because its not a feature at all, its a defect end of story. If it was a feature i'd be proud of boasting about it, and showing it off. Anyway, i show him pictures i took that i posted the other day and that kind of shuts him up a bit. But he goes on to say that its not a fault Apple have recognised. He finally takes it away and comes back and slightly changes his tune and here's where it gets strange!
He points at me and says 'I am issuing with a caution, i am exchanging it this time only because you are unhappy with it, not because its faulty'. I was like WTF! Im being issued with some caution for having a faulty phone, thats the most stupid thing i've ever heard. I mean of course he was going to have to say something stupid, because he said there was no fault and a feature and when actually seeing it as bad as it was he had to protect his and Apples integrity.
Anyway, he plugs it in and runs a Application on the MacBook, i made a mental note of the name but bloody forgot it! While all this was going on i was asking him about a new model coming out, just to hear his spin on things. He says he would not be surprised because he said it would tie in with last years release, he also said it was 'interesting' that they announced 3.0 by itself and not in conjunction with hardware. I asked him does he have a iPhone, he said he has a 2g one and prefers it because of the build quality.
He set the iPhone up for me etc and handed me the documents to sign and asked me to take note of the following he inserted under the notes:
Problem Description/Diagnosis
Issue: Light leaking around display, have mentioned this may be a feature rather than a fault and a replacement phone may show the same issue which then would NOT be replaced.
He said it down to the discretion of the Genius wether its to be replace again or not. Which is BS imo, cause i should not be penalised for having a faulty phone and discretion should not come into it, it's either faulty or not.
Anyway, i have my new phone and i can say i'm happier. The buttons are alot more solid, the Ringer Silence switch is sturdier, it doesn't rattle anymore and all though it does have a smaller light leak (yes it is still there *sigh*) its more tolerable and i will try and fix it myself.
If i can't, its going back the week the warranty runs out and i will exchange it, all be it probably at a different Apple Store.
I will write the post as the events folded out.
So i wait my turn and when the customer infront of me has finished i take my seat at the bar. The Genius asks me what my problem is so i explain to him i have a stinking light leak top to bottom on the left hand side, so he asks can i take a look at it.
I hand the phone to him and he tries to inspect it but under the lights he finds it difficult so takes it to the back and tries there. Before he goes though he says to me that the light leak may not be a fault, but more a 'feature' of the phone. I thought what a strange thing to say because its not a feature at all, its a defect end of story. If it was a feature i'd be proud of boasting about it, and showing it off. Anyway, i show him pictures i took that i posted the other day and that kind of shuts him up a bit. But he goes on to say that its not a fault Apple have recognised. He finally takes it away and comes back and slightly changes his tune and here's where it gets strange!
He points at me and says 'I am issuing with a caution, i am exchanging it this time only because you are unhappy with it, not because its faulty'. I was like WTF! Im being issued with some caution for having a faulty phone, thats the most stupid thing i've ever heard. I mean of course he was going to have to say something stupid, because he said there was no fault and a feature and when actually seeing it as bad as it was he had to protect his and Apples integrity.
Anyway, he plugs it in and runs a Application on the MacBook, i made a mental note of the name but bloody forgot it! While all this was going on i was asking him about a new model coming out, just to hear his spin on things. He says he would not be surprised because he said it would tie in with last years release, he also said it was 'interesting' that they announced 3.0 by itself and not in conjunction with hardware. I asked him does he have a iPhone, he said he has a 2g one and prefers it because of the build quality.
He set the iPhone up for me etc and handed me the documents to sign and asked me to take note of the following he inserted under the notes:
Problem Description/Diagnosis
Issue: Light leaking around display, have mentioned this may be a feature rather than a fault and a replacement phone may show the same issue which then would NOT be replaced.
He said it down to the discretion of the Genius wether its to be replace again or not. Which is BS imo, cause i should not be penalised for having a faulty phone and discretion should not come into it, it's either faulty or not.
Anyway, i have my new phone and i can say i'm happier. The buttons are alot more solid, the Ringer Silence switch is sturdier, it doesn't rattle anymore and all though it does have a smaller light leak (yes it is still there *sigh*) its more tolerable and i will try and fix it myself.
If i can't, its going back the week the warranty runs out and i will exchange it, all be it probably at a different Apple Store.
It didn't happen! He just said no lol!
I remembered the app they use, its called Behaviour Scan!
And i forgot to mention that they had a few trays at the back and the one that said iPhone on it had 11, including mine, sets of return doucments.
I remembered the app they use, its called Behaviour Scan!
And i forgot to mention that they had a few trays at the back and the one that said iPhone on it had 11, including mine, sets of return doucments.
using the xacto knife/razor, does it leave marks putting it in the gap and moving the rubber gasket over? Like does it scar the gasket in any way?
Well don't shove the knife into the gasket as hard as you can. The idea is to pull it more towards the edge of the phone. But no, there weren't marks of any kind leftover.
Denied
I'm on my third iPhone, first one had a lot of dropped calls and crashes. The second one started getting cracks around the headphone jack ( Swapped it out yesterday ) and the one I got yesterday has a rockin light leak down the left side which I didn't think would bug me but it is ultimately distracting. Walked in to standby for a genius at the Brea Mall in California and was seen within minutes and then denied minutes later being told the leak was "within acceptable parameters".
Just so ya know.
I'm on my third iPhone, first one had a lot of dropped calls and crashes. The second one started getting cracks around the headphone jack ( Swapped it out yesterday ) and the one I got yesterday has a rockin light leak down the left side which I didn't think would bug me but it is ultimately distracting. Walked in to standby for a genius at the Brea Mall in California and was seen within minutes and then denied minutes later being told the leak was "within acceptable parameters".
Just so ya know.
Light Leak Fix Tutorial?
Is there anyway that one of you that have fixed the light leak with a razor or exacto knife could post up either a video or photo tutorial? That would be awesome. Thanks.
Is there anyway that one of you that have fixed the light leak with a razor or exacto knife could post up either a video or photo tutorial? That would be awesome. Thanks.
I have a week 14 one now that has darn near no light leak (unless you crank max brightness you can see it in one small spot, but hardly... i never crank brightness all the way, too much of an eye strain).
Also, the bezel is seemless with the plastic back, no raised edges or anything, same with the front glass.
Build quality is insanely good on this one, knock on wood.
Most iPhone 3G's are crap. But shouldn't matter as long as you get a functional one without much light leak, besides 3rd gen is on the way.
...on another note, tried the xacto knife/razor method and it does reduce light leak if you have some, but I butchered the rubber gasket quite a bit (not particularly noticable unless u bother to look at the gasket) so I would say don't do it if you're anal (with a different iPhone, not in my possession any longer) Depends what you value more.
Also, the bezel is seemless with the plastic back, no raised edges or anything, same with the front glass.
Build quality is insanely good on this one, knock on wood.
Most iPhone 3G's are crap. But shouldn't matter as long as you get a functional one without much light leak, besides 3rd gen is on the way.
...on another note, tried the xacto knife/razor method and it does reduce light leak if you have some, but I butchered the rubber gasket quite a bit (not particularly noticable unless u bother to look at the gasket) so I would say don't do it if you're anal (with a different iPhone, not in my possession any longer) Depends what you value more.