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Stainless steel replacement backing for iPhone 4?
- Thread starter gnguyen
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I got the beveled back from cnn.cn, but the screw holes (plastic nubs at the bottom) are not threaded like the stock apple one. Consequently, the screws have nothing to bite into and secure against--they just spin freely and will likely fall out....This seems like a pretty big issue...though it does look fantastic.
I didn't have one issue with reception or picture quality...BUT unfortunately I did have this issue with screw threads. I lost a pair of screws and then had to move back to the stock Apple back.
Mine came today, but I am skeptical to install with the idea that people are losing screws. I was hoping this is a backing I wouldn't have to screw around with, and it is looking like it isn't. I don't want to constantly be checking screws to make sure their secure. But the back does look nice! Guess I have a decision to make.
Anything we can use to more securely keep the screws in place without sacrificing being able to remove the aluminum backing?
Anything we can use to more securely keep the screws in place without sacrificing being able to remove the aluminum backing?
UPDATE: Trying this flat stainless steel looking replacement back again. Reception seems OK at work where there's a cell tower nearby and I get full bars before/after installing the replacement back.
The biggest problem is the flash, the light leaks really badly into the camera lens, washing out the entire picture. I kinda like the look otherwise, but the functionality is important to me as I've been taking lots of pictures in dark places like the attic and crawlspace lately.
The biggest problem is the flash, the light leaks really badly into the camera lens, washing out the entire picture. I kinda like the look otherwise, but the functionality is important to me as I've been taking lots of pictures in dark places like the attic and crawlspace lately.
Despite the flash issues, I kinda still want to order the flat back.
Any chance we could take the flash assembly off the beveled case (I think that's the one with less reports of flash issues?) then swap them with the flat back from eBay? I don't mind losing 1 bar, but i need my flash to be operable.
Any chance we could take the flash assembly off the beveled case (I think that's the one with less reports of flash issues?) then swap them with the flat back from eBay? I don't mind losing 1 bar, but i need my flash to be operable.
I tried something like that.I took the flash diffuser off of the original back and stick it on my silver back but I still have the flash issue. So I don't know what the problem is.
By the way, I didn't took it off of my original one but from my friend's boken back piece.
Mine arrived yesterday:
No issues with camera or reception.
Same here, no reception or flash wash issues.
Mine arrived yesterday:
No issues with camera or reception.
After seeing these in person, I ordered one for mine.
Besides looking even better up close, what I noticed while holding the phone is it's much more comfortable and not slippery. That alone is worth the modest price for this upgrade.
Mine should be here in a few days.
Mine arrived yesterday:
No issues with camera or reception.
Looks great. If there are no camera or reception issues, I'll buy one. Can you please share the link of where you bought it? Seems like there are 100 sellers in this thread, so I'm not sure which one to go with.
ebay has them search on metal back iphone
or
http://cnn.cn
I have ordered from four different sellers, all seem to take 2 to 3 weeks and the product is exactly the same with the exception 1 plate had 2 pink stickers as opposed to 1 white sticker the others had
All shipped from hong kong
ordered mine from a seller in cali with tracking.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...55447&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3015wt_1141
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...55447&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_3015wt_1141
Just got around to installing mine from CNN. Install was extremely easy!! Made a few test calls, NO issues with signal. Took a few camera shots, slight black in the upper left hand corner, but within reason for me. I don't take pictures with my phone to be published so not a big deal.
Bumpers from Sw box (another thread) and Apple bumpers fit fine with this backing. Makes the phone look sleek.
For the screw problem I used one of those antenna band decals and just cut a spare one I had to 2 small squares to cover the screws just in case they decide to come loose.
Overall, fairly pleased with the modification.
Bumpers from Sw box (another thread) and Apple bumpers fit fine with this backing. Makes the phone look sleek.
For the screw problem I used one of those antenna band decals and just cut a spare one I had to 2 small squares to cover the screws just in case they decide to come loose.
Overall, fairly pleased with the modification.
got mine in today and installed and tested the camera, flash, reception, blah blah and nothing wrong at all. i did notice though that on the back inside where the camera and flash are if i remember there is a litle bit thicker padding? than the stock back plate. but overall no prob whatsoever with pics or flash and i wouldnt of swapped out if there were. same goes for video recording as well. The back does not seem to be true metal, more like a hard plastic or faux steel look but nevertheless my iphone now matches my pre unibody macbook pro!!
heres a pic of it i took from my flickr.
heres a pic of it i took from my flickr.
Sorry these took forever
What I've noticed: no loss in signal strength, however, the camera does show signs of vignetting. It's not horrible but it's there. People who say there's no signs of vignetting... have you guys actually checked against a test sheet? It's there.
I don't use the iphone camera very much so it doesn't matter to me. Although if you are an iphone photographer for whatever reason, skip on this one. But then again, most iphone photographers apply hideous effects through hipstamatic so maybe you wouldn't even notice it? :dunno:
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If the light hits the case just right, it looks like it could double as a cheese grater. This is not the case, it feels completely smooth. I mean, not completely smooth but it's pretty smooth
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The bumper works as it should even with the raised backing. I keep it on there most of the time
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What I've noticed: no loss in signal strength, however, the camera does show signs of vignetting. It's not horrible but it's there. People who say there's no signs of vignetting... have you guys actually checked against a test sheet? It's there.
I don't use the iphone camera very much so it doesn't matter to me. Although if you are an iphone photographer for whatever reason, skip on this one. But then again, most iphone photographers apply hideous effects through hipstamatic so maybe you wouldn't even notice it? :dunno:
If the light hits the case just right, it looks like it could double as a cheese grater. This is not the case, it feels completely smooth. I mean, not completely smooth but it's pretty smooth
The bumper works as it should even with the raised backing. I keep it on there most of the time
