I noticed something very upsetting today, my iPhone was beginning to crack. It is a very minor crack but it is really frustrating since I’ve only had my iPhone for a few days now. The crack has formed between the metal surrounding the screen and the metal volume button. It looks like hairline stress fracture to me. It is a little difficult to notice, but since I have, my eyes are clearly focused on it right now, it’s bothersome. I don’t think it is such a big deal but then again, I just got this phone and paid a fortune for it so there should not be any problems with it in week one. Should I go to the Apple store and try to get a replacement? I guess it is worth a shot. What do you guys think? Has this happened to anyone else?
Here’s what the crack looks like:
There have been discussions about this on Apple’s support discussion forums as well as a few other places. I’m still pretty upset about this. If this happened a couple months down the road I probably wouldn’t care. But since I just got it, it’s a little ridiculous that something like this has happened to a brand new product. Keep in mind that I never dropped it or anything like that.
People have been saying that there have been no reports of any issues like these on black iPhones. I have seen a number of issues relating to white iPhones. I think I’m going to call Apple support in the morning and see what they say. If they will send me a new one, fantastic, if not, I’ll go to the Apple store. If they give me a new one, again, that would be great, if not, I will have to live with it (after some complaining however).
I’m starting to wish that Apple hadn’t cheaped out with the plastic backs on the iPhone 3G.
Here is more proof from Macrumors and the Apple support Forums:
Update:
I went to the Apple store to see a genius, basically since it is not a ‘known’ issue and is just cosmetic, they can’t replace it because nothing is malfunctioning. I hope Apple realizes that this is a problem soon. I looked at all the display models, there was maybe 6 white ones, one of them had a faint crack beginning to develop but the rest were fine. It wasn’t very apparent like it is on mine though.
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7 Pings to “White iPhones are cracking”
55 Responses to “White iPhones are cracking”
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1. DVCPRO Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 4:33 amPlastic V Metal. I’ve dropped my 1st Gen numerous times (by accident…but none the less). I have one noticeable dent…but that’s it. The white and gloss black backs look really nice…but being plastic might be a serious mistake.
Ruffdeezy… Do you have a post that tells us the differences between firmware 1.1.4 and 2.0? Other than the scientific calculator…I haven’t seen much different.
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2. Theo Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 8:47 amonly problem with the metal back was bad signal/connection, frequantly dropped calls, and heavy/cold feeling (which isnt nessasarly a bad thing) but over all i preffer the plastic but hair line cracks are pritty bad. i feel why you would be upset about this, if it happened to my baby i would probly cry… i think they should find a new material for the iphone v3 and make it unscratchable, durable, light yet strong, unfingureprintable, unique, attractive, and different. mabe a carbon fiberglass back =O
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3. Dave Taylor Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 8:48 amMine is fine.
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4. GR81 Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 8:53 amRuffdeezy; i suggest you get onto it asap, the longer you leave it, the more time it gives them to use the ‘you dropped it’ excuse to weasel their way out of replacing it.
you dont want it getting worse then being told you cant get a replacement. -
5. ruffdeezy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 8:56 amI’m going to call in right now, if they say make a genius bar appointment, will do so.
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6. bud Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 9:47 amThough none of the crack reports have mentioned this, it appears in the photos I have seen, that the cracks are in the white paint job on a black plastic structure. Why not just use white plastic? Not as strong?
I thought white might ease some overheating issues (it reflects and radiates more than it absorbs), but I think I have seen some with cracks blame the use of cases on them, the cases keep heat in, and can cause their own wear if removed often.
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7. Chai Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 10:05 amI wonder why they didn’t use carbon fiber instead, they can make it really thin, and almost unbreakable
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8. LoWd0Wn Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 10:23 amcost is probably why. But who wouldn’t pay a little more for a phone that is strong and durable.
I would take it back asap for what you are paying for it and don’t take no for an answer.
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9. Mike Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 10:54 ampretty sure they had to go with a back material that didn’t inhibit the cell phone’s radio signal.
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10. ruffdeezy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 11:52 am@ Mike
The last ones had metal backing and seemed to work ok. This plastic like ceramic stuff seems to be having major problems. -
11. ruffdeezy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 11:52 am@ Chai
Carbon fiber would be a great idea, but yeah cost is probably too high for them… -
12. generalinq Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pmyes that would bother me. The point here is that no matter how big/small it is, the problem gets worse and worse…then one day, the back will fall off..who knows.. get it fixed.
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13. Dan Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 1:59 pmI have a white iphone too and after reading this, had to have an inspection! No cracks….yet. I do have a silicone (speck pixelskin) case on it (which by the way I love after trying several different cases) and it’s hasn’t even really touched a table without being in a case. So it’s been treated like a new baby.
Anyways, point is, you’ve paid over $700 for this thing it sounds like and if you are concerned about it, you should probably take it back, or raise a fuss about it (so there is a record of it). If after a year it gets worse, you are still under the warranty, and can deal with it then.
The cracks are… yes, black, so that is why the problem is only being reported with white iphones.
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14. ruffdeezy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 2:03 pmI called into Apple Support, they gave me a case #, going to my genius bar appointment in a bit.
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15. blameboy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 4:48 pmMost people are now getting the black iPhone even if they are getting the 16GB ones because if it’s scratch or crack, it won’t be as noticeable as a white one.
If you have issues with your iPhone, you can call 1-800-263-3394 which is the Apple tech support. If you call Fido/Rogers, they will also redirect you to their Fido/Rogers tech support line.
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16. Dan Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 5:05 pmWhite is so pretty though :)
Black is pretty sexy though :)Let us know what apple says about the phone.
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17. Dan Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 5:07 pmBTW, is there a limit to calling that apple tech support line? Like one free call only per iPhone? I am having a hell of time with the ringer volume on my iphone. It keeps changing itself to the ipod volume level and it’s driving me nuts. Shouldn’t the two things be independent of one another?
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18. 20DDan Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 5:35 pmman… what did you do to it? seems like you twisted it a lot & the shell couldn’t take the pressure. I’ve had my White 16GB for 2 weeks now & it is perfectly fine, I’ve only dropped it on carpet 3 times… they were very light drops.
The multiple cracks look to me like stress fractures, maybe your iphone was in the hands or a child & they tried to twist it or in your pocket under pressure.
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19. ruffdeezy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 6:17 pmUpdate:
I went to the Apple store to see a genius, basically since it is not a ‘known’ issue and is just cosmetic, they can’t replace it because nothing is malfunctioning. I hope Apple realizes that this is a problem soon. -
20. ruffdeezy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 6:18 pm@ Dan
I think the ringer volumes are the same, I’ve had issue with that in the past.@ 20DDan
I didn’t do anything to it. Just looks like the casing is weak in certain places. Hopefully Apple figures this out soon. -
21. generalinqinq Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 7:12 pmI’m sure you can replace the back yourself somehow. I’m sure there are companies that sell the plastic backings with intructions on how to replace it. Heck, they have replace your own battery kits so…
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22. blameboy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 8:30 pmClean out any dirt on the surface. Used a little touch up paint first and then use white base car wax to rub it. The more you rub, the better it gets. If the crack is so tiny then you don’t need any touch up paint.
I suggest people to get something like Invisible Shield for their iPhone. Something like on zagg.com.
There are tons of stores selling that kind of stuff in Richmond. ;-) -
23. ruffdeezy Says:
July 29th, 2008 at 8:44 pm@ blameboy
I will try that. I ordered invisibleshield already, still waiting for it to arrive. -
24. Hardhead Says:
July 30th, 2008 at 8:25 amI worked in a customer complaint department for many years as an engineer. I can assure you that 90 out of 100 say. “Sir, no way did I drop my hard drive!” But little did they know there is a g-shock indicator built internally. Customers never lie! HA!
I can’t say if there is a problem but looking at the location of the stress fractures they appear to be operator induced. Notice most of the locations are near jacks. I’m not saying anyone in this forum isn’t telling the truth - but as a analyst I know there are RIMM lovers within Canada that HATE Apple and would do anything to state APPLE stinks. Time will tell - so beware.
HH
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25. ruffdeezy Says:
July 30th, 2008 at 9:34 am@ Hardhead
Many of them probably are operator induced, but you would think that it would take some serious abuse to crack one, not leaving it in a pocket or something like that. -
26. Harith Says:
July 30th, 2008 at 10:36 amSucks to be an early adopter.
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27. Evan H Says:
July 30th, 2008 at 11:01 amWell, my current white iPhone has no crack (not yet?), but I have some other problem with it.
I have a white iphone coming my way, but man, I’m thinking hard of switching to black.
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28. ruffdeezy Says:
July 30th, 2008 at 11:28 amWhat’s the other problem? I still like the white a lot better than the black so I won’t be switching.
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29. chris Says:
July 30th, 2008 at 2:15 pmI have been searching online because my 3G will be here in a few days, and i found that there are also people with the black 3g that have had cracking, but its alot harder to see on the phone.
this concerns me as well as what kind of durability does the phone have incase i drop it?
currently using a used 1st gen that has a few signs of being droped and it works perfect.
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30. Jimmy Says:
July 31st, 2008 at 7:10 amSince when is $199 or $299 a “fortune”??
Give me a break. Could you be any more dramatic?
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31. Voice of reason Says:
July 31st, 2008 at 8:00 amHey dumbass, try not dropping the phone and you won’t have that problem… eh?
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32. ruffdeezy Says:
July 31st, 2008 at 10:00 am@ Voice of Reason
It wasn’t dropped like I said. As you can see, there are no dents or damage anywhere else.@ Jimmy
Mine actually cost me $700 due to contract issues… -
33. Maxime Scrocca Says:
July 31st, 2008 at 7:27 pmi got a black one and i even drop it a few time without seeing any crack at all : /
mayB there are some iphone that are weeker then other?
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34. 3rdpig Says:
August 1st, 2008 at 9:28 amRufdeezy: Contract Issues? I thought everyone paid either 199 or 299 with a 2 year contract with AT&T. Did you buy it and are using it with another carrier?
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35. ruffdeezy Says:
August 1st, 2008 at 9:55 am@ 3rdpig
Yeah, I with Fido, in Canada. -
36. Black Says:
August 14th, 2008 at 12:26 amThe white plastic usually is weaker for the mechanical property comparing with other color of plastic resin. Especially for thin wall plastic molded parts, the stress very often build into the part which may leads to crack sooner or later.UV paint + white thin wall plastic+mechanical design with sharp edge and corner is bad combination.
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37. Melanie Says:
August 16th, 2008 at 5:48 amHi, i am experiencing exactly the same as you are! I was also shocked when i saw mine because i had it just nearly a month, and im pretty sure i didnt drop this. I am really trying of thinking back whether mine was really dropped somehow, but after i read what you have written, im now convinced this is an issue as to the material they have used for this. I went today to Vodafone and the manager was arguing with me that i would have dropped it somehow otherwise this wouldnt happened. I am so upset and disappointed! and of course, they wouldnt replace since they say warranty doesnt cover physical damage. and another annoying thing is the network, my calls are always dropped or even so failed!
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38. ruffdeezy Says:
August 16th, 2008 at 11:36 am@ Melanie
I was able to get a replacement from Apple. It don’t think the phone companies have any clue about the problems.
http://www.ehphone.ca/2008/08/i-got-a-replacement-iphone-today/ -
39. Gary Says:
August 18th, 2008 at 10:10 amI have a white HTC touch… similar white casing.
Showed a hair like crack on me 4th day….
Went to Bell store, it was replaced instantly with a new phone…. 2nd phone has had no issues at all. -
40. chrishch Says:
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:20 amMine has a crack as soon as I opened the box. I called the Eaton Centre Apple Store and they said they can’t do anything about it. It’s not only cracking when you look at it, you can actually feel the crack as if the white paint is going to peel off.
Will booking a Genius Bar appointment help?
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41. ruffdeezy Says:
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:21 am@ chrisch
Yes, Just do an appointment, they replaced mine on the spot -
42. Momin Says:
August 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 pmIm gonna get a new one next weekend from any Apple Store in Toronto. I only have 1 crack beside the silent ringer switch. Kinda sucks cuz toronto is 3 hours away from Kingston, but thats not the only reason im going, exchanging my iPhone is kinda a bonus. Rogers told me that they only give out 2 replacement iPhones a year, apple told me i have to send my iPhone in first then they send me another one, or i can pay $30 and they send me one and i send my old one after i recieve it. Apple Stores are the way to go. Can u book a Genius bar appointment for an iPhone?
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43. ruffdeezy Says:
August 22nd, 2008 at 10:43 pm@ Momin,
Yes they take iPhone specific appointments, just select that when you reserve online. -
44. Momin Says:
August 23rd, 2008 at 7:39 amthanks ruffdeezy, the only problem I’m having is that apple won’t let me book an appointment a week in advance lol
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45. chrishch Says:
August 23rd, 2008 at 11:02 amI went to the Apple Store at Sherway Gardens. Appointment was booked for 11AM, and didn’t get called until 11:25. Actually, I didn’t get called, they were about to serve someone who barged in without an appointment… I had been there by 10:45.
Anyway, two dudes had their white 16GB replaced in front of me. By the time it was my turn, they didn’t have stock anymore. The dude in front of me didn’t book an appointment, and the other dude had an appointment, but he was late - his name called over five to seven times in a span of five minutes and didn’t show up, and other names on the list weren’t called. I made a small fuzz about it, but all they said was sorry. Nice customer service.
They will order more, and will be available between five to seven business days. This is definitely not fun, and quite frustrating… I just want to throw something…
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46. ruffdeezy Says:
August 23rd, 2008 at 12:01 pmThat sucks
When I missed my appointment there one day they basically said to bad so sad. So are they reserving one of these replacements for you once they are in stock? -
47. chrishch Says:
August 25th, 2008 at 8:54 pmJust an update… Today, one of the staff at the Apple Store called me twice within a span of five minutes saying they have a replacement iPhone for me. I should make a Genius appointment to pick it up.
When I reached the mall, I was five minutes late for my Genius appointment. The traffic was terrible on the 401 (as I have to drive over 45 km to get there). Anyway, I saw one of the nice ladies in an orange shirt, she took the card the Genius gave me last time, and went to the back. After about ten minutes, she came out with a white box that has my replacement iPhone. This is a week 32 unit. My cracked one was week 33. Everything is good, and it was nice for her to do it for me without involving a Genius. I am thankful that I don’t have to talk to Rogers anymore.
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48. ruffdeezy Says:
August 25th, 2008 at 10:19 pm@ chrishch
Awesome, glad it worked out for you. -
49. glenda Says:
September 1st, 2008 at 4:43 pmI just got my white iphone last Saturday. But I had my first generation iphone before I upgraded. Well I haven’t had the old iPhone for a year, and it’s not being used and my bf wants to use it. But it keeps freezing up and powering itself off during calls. So I was wondering if I went to the apple store and talked to a person at the genius bar would they give me a replacement for the old iPhone? Also my new white iPhone keeps freezing up , like all the time, do you think they would give me a replacement for the new one too? Thanks!
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50. vratnik Says:
September 8th, 2008 at 5:27 amhttp://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc1457iphonert1.jpg
This is my black iphone 3g. Cracks appeared after about 2-3 weeks. The phone has not suffered any fall/damage before. It has fallen once, but it was AFTER the cracks appeared. The fall did neither inflict any further damage or extend the cracks.
The photo is enhanced so that the cracks are easily visible. (cracks and dust are hardly visible in normal light conditions) -
51. George Says:
November 14th, 2008 at 4:24 pmCome on folks. The iphone is an amazing machine that does more than any other phone before it, right? I bet almost all your iphone cosmetic cracks are user induced. Stop leaving your headphones plugged in and letting them yank from side to side in your pocket/purse. You people are whining about micro cracks that can barely be seen in blown up pictures and that you yourself caused! And you think you are entitled to a FREE replacement?! Jeeze, and some people don’t have enough to eat.
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52. BRAM Says:
November 19th, 2008 at 9:13 amjust called apple in canada. told them had some stress cracks in my white iphone. going to replace no problem. 2 business days to get it. good.
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53. jose Says:
December 26th, 2008 at 10:29 amPlastic V Metal. I’ve dropped my 1st Gen numerous times (by accident…but none the less). I have one noticeable dent…but that’s it. The white and gloss black backs look really nice…but being plastic might be a serious mistake
Hey guys ,the truth be told that one of the biggest flaws with the iphone 3g is that it has a plastic back cover, no mater what color it is it really does not make any difference , you cant also forget that there are lots of people with this phones in cold areas of the word like my self included , and what happens to plastic when its been exposed to cold environments ? the answer is it can crack easier amongst other things, i still love my 2g even though it has edge , i am totally with it, remember that the 3g network isnt in full operation here in Canada yet. -
54. Stuart Says:
January 15th, 2009 at 12:15 pmBlack iphone 3g’s are cracking too… the plastic is just too weak, especially around the buttons. Any slight pressure on the sides, from having the phone in your pocket is probably what is causing it. Mine has 2 seperate cracks that formed near the vibrate switch…
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55. Bruno Says:
May 21st, 2009 at 5:02 pmSeems like its not just the Apple iPhones.. My HTC touch (white) does the same. Wonder if the plastics come from the same supplier.
On my 5th on the span of one year and going for # 6. Bell’s… LOL
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