iPhone 3G owners report hairline cracks in their phone's casing
Some early adopters of Apple's second-generation iPhone have witnessed thin cracks appear at the edges of the device that damage the phone's look and threaten to pose a larger threat down the road.
Those tracking the issue in an Apple support discussion thread and elsewhere say the hairline fractures most often appear on the plastic shell near the corners of the device, particularly near the headphone jack, ringer switch, and volume controls.
The flaws appear regardless of how gently the user takes care of the phone and can increase in number, according to multiple claims, although there are no known reports of existing cracks growing in size. At least a few users, however, report cracks deep enough to create a visible opening, particularly at the headphone jack.
Most of those noticing the issue are owners of the white model. Nonetheless, some owners of black editions also report the issue and suggest that it's not a matter of the material used for the color but a more general problem. The black shell simply hides the cracks better, these users suggest.
Apple's own response to the problem has been mixed. The company doesn't yet list the problem as common and has largely left exchanges to its in-store technicians. While some affected owners claim to have received little trouble and a quick replacement, others describe being rejected due to the cosmetic nature of the cracks, which to date haven't resulted in an outright device failure.
Those contacting their carriers aren't necessarily so fortunate: in one case, an Ottawa, Canada resident has been turned back at retail and on the phone by Canadian iPhone provider Rogers Wireless, which said it would have to technically rule the flaws "customer abuse" and charge the full replacement cost of the phone.
Hairline cracks on iPhone 3G. | Image credits: Nevin Styre, Apple support discussions.
In all circumstances, though, these customers express frustration at a device that in a short space of time is already appearing to break down, even if the faults are purely superficial.
"I don?t think it is such a big deal but then again, I just got this phone and paid a fortune for it," says one detailed report. "There should not be any problems with it in week one."
Those tracking the issue in an Apple support discussion thread and elsewhere say the hairline fractures most often appear on the plastic shell near the corners of the device, particularly near the headphone jack, ringer switch, and volume controls.
The flaws appear regardless of how gently the user takes care of the phone and can increase in number, according to multiple claims, although there are no known reports of existing cracks growing in size. At least a few users, however, report cracks deep enough to create a visible opening, particularly at the headphone jack.
Most of those noticing the issue are owners of the white model. Nonetheless, some owners of black editions also report the issue and suggest that it's not a matter of the material used for the color but a more general problem. The black shell simply hides the cracks better, these users suggest.
Apple's own response to the problem has been mixed. The company doesn't yet list the problem as common and has largely left exchanges to its in-store technicians. While some affected owners claim to have received little trouble and a quick replacement, others describe being rejected due to the cosmetic nature of the cracks, which to date haven't resulted in an outright device failure.
Those contacting their carriers aren't necessarily so fortunate: in one case, an Ottawa, Canada resident has been turned back at retail and on the phone by Canadian iPhone provider Rogers Wireless, which said it would have to technically rule the flaws "customer abuse" and charge the full replacement cost of the phone.
Hairline cracks on iPhone 3G. | Image credits: Nevin Styre, Apple support discussions.
In all circumstances, though, these customers express frustration at a device that in a short space of time is already appearing to break down, even if the faults are purely superficial.
"I don?t think it is such a big deal but then again, I just got this phone and paid a fortune for it," says one detailed report. "There should not be any problems with it in week one."
Comments
I think the cracks are caused by heat. iPhones get hot and so do Macbooks, chargers and Airport Expresses.
Apple just needs to stop making things out of plastic, imho.
The same thing happens to nearly all of Apples plastic products. My Airport Express has cracks all over it. My Macbook has some on the underside and my chargers have them as well. I think my 1st generation shuffle has a couple as well.
I think the cracks are caused by heat. iPhones get hot and so do Macbooks, chargers and Airport Expresses.
Apple just needs to stop making things out of plastic, imho.
I have also had cracks all over my PowerBook and MacBook chargers, including the plug/adapter attachment. The grey plastic that lines the aluminum on my MacBook and PowerBook also has cracks in, and has even chipped away in some places on the older PowerBook. The plastic seems to go brittle over time, and crack. Though the iPhone hasn't had much time to go brittle, perhaps the plastic is too hard, Apple were trying to stop scratches but causing cracks instead?
Apple just needs to stop making things out of plastic, imho.
For a phone, about the only other option would be ceramic. Metal doesn't pass high frequency RF very well and that's likely the main reason Apple switched to plastic.
For a phone, about the only other option would be ceramic. Metal doesn't pass high frequency RF very well and that's likely the main reason Apple switched to plastic.
what about using a softer plastic? something like the black plastic of the iMac. it also has a nice soft satin finish with a big gloss apple in the middle. that'll be
I have noticed the same thing. I do have some tiny cracks around the headphone port on my iPhone.
I have also had cracks all over my PowerBook and MacBook chargers, including the plug/adapter attachment. The grey plastic that lines the aluminum on my MacBook and PowerBook also has cracks in, and has even chipped away in some places on the older PowerBook. The plastic seems to go brittle over time, and crack. Though the iPhone hasn't had much time to go brittle, perhaps the plastic is too hard, Apple were trying to stop scratches but causing cracks instead?
Is 3G too hot for plastic?
Honestly, it serves them right for buying a white iPhone, which is clearly the ugliest thing since Kate Moss. In fact, I think the cracks make the white ones look better.
I'm sorry but the iPhone ice is simply to die 4.
Go back to your cave.
however, my white iphone has these small cracks around the camera lens too.. I never dropped mine either... hopefully they figure out the problem
An example would be a fishing rod. It gets thicker slowly, so that there is a gradual bend. but if it became thicker suddenly, the rod would crack at that point.
If you stick your iphone in your trouser pocket and sit on it what would you expect to happen?
The curved design obviously does not spread the load like a squared off design would but hey ho, if your thick enough to sit on it !!
I thought they go for pink only
Does that same rule apply for a white iPod?
since when does white equate to homosexuality... this is utterly ridiculous.
Funny, all of those cracks look like they were caused by compression.
If you stick your iphone in your trouser pocket and sit on it what would you expect to happen?
The curved design obviously does not spread the load like a squared off design would but hey ho, if your thick enough to sit on it !!
Yes, that's why Apple is replacing them no questions asked, because all of these people sat on their phone.
Who's the thick one here?
Let's hope it's limited.
wow, gay bashing? are you 13 or is this 1980 where bashing gays is acceptable?
since when does white equate to homosexuality... this is utterly ridiculous.
Don't feed the troll
Is 3G too hot for plastic?
No, there are a lot of other manufactures making 3G phones out of plastic which don't have the issue.
wow, gay bashing? are you 13 or is this 1980 where bashing gays is acceptable?.
Hey, slow down. It wasn't meant as an insult. I have nothing against people who are gay, my brother is gay. He also likes the white iPhone.