Anyone out there have a white iPhone? Is it cracking? We got a tip from a reader named Steve, who has a post about the cracking white iPhones on his site here (in French) which pertains to a thread in the MacRumors forums found here.
There are about six pages and a handful of photos with complaints about barely noticeable to quite noticeable cracks. Anyone else experiencing similar phenomena?
UPDATE – John just noticed his cracking today. He’ll post a picture tomorrow.
Looks like Apple’s using the same plastics that they use on the Macbook.
I’ve had my white iPhone 3G since launch, no signs of these cracks.
From the looks of the phone itself, they dont have a case and have been shoved around quite a bit. Oh the French!
Odd… Same thing going on with the white HTC Touch (XV6900) on Verizon.
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1362899&page=1&pp=15
I just looked over my 16gb black iPhone and sure enough there is a crack just below the headphone jack about a 16th of an inch in length. I’ve had mine since launch, and I’ve treated it with the utmost of care.
I’m guessing the contrast makes cracks easier to spot on the white iPhone.
I have the same problem on my black 8Gb iPhone
i have the same cracks on my 16bg black phone. i was just on the phone with apple and i got excellent service, on hold for less then a minute. they told me that i could either send mine in and they would replace it within a week (they would pay for shipping both ways) or i could bring it to the nearest apple store and they would just take it and give me a new one right there. i dont want to be without my phone for a week so i will wait a few weeks and when i am in vancouver for business will go to the apple store there and get it replaced.
Had my white 3G since just after launch too, no cracks yet.
Mine isn’t cracking but I’m having issues while playing music. The music randomly stops and it drives me nuts. Just thought I’d share.
That used to happen to my itouch but now with different headphones it is fine.
Nothing yet. This is good to know, though.
What’s schadenfreude in LOLspeak?
Thanks alot Gizmodo! I just overlooked my phone and there is def a little crack to the right of my headphone port! and no I am pretty upset, got my phone on launch day and I have had it in a case since than aswell, anyone know if I was to bring this to a apple store if they would replace it or not?
Please go and get some sleep, as this is the only reason I can think of for anyone who can possibly mistaken this site with that politically orientated site known as gizmodo.
Corey, This is CrunchGear, not Gizmodo.
oops, sorry guys, thought i was on gizmodo, heh btw I do like Crunchgear better
Apparently not by much though
Had one for about a week, no issues with it thus far, I’ve been checking every day because I heard about it before buying.
I’m having serious problems with the ipod on my iphone 3G, it keeps skipping tracks, skipping albums at random, and today it just froze in the middle of a song. I’ve gone through three replacements in ten days but the problem is still there. Spamouflage, I’m with you on that – IT DRIVES ME CRAZY! anyone else encounters problems with playing music?
Chinese stuff… What more can you expect?
Chinese stuff… What more can you expect?
1st Gen iPhone was of much more quality and durability. Steve, what happened?
I’m not that durable anymore, myself.
Have a white iphone, no sign of cracks although I do have a cover
Have a white iphone, no sign of cracks although I do have a cover
I got a white 16GB iPhone 3G on launch day July 11th and no cracks showing up so far.
White iPhone 3G, handled with care, small crack on bottom-right.
White 3G, had since launch day – no cracks.
Damn… there’s a little crack in the top corner between the headphone jack and silent mode switch.
I’ve got a white 16g carried nude in front pocket but never dropped or knocked around carelessly.
I’ve been OCD about keeping the front screen buffed and clean but havent given much inspection to the back until now.
Don’t put it your back pocket and sit on it with your ever inflating butt. Didn’t people learn from the GEN 1 Nano? To make these idiot proof they will need to be milled from a block of aluminum, but will need the antennas sticking out of it and look like a porcupine. Also, why do idiots put the “Invisa Shield” on the screen? It’s plate glass and wont scratch unless you cary it in your pocket with a hand full of rocks and your car keys! The attempt at protecting the screen makes it look like @#$% and makes it respond like @#$% . These same people are like my grandma and leave the protective film on all the new electronics they buy, plastic covers on the lamp shades and runners on the carpet.
Mine also is has a crack. Less than an inch long so far, right in the middle of the back of the phone. Don’t know if it may cause “actual” problems or not – like allowing humidity in to damage the electronics……I’m going to see what the genius bar says, but if all else fails I may just seal it with clear finger nail polish.
i buy my iphone 3G and i have a white one but there is no crack on it yet…? (but i know that i have a crack on my :-)because i take good care of it and this is my 1st iphone 3g …this is my investment…when i went to hollywood my iphone frezz…. and it turn off by it self and i have 2 wite for a few hrs 2 turn back on again…that socks and i ask ppl what time is it….ipod some time it jump 2 the next song…and few things like the app…it downlord so slow even i have 3G where i live but it still slow…WHY? i spent $500.00 for down payment and $36.oo for acting fee and $314.00 for the iphone 3G = $850.?? this is my 1st time ever spent that much…i tell my frinds they tell me that i’m NUT…but i still LOVE my iphone 3G i dont give up that ezayle….u said that iphone 3G will be perfect….noting is PERFECT in LIFE not even electrions things will break down …i know they will fix it SOON…RITE APPLE ? will be GOOD again u know….
I’ve had mine since launch. No signs of cracking, however in total darkness the back is translucent in the places where the plastic is thin. Seems to correspond with where cracks are occurring in the pictures I’ve seen online. I’ve inspected a friend’s phone, and that one has more thin spots than mine, which suggests some inconsistency in the plastic manufacturing process, which suggests that Apple will indeed make good on replacing any bad ones. Of course my cup is always half full…
hey guys check in between your volume control and the chrome antenna bezel. I bet any money that it is starting to crack there. I believe that it is due to sub par plastic composites in conjunction with the use of metal controls. I think that the inconsistancies with mold play a part also. In fact on my iphone (white) you caN clearly see stress fractures all around the bezel where it meets the plastic. However I wrote this on said iPhone a blazing fast speed and I’m super hard on it because, well, it’s just a phone. I think that we all need to realize that apple will undermine us all when they release the next gen and make us feel stupid for buying this one. That is just the way it goes. Oh well
the plastic space between the screen and silent control switch completely broke off after cracking for weeks. This phone is junk
Yep, I bought a black iPhone at launch and I had 3 or 4 of the little bast*rds all over the place. I took it into apple though around the end of August and they swapped me out a new one. My new one doesn’t have an though.
I have the black iphone. recently, I have noticed a crack exactly the same size and in the same place as the one on the white iphone at the top of the page (right by the silent switch) also there is one at the very bottom of my phone where the usb cable plugs into my phone. and the last one coming out from the volume control buttons. i have had the phone since August. will i be able to get a replacement or not?
Have a crack on the top of the phone…No idea how it cracked I never dropped it.
Will this be replaced?
I have to reply to myself, which is like talking to myself, but feel like I owe it to Apple. Went to the Apple store they replaced the phone no questions asked and the $20.00 plastic protectant I had on it Very Pleased
i had just got my white iphone in november and i had dropped it on a carpet once without at case, and now i have these lines coming from any open space like the usb has little lines and the headphone, sim card, and silent switch.
i am upset about it
Anyones knows from were can I buy a white plastic back for my iPhone 3G?
I do have the same problem (it just cracked).
Thx
Cracks appeared on my phone this week. This problem is covered by warranty and you can set up an appt through support to exchange your phone at an apple retail store. (or you can arrange to mail it in)
Same problem here. Iphone 3G 16GB write, bought in Set/08.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nelsonmurilo/3197079730/
white, not write, of course.
Make an appointment at the apple store, they exchanged mine no questions asked. Had it for about 4 months before i noticed it. Good Luck.
Same problem on my iphone 3G white it has small cracks all over it and has been in a hard case since day one
anyone blaming people with cracks in their phone from misuse, really should think before opening their mouth. my phone was in a case since i bought it, and has never been dropped or even had excessive pressure applied to it. apple acknowledges it’s an issue with the plastic case. i barely know anything about apple products, and after about 20 minutes of research, found that MacBooks have the similar issues with their plastic enclosures. so spare us the elitist attitude, because you have absolutely not a clue what you’re talking about. it’s a mistake by apple, the girl at the apple stored said it was a known problem.
I have had a white iPhone 16G for 2 months. A serious crack developed next to the input jack about 3 weeks ago. Plus the USB charging cable cover has now split next to the USB input.
Misuse – NO! If anyone who makes this claim is simply an opinionated ignoramus as they have no basis on which to make such a crass statement.
I have had mobile phones since the Techphone if anyone remembers that far back. I have never had problems with split cases. I treat the iPhone more carefully than any previous phone. I have neverdropped it and I’ve dropped Nokias and Sony Ericssons with no consequences.
It’s poor design and QC
I am on my way to pick up my 4TH, yes 4Th iPhone 3G replaced under warranty in 6 months for the same exact problem!! ( the white case starts cracking, and progressively gets worse!)
The white plastic back case cracks and is absolutely cheap, untested plastic p.o.s. they replaced the metal backing with ( for better cell signal??..more like save a few $$ on each unit). Hey a couple buck’s on 18 million phones is a lot of money they are “saving”, and all at the cost of future sales!
I was going to buy my wife and Mom an iPhone, but will not even think about it now!! I will also tell every person I meet at my business every day, how and why they should not buy an iPhone! Which is to bad because the software and hardware (minus the case of course) function of the phone is great
Forgot to add that the 3rd replacement they sent me came out of the box with 7, yes 7 cracks in it!!
All before I even got my hands on it, so misuse is not even an argument that can be made in this case….it’s all APPLE!!!
yes I have several small cracks. i have had my 3g since launch and keep it in a case. I called Apple about it the other day and basically they said tough. To get it replaced either requires between $200 and $300 or $150 and a degree in computer engineering if the directions I saw were right.
should still get the phone even though i could get it broken.I’m not the old and and i have to save up pocket money more a while but should i stll get it beacause i dont think ill have the money to repair it!My parents might but i dont want to be with out a phone 4 while. . . . . please tell me what you think!
I’ve had 5 iPhones in the past month.
First 3G stopped making phone calls after 2 days.
Second, had hairline cracks in it. Barely noticeable. 3rd- had them as well, but not as many. I dealt with it since they were so tiny and I was tired of swapping. 3GS was announced. I stood in line to get one. Got it. Awesome. Vibration mechanism was loose and rattled when vibrating. Just returned and got another one…cracked. After the 2nd one, I’ve looked closely for cracks on each replacement. 3/4 have had these cracks. The one I didn’t notice I didn’t examine closely, so it very well may have had them.
This is an issue with I’d guess 80% or more- but since they are so small in most cases, are never discovered.
I found mine because the light from the sun was shining parallel with the side of the phone. (perpendicular to the cracks if this makes sense)
Under normal lights I cannot notice mine at all, only when looking somewhat closely and the light is shining on it just right.
It appears to be a crack in the clear coat? or something like that. It doesn’t appear to go through the entire plastic back.
I don’t know what to do. I want one with no cracks, but 6 exchanges in less than a month? Maybe I should consider a Palm Pre or something…
Just went to the Apple store, only to be told that my phone had gotten “wet” and they would not repair the case because of that. Other than sweat or possible being hit by a raindrop in my pocket while running into a building, this phone has NEVER been dropped in water. I honestly think it is Apple’s way of not taking care of their customers. I know of no other phone on the market where sweat would kill a warranty. In fact, I was going to buy the extended warranty, but the “genius” said don’t bother because they wouldn’t cover anything because it has gotten “wet.”
If you are wondering, there is a little strip where the power connector is that supposedly turns red if it got wet. I say supposedly because my 3G has been pampered and does not even have a scratch on it.
Some much for Apple Care :(
i’ve had the same problem. i’ve had the phone for 3 weeks and there are 2 big cracks and a few little ones. never been dropped.
I was wondering, I got my 16GB iPhone 3G late last December, but just noticed my cracks now. They’re by silent/vibrate switch, three that are about 1/4 of an inch each. Would they do anything to replace, or have I waited too long? Thanks for any help!
I have the white iphone 16g 3G and have experienced a couple small cracks. The worst thing is that the white plastic backing is starting to separate from the from the metallic border that surrounds the screen. I have super glued one area where it first started to seperate and now it’s started in another spot. I’ve heard other people with the same complaint. I treat this phone/computer like a baby and love it but I expect to have a quality built device to last long than a year after having a year and for the price of $400. Anybody experience this with the first white iPhone comment please.