iPhone 3G case cracks (white)

[scudder]

Folks, not sure how genuine all the photos are in this as one looks like a drop, but most look like the real deal and it is very worrying. Rumours of a recall have been spreading too and this might just be the reason. There is a shortage of the 16gb white version, could this explain it?
Don't shoot the messenger :-)

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=525177

Intersting reading!

[aenti]

ow. i sure hope that is just a rumor. if not...well just another reason why i prefer the black iphone.

[Tex]

INtersting to know. Guess I'll never see those on my black backing????

I went with Black, knowing that the white would pick up blemishes, and gunk much easier than the black. It just seems like such an odd color to have for a phone...but that is just me.

[aahitman]

Made me look at mine. I've had it since the 14th and no cracks. I put an IS on mine so maybe that has helped.

[Youngbinks]

Hmm I don't know why it would be limited to the white iPhones as it seems both black and white casings are made of the same material. Hopefully this isn't that widespread or Apple is in for quite a headache.

[aknightstale41]

Very strange.. it seems to look like a stress crack (not due to a drop), but they seem to be by the area of the headphone jack, or the silent button, putting in the headphones is a cause of some abuse.
Could be if pressure is applied laterally on the plug end of the jack while its inserted might be the cause. A major mistake by apple not to reinforce the corners of a plastic back. But if it happens to white it will happen to black...the color is irrelevant, its just that you can see it better on white.
Hopefully its a fluke, but reading the number of instances in that thread put the odds to a flaw in design.
Just be careful of using the headphone jack maybe.
Interesting to see what comes of this.

[jbarrack]

Damn I really hope this isnt wide spread. I just looked my white iphone over to see if I could see anything. I see nothing. Although, I keep mine in a case all day and probably treat it like its gold.

[mlass]

I got me a cracker, too.

I just looked at mine and I have stress cracks on the other end. Around the screw hole and the part where you plug in the usb cable in.

Oh, it's a white one

[aenti]

Get that exchanged buddy.
Anyone thinking Apple might have rushed on, oh I don't know...everything?
-Problems with 2.0, 3g iphones, and MobileMe. You are supposed to stress QUALITY Apple! I know that's why I put up with the price tags!

[Lincoln]

It doesn't seem like it would be specific to the white iPhones, as the only difference is the color. Either way, another reason to pick black.

[aknightstale41]

Actually one other possible cause that seems much more plausible then my above post, is that these are stress cracks, but their only underneath the clearcoat of the color, this is what i believe it is..high gloss usually has clearcoat in the mix, so what might be actually happening is the plastic back being a somewhat flexible material will tend to shift the paint that lays on it, causing hairline cracks (Its only in the paint) the plastic itself would not crack this easily without a drop.
This happened on many older vettes that have a fiberglass body, it shifted the paint that overlayed it and you see hairline cracks. I wouldnt worry about it.

[damstr]

INtersting to know. Guess I'll never see those on my black backing????

I went with Black, knowing that the white would pick up blemishes, and gunk much easier than the black. It just seems like such an odd color to have for a phone...but that is just me.
lol If it happens on a black phone I guarantee it will be more noticable.

[Joon]

The tight lips of AT&T and Apple since the 3G launch is very interesting. The 3G sketchy coverage that is not being discussed by either company and now this....

Youngbinks, you seriously need to change your avatar.

[GoldenAnkh]

Thank you for posting this! Just checked my 4 day old, barely used and lovingly cared for white iPhone, and BAM! Crack near the volume buttons.

I have already returned one white iPhone last Thursday after having it for less than 12 hours. That one had a chipped chrome bezel.

So now, in five days, this is defective iPhone #2.

I would rather deal with fingerprints that having to see these cracks. It does seem as if it is under the clear coating, but now that I notice it is there...

Has anyone had luck exchanging for a black one?


EDIT: On closer inspection, I have found about 5-6 cracks along the edge the is touching the volume buttons, and the original one I saw was along the edge the is touching the chrome.

Kind of PO'd right now.

[MoJoe]

That really bites, sorry to hear about the cracks for everyone.

The more I read about the probs, the happier I am not upgrading until everything gets ironed out.

[mlass]

lol If it happens on a black phone I guarantee it will be more noticable.

Actually less, the white one shows it as black hairline cracks.

[seanwes]

Damn I really hope this isnt wide spread. I just looked my white iphone over to see if I could see anything. I see nothing. Although, I keep mine in a case all day and probably treat it like its gold.


I just looked mine over too, and all is good. But i put it in a case the second i bought it, so i think that has something to do with it. Most of those people with cracks probably dont use cases im guessing.

[projectdarkside]

Ahhhh just another reason I prefer the metal backing of the v1 to the 3G's plastic, cause if someone dropped it you could tell by the dent, but if you have stress cracks on your 3G then Att or Apple may accuse you of dropping it and just trying to get a free iPhone:foot:
http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=125076&stc=1&thumb=1&d=1216360567http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2259/2656116459_0dd7ec1c24.jpg?v=0http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3135/2694176256_24fb689cc4.jpg?v=0http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2392/2407086886_a090442ebc.jpg?v=0

[jarofclay73]

After careful inspection of my white iPhone...

NOTHING!!!! :2cool::laugh2::smile:

[projectdarkside]

After careful inspection of my white iPhone...

NOTHING!!!! :2cool::laugh2::smile:Whew!:foot:
-I thought you were gonna say you found a gaping crack or something lol! You really know how to build up suspense and delivery of the moment:wink:

[jarofclay73]

Whew!:foot:
-I thought you were gonna say you found a gaping crack or something lol! You really know how to build up suspense and delivery of the moment:wink:

I thought all my smiley faces were a dead giveaway though... :tounge:

[iAttorney]

I know the color seem irrelevant to most, but what if Apple used a different batch of their plastic for the white ones? It is entirely possible that whatever vat of goo was used to pour the white backings contained an inferior mix. That would explain why no cracks are occurring on the black phones.

[jarofclay73]

I know the color seem irrelevant to most, but what if Apple used a different batch of their plastic for the white ones? It is entirely possible that whatever vat of goo was used to pour the white backings contained an inferior mix. That would explain why no cracks are occurring on the black phones.

Actually... cool doesn't crack. :tounge:

[kisstine]

It doesn't seem like it would be specific to the white iPhones, as the only difference is the color. Either way, another reason to pick black.

I agree that if the white is going to develop cracks, then the black is equally likely to do the same. But if they aren't from drops and Apple is going to stand by delivering a quality product, replacing or repairing (new backs?) defective phones, then isn't it actually better to have white so the flaws will be evident and you can get them dealt with?

Btw, my white iPhone is crack-free in spite of one short drop onto a wood bench (that almost gave me a heart attack).

[kisstine]

Ahhhh just another reason I prefer the metal backing of the v1 to the 3G's plastic, cause if someone dropped it you could tell by the dent, but if you have stress cracks on your 3G then Att or Apple may accuse you of dropping it and just trying to get a free iPhone:foot:

Pds, I'm sure that with all the time you've spent saving and shopping for your iPhone that you're planning to put it in a case, but my experience with naked iPhones is that the metal back on the v1 is much more slippery, rendering it more prone to drops.

[projectdarkside]

Pds, I'm sure that with all the time you've spent saving and shopping for your iPhone that you're planning to put it in a case, but my experience with naked iPhones is that the metal back on the v1 is much more slippery, rendering it more prone to drops.WOW you actually know who I am!:laugh2: Your cool with me kisstine:2cool:
-When I bought my 3G I was planning on just having it in a InvisiShield but maybe I'll go ahead save alittle extra to cover the cost of both the Shield and a case, sadly their arent that many good cases out right now I'm gonna need some recommendations lol!. . .

[goobs22xx]

I know the color seem irrelevant to most, but what if Apple used a different batch of their plastic for the white ones? It is entirely possible that whatever vat of goo was used to pour the white backings contained an inferior mix. That would explain why no cracks are occurring on the black phones.

I think its more likely that they're both cracking, but the dirt that gets in the crack is showing up more noticeably on the white.

Jmho

[miggs1310]

I have a white one, no cracks yet.....

[BLIK]

I have had my White since Day 1 ................No cracks....but I have in a case with shield

[Tex]

I have a white crack.....

HA

I need to eat something...have yet to eat today (stupid). My brain is reverting to a 10th grade level.

[crupp]

One thought I have not seen mentioned is the the crack may actually be in the pigmentation (white in this case) and maybe not in the actual structure of the phone. Which would point to a flaw in the application of the white coating. Just a thought

[GoldenAnkh]

My white one has a shield and a case and I didn't notice any cracks when I first read this thread around 6pm EST yesterday. Later that night, when I looked more carefully, I found them. They are barely noticeable, but now that I know they are there.

I can't feel them at all, so I am leaning more towards the post about the cracks being under the clear coating...

^^to the post above - good idea about the actual coating being flawed... I didn't see our post until after I posted this!

[iFatty]

Are you people for real?

The cases are fine.


Thats a drop or a strike.

We have hundreds of them at work of all colors, some even bounced off floors and nothing is wrong with them.

[k3n85]

I just got a replacement one on Saturday from the Apple store cause mine broke, I can now see a similar crack near my headphone jack ... know it wasn't there when I got the phone. Might have to take this one back too :\

[GoldenAnkh]

Got my replacement this evening at the Apple Store. So far I see no cracks on the phone and will be keeping an eye out for any that may form due to using the USB cable or headphone jack...

[mlass]

Are you people for real?

The cases are fine.


Thats a drop or a strike.

We have hundreds of them at work of all colors, some even bounced off floors and nothing is wrong with them.

There had to been a reason why Apple went with a Aluminum Back on V1.

I have been in the Automotive Buisness for 15 years and have seen alot of stress cracks on plastic from stress (tail lights) and chemical stress crack (headlights, soap solution). After researching a cause (say 1,000 of 10,000 brake lights show signs of stress cracking) sometimes the cause can be something as simple as the manufacturer didn't have the correct heat setting when the plastic was molded.

I know mine are stress cracks, but not concerned until Apple investigates the cause and corrects it. No reason to jump out and get a new phone that may have the same concern.

Here is a little info that may educate you some.....

Chemical stress cracks are typical brittle cracks which occur at or below the tensile strength of the plastic or material. Specifically, the name "chemical stress cracking" is given to the phenomenon where chemical agents adhere to, or come into contact with, areas where tensile stress is present (i.e., where the part is being loaded), and where cracking occurs over time as a result of the combined effect of the chemical agent and the stress. The surfaces of this type of crack are smooth, and in certain cases, they may take on a mirrored appearance.

In terms of growth mechanism, it is said that gaps open between molecules when the part is loaded or in some other condition of stress, that the chemical agent penetrates into these gaps, and that the cohesive power (or strong binding) between the molecules is reduced. The exact mechanism has not yet, however, been completely understood.

Relatively large stresses exist around assembly screws, and particularly in the case of countersunk-head screws, these stresses can be excessive. Accordingly, they may constitute the stress factor leading to chemical stress cracking, and if chemical agents are also present in these areas, cracking will occur.

[Londonrockz568]

Here's a tip. dont follow the hype.

There is no shortage of White iphones comming from Apple. However the white ones are hard to get b/c so many people want them despite what your opinion about getting white is.
Ive had my 16gig White for 2 weeks now, and i have no cracks. After reading/seeing the images i used a magnifying glass to see for any cracks, chips and there is nothing...I REPEAT NOTHING. I havent dropped the phone, the white hasnt turned yellow or cream. Its pure white, no damages.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the pictures you saw is what will happen to a 3g in a case that gets dropped OR IF YOU SIT ON THE PHONE while in your pants pocket.

Watch as the 3g iphone gets blended, at the end of the clip the blender couldnt blend and destroy the back of the phone.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLxq90xmYUs

The back of the phone is made of a mixture of materials, its not 100% plastic i think some of it is ceramic. The same for the black as well. Im not saying the possibility of cracks are impossible, but to see them on black phones, take a pinch of baking soda and rub on the phone to highlight any cracks.

[projectdarkside]

I need to find a good case for the white one I plan on buying cause, I dont think an InvisiShield is gonna be enough:gasp:
-especially for a drop

[sonicwind]

Are you people for real? ... We have hundreds of them at work of all colors, some even bounced off floors and nothing is wrong with them.

All both of them?

[Londonrockz568]

I need to find a good case for the white one I plan on buying cause, I dont think an InvisiShield is gonna be enough:gasp:
-especially for a drop

Spek(*) White pixel skin case is what i have. Its got padding around the corners and edge of the phone. Im confidant it'll survive a drop if i ever do manage to drop it lol.:laugh2:

[projectdarkside]

Pretty cool man :2cool:
http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/1447/as-images.apple.com/is/image/AppleInc/TS507_AV2?wid=326&hei=326&fmt=jpeg&qlt=95&op_sharpen=1&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.5,0.5,0,0&iccEmbed=0

I also like this "grippy" rubber type case, from Marware
-Cause the first prevention from dropping you iPhone is not dropping it Haha!
http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/1447/as-images.apple.com/is/image/AppleInc/TS501_AV2?wid=326&hei=326&fmt=jpeg&qlt=95&op_sharpen=1&resMode=bicub&op_usm=0.5,0.5,0,0&iccEmbed=0

[connie]

Will Apple exchange for these cracks? They might think you dropped it.

[projectdarkside]

Im sure they're will probably be a recall, better yet another one of those "Class action suits" that apple seems to get sued with atleast once a year:wink:

[Velodog2]

I have a white with no apparent cracks. However there is a small mfg defect near the volume button like a little bump about 1/16" long. I'm not upset about it (its a phone, not a piece of jewelry ya know). But when I look at it under magnification it appears to be an inclusion of some sort that is white, but has tiny cracks radiating out from parts of it. This is how I would expect stress cracks to appear and occur.

It's quite logical to me that these cracks are already present in the cases from manufacturing, but it takes a few days for them to accumulate enough dirt to appear dark and visible in the white plastic. Also logically, they are in the black phones as well but will never be seen.

So far I've only seen one pic of a case that was actually "broken". Although I suppose any of the cracks has the potential to propagate eventually, I would consider these to be generally a cosmetic problem, and a small one at that.

I would like to know if these cases are something more exotic than simple plastic. I wouldn't guess so tho. Apple is too cost conscious. I do think that they are beautiful, for being plastic. Oh, and under magnification, yes they do scratch. The are not made of any miracle material.