iPhone coming apart at the seams

Question

Level 1

8 points

iPhone coming apart at the seams

Picked up my iPhone on launch day. To my eyes, it looks - and feels - as though the seams on my iPhone are warping. The chrome border/screen seem to be lifting off of the unit and the metal backing has expanded on one side. You can actually see movement back and forth if you press down where the chrome/screen has begun to separate from the unit.

It's never been dropped, mishandled, etc.

I've already gone to the genius bar once, and they told me that I should wait and see if it gets worse, and that they'd know more about what kinds of issues warrant replacement in due time, etc.

It's been a few weeks since then, and since it is still within 30 days and I could conceivably get an in store replacement, I am really itching to head back to the store. I do feel that the screen separation has gotten worse, and this just really irks me. My $600 iPhone had better be cosmetically perfect. More importantly, this issue seems systemic (on my phone), and I don't want to wait for it to become ruined.

Some are of the right side, where the metal backing has expanded. Some are of the left side, where the metal backing is sealing perfectly, and some are off the top-left side, where the screen is lifting up.

I'd appreciate your candor. Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Message was edited by: MBShane

<edited by Host>

Posted on Jul 12, 2007 12:28 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 12, 2007 12:47 PM in response to MBShane

Judging from your text "it's been a few weeks since then" you seem to be saying you got it in this condition since the thing has only been OUT for a few weeks!

If you got it in this condition I would get a new one. If it became this way from normal usage I would also see if they would swap it out for you.

I'm presuming you didn't leave it in a hot car or a cold freezer?

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Answer 2

Jul 12, 2007 1:45 PM in response to MBShane

I bought mine two days ago at the Apple Store. I was told, and my receipt states, that I have 14 days to return or exchange it.
I think you should hustle on over if that is your intent. I am very impressed with the build on mine.
My only complaint is the home button. It sounds like one of those whatchamacallits, a clicker toy I had when I was a kid. It would indent and return. What am I thinking of? Click clack, click clack. A little help here?

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Answer 3

Jul 12, 2007 2:15 PM in response to MBShane

galvanater is right its NOT 30 days , its 14 but I talked to an apple genius yesterday who said they would honor exchanges outside that realm ..

you have to hand it to them.. the customer service on this thing rocks

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Answer 4

Jul 12, 2007 5:45 PM in response to MBShane

I'm not sure if this is the same problem or not, but the chrome edge of the iphone is starting to pull away from the back. It's not visibly noticeable, but the edge is sharp to the touch. It's worse in the middle of the left side, but at the bottom (where the back is black) I don't notice the sharp edge. The right side only has one spot where the chrome edge is sharp.

Otherwise, no scratches, dents, dings, or drops.

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Answer 5

Aug 5, 2007 3:54 PM in response to MacFishy

I am having the same exact issue on the left side near the volume controls. This is also where the device gets the hottest. I've got a date with the genius bar tomorrow afternoon. I'm hoping that they will exchange it on the spot.

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Answer 6

ePhone

Level 1

45 points

Aug 5, 2007 4:26 PM in response to Adam Burrell

I am having warping problems too. The black plastic on the bottom of the phone has begun to protrude the bezel and is becomming an irritant when holding the phone. It won't push back in. I hope it doesn't continue, or become an iBlade.

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Answer 7

Aug 5, 2007 5:56 PM in response to MBShane

When a battery-operated device shows suspicious warping or bulging, and it has never been dropped or mishandled, this could be a sign of a battery defect. Other signs, like excessive heat or poor battery life, are commonly seen in conjunction with warping. This is a potentially dangerous problem and the device should be opened and the battery removed in order to determine the cause.

It is important that you bring this to the attention of the device manufacturer. Li-polymer batteries are somewhat less susceptible to catastrophic failure than older Li-ion technology, but the very nature of battery technology means that they are still extremely high energy density devices.

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Answer 8

varjak paw

Level 10

182,668 points

Jul 12, 2007 12:45 PM in response to MBShane

Take it back. No matter what anyone says here, only Apple's opinion counts, so you're going to have to take it back and let them make a judgment.

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Answer 9

Jul 12, 2007 12:46 PM in response to MBShane

mbshane,

Take it back to the Apple store.... have them compare your iPhone to a store model side-by-side. It will be obvious that there's something going on with yours. They should replace it.

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Answer 10

MBShane Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 12, 2007 12:49 PM in response to Joe Zobkiw

I'm presuming you didn't leave it in a hot car or a
cold freezer?

It definitely has never been anywhere near a climate considered hazardous to the iPhone. 🙂

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Answer 11

MacFishy

Level 1

69 points

Jul 12, 2007 5:51 PM in response to MBShane

Share some photos?

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