iPhone 3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing

Thanks for the advice. I did call Applecare and got a really great rep. He was very helpful and accommodating and even scheduled a new appointment for me at the store. He did say I had two options. One was to replace it and the other was just to document it so that if I had more or if it got worse, I could get it replaced without a problem. I almost went that route because honestly, I'm not sure the replacements are fixed. If Apple hasn't acknowledged it then it's probably not wide spread enough for them to do anything. But, I decided I'd replace it and if it happened again, I'd be back. I went into the store and the genius took one look and said ok and replaced it no questions asked.

I think a lot of people are just covering up their phone with a case and trying not to think about it. A few months from now I would imagine that more phone than not will show some form of cracks under careful scrutiny. Some will be worse than others. Some may not notice them at all, but the problem is real, the material used is sub par and very prone to stress marks and cracks and Apple will inevitably probably change the material. I doubt they will issue a recall. They will probably continue to replace the obvious ones until one day the new supply/material will be in circulation. I am also convinced that at lest 50% of the cracks will go unreported. Remember there is a huge percentage of iphones inside cases that never see the light of day. Right now my biggest concern is the 3G/Edge switching lag problem.

headphone port's crhome chipped off, so I got a replacement 2 days ago, then that one's proximity sensor didnt work, got a replacement for that yesterday...

Now this one has 4 stuck pixels...Not very noticeable in a bright apple store, but it is frustrating...

Does this mean this screen will develop more of them? I am soooo sick of this! HELP!

Well been 4 weeks and now also have crack between benzel and ringer switch wasnt there a day ago found it yesturday nevr used the switch dropped etc been in big rubber case from day one
well i;ll wait for the replacement program whan they get the facts right abt the chip set problems

got a replacement...one stuck pixel, dimple on back plastic, and light leak on left side...ughhh

iPhone firmware 2.02 apparently fixes everything - including "cracks"... LOL
BTW; My second iPhone replacement seems to be OK so far (2 weeks old)- no cracks.
Fingers crossed 😉

I got my 8GB black build week 32 about 3 weeks ago. First thing I did immediately after opening the box was check for cracks, there were none (I found a dead pixel however). Within 24h I put a Bodyguardz full body protector.
I am the definition of maniac, I treat my phone to the point that others make fun of me. The phone has never been dropped, never been in a pocket and I carry it well secured in a hard case so big that you could put 2 pair of sunglasses in it, so no stress on the phone. I don't have a case on the phone itself other than the Bodyguardz film.
I clean the phone every night, 2 days ago nothing, yesterday I see a 1/5th inch long crack under the Bodyguard film on the right side (side opposite to the volume button) 90 degrees to the chrome bezel. It's very visible under any light any angle. FYI the crack appears as a white line under the Bodyguard transparent film.
I couldn't come to explain how cracks could just appear magically on people's phone. I still can't explain, but I certainly experienced it as I don't put the phone in any pocket and touch it with very light pressure.

2 months is too short for Apple to do anything. It takes time and money to fix problems, Apple can't re-adjust their manufacturing for every potential defect they hear about a product. They need time acknowledge there is a problem, replicate the problem, identify it's cause, identify a solution, test the solution and finally put the solution in production. That may not happen before next year, and that's assuming they have already acknowledged the problem internally and assigned resources to it.

As some of you stated it's not the first Apple product with cracking plastic, the iPhone 3G cracking is the clear proof that they haven't fully learnt/fully figured out what the problem is and we all know how long ago the MacBooks were released. So while we all hope it'll be fixed next week, we need to be realistic. Unfortunately there is also the scenario of it never be fixed until the next iPhone revision. Let's keep faith and hope that Apple not only reads these posts but uses this information in a productive manner.

As disappointed as I am, I don't think I'll go through a replacement, I'm keeping my first and only iPhone at this point.

I agree that what you describe isn't something that I'd rush to the Apple store about, but I'd keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn't get bigger or that other cracks develop.

Like I said, I believe it to be cracks in the clearcoat (not the plastic) that are showing through.

I've had "6" iPhone 3Gs and not a single one had a crack (or cracks) in the plastic. My fiance's has been fine since the day she got it, no issues or cracks. In fact, she has dropped it twice in a Griffin Wavecase and it has had zero cracks or scratches on it. I have to say that I think the thing is built pretty tough. My exchanges were mostly functional issues (iPod pausing/skipping, SIM card not recognized, etc.) and some cosmetic (chipped/pitted chrome) but otherwise they've been pretty solid.

My iPhone is often times in a Belkin silicone sleeve, but I also have a Griffin Wavecase. I like the silicone b/c it offers "grip" where the wavecase doesn't. I've never noticed a crack or split even after taking any iPhone out of either case.

Whatever it is, I could feel it broken with my fingernail...

You can see here that I have the same problem...

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1701244

No one, neither in Apple support (portuguese number), neither vodafone (the famous technical responsible in Portugal!) said nothing to solve this!

Basically, in Vodafone, they said that, even that my phone is well treated, this is not covered by the warranty!

I can't do nothing, and don't know what to do!

Apple, can you please help me? SOMEONE?

Well, you can add my 3G to the list of cracked iPhones...

I finally got one without a light leak and now it cracks. 😟

I put a case on mine immediately after buying it but my crack is at the charging port where the case doesn't cover tightly. It's the Incase slider.

I too, have a hairline crack between the volume control and the screen - despite having done everything I can to look after the phone - investing in a very protective case (Piel Frama) and a screen protector (iQase). My phone has never been dropped either. Like many others ... handled with kid gloves since day one.

most of the cracks show up weeks/months after purchase and are allways in the same spots:

headphone port area, volume/silent buttons, camera, and charging port/bottom... It is still unclear if this is a defect or design flaw...

They are not breaking on their own, but are definitely not the user's fault, as many are cracking under normal use...

If the cracks are your only problem be greatful, and look over the replacement before you leave the store, as I've been given replacements with chipped chrome headphone port, chips where chrome meets the back, multiple bright pixels, that are hard to see in the store, but noticable in low lit rooms, broken proximity sensors, screen failures, battery problems, light leaking from the left side(which apple has refused to recognize as a problem...etc...

So if you have cracks in these areas, and havent dropped or sat on your phone, bring it in, the geniuses have been great every time I've gone in...