iPhone 3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing

white, week 26, 1cm crack near the mute switch. never dropped, sat on, mistreated, or cheated on. 🙂

I've spent 10's of thousands of dollars on apple products and stock over the last 30 years, and this is the first time I've been disappointed - but - I'm sure they're looking into it and will issue a solution since this seems to be a fairly widespread defect.

I hope you are right and that Apple is indeed aware of this widespread problem.
I've waited longer for this phone then I had it in my hands. No serious I mean it.

16 G White. No cracks at this time, however, I noticed on day one three teensy, tiny air bubbles in the plastic case. Not enough to bother me. I've only had 3G for a week-- so I will be watching for cracks. If I develop one, I think the best strategy is to inform applecare-- but wait until there's an absolute fix for the problem coming from Apple. Why exchange a phone for one that will crack again in short order?

The bubbles by the way can only be seen under a good light. Does anyone else see these little bubbles? They are tiny and you really have to move it back and forth under a bright flourescent light. Direct sunlight doesn't really show them.

Thanks, Dan

Two friends of mine who both got white 3G iPhones both noticed small hairline cracks in the plastic backing. One noticed this after 2 days of careful, light use, the other noticed it directly out of the box, before it was even turned on for the first time! So, how can Apple claim this isn't a manufacturing defect?

People buy expensive Apple products not only because they work well, but also because they look good. So, if Apple is trying to claim that this defect is "cosmetic" and won't replace iPhones with cracked plastic casings, then they are going to face a backlash like they've never seen before. And the Apple brand will be badly damaged as a result.

TomNYC wrote:
Two friends of mine who both got white 3G iPhones both noticed small hairline cracks in the plastic backing. One noticed this after 2 days of careful, light use, the other noticed it directly out of the box, before it was even turned on for the first time! So, how can Apple claim this isn't a manufacturing defect?

People buy expensive Apple products not only because they work well, but also because they look good. So, if Apple is trying to claim that this defect is "cosmetic" and won't replace iPhones with cracked plastic casings, then they are going to face a backlash like they've never seen before. And the Apple brand will be badly damaged as a result.

Apple hasn't claimed anything. Why do you say that? And from what it sounds like, they have been exchanging the units.

I bought my iPhone white next day of launch. So far, have not seen any cracks, but i can't live like this forever. I check my phone for cracks every day few times in the day. this is kinda driving me nuts.
I'm in australia and is this cracks thing happening in all countries that Apple has sold their phone on July 11th or is it restricted only to usa ?

There have been numerous reports here and on other sites of Apple Stores refusing to exchange iPhones with defective backs that are cracked. Most have been removed here, so, you'll have to do a Google search to find them elsewhere. I have also seen numerous reports from people saying that the Apple Store did replace their iPhones with cracks.

Apple is not dealing with this problem in a consistent manner, telling some people that this "cosmetic" defect doesn't warrant a replacement because the phone still works, while immediately replacing them in other stores. If someone sees cracks in the iPhone casing right out of the box, how can Apple claim, in some cases, that this isn't a manufacturing defect and won't replace it?

Every exchange is on a case by case basis.

Some of the photos I've seen posted of these cracks looks like the iPhone has been carried in a pocket with sandpaper, or worse.

Is the possible the the cases people buy is also a reason for few of the cracks. I am sure, not all cases bought are soft and that they do not put extra pressure 24 x 7 on the phone structure.

so far i have been looking for a good cases but now I think i just need to take very good care of the phone and keep it as it is; As in other discussion somewhere, in its naked look.

+People buy expensive Apple products not only because they work well, but also because they look good.+

Yes ... I do anyway!

I swopped a big, black ugly box for a cute mini... And its still perfect and scratch free after a few years.

So why cant we have phones that are perfect as well? Maybe plastic was bad idea.. although my iTouch got scratched after just putting it on the table as the back is like bitter when it comes to picking up scratches

I checked my 16G Black and there are 2 cracks in the side by the silence switch. I am also VERY careful with my electronics and it has been in a hard case from the first minute I opened it. Guess it's time to call....

OK, so far we have 2532 views of this post, 71 replies and only 16 "cracked" iPhones...
I have also noticed the same images posted by the same people appearing on different forums worldwide - Mac Rumors, Mack Talk, Whirlpool and ofcourse here just to name the few..!?
BTW; My white iPhone purchased 2 and a half weeks ago is "crack" free.

I've got an 16GB white iPhone 3G. I've seen about 6 really tiny cracks around the earphone jack. I never thought to look until I saw the original thread. Mine was made in week 25.

I saw three tiny bubbles on mine, too, but they don't bother me either. They can only be seen in a certain light and if you look very very carefully. I'll only ask for a replacement if I see multiple cracks. So far I don't see any, but I haven't used it much either.



+Quote from Dan:+

+16 G White. No cracks at this time, however, I noticed on day one three teensy, tiny air bubbles in the plastic case. Not enough to bother me. I've only had 3G for a week-- so I will be watching for cracks. If I develop one, I think the best strategy is to inform applecare-- but wait until there's an absolute fix for the problem coming from Apple. Why exchange a phone for one that will crack again in short order?+

+The bubbles by the way can only be seen under a good light. Does anyone else see these little bubbles? They are tiny and you really have to move it back and forth under a bright flourescent light. Direct sunlight doesn't really show them.+

+Thanks, Dan+

Just out of curiosity, what are the three digits before the 25. On Mac Forums we are trying to determine if it is the week or the factory # that is most constant in the cracked phones. Most of those people with cracks in their phones report various weeks, but they seem to have 88 at the beginning of the serial number. I think 88 is the factory or wherever they were made, and the third 8 is the year and then the week number is represented by the 4th and 5th digits.