iPhone 3G - Cracks in Plastic Housing

I've had my iPhone now for 6 days and so far no cracks. It's an 8GB and was made in factory #85 during week 30. I've been using the Griffin leather case with the hard plastic interior. It's snug but I've had no issues with it. I'm quite happy overall other than a few minor quirks with the phone.

You are the first person that I know of to say factory #85, which is the same as mine. I can't see any flaws either, and have looked very carefully. Mine was made on week 28.

Sandylp wrote:
Thanks for posting your experience. I can't believe you had so many issues with your phones and your fiance's phone had none! I've looked at my phone over and over and can't find anything either, but the headphone jack is very hard to insert and remove. Is this the same on both of your phones? I'm hesitant to use the headphones because of this.

No worries, thankfully this one (5th) is doing just fine. The headphone jack on my iPhone and my fiance's iPhone are also "stiff" when trying to plug in headphones, or a cassette adapter. I noticed that after repeated use, it begins to loosen up a bit so it probably just needs to be worn in a little.

Hey thanks Sandylp for the response. I'll try that and see if it works. Maybe a different genius on a different day will help...

factory 86, week 27. cracks everywhere....

Since i got the replacement phone no i havent seen any cracks, the first phone i saw cracks the 2nd day i had it

Factory 84 Week 27 - up to 15 cracks now.

The plastic Apple appears to have specified is pretty brittle, but I guess it needs to be to get the gloss finish and take the lacquer coating. I got my iPhone 3G a week ago and noticed some minor annoying build issues - slight overhang on one side of the case, quite sharp edges on the dock opening and the sim card opening and unusually sharp edges on the chrome buttons. I just noticed today that the lacquer coating on the top of the sim cover/drawer is beginning to chip/flake off. The iPhone has been in a soft bag, not really out at all, and is now in a leather Sena case shipped from the US (no stock anywhere in the UK). So it really hasn't been handled very much. I do wonder if the choice of this type of plastic may have been a mistake - although it does have a great look/feel so the Apple industrial design brief has probably been met. I hope it's just an initial build issue. My iPhone is factory 87/week 29.

Aaron Smith9 wrote:
FYI, my headphone jack is stiff too, but I use it all the time with the included headset. IMO you should use it a LOT now while it's still under warranty. If it's gonna break, now's the time for it to happen. 😉

I agree. TBH, I think it's just new and needs to be "worked in" so to speak.

As far as ppl having phones, out of the 5 phones I've had and my fiancé's phone too, I've yet to see any cracks. Is it possible that these are either dropped or sat on? Just asking...

Man, That's Not The Only Problem With This Phone. Has Anyone Been Using Their Phone In The Dark Lately? Look To The Left Side Of The Phone Where The Chrome Meets The Glass.....It Hasn't Been Sealed Properly. There Are These Beams Of Light(As Bright As The freaking Sun)Shining Through It. I Have Seen It On Too Many Iphones To Believe Its Just A Couple That Slipped Through The Quality Assurance Test. Let Me Know If Anyone Has This Defect.

iDeon wrote:
Man, That's Not The Only Problem With This Phone. Has Anyone Been Using Their Phone In The Dark Lately? Look To The Left Side Of The Phone Where The Chrome Meets The Glass.....It Hasn't Been Sealed Properly. There Are These Beams Of Light(As Bright As The freaking Sun)Shining Through It. I Have Seen It On Too Many Iphones To Believe Its Just A Couple That Slipped Through The Quality Assurance Test. Let Me Know If Anyone Has This Defect.

Nope. I don't have it.

Did You Try It In The Dark? You Won't Really See It Under A Light, Make Sure Its Dark And The Only Light On Is Your Phone. This Thing Is Making Me Mad.

iDeon wrote:
Did You Try It In The Dark? You Won't Really See It Under A Light, Make Sure Its Dark And The Only Light On Is Your Phone. This Thing Is Making Me Mad.

Yes, I tried in the dark, but don't have it. But it has been reported on these forums. Have you gone to a genius bar to get it replaced?

Twice....Getting Real Tired Of Seeing Those Guys Faces. Truthfully, I Just Got Back From The Store An Hour Ago. Best Believe I'm Going Back Tomorrow.

Mine 16gb white just started showing cracks (purchased on d-day after a six-hour wait.) There are two cracks along the right edge at the bottom of the phone parallel to the metal trim – each around 5-6 millimeters long. I thought that hardcase protection since purchase would protect it...guess not. But instead of replacing it now, I'm going to wait until they find a solution and re-manufacture to their high standards.

To all who are worried about whether Apple will take ownership for the problem, have faith. I love my Macs but have also had my share of problems, as have my children with theirs. Steve Jobs has always come through.

If you want to move the process along, the best thing we can be doing is providing Apple with the manufacture information that will help them identify the root cause of the problem.

My Serial # is: 86827BV51R4. (I understand that the 4 & 5 digits indicate the "week" of manufacture which makes mine the 27th week.)

APPLE – HOPE THIS HELPS