iPhone Glass Shatters/iPhone Not Durable

Question

Level 1

5 points

iPhone Glass Shatters/iPhone Not Durable

I just dropped my iphone.. just one drop and it's ruined. I thought they made these things durable! I'm not sure a protective cover would have even helped in this case, because the glass front is what broke. I tried to get a cover early last week and the place I went was out of stock! Just my luck. The top front is shattered and there is a big crack down the front of the glass. It seems to be working ok in Brooklyn, where I live. But I was getting no service in New York City. I couldn't make any calls. I've heard that Apple won't cover this. I am willing to pay some money for this because it was half my fault, but Apple should bear some responsibility. I can't believe it broke so easily.. who doesn't drop their phone now and again???? Does anyone know how much this is going to cost me. Please don't tell me I have to buy a whole new iPhone at $600 price tag. I'm devastated.

iPhone 3G

Posted on Aug 11, 2008 5:19 PM

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Answer 1

gdgmacguy

Level 7

21,891 points

Aug 11, 2008 5:34 PM in response to Zanne33

Zanne,

Just what are you asking in this technical support forum?

The glass on the iPhone is actually quite durable, however, depending on how the phone is dropped, onto what surface it falls, it can break. It's never been billed as being break-free. I've dropped my phone multiple times, I don't have a case, and while the backing of my iPhone is pretty scratched, the glass is pristine. Go figure.

In any case, an accident is an accident and Apple will not cover this. You will have to have it repaired, and the repair fee is quite hefty, probably around 200.00, but you won't have to buy a whole new phone if it's just the glass that needs repair.

If you paid for your phone with a credit card, you might be covered for accidental damage, so you should check out that option.

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Answer 2

Zanne33 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 11, 2008 6:20 PM in response to gdgmacguy

It simply fell out of my hands while I was texting. It was not thrown.. did not fall hard, but it was on a sidewalk so it wasn't like it was on grass or anything. I have dropped many phones before on a sidewalk and have never broken a phone like this before.
I was seeking some response on price so thank you for your answer. I am also simply letting people know that this is a problem. I did read several marketing campaigns that said there was multiple tests done and the glass was very durable. Didn't seem to be the case in my experience, but perhaps it was an anomaly. People should be aware of this issue when buying an iPhone.

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Answer 3

Andrew J

Level 3

790 points

Aug 11, 2008 6:46 PM in response to Zanne33

+I am willing to pay some money for this because it was half my fault+???????
It was in your hands wasn't it. Google replacement glass for iPhone. There's some pda store that supply this @ $160, but you need to replace it yourself. Instead of warning us that "glass can break" treat your devices so they don't get "dropped". Expensive items are expensive to replace/repair.

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Answer 4

Aug 11, 2008 6:59 PM in response to Zanne33

Lol, you should have been more careful. Glass breaks fairly easy. I have dropped mine onto asphalt and concrete multiple times, I have been lucky thus for though, but I wouldnt blame anyone besides myself if my phone did break.

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Answer 5

Aug 11, 2008 6:59 PM in response to Zanne33

I've read some threads on purchasing insurance for the iphone to cover accidents like yours. A few people have purchased these plans and have had there problems resolved. Try google and search iphone insurance. Good luck.

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Answer 6

Tamara

Level 6

13,744 points

Aug 11, 2008 7:00 PM in response to Zanne33

Zanne33 wrote:
I am willing to pay some money for this because it was half my fault, but Apple should bear some responsibility. I can't believe it broke so easily.. who doesn't drop their phone now and again????

Why should Apple bear responsibility for your clumsiness? It was completely your fault that you dropped the phone.

The iPhone is very durable but if it hits the ground at the right angle the glass will break. You'll need to make an appointment at the Genius Bar and see if they'll send it out for repair. If it can't be repaired, they'll be able to quote a price for a replacement.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUR70xhmqv4&feature=related will show you how durable the phone is.

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Answer 7

Aug 11, 2008 7:09 PM in response to Zanne33

I dropped my EDGE iPhone a while ago and badly dented the power button so much that the iPhone wouldn't start. I dropped it. It was my fault.

However, I had taken out insurance as part of my talk plan and had a replacement sent out to me. If you want to be able to throw your iPhone around without worries, buy insurance, otherwise, I'm sorry, but it's made of glass, so don't drop it.

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Answer 8

Aug 11, 2008 7:40 PM in response to Tmar23

In response to the post mentioning a Chinese site for getting el cheapo iPhone parts:

http://www.gethightech.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=IPHO NE&Affiliate=google&gclid=CIHGpMWih5UCFQiNHgodBB1Drg

You will have to replace the part yourself. There are YouTube videos available. Plus, the iPhone is already broken- how much trouble can it get into now?

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Answer 9

edclange

Level 5

4,962 points

Aug 11, 2008 7:57 PM in response to Zanne33

The glass is quite durable.

Concrete happens to be substantially more durable.

Given the choice between plexiglass that's less likely to break but is highly prone to scratches, or harder glass that is highly resistant to scratches, I'm glad Apple chose glass.

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Answer 10

mdifilm

Level 1

15 points

Aug 11, 2008 7:51 PM in response to bluelaser

Actually, according to a former Apple employee, who has been answering a bunch of questions at another forum, he said "If you LOSE your iPhone you have to buy another one at full price. If you BREAK your iphone you'll have to pay 199/299 for a SWAPPED SERVICE phone. If you DROWN your iPhone you'll have to buy another one at full price."

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Answer 11

Aug 11, 2008 7:56 PM in response to mdifilm

Everyone is talking to Zanne33 like he/she did it on purpose or wasn't careful or throws their phone around. I'm sure it was just an accident. STUFF HAPPENS. The iphone is VERY SLICK. I saw that the moment I got mine and immediately put a non-slip cover around it because I have very small hands and just couldn't really get a good grip on iPhone.

So I'm sure it wasn't done intentionally.

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Answer 12

Andrew J

Level 3

790 points

Aug 11, 2008 8:24 PM in response to Pamela Kinann

You were correct in taking the precautions you did, as have I and many others, and nobody here suggested he intentionally damaged or threw the phone. I have a problem when he says everyone should be warned about the iPhone's lack of indestructibility. Glass is breakable. He had an accident, but to blame Apple for not warning him glass will break if dropped, is just wrong. He dropped it, he cops the blame. Foisting the blame elsewhere is just selfish irresponsibility. No offence to you Pamela.

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Answer 13

Zanne33 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 12, 2008 5:30 PM in response to Andrew J

Ok, can't believe you all are being sooo venomous in your replies.. Dude! the phone merely slipped out of my hands.. I'm not saying, that I am not responsible for my clumsiness. God, I'm human. The way the iPhone was totally demolished is what I have an issue with. There are design flaws at issue here. It's not like phones aren't dropped all the time, but USUALLY phones don't totally smash the way mine did. Seriously it looks like someone banged on it with a sledgehammer.. and it merely fell once! I asked an employee about insurance, not available.. I tried to get a case for it, not available. Dude, this is totally bad luck. But I bet you that iPhone is going to get this complaint all of the time and eventually they WILL design it better. So I'm giving my feedback to you all. It shouldn't really be necessary to get a special case for it either. Why doesn't it just come with a case like the wii remote. Come on guys, give me a freaking break. I know it's my own bad luck, but truthfully.. I really had this thing for 2 weeks and I just don't think it should have breaked that easily. Sue me that I feel like products that you buy for a decent amt of money should be made well.

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Answer 14

Zanne33 Author

Level 1

5 points

Aug 12, 2008 6:04 PM in response to gdgmacguy

Thanks! These forums are pretty confusing.. I did have a question about the hardware and that is what I was asking about, so sorry it wasn't standard protocol.
I think you are just part of the machine dude. So congratulations! I was asking for feedback about the price of this replacement and also letting people know that this is an issue. I think I am doing my duty to do this and you think by berating me you are doing your duty.. so you did just fine! Thanks again and peace be with you.

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Answer 15

barshnik

Level 1

85 points

Aug 12, 2008 8:57 PM in response to Zanne33

There are no other phones I'm aware of that have the ratio of screen size to phone size that the iPhone has, so with all that glass, it is not going to be as resistant to damage due to a fall as other phones. How many times have I had my old Nokia fall, and have pieces fly everywhere, put it all back together, and IT WORKS!

There is no ruggedized version of the iPhone made from titanium and plexiglass, so you take your chances. If you want to be able to drop a phone and stand a good chance of it working afterwords, buy something with low mass, small screen, etc. Even the cheapest give-aways will likely be more durable, but...

John F

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