Beats Studio 3 Cracking

I've had this exact same issue, but Apple Engineers have designated it as "accidental damage" and will not repair it unless I pay some ridiculous repair price. Mine are 8 months old so still under warranty, but they have said the accidental damage does not fall under the apple warranty. (I baby these things, so accidental damage is virtually impossible) How did you have the case escalated because I am absolutely intent on taking this further. Thanks!

Same issue, I tried calling Apple, and spent over 1 hour on the phone, escalated this to a senior support person, and all they kept saying was that it was "accidental damage". I also had an issue where the sound wasn't coming out of one ear cup when I was using bluetooth, and I sent them in for that. My headphones are still under the 1 year warranty as well. All they did was send them back because they were also cracked, which I did mention to them, and for a repair it was going to be $279 + tax CAD. At this point, it's just ridiculous that multiple people are having these issues, and now I'm left with a $400+ paper weight.

I just went through this same problem with mine, same design flaw that they tried to pass off as "accidental damage" and wouldn't be covered under warranty. They asked if I had applecare and that it would be covered. Total garbage that they won't stand behind their products. After persisting and escalating with a senior support person they reluctantly decided to honor the warranty and cover the damage.. Totally frustrating experience! When this new set cracks, I will not be getting another pair of Beats, and will go with BOSE, who definitely stands behind their products..

I have the exact same issue. I also have a big head (I wear a 7 1/2 hat size, big but not enormous) and both sides of the headphones cracked in the exact same spots after having the headphones since December 2019. I sent them in for repair under the limited warranty and was denied. They asked for $199 USD for the repair cost since this was "customer abuse" even though the damage came from simple widening the headphones to put them on. I told them that many others online reported experiencing this exact issue and this is a design flaw, but they said unless Apple comes forward and starts accepting repairs for this particular reason then they would not cover this under the limited warranty.

I'm extremely disappointed that such an expensive product would break down physically as a result of its intended use so quickly. Currently looking for somewhere where I can submit product feedback about Beats. Hopefully Apple recognizes that they are selling a very faulty product.

Yup, it isn't "accidental". Especially in my case, I had Bose headphones (which were over 3-4 years old and still working great, I've just had to replace worn out ear pads, which is normal wear and tear) that I had prior to the Beats ones, and so I really rarely used the Beats, and this still happened. At this point, I would just like a pair of working headphones. I don't know of a group or something where this can be escalated too, but it's obviously a problem at this point.

Hi,

I have the same issue (crack on both sides), and I was wondering if anybody has been successful at getting them fixed/replaced under warranty (without AppleCare or paying a deposit fee) in the UK?

I could go to an Apple store now that they are open again, but I wonder which is the best course of action?

Thank you, and let's make this thread popular!

So an update on these! I sent them in for repair and when they arrive and were rejected on basis of undisclosed damage - asked them to let me talk to a senior manager. I re-iterated that this was not accidental damage and they had broken from regular use and then told them about this discussion group. The manager was very nice and sorted it out almost immediately after checking out my information - got my replacement beats a few days later :)

I’ve been using Beats headphones for about three years (after losing two pairs of Airpods I decided to buy something bigger) and went through two pairs of Beats. They both started showing visible cracks after perhaps a year or less. My first pair (in the picture) lasted for nearly two years until they couldn’t be worn any more, and my second pair lasted for only a bit over a year - using them until they wouldn’t stay on my head any more because the plastic ended up cracked on both sides of the wiring. Both were fine in terms of electronics and battery life, it’s just the plastic that got cracked which I find a real shame. I also have an above average head size. I definitely feel disappointed and wanted to get some other headphones, but I haven’t been able to find a match in terms of over-ear headphones that easily connect and that allow for fast switching between 2-3 Apple devices.

Talking about solutions or alternatives (without having to waste time on Apple support - which I should still try):

• I just tried a Sony XM4 for a day and couldn’t conveniently switch between my MacBook and iPhone even though they advertised it would connect to two devices at once.
• I’m afraid the Airpods Max will be too heavy for day long use and fall off my head when doing more active tasks (such as chopping firewood, jogging, or inline skating). From one YouTuber’s review it was very clear that this could happen.
• I’m now on the fence between trying the Airpods Max, buying a third pair of Beats Solo 3, or repairing the ones I have (maybe starting with some tape until replacement parts arrive).

Same thing happened to mine, 5 months owned, still under warranty, crack above the right ear cuff, apple offered me a repair of $199, mind you i paid $189 as they were on sale at best buy. Senior Manager was unhelpful, said it was deemed as damage not covered by warranty. So i informed her that , as im doing now, I'll be notifying everyone I know how poor of quality beats studio 3 headphones are, how apple doesnt stand behind their products, how ill never buy another beats product again, and I'm looking forward to my new bose quiet comfort 35 ill be ordering later today

stay tuned for my youtube review of beats studio 3 headphones , where ill show the same damage from light use over 5 months, and then I'll take them to the gun range for some target practice. Ill update this post when the video goes live

Same problem here, Beats 3 wireless, used it lightly at home for about 6 months, when cracks started to appear above the ear cups. Never dropped, never mistreated, folded up perhaps 3 or 4 times. Replaced my Sennheisers that I used for 26 years. The Beats lasted 26 weeks 🙄. Apple tells me I damaged it and the repair quote is more than I paid for it. I told them I expected a better answer after being a customer of Apple for over 25 years personally and 20 years with my businesses. Disappointed in both the shoddy build quality of the beats and in Apple's behaviour here. Lets just say that we ordered are last iMac Pro's at work.

Just to support the cause, went through the same issue - just woke up one day and saw the cracks and wondered how on earth that could have happened without me even noticing - they were on both sides. Probably used them for around 4 months out of the 11 and still under warranty at 11 months. Trying to see if they will do anything but have been told on the phone it'll cost more than the price I bought at 230 dollars to repair. Pictures of the crack that broke the internet below - enjoy!

Figured I should add my voice to this issue, as I discovered mine were cracked last week, despite taking exceptional care of them (they haven't even been outside my house). They were a birthday gift from my mom last year, and the warranty was expired. As she used her credit card which carries extended warranty coverage, we're trying to get them repaired through that (they approve it, you pay Apple for it and then they take it off your bill).

Here's my photo. Not a shock - it's the same place as everyone else's. Also, I don't have a very big head.

I have the same issue haven’t had these for long and this happened as you can see from the image. Now there saying I owe 200 because it doesn’t cover. But yet I have AppleCare Plus on these. Look I do not like writing bad reviews but this needs to stop there’s about 290 people with this same issue. I bought these for 350$ they shouldn’t break on me like this it’s unacceptable.

So 5 months after the plastic covering the hinges started cracking (posted here in september) and 'fixing' those with tape when Apple a) blamed it on the user and b) wanted €200 to repair it, the cover popped off. Only worn in the house, sitting behind a desk, perhaps 15 - 20 times since September. So all in all my beats, worn in the house occasionally for about a year, have two cracked hinges and one cracked cover (which also distorts the sound).

@Apple, @Tim Cook, either I don't understand how to wear headphones, or you sold subpar junk. This product is obviously flawed from a design and durability standpoint. These are not just cosmetic defects, the thing is literally falling apart when being used as intended. To then have multiple Apple Support Staffers blame it on the user is astounding. It is clear from the AirPods Max-design that Apple learned from the beats failures. Pretending nothing is wrong with your Beats 3 product is not a good look.

Looks like I’m going to be another unsatisfied customer. Called in to Apple care and got the same response as everyone else. $199 to fix a $1 part that wasn’t engineered robustly enough. Mine lasted 1 year and one month. There are replacement parts and fix videos out there. You know it’s an issue when a cottage industry develops to fix it.