Issue with rear glass iPhone 12 Pro cracking/ smashing easily

As we are elderly and on a pension we can’t afford Apple’s extortionate repair to the rear glass, for that reason we have turned to a none Apple repair company to fit a new rear glass, they tell me it’s as good as Apple’s and will guarantee the work, I know we will have no Apple warranty but I have no option.

My wife saved up for a long time to buy the iPhone pro max, her first new phone,

she normally has my cast off phones.

We have had Apple products since the Dawn of Time but now we feel very let down, Apple should be ashamed of themselves, and are appearing to look greedy.

Also have had an iPhone for many years. This is the first time I’ve had this happen. As has been said before, the phone has never been out of the case since the moment I bought it. Removed the Otterbox Defender case to clean and discovered the back glass shattered. I can only think since the phone is so big, the glass cannot withstand very much stress. Just disappointed in how much it cost and how easily it breaks.

It doesn't matter how much outcry you see here, it doesn't mean it's defective.

As I've also posted, a quick Internet search will turn up many similar complaints about Google and Samsung phones with glass backs (also to accommodate Qi charging.)

Adding my two bits in too, as the back glass on my new IPhone 12 Pro Max shattered on Labor Day weekend. I’ve had my phone for approximately one month.

I’m using an Otterbox Defender XT case, a glass screen protector and one on the back too. I dropped it once on gravel, had to replace the camera protector piece. Everything else was just fine so I was thrilled.

Unbeknownst to me, the back glass shattered last weekend when I dropped it a second time. I stumbled and dropped it from hand height on to a cement sidewalk. I didn’t realize it had broken until today. I noticed two small cracks around the base of my camera lenses, which looked odd. I pulled the otterbox case off to look at the back and was shocked to see the damage.

I have Apple care+ on my phone but I am really disappointed in having to use it. I’ve always used the OtterBox defender series for my iPhones, over a decade now. I have never had a single problem with any of my phones taking damage when they’ve been in there OtterBox.

I really love my new phone but I am very disappointed in how quickly the damage occurred. If my defender case isn’t going to be tough enough, I’m not sure what I’m going to do for it in the future.

This is the first glass backed phone I’ve had - and my last one if this keeps up. The MagSafe ability is cool but certainly not worth this kind of problem.

Thanks All

Same problem as everyone else. I bought a UAG Pathfinder case at the same time I bought my phone. Installed phone in case before leaving the store. Have owned the phone for only two months, and have never dropped it. I would remember if I had as its panic inducing. I just bought a new UAG case and removed my phone from the first case, and the rear glass was cracked. Looks like the crack originated in the top corner opposite the camera. There is a visible seam in the design just before the radius of the corner starts, and the crack propogated from there. Admittedly, the UAG case is fairly stiff, and some force is required to insert and/or remove, but seriously Apple? This should not cause a failure. Fire your reliability team.

Heard that Apple dropped the price with Apple care to $29 +or-..?

how about the non Apple care folks that could use a hand on replacement cost.

come on Apple.. a little help to dull the pain would be nice.

Ever break a glass soda bottle?

Sometimes you can throw one at the ground and it will just bounce away.

Other times if it falls just a few inches it smashes instantly.

It all depends on how it lands, the surface and the stress put directly on the surface.

I understand - my phone landed face down - front glass didn’t even get a crack, scratch or any damage. Back glass shattered inside the speck case.

I guess I had a false sense of security from having a 7S plus for 4 years in a speck case and front glass protector - dropped it many times on the same carpet without even a scratch.

Same problem with mine! Removed the cAse (always used) and th iPhone is cracked… as such if your iPhone has any other problem unrelated (motherboard or other failure) apple will say that can’t repair under warranty!!! Miserable.

We don’t know how many have broke the rear cover.. And don’t know how many will in the future. I think it’s fragile. My first change from other devices to iPhone was motivated by its durability and resistance (comparing to others). Alluminium in the chassis (as the MacBook) are better materials… but changing to glass removes the durability. My main complain is avoiding to repair inner hardware problems inside (during warranty) because of a broken glass… charging for all the chassis for a glass broken doesn’t seem fair!

the future will uncover more I think

Alas, you seem to not understand that no one here designed or built iPhone of any model. I gave you a suggestion to put a screen protector on the back of your phone, which you basically rejected as not what your issue is.

Your issue is you own a phone with a glass back and glass can break. Period. There's no magic potion or solution for making glass which cannot break. And you've demonstrated you're not happy with the fact glass can break and you are looking for some solution, which simply doesn't exist.

This forum is a Technical Support forum. We, as users are pretty good at helping people when they have a technical issue which can actually be resolved with a technical solution. That really is the intent of this forum. This forum is not a complaint forum. It's clear you don't like the design of your phone. There is no one here who can do a single thing about that.

Totally understand you. Some people legitimately want to know, in a apple discussion forum, if it is a generalized problem or just a coincidence! Seems to be a generalized problem - at least hundreds reported on this site (even with some opinions trying to diminish/erase the discussion).

and applecare is not available everywhere unfortunately.

I was just told on the phone that the back is not very durable but will still have to pay out of pocket to fix it. I do not agree with charging customers close to $1000 if not more for a phone that they advertise on their site "Superstrong materials and water resistance make iPhone incredibly durable. And automatic iOS updates deliver new features and security enhancements that keep your iPhone running beautifully and help it hold its value longer than other smartphones."

They verified it was my partners fault. Which I still find absurd given I see how she uses her phone, I have an iPhone 12 too, no case, I chuck the thing around and the glass front and back has withheld fine. Here's a video showing it is under the surface "she broke". I'll be reasonable and say it is of course POSSIBLE, but man, it seems like nothing apple made in the last two years is very good anymore, especially iOS / homekit.

https://youtu.be/AGlMP5TAcZI

help my iphome 12 pro max glass is cracking how much is cost only 2 days on hand ..