Q: iPhone 3gs exploding expanding battery

Count me in too! Been using my old 3GS as a touch and went to get it today only to see the glass/chassis had separated from the backing - expanded leaving a 2-3 mm crack at the top. Bizarre, and then see this discussion and it all becomes clear. This is CRAZY!

What to do?  Has anyone had a positive response from apple? Credit or repair success?  This really *****! After paying hundreds of dollars only a few years ago I don't expect it to "explode" all of a sudden and be rendered unusable!?!

I'm sad to welcome you, Spiceman, in this cursed club...

Yeah - EXACTLY, thanks.  Now how to right this wrong?!

If it has exploded, for sure call Apple Care. This is a safety issue, which they surprisingly take very seriously. They will most likely set it up for replacement. Might cost money, up to $149 for out of warranty replacement fee.

Oh WOW, they want to take another $149 of my money, I sure don't think so, they already got me for $470 when I bought it on a 2 year contract... and then the phone only lasted 3 years... I don't really think I will be giving Apple any more of my money when they design their devices so that the phone self-destructs after a couple years... Doesn't really sound to me like they are taking it seriously or they would be replacing these phones free of charge to try to keep a lid on this. 

As it stands, I do IT Consulting for quite a few companies, not to mention all my friends I play tennis with, I will be sure to show everyone the pictures of my iPhone anytime someone asks for my opinion about what device they should purchase for themselves or their company.  

I'll buy Samsung devices from now on, at least if their battery fails the battery cover comes off and I just have to buy a $20 battery (honestly I could get 3 for that price). 

I really don't care if it's out of warranty, the use of the device was not out general expectations, however the device completely ruining itself, well, is.

this happened to my phone too. i had my phone sitting in my desk while i was away in mexico, this was my primary phone. anyway, when i returned to activate my phone the phone was so bulged out that the screen had lifted quite a bit, and there are stress cracks all along the back edge. this is a 3gs and was always well treated, never dropped nor had any sort of water damage. bye bye apple, hello samsung, et al.

Well, teklife, you should visit an AppStore and give'em a chance before going for the Koreans... It's obvious that Apple did a mistake with respect of the 3GS's battery, and this is normal: they are not God! So, we should give'em a chance to reveal their real policy. Let us know if you get and answer from them.

teklife wrote:

 

bye bye apple, hello samsung, et al.

Out of the frying pan, into the fire - literally:

Samsung cell phone battery explodes in man's pocket

Samsung cell phone explodes, causing fire

Galaxy S3 Reportedly Explodes, Samsung Investigating

Samsung Galaxy phone 'explodes' as man sleeps ...

Samsung Phone Explodes in Face - FoneArena.com - Mobile ...

A Cellphone Exploded In My Face - Gizmodo - Gizmodo, the ...

Busting the Myth: Yes, Cell Phones Can Explode - Android ...

Samsung Galaxy S III Reportedly Explodes in Car ...

Man Hurt as Samsung Phone Explodes in Pants Pocket

There are no reports of iPhones exploding or starting fires, only expanding. While there seem to be a rash of Samsung explosions and fires.

Well, I went to use my 3GS last night and realized that the battery was expanding.  I use it as an iPod touch, and it is part of my Apple collection.  Today I called AppleCare and spoke to senior advisor who, of course, wanted me to buy a Support Agreement. Thankfully, they waived the charge and spoke to me.  Apparently, Apple has a policy on the battery in any iPhone that as long as it hasn't come into contact with moisture, they will replace the iPhone for up to 3 years after the purchase date.

My iPhone was purchased 3 years and 2 months ago.  Of course arguing got me nowhere.  I'm going to go down to the store in the next couple days to see what they say.

I found a senior advisor who was actually sympathetic and was also scared about what might happen if the battery kept bludging, so he gave me a CS code to take to the store and get it replaced.  I walked out of the store yesterday with a refurbished iPhone 3GS, so all worked out well.  Hopefully this iPhone won't have the same problem as last time, as this one was just remanufacted in April of 2013.

Hi Old Macs,

Thanks for sharing your success.

So the senior advisor was on the phone?

How old is your phone?

I might go back to the store and quote you.

Thanks,

David

Yeah he was at tech support over the phone. My original 3GS (one I gave the store for the new 3GS) was bought 38 months ago (3 year, 2 months) in April of 2010.

well, many of those exploding phone cases are from counterfeit replacement batteries, but it's not even just that; apple still makes some of the nicest hardware with the best build quality, but the os nowadays is nothing compared to what's on android. i drool over my girlfriend's galaxy note and love using it, that's why i say hello samsung, et al. i really enjoy the experience using android over old and boring ios.

i'm sad that my perfectly good phone is ruined through no fault of my own, costing me money, and that apple will most likely not give a ****, but at the same time i'm excited to move on to android which is much more awesome IMO than ios.

And today it happened. After seeing the 3GS discharging in less than a day it ended up by almost exploding.

<Edited by Host>

Here's my update and resolution to my ruined 3GS.

Went to Genius Bar. They know well of the issue. He told me all batteries are

Meant to have a life of  at least 400 charges then they are risk is failure (or expansion).

He said as soon as you see your charge time drop off replace battery.

About 2-3 years is typical.

Apple's offer to me from the genius guy:  cost of out of warranty repair is $150 which means a replacement with a refurbished one. He told me b/c it is the battery that caused the failure it would be $79. With tax $84 out door with a newish 3GS. BTW refurbished he told me is all is new except the camera and the logic board. Not ideal solution for sure - they should have replaced it for free or less money but I found it a decent option and better than buying a new touch with 1/2 the memory for much more money. Also fyi, they would not offer me any credit to a touch. What I described is the ONLY option he said.  I hope this is helpful to the rest I you?!