andycs01827

Q: got my first iphone, its a 3gs, gets very hot

Purchased an old model 3gs to test out if its worth moving from android to apple. Very pleased with it so far but after charging today the phone was very hot, especially  the back. I left it for an hour and went back and started to use it but again it was very hot, after about five minutes use the screen went gradually black and the phone would not turn on. Left it for around half an hour until it had cooled down and it came back on. Should I be worried. Thanks.

iPhone 3GS, iOS 6.1.6

Posted on Sep 21, 2015 6:50 AM

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Q: got my first iphone, its a 3gs, gets very hot

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  • by KiltedTim,Helpful

    KiltedTim KiltedTim Sep 21, 2015 5:25 PM in response to andycs01827
    Level 9 (55,641 points)
    Mac OS X
    Sep 21, 2015 5:25 PM in response to andycs01827

    Yes. You should be worried. Either the battery is failing, or it's suffered some kind of damage (probably liquid damage) that is causing a short. It should be considered a fire hazard.

  • by Michael Black,Helpful

    Michael Black Michael Black Sep 21, 2015 5:24 PM in response to andycs01827
    Level 7 (24,504 points)
    Sep 21, 2015 5:24 PM in response to andycs01827

    Lithium batteries that overheat can combust, so yes, I'd stop using it. Also, when a lithium cell gets really old and looses most of its capacity, it will have a much greater tendency to overheat, especially when charging. If that 3GS has the original battery, it is long past due for replacement by now.

     

    Also, a 3GS can't run an iOS above iOS 6 so you'll have no experience with what the current iOS 9 is like or capable of.