Cracked/Fractured camera lens iPhone 7

Hey hi,

I have exact same issue. iPhone 7 plus 128 gb model. I have crack on camera glass not on camera lens. Crack is very small, not properly visible with naked eye. I read a lot about this problem, and as a matter of fact many iphone 7 plus owners are stating similar experience. My case with apple support is going on, I will let you know once there is resolution.

Last week I took delivery of my iPhone 7. After 1 week I've noticed a hairline crack across the rear camera lens. I've previously had an iPhone 3, 4 5 & 6 and have never damaged any of them (I used to use Ottebox cases and then LifeProof cases).

This phone has suffered no impact (to my knowledge) within this past week yet it has a crack across the lens. I have to say I am surprised that it is a raised lens from the body of the phone (which none of the iPhones did), but it does sit behind the raised profile of the case I've bought.

I'm going to go to a Genius Bar and see what they say, but reading this thread it sounds like there is a potential quality issue developing. I am within my 28 day "cool-off" period (bought through phone contract) and I think something not being fit for purpose should be a reason to had it back and go back to one of my older iPhone 5 or 6 (iPhone 4 was actually my favorite).

Dear Mr. Finch:

Thanks for you response. However I think it’s absurd for a global brand to make a customer from Nicaragua go to Europe for a solution. Do you know how far it is? I’m really disappointed with Apple. I’ve been loyal to your brand for many years and this experience really disappoints me. Where can I send a formal complaint? This is damaging Apple’s reputation. An unhappy customer, you have no clue of what customer service is.

Best regards,

Suppose someone else had the same experience. How does knowing that help you?

To sort of answer your question, I have never seen a post about a cracked camera lens that was not accidental damage. And, as you can see, I read and answer lots of posts.

While synthetic sapphire is highly scratch resistance, it is in fact much more brittle than glass. That's why it's useless for large thin displays like an iPhone display, but works best with small lenses or with very think lenses like a watch face cover. But it would conceivably take much less shock to crack it than would be required for a tempered glass lens.

Regardless, it's Apple you'd need to convince it was a defect and not accidental damage. A few Internet forum posts would hardly count as evidence of a product defect, so I don't see any such replies helping you at all.

Note that an out of warranty replacement (or accidental AppleCare+ claim) will preserve your remaining original warranty or extended warranty, or come with 90 days (whichever is longer).

Yes, the same thing happened to me last week - the lens cracked as if some sharp instrument hit it but like you, I am very careful with phone usage and has a phone protection case - Apple told me that I have to have the whole phone replaced after paying $350 - I bought a lens protection "ring" to offer better protection but now reading your post I am wondering if there is a latent defect.

same issue here, iphone has always been in a hard case, but from one moment to the other it cracked, there must be an issue with it, otherwise there wouldnt be lens covers available on amazon for 5.88. on top of that all the diy videos available online for diy repair

apple has been very curious and they havent closed the case yet, they re trying to replace it for me

I noticed a crack in my lens within a few days of purchasing the phone. No trauma, contrary to what the crack looks like. It was surprising to find that neither my carrier or Apple could help me without a fat deductible.. now I know better than to get my carrier's warranty vs AppleCare. Bummer that no one else was able to resolve this without coughing up a few hundred dollars. Or maybe I didn't read that comment yet.. :b

Hi,

The rear camera on my iPhone 7 has samashed too. This has obviously affected the picture quality as it it blurs and dulls any photos I take.

However, the lens on my phone first cracked when my son threw my phone into the (empty) bath - he is autistic so does not understand things the way other children might - and Apple told me that no matter how the damage had occured, the warranty would not cover it. They advised that I either buy a new handset or go instore and see what they have to say.

Apple Care via phone is shockingly abysmal. They either pass customers to anywhere else they can or are just generally utterly useless. They never seem to know what they are talking about and have never - in my personal experience - been of any help at all.

Did you manage to find a solution at all? My lens/glass/whatever it is has completely fallen out now and so the picture quality is worse than ever!

****

No manufacturer will replace any device that was damaged. And most won't even offer a discounted replacement as Apple does. The warranty covers manufacturing defects, not user-caused damage, regardless of how that damage occurred.

<Edited by Host>

I think you are the one being unrealistic. Accidental damage is accidental damage. It really does not matter who caused the accident or what the curcimstances are. I fully understand any company using a “no exceptions“ rule to accidental damage. If they allow one exception, they have to allow all, making the company effectively responsible for all damage from all claimants regardless of cause.

Accidents happen but that hardly makes Apple or any manufacturer responsible for rectifying the damage for free.

This just happened to me, or else I just noticed it about a week ago. I've had the phone since Sept 2016, it's been dropped once or twice but I've always had it in a very protective case. The other day I noticed a weird glare in a sunny photo and took a look at the lens, and sure enough there's a fine crack across the glass.

I went to the apple store today and they told me I'd have to buy an entirely new phone because they can't pop off the glass and replace it. Why on earth would you have the camera jutting out from the body of the phone, and make it impossible to repair? Luckily the damage to the lens ins't so extensive that I can't live with it, but this is definitely a flaw on the phone. You're not alone.

I have just experienced the same type issue. I have had my iPhone 7 for 10 days and noticed a cracked/ broken back camera lens. I have kept phone in case and carried in my pocket. This phone has never been dropped or treated carelessly. Cell provider has stated I must use my insurance, apple support offered to look but stated i would either have to mail my phone or drive to nearest Apple Store. And tech would decide if it was accidental damage or not. This is the first time I have had an issue with apple and I am disappointed. If cell providers can sell these phones they should be authorized service/tech support facilities as well. I really think the lens had issues when purchased but did not notice before walking out of the store! Sigh☹

Obviously she is asking this question because the information does help her somehow. Knowledge of shared experiences can help determine if the device is faulty, if she just has bad luck or a combination of other things. You are an arrogant bully and give very unhelpful responses.

In response to the question I have not had my camera break or crack but my coworker did when he dropped his phone(he doesn't use a case). He replaced with a kit from ebay and it works fine now. I hope you get this fixed OP.