In what appears to be an increasingly common problem, hairline cracks are beginning to form on Apple's new iPhone 3G. While most of the cracks are reportedly affecting the white model, this is likely due to the increased visibility of the dark fracture on the white case as opposed to any differences in materials between the white and black units. At the moment, the issue seems largely cosmetic and doesn't appear to interfere with the operation of the phone. Now bust out the magnifying glass and let us know if you're seeing the same.
Update: Reader Darius shows off a whisker crack on his kid-glove handled black iPhone 3G with the help of some blue lighting -- meow. See it after the break.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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posted July 30th 2008 3:34AM
50% cheaper 100% more cracks
The middle of the Volume key on my EDGE-tastic iPhone is cracked but its no biggie.
That looks awful.
hi, i purchased a 3g iphone from Rogers Video on july 11th, it's a black 8gb model and after reading this article on engadget. I can confirm that i also have cracks near the headphone jack and one hairline crack near the centre of the phone. It's barely noticeable on a black iphone, but because of this article, i took the time to analyze my phone. I am extremely digusted.
Like some of you guys, I am also waiting for my iPhone 3G (16 G Black) from Optus. Reading all these cracking information really worries me.
However, I found these information on the web (follow weblink below) that said the iPhone 3G back casing should not be plastic, and possibly zirconia-ceramic. Even then, I still don't quite understand as to why the hairline cracks. However, if the iPhone 3G survived the BLENDER, I am starting to think these cracks would not be such a huge problem in terms of the iPhone 3G falling apart... though I agree it is still a cosmetic one.
http://www.intoiphone.com/2008/07/14/iphone-3g-isnt-plastic-zirconia-ceramic-casing.html
http://www.willitblend.com/videos.aspx?type=unsafe&video=iphone3g
Also, a good friend of mine, working at Motorola (mobile phone mold designer) commented that the hairline cracks may worsen but they shouldn't cause the iPhone to fall apart easily.
Also found this information regarding zirconia-ceramic...
http://www.ceramics.org/news/ceramic_tech_today/ct2008/iphone-2.aspx
Don't be aggressive with the phone...and you won't have cracks.
black dont crack
No cracks on mine yet. Just a fiber under the screen for which Apple happily gave me a new phone.
I'm not saying they're acceptable, but the chance of a defect like this (and subsequent anti-fanboys screaming "OMG I TOLD YOU SO HAHAHA") are simply the price of being an early adopter. Even with its faults and defects (and the novelty finally starting to wear off), I'm still happy with my iPhone after over two weeks of use.
Apple is starting to annoy the hell out of me.. the quality of their products is becoming an ongoing issue in every product they release. Whats going on?? IMAC have screen issues (all of them) MBP have screen issues as well now the new Iphones.. Im sick of this crap...
Apples removes posts from support/discussion board - 3g iPhone owners are suffering from hairline cracks on shiny back cover of beloved iPhone. Thousands from Australia, UK & US posted their concerns on Apples discussion board earlier today, but Apple have removed all links - with the following - ERROR you do not have permission to view the requested forum or category.
Must be getting a bit sensitive as Apple have removed the discussion from their support site, censorship will not fix the issue! They must be worried about the bad PR spreading around the web which continue to spread until they admit that they have a problem and fix it...A premium product should not start to break up after a couple of week when you are locked into a long contract deal....Even basic Nokia/Motorola phones can be dropped/kicked about without much damage....
it seems to me that this thread developed a bit of topic for a while.
Im curious how big this issue is, so we've set up an website to try to find out. Any with the cracking problem should report it on:
http://www.myiphonecracks.com
We suspect it's going to be a major issue...
E.
Apple has for the past years been getting a reputation for manufacturing quality problems. The matte black iPod´s, the Macbook´s.... etc. Personally I believe it´s the price to pay for Apple´s desire to launch new improved versions of it´s products. How many companies update their products (hardware) so often? I guess improving the overall design in such short intervals means some batches will/can be faulty. The bottom line is they will eventually iron it the problems of the first batches of a new product.... or at least that´s what I´ve come to expect.
I also had a crack. In fact it's the biggest I've seen to date. Here my blog post with pictures:
http://www.zacharybass.com/2008/08/3g-iphone-case-cracked-in-under-24-hours-back-to-the-apple-store.html
-zach
I have a crack on the back of my Black Iphone, always in a case, never dropped....
Yes it does crack or at least some do some don't. I got mine replaced because of no less than 8 cracks 2 days after purchase... My new one is a week old, no cracks.
I have had my Iphone 3g (white) since it came out and put it in a case the first day.... But I am getting cracks on it near the headphone jack and all around the edge.I HAVE NOT DROPPED IT AT ALL....Please comment back if anyone has had any success talking to apple about it and got a replacement or not?
Three cracks in my iPhone 3G. Taking it back next week.
This is clearly a materials/engineering problem. Either it's the wrong kind of plastic (too brittle), or it's been badly engineered (too small or big, resulting in shear force near corners, holes, etc.).
Agreed, there's nothing wrong with the phone other than this cosmetic glitch. But this is inexcusable from a company that prides itself on industrial design and materials engineering.