Quite a few images are beginning to show up online showing cracks in the casing of the white iPhone 3G. Of course most of these images are coming with reports that the phone has not been “dropped or pressed” and judging from the amount of reports that are coming in, I tend to believe it. The cracks are ranging from very slight, almost scratch like to full on cracks.
The problem, while I would say its still small scale does seem to have some merit, it should be interesting to see just how many more of these issues we begin to see as time moves on, and more important what Apple will do to correct it. I would think that a drop would also cause more damage than just a crack, meaning it should be easy for Apple to determine those that are cracked because they were dropped and those that are just poorly made.
Its also a little funny how these reports seems to circle around the white model, I was able to find some instances of cracks in the black model as well but not nearly as many. I think that this may be affecting both color models, but just that the hairline cracks may not be as easily seen on the black.
Keeping my fingers crossed, but my white iPhone 3G has still not had any cosmetic defects begin to show.
[NowhereElse via MacRumors]
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July 31st, 2008 at 10:22 am
My black 3g iPhone is cracking around the headphone socket. It’s not really visible unless you really look closely at it – but it’s there.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:17 am
My White 3G seems to have a slight crack near the volume control on the back. It looks more like a cut than a crack. I have not dropped it.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:30 am
Terrible notice that!!! How could Apple use such a poor plastic. The iPhone 3G doesn’t deserve that. Save original iPhone 2G with metal back.
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:06 am
Please don’t tell me that no one else besides me expected this after similar issues with the MacBooks. If you recall, cracks on white models tended to be reported more than black but the issue effected both models. We had two black MacBooks that within four months developed the same crack. This only proves that Apple just continues to manufacture products with faulty materials despite reported issues. Terrible.
I feel stupid I keep on buying from Apple and being let down.
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:08 am
I hear you transman
“I feel stupid I keep on buying from Apple and being let down.”
I am just as guilty having purchased way to many Apple products in my life, so far I have been pretty lucky.
One thing we need to remember though is that we see more complaints written because people are angry, people are more than likely to ignore a situation when they are not having an issue.
August 12th, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I justed noticed a hairline crack on my black iPhone 3G around the headphone socket. It just appeared out of no where no drops or anything. 90% of the day the phone just sits on my desk. I was running my finger across the back of it and I felt slight rough spot. After closer examination it was definitely apparent that 2 hairline cracks are around the headphone socket. Going to be real disappointed if these cracks start to spread
Might have to take this issue up with Steve Jobs directly!
August 18th, 2008 at 10:20 am
hey so after all this should i still purchase a white iphone 3g bcause ive really een wanting one..plz help what do u all think
August 26th, 2008 at 7:10 pm
Purchased white iphone 3G 4 weeks ago. Screen spontaneously cracked. Returned to Apple store and exchanged. Now my new phone, also white, has 9 hairline cracks in the case. The cracks are small but look like crap. Phone has never been abused or dropped. This phone is only 2 weeks old!!!!! Obviously Apple has a major problem with the materials used in manufacture. All cracks are near corners and cut outs for volume, power, etc.
October 5th, 2008 at 3:01 am
well…I see it’s been awhile from the last comment, but after months of pampering I’m offically a member of the cracked white iPhone 3G club. Awesome.
October 27th, 2008 at 3:36 pm
I bought my white 3g 3 weeks ago and I treat it like a baby. I just noticed a small crack near the camera lens today. Of course I won’t expect an exchange but I hope Apple will notice this and correct it in future models.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:52 pm
take it back to apple. They will exchange it
February 1st, 2009 at 1:09 am
i don’t know about you, but i can see that the headphone socket of the black one in almost egg-shaped. In my opinion that’s the reason why it has this crack.
February 25th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Same Problem, I treat my phone like a baby. White iPhone 3G and there are about 7 hairline cracks on the case. All in spots that you can tell are clearly not a resault of being dropped, pressed or sat on.
Hope there is a recall or replacment available. I have the worst luck with apple products.
March 4th, 2009 at 11:37 pm
I hae had my 3G iPhone for almost 6 months now and no cracks so far. Ill admit I have dropped it quite a few times. I also have had a hard plastic cover on it since the day I bought it. Only 20 bucks but totally worth it. Might help with the cracks and scratches.
I also have the White Macbook. Yes I have a few cracks but I have also had it for 2 years and yes, I have dropped it, but it was replaced with no charge b/c I have the apple warranty.
I hope people have better luck, becasue I have had great luck, customer service, and performance from my apple products.
March 6th, 2009 at 7:52 am
I got my white iPhone on the release date. And the small cracks have started to show up all over the back of the case. Around the volume-button and mute-button, around the headphone jack, around the simcard holder, the lock button, the data-port etc. But i have dropped it once and have a crack after that, but not even close the other cracks.
I dont know what i should do. If i leave it for service, they will probably just blame me for dropping it.
March 13th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I got a black 3G just four days ago (I haven’t even had the chance to damage it) and already I found two minute cracks around the headphone jack! (kept it in a case too)This is a very strange epidemic but I think it might have to do with the new headphone jack and the amount of pressure it takes to plug headphones into and pull them out of the iPhone. After all they are made of polycarbonate instead of aluminum like the previous generation. I also heard the old iPhone’s jack was recessed soley for a more sound structure.
May 3rd, 2009 at 4:01 am
My white iPhone is similarly cracked. I asked about it at the store, and they said it was a common occurrence among white iPhones. I’m going to try and get a replacement.
May 11th, 2009 at 11:37 am
ive got the black one and its has cracks all over…. also had it a case only time i took it out was to clean.
going to apple store
June 12th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
I noticed some cracks had appeared in my black iPhone 3G. I took it to the Softbank shop (Japan), they referred me to a telephone helpline, which referred me to a bigger softbank shop. After all that they simply suggested I go to the Apple shop as they could not do anything with it (would have been good to tell me that in the first place!). I took it to the Apple shop in Shibuya and they replaced it on the spot – no questions asked. Very easy.
Not good that the cracks appeared, of course. I wonder what the back of the 3GS will be like.
June 22nd, 2009 at 3:59 am
Man I can’t wait for the new iPhone 3G S, my iPhone 1st gen really needs a replacer.
June 24th, 2009 at 10:36 am
I have been recently on a desperate hunt to decide if i want a black or a white iphone. I’ve had my current black 3g since oct. It definatly has taken a couple of spills but strangely i dont notice any cracks mentioned in the previous posts. Reading all of these warnings about the white iphone is definatly note worthy. I am not sure if the new iphone 3gs white cases will be made any better and i dont think it’s worth the risk at this point.
September 3rd, 2009 at 9:35 am
Got my white 32GB iphone 3gs on the 18th of aug and it now has a large crack from just under the camera all the way down the back. also a small crack on the power/usb port. Going back to Apple today to see what they say !!!!! also have a year old white macbook with no cracks !!!!!
PS phone is kept in a case and has never been dropped or sat on.
October 20th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I’ve had my White 16gb 3gs for about a month, and I’ve just noticed hairline cracks appearing arount the power button, headphone socket and aim card tray. Hardly noticeable, but they are there!
Will pop into apple store and see what they say.
November 6th, 2009 at 10:04 am
will the case help the cracks?
November 11th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
i’m on my 2nd white iphone 3gs as first one had cracks around mute switch and my replacement version has just done the exact same thing. it’s really frustrating. 02 phone shop did replace no questions asked but I had to go back and forth to the shop until they had the phone in stock which wasted a load of time and now i’ve got the same problem all over only this time it’s not in the 28 day warranty. why on earth doesn’t apple own up to this glitch on the phone?!
January 24th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Apple is good, but the material they are useing for their products is terrible. They should really fix that.
January 24th, 2010 at 4:43 am
I think they are the same to be honest. It's just that the cracks on the white iphone are more noticeable because it is white. The black one does two, you just can't notice it as much. I really have been wanting an iphone too, the white one. I think if you do get the white iphone i recommend that you get a protective case to help.
January 24th, 2010 at 4:44 am
so can you just keep exchanging it? Apple will lose out of money, they should fix the problem instead of ignoring it.
January 24th, 2010 at 4:47 am
if the old one was made with aluminum why didn't they do the same thing with the 3G. And the headphone jack. That is just stupid.
April 13th, 2010 at 2:57 am
Does anyone reading this post not have cracks appearing on either their black or white Iphone 3GS?
June 24th, 2010 at 6:07 am
I have a iphone 3gs that has a small crack beside the mute button. I called my Apple store and they say that Apple don't ever replace phones that have cracked cases. It's apparently the user's fault. Bastards.
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:50 am
I have had 1 phone replaced white and now have cracks again but I am interested in any websites about the macbook. Mine is cracked and I got told it was the paint but now I am concerned. Thanks for any information.
July 2nd, 2010 at 12:54 am
i was wondering where your macbook cracked. Mine is cracked at left corner bottom case no known impacts and it has run through to the front middle and just looking then it is still spreading. Apple authorized service centre put me off saying it was the paint job crazing. thanks for any information or photos