iPhone 3G hairline crack

Forums › Apple iOS and devices › iPhone 3G hairline crack

Aaroona

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#26958 8-Oct-2008 17:03

Well guys,

Seems that it was only yesterday that I got this lovely phone.

However, It seems that the phone has developed a hairline crack,

For all i know, it could have been there for a week or so, as its been in a silicon case since day 1.
the crack is very small, but enough for me to kick up a stink. I think we pay enoughfor these devices, we should at least have them right (right?)

anyways, this crack is located on the corner near the Power/Standby button.

If you run your finger across it you can feel it, and you can see it where the dirt (or sweat/both) have gotten in and have made it visible.

I have contacted Mobile Phone Repair (as instructed by Vodafone Customer Service) today.

Reason for this post was to find out if anyone else has had this problem (with any of the 3g models!) so that maybe when i go to take it in tomorrow morning I will have some extra backup, as opposed to only taking my unit in with details of this happening overseas.

They said to actually deliver it to them if I want it done quick snap (they said all of 20minutes is all it will take to get an answer)

so they will decide there on the spot whether this is covered by warranty, manufacture defect or physical abbuse, and then give me a replacement.

I do highly suggest that if anyone else is having this issue with their iphones, they should contact vodafone immediately to see what will be done about it.

Anyways, thanks guys.

dubh

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#169983 8-Oct-2008 20:58

Mine has three: two small parallel ones near the on/off button, and another near the headphone jack. However, they're not easily visible on the black plastic. A quick Google seems to indicate this problem is not uncommon... but whether it affects white iPhones more then black ones is unclear (although it's certainly more visible on the white model).

Aaroona

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#169993 8-Oct-2008 21:26

dubh: Mine has three: two small parallel ones near the on/off button, and another near the headphone jack. However, they're not easily visible on the black plastic. A quick Google seems to indicate this problem is not uncommon... but whether it affects white iPhones more then black ones is unclear (although it's certainly more visible on the white model).

Hi there,
thanks for your reply.

It most definitely is more visible on the white model, i assure you :P

I am going to give Apple a call tomorrow morning, before setting out on a mission to get the phone replaced :)

Apple
Vodafone
Mobile Phone Repair

Lets see how this progresses.

ANYONE ELSE OUT THERE!? Im sure there is more than just one other person!?

freitasm

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#170003 8-Oct-2008 22:02

This was reported here on Geekzone a couple of times (the thread also includes links to other sites). In one case I remember the handset was replaced. In another it wasn't. YMMV.

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Aaroona

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#170012 8-Oct-2008 22:31

freitasm:
This was reported here on Geekzone a couple of times (the thread also includes links to other sites). In one case I remember the handset was replaced. In another it wasn't. YMMV.

Oh thanks, I must have overlooked that.. :$

One question, do you know how to find the production week?

I think that might answer my question too, as they said that the production weeks 27 and 29 (or 27-29?) were the affected ones..

s.joseph

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#170018 8-Oct-2008 23:03

mine never got replaced, mobile phone repair said they couldnt see it. It has about 4 small cracks near the volume key. I looked at display models in store and they were worse off so i decided 2 leave it.

Aaroona

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#170045 9-Oct-2008 07:24

s.joseph: mine never got replaced, mobile phone repair said they couldnt see it. It has about 4 small cracks near the volume key. I looked at display models in store and they were worse off so i decided 2 leave it.

Question is,
Did you physically take it to them? or did Vodafone send it away?

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Aaroona

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#170125 9-Oct-2008 12:46

Well guys, im pleased to report that i have dropped by the store, and as i type, im sitting outside their building with my new iphone syncing all hte contacts to it.

So Im very pleaseed with the level of support i've been given and hope they can rectify everyone elses problems.

In saying this, on the report, they say that it could have been caused by stress.. so im a little peeved about that, as this phone has been babied ever siunce the day i got it!

but otherwise, I'm happy!

s.joseph

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#170157 9-Oct-2008 14:14

I took mine to the store and then they sent it out. How long have you had yours for??? did they replace it at the vodafone store!???

Aaroona

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#170158 9-Oct-2008 14:18

s.joseph: I took mine to the store and then they sent it out. How long have you had yours for??? did they replace it at the vodafone store!???

I took it personally to the Repair agent, and I said I wanted it done today, went away for lunch, got back in one hour and the new phone was sitting there waiting for my pick up.

Usually what happens is they have a 24hour wait period, however, vodafone told me the agent would do it in 20 minutes,

so they told me that they could do it in one hour, so i was pleased with that. better than 24-48 hours!

EDIT: Oh, and the phone was bought on the 11 July. at 3 am :P

Aaroona

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#170461 10-Oct-2008 17:38

Right guys,

Do you want the bad news or the bad news?

Bad news - I have found a new (well, actually 10 new) cracks on my iPhone (YES IN UNDER 24 HOURS!)
so that is the bad news.

bad news - Mobile Phone Repair. (The company I receieved this so called NEW replacement), is now CLOSED as of 30 minutes ago. so now, I have to wait till monday to have anything done. This is a load of crap to be quite honest. I rang Apple and they were actually really good, only, they told me to ring Vodafone.

Vodafone tell me that they can not help me at all, and to contact Mobile Phone Repair (funny that Apple tell me to ring Vodafone, Vodafone tell me to ring Mobile Phone Repair) and no doubt its going to be a big big circle once again.

So im just really peeved to say the very least. Im going to give a couple of people a call and see if they can get into contact with anyone higher up than these Customer Service reps I seem to be dealing with on a DAILY basis.

heavenlywild

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#170469 10-Oct-2008 18:09

I feel your pain man. This is the ONE main reason why I no longer buy any mobile phones from Vodafone.

Poor service, being shoved from one call centre to another and not to forget, being overcharged for the phone.

Buy parallel imported phones - absolutely nothing wrong with them. Should it fail, the shop sends it back to Asia and the service centres are not run by monkeys.

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Aaroona

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#170470 10-Oct-2008 18:22

heavenly_wild: I feel your pain man.? This is the ONE main reason why I no longer buy any mobile phones from Vodafone.

Poor service, being shoved from one call centre to another and not to forget, being overcharged for the phone.

Buy parallel imported phones - absolutely nothing wrong with them.? Should it fail, the shop sends it back to Asia and the service centres are not run by monkeys.

haha, yeah i had a PI orignally with the iPhone (1st gen) and they did okay with servicing and everything, eccvept i had an argument with ome of the guys at PI.

Anyways, trying to get an iPhone 3G PI is very costly, i mean the guy i usually use for phones was going to charge 2150 ($NZD)

I mean thats just rediculous. I might have well just payed for a plan with Vodafone.

s.joseph

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#170473 10-Oct-2008 18:31

Yea thats why i kept my iphone, the cracks are like light scratches very small but it's still beter than the iphones ive seen around

Aaroona

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#170475 10-Oct-2008 18:35

s.joseph: Yea thats why i kept my iphone, the cracks are like light scratches very small but it's still beter than the iphones ive seen around

Atleast these cracks are LESS noticable, except there are more of them

Aaroona

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#171375 15-Oct-2008 22:30

Well, had the phone replaced the other day (again), and now I am seeking yet ANOTHER replacement.

When I spoke with Apple and Vodafone today, I said to them, I would like it replaced once more and failing that (assuming the problem happens again [thanks apple for the bad design, or at least, crappy plastic]), I will be seeking a full refund. They have both accepted this and agreed that if it does happen again, they will have no problem at all refunding my money..

Only issue then is. Finding another phone that is possible to compete.

I was thinking something like Android or the new HTC Touch HD. But then again, you cant beat the iPhones GUI :(

Just thought I would update you all.

Hopefully tomorrow, I will have an answer as to whether the phone will be replaced or not.