This definitely seems to be a design flaw in the iPhone, which would consitute 'faulty workmanship and materials' and so is covered by warranty. My iPhone developed a crack in exactly the same place next to the mute switch. After it cracked, the 2 sides of the crack weren't aligned, so it was clear there had been some sort of stress on the plastic, probably due to poorly fitting parts, which had eventually caused it to snap - and these snaps tend to occur where the plastic is the narrowest - between the mute switch and silver trim, between the power button and silver trim, etc, but can happen in other places.
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Apple "Genius" refused to replace my iPhone, why?
- Thread starter thecoolone1
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You can call BS all you like, but the facts are the iphone's crack due to the fit between the back and lip of the body.
I know this because i had 3 iphone 3g's replaced last year, to top it all of i bought a white 3gs sunday took it out of the box AND what do you know cracks near the sleep/wake button and on the bottom where the screws are.
Luckily for me it will be replaced .
You have issues.
You said
In which I answered... don't create a thread if you don't want to hear people's thoughts then.
I had my 3G replaced with a crack on one edge of the sync cable connector. The Genius that I met with went through a ritual and acted as if he was reading from a script and a very strict procedure and very careful wording. He didn't give any indication of what he was going to do until he was done with his inspection and then said "Apple has decided to replace your Iphone".
I believe Apple has approved replacing iphones with cracks is specific areas only and the Genius may only be doing what his job has directed him to do. This doesn't mean that another Genius who is more confident with his job security might make a different decision. They look at the cracks with a magnifying glass and probably are told ways to tell if the crack has abrasions on the outside as if it was dropped vice a stress crack. I'm not saying the cracks on this particular Iphone were caused by dropping but it might have looked that way to this Genius.
Let's ust give the Apple employee the benefit of a doubt. I don't believe that individual comes to work with a pledge to screw over anyone wanting a replacement phone.
I believe Apple has approved replacing iphones with cracks is specific areas only and the Genius may only be doing what his job has directed him to do. This doesn't mean that another Genius who is more confident with his job security might make a different decision. They look at the cracks with a magnifying glass and probably are told ways to tell if the crack has abrasions on the outside as if it was dropped vice a stress crack. I'm not saying the cracks on this particular Iphone were caused by dropping but it might have looked that way to this Genius.
Let's ust give the Apple employee the benefit of a doubt. I don't believe that individual comes to work with a pledge to screw over anyone wanting a replacement phone.
At the end of the entire rant and comments, I have to say that I agree with dukebound85, that the fact is the material Apple uses for the iPhone 3G/3GS IS plastic. And the fact that there are reports of stress cracks in the same areas by many users worldwide shows a fact that Apple fanboys cannont overlook - Poor QC. The fact that even people who baby their iPhones still discover cracks on them shows that the material used can be subjcted to heat and minor pressure and causes the cracks. While neither my white 3G and 3GS suffers from any stress cracks, this problem is widespread and certainly something Apple MUST look into in the material of the next iPhone.
I agree with you bro.
I also think people are being way too OCD over these hairline cracks. If it were a real crack then it's a different story.
The thing that you and others are failing to understand is that the "cracks" grow bigger overtime no matter how well you treat your iPhone. So I should just settle for a cracked iPhone and later down the road it's cracking down the back of the phone? If I did that and then tried to get it replaced I would probably almost certainly get denied a replacement because it would look like it was my fault as opposed to what it may look like now. It's not OCD when you have a defective phone and just by letting time pass it spreads (not to mention how much you paid for it). I think it's better for anyone to get a replacement when it starts happening instead of waiting just because someone says you have OCD because it's real small, well wait a couple of more months and you'll notice the difference from what you started with. I actually spoke with 3 reps from Apple today, one being a CS rep, and then 2 supervisors and all 3 said it's better to get the problem resolved now instead of waiting and taking a chance that it could get worse.
They also failed to mention that I have a serious problem with OCD, but instead they said they hear about these problems everyday. I doubt that thousands and thousands of people have 'OCD' when it's happening all across the globe with the same ol "hairline cracks" issue. Mine started real faint but still noticeable, but now it's dark and actually cracking down into the actual switch itself and I haven't even been using it
Sounds like you had a bad experience with a genius. It's really not something you can deal with by posting here; and there really is no advice we can give you except to go back, talk to a manager, and get your phone replaced. We can't know why that particular employee declined to replace your phone -- nor can we really comment on whether he was right to do so, since we have no information but that which you gave us.
My first iPhone (black 3G) had 2 big cracks - one by the silencer switch, and one by the dock. They appeared just before the one-year mark. I decided they were harmless and since the phone was working fine, I never bothered to bring it in. I'm guessing they would have replaced it, but I didn't want to take a chance of getting a lemon replacement. Now I have a white 3GS. If it gets cracks in the first few months, I will take it in. If they appear after a year again, I'll probably let it slide again.
"Your IPHONE 3GS has been inspected by Apple technicians, who have determined that it has been subjected to accidental damage or misuse"
Are you kidding me!!!!! Stress cracks all over the bottom, the silent button, the ear plug hole. Wow. I CANNOT wait until ATT gets android. This is the last iphone I will have.
Are you kidding me!!!!! Stress cracks all over the bottom, the silent button, the ear plug hole. Wow. I CANNOT wait until ATT gets android. This is the last iphone I will have.
Id had my White 3GS for about 4 months when i noticed there were some hairline cracks round the dock connector, ive never dropped it, but as people say its down to stress on the casing from using the phone day to day, seeing as i only noticed them when i really looked closely at my phone i just left it.
Thing was, over the next couple of months the cracks got longer and numerous, but i still left it. Then i put the phone into the dock one day and when i removed it a section of the casing fell off. I guess the cracks joined up till a piece came off. Then i took the phone into an apple store and they replaced it on the spot. When i was there the genius said that its quite a common issue they get with the white phones, the cracks not the casing breaking off
I guess it comes down to what store you go to and the genius you get there, and while the odd crack is a cosmetic thing, there are cases where it can begin the impede on functionality.
Thing was, over the next couple of months the cracks got longer and numerous, but i still left it. Then i put the phone into the dock one day and when i removed it a section of the casing fell off. I guess the cracks joined up till a piece came off. Then i took the phone into an apple store and they replaced it on the spot. When i was there the genius said that its quite a common issue they get with the white phones, the cracks not the casing breaking off
I guess it comes down to what store you go to and the genius you get there, and while the odd crack is a cosmetic thing, there are cases where it can begin the impede on functionality.
I've had my black 3G for almost 9 months now, I bought in May right before the 3GS was announced. Today I just noticed a small crack by the dock. Not a hairline crack, an actual crack. I'm excited to have a way to get a new (refurb) phone now, since I've had issues before with wifi and have just been too busy to go to the 
store to get it looked at. Anything I should know beforehand? Or do I just make a Genius appointment and just show them the crack? (After restoring of course, goodbye jailbreak )
Sidenote: does anyone know how I go about getting all my purchased jailbreak apps on my new phone (if I get one)? Is it just linked to my google signin or whatever I used to buy them?
store to get it looked at. Anything I should know beforehand? Or do I just make a Genius appointment and just show them the crack? (After restoring of course, goodbye jailbreak )Sidenote: does anyone know how I go about getting all my purchased jailbreak apps on my new phone (if I get one)? Is it just linked to my google signin or whatever I used to buy them?
OP - It's people like this who make it difficult to get help with legitimate problems.
We understand what you're saying (at least I do), but fix up your grammar
I do agree, though; the next iPhone (I won't call it the 4G because who knows what it'll be called) does need a more crack-resistant (aluminum anyone?) case and a stronger screen. But they can only do so much...
Just got my iPhone back today. And guess what?
It is worse thamn when I sent it in!!
Major crack on botton has grown to almost 1/3 of an inch, (due to them opening it I'm sure), they failed to screw the two screws in fully on the bottom so one of them is almost falling out, they didn't put it back together right so there is an 1/8 of the top of the phone that I can look right into the phone itself and it also makes the top button hard to press.
Wow good job apple. You wouldn't sell something like that so why would you send it back to me like that?
I have an appointment tomorrow at the apple store. I am going to make sure I get it replaced, especially now.
It is worse thamn when I sent it in!!
Major crack on botton has grown to almost 1/3 of an inch, (due to them opening it I'm sure), they failed to screw the two screws in fully on the bottom so one of them is almost falling out, they didn't put it back together right so there is an 1/8 of the top of the phone that I can look right into the phone itself and it also makes the top button hard to press.
Wow good job apple. You wouldn't sell something like that so why would you send it back to me like that?
I have an appointment tomorrow at the apple store. I am going to make sure I get it replaced, especially now.
Did you um, ask to speak to a manager?
Please god, let apple use gorilla glass! Its PERFECT for mobile devices!
Please god, let apple use gorilla glass! Its PERFECT for mobile devices!