Early yesterday, just before lunch … I had one of those technologically sad moments. My precious iPhone 3G while holding her making a call … seemed different, especially near the back. Much to my dismay, what I discovered was a crack that goes from the USB connector up through to the “Designed by Apple” text. The phone, still worked, so I called AppleCare to find out what the deal was. After several minutes on the phone, we both figured out that a trip to the Apple Store to visit the support staff was the next best option.
I went to the local store, there are 4 in a 15 mile radius of the house, flashed my Apple ProCare badge and got seen within 5 minutes by a specialist. After looking at the phone for a while, and reading his special PDF documents explaining procedure, he said it wasn’t covered under the Apple Warranty, and that it was considered “damage”. Damage? I have never dropped this phone, it has stayed in a case for most of it’s waking life, and I’m being told that the hardware warranty doesn’t cover a flimsy back on the phone?
What seems to be of interest here to me, is that the crack probably started from the USB connector and gradually got larger. I haven’t noticed it until recently, because it’s always been “in the case”. Another possible troublesome issue, is the phone wouldn’t sync a few months ago, so I took it in to Apple, and the associate took a screwdriver and cleaned out the USB portion (could that have done it?).
I do hope they release a new phone next week, because I really don’t feel like shelling out $199 unless I’m getting something “extra” for it.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
hmmmm. I’d try to talk to somebody else. i had the exact same problem, TWICE. And in both instances they replaced the phone, no questions asked. the plastic in the 3g has a definite problem with cracking.
Exact same problem here, just noticed it. This phone is a little over one year old, and just this week I noticed an about one inch fine crack running from the dock connector upward toward the letter I in iPhone. I hope they’ll replace at least the case. It’s never been dropped, so there seems to be an issue with the plastic.