This doesn't look too good. It's only been a month or so and yet its defects are already showing.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=525177

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1616295&tstart=135

these are the same cracks that exhibit on the first gen macbooks, seems like you really really need to take care of the iphone 3G. :(

one 16gb Black for me please :)

thats the bad thing about plastics, good thing i still have my iPhone 1st gen dropped many times already :)

I knew it! good thing it happened already, now i'm comfortable not getting it when globe releases it. man!

now that's one of the reasons, i guess, that wouldn't drive people to buy the iphone 3g. that's really sad! beauty is only.... (plastic) skin deep!

I knew it! good thing it happened already, now i'm comfortable not getting it when globe releases it. man!
I've lost interest too. :(

hehehe.. that's why i still prefer the aluminum back..

Oh. Is this what you call quality Apple? Hmp!

kind of reminds you of cheap plastic they use on toys...but then even mcdo's toys dont crack ; )

well there goes the purchase then...

Aluminum Back 1 - Plastic Back 0

:D

Or maybe photoshopped? Nonetheless, buy a protective gear to prevent from encountering the cracks.

There are a number of reports of stress fractures appearing on the plastic back of the iPhone 3G, but it is not widespread (at least not yet). It seems to be affecting the white 16GB models more than the others. It's a cosmetic issue. Hopefully Apple will address this with future releases. Fro now, this minor issue does not and will not deter the millions who their iPhones. Sales are still brisk, and should a crack appear, it will not affect the iPhone 3G's performance.

Seriously, now, is this really a deal breaker for you folks? I'm still going for it, crack or no crack.

that's why black is beautiful! :D

Or maybe photoshopped? Nonetheless, buy a protective gear to prevent from encountering the cracks.

I don't think so. Some of the users say that the crack comes from the inside. They can't even feel it so protective gear would be rather useless if it's plastic fatigue. It can only be seen on white Iphones but it's possible that black iphones have it too.

Widespread or not, this shouldn't be happening if it's done right the first time. It may not affect the 3G's performance but with a gadget that costs this much, it certainly affects the resale value. I wouldn't want to buy something that has cracks in it.;)

thats the bad thing with plastic, still love my 1st gen iPhone.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/07/crack2zu0.jpg

Hmmn.. Poor Plastic Material ?

thanks for the info.

if apple used the same kind of plastic in Macbook whites, that's a problem for me.

i wonder if Globe will include cracks in their returns policy. what if I bought a Globe iPhone 3G, found a small crack just the next day (wihout dropping or anything at all) - will they replace it?

anybody here from Globe willing to answer this consumer question?

Ok lang yan, the back casing naman is almost semi-user replacable. :) No serial on the back case too so you can buy replacement casing in the future. I'm hoping for a product RED back casing in the future. :)

Based on my experience... Globe has a bad reputation for not accepting returns or exchanges on defective products... I'm a Platinum Subscriber but will not get the iPhone from GLOBE.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/07/crack2zu0.jpg

Hmmn.. Poor Plastic Material ?

Wow, I hope Apple fixes this on their latter batches, and replace ALL the affected iphones regardless of what region it was bought, otherwise this will be another major blunder on their part. I can't imagine this happening on such a nice product. In fact, haven't they learned anything on their first release of Ipod Nano?

Guys check out this site. http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/30/are-iphone-3gs-cracking/

Well if Apple won't fix this or it's a widespread problem, then goodbye iPhone 3G for me.

Those cracks looks horrible.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/2008/07/crack2zu0.jpg

Hmmn.. Poor Plastic Material ?

it doesn't look like an iphone

My White 3G is still perfect. Of course, the back has always been protected by my Vaja Ivolution case.

Is that why they have those 2 screws now at the bottom? Maybe they anticipated this problem (based on their experience with the MacBooks) and they figured those 2 screws will make replacement easier?

I know, I know... I'm reaching here, folks. :p

Still, I'm getting an iPhone!

1st gen iPhone still rules! Hahaha!

Seriously, now, is this really a deal breaker for you folks? I'm still going for it, crack or no crack.

To me, it is. Why buy something that is bound to develop cracks? :D

Hmm... looks like the link to the apple discussion thread I posted above has been closed and is only accessible to Apple registered users. Is Apple hiding something again? Or maybe they've already realized that it's not an isolated case anymore and needs to put a gag on it before it hurt their sales?

The first link is already 23 pages long and still increasing which basically means more and more people (early adapters) are noticing it. I have nothing against Apple since I have Apple products myself. What I don't like is their poor Quality Control. With the amount of money they earn from selling their expensive products, it's basic common sense that they apply strict QC compliance on every unit they roll out. Not to mention having it manufactured in a country where Quality Assurance is not that important.

No offense meant to people who already owns or wants an Iphone 3G. I understand your justifications on the product. But denying the fact by saying it's an isolated case or even saying it's user replaceable is by all means a very shallow reasoning. It's still their prerogative to buy one, crack or no crack. I admire your loyalty to Apple. Not all people share the same views however.

Very astute and responsible statement, Tuli$an. I myself will wait for Apple to address this concern before plunging into iPhone 3G. I normally hold on to a cellphone for 12 months and I expect the phone (casing and insides) to last that long without grief on my part… aesthetics is also important for me because it contributes greatly to the resale value of the product.

I'm disappointed with how the quality of the 3G iPhone's back portion goes. I've been hearing a lot of talk about people having little cracks on their precious iPhone 3Gs. What is Apple doing about this? Could this be covered under warranty? Well, if not then I might as well stick to other mobile phones. How I wish Apple retained the sturdy back of the previous iPhone.

More cracks....

Less Consumers...

LESS COMPETITION BOHAHA!!!

kidding aside, this might be a rare case. there are millions of iphones sold out there and have only heard/read about 5 cases of cracked casing. Although it seems to be a lot, it really is just a minute population compared to 3 Million(?) iphones 3Gs sold so far (1Million in the US and I guess 2 million the rest of the world), so even if it reaches a hundred; it's still a small number.
(compare that to thousands of TYTN II phones dropping calls with no firmware update from HTC so far... or thousands of nokia N73s toasted when nokia released an untested firmware, or how about the joystick on hundreds of SE P9 something popping out)

These cases (defects whatever they may be) are common on new products you cannot catch everything during testing (believe me), even if you have a template. Besides the people who formulated the plastic material at the iphone's back are well, just humans--The only thing right now is for apple to acknowledge this as a manufacturing defect; and with that, warranty should take care of it, or if the number is too high, there should be a recall (remember the macbook battery recall? It's in a different context but it's not impossible :) ).

But yeah, I'm still gonna get an iphone 3G no matter what, I already made a grave mistake getting HTC TYTN II over iPhone First Gen; I won't do the same mistake to a much better iPhone 3G (I would've loved a sexy aluminum back though). As soon as they unhang those SOLD OUT signs in swiss telcos :)

Deym i love my 1st gen! hahaha

I wonder if those cracked iPhones were bought or used in countries that had really cold weather and hot summers... Well you know how plastics are in those kind of conditions

it doesn't look like an iphone

Doesn't look like an iphone to me too..plastic looks so cheapo.And which button is it?

Why did Apple ever go back to the plastic cover for the 3g anyway?

because it's supposed to improve wireless reception, just like the ibook's was much better than the aluminum powerbook's.

Why did Apple ever go back to the plastic cover for the 3g anyway?

because it's supposed to improve wireless reception, just like the ibook's was much better than the aluminum powerbook's.

Ahhhhh ok. Never really had that experience with the old powerbooks, i started off with the iBook G4. Thanks for clearing that up sir Butch :)

because it's supposed to improve wireless reception, just like the ibook's was much better than the aluminum powerbook's.

And I suppose that's why most phones are encased in plastic housings.

wow.. imagine what will happen if you accidentally drop the iPhone 3G? since not dropping, pressing, sitting etc on it still produced nasty cracks.. hmmm

wow.. imagine what will happen if you accidentally drop the iPhone 3G? since not dropping, pressing, sitting etc on it still produced nasty cracks.. hmmm

Already dropped my white iPhone with no case whatsoever... Waist high to the floor. No cracks or even scratches, still looks brand new.

I don't know what those people with cracks did to theirs to make it look like that lol...

@Greenie

Lucky for you, looks like those iPhone 3Gs (with mysterious cracks) needs a little rough handling.. hehehe

I think so too.

My friend already dropped hers, with scratches, but no cracks. :D

Dropped mine yesterday. (Iphone 3G black 16GB). Some dings, still no scratches and no cracks inspite of.

Say NO to crack!!! Hahaha!!!

I'm disappointed with how the quality of the 3G iPhone's back portion goes. I've been hearing a lot of talk about people having little cracks on their precious iPhone 3Gs. What is Apple doing about this? Could this be covered under warranty? Well, if not then I might as well stick to other mobile phones. How I wish Apple retained the sturdy back of the previous iPhone.

apple quality control has been on the downside eversince the ipod boom.

better get a protection, accident do happens,
you can get a snap on backcover if you want you iphone as slim as possible.

i just dropped my iphone 3g awhile ago. luckily it was just likke 6 inches hight.. so far no scratch or cracks.

Im not putting my iphone on my pocket nor any place it could drop or pressed to make these cracks but...I noticed mine had one near the sim tray

as a result..I got frustrated and sold my 16GB 3G iphone for 30k

where can you have the plastic back of the iphone 3g replaced? mine's cracked so badly already. from the dock connector until quite close to the ntc sign already. that's how bad the crack is.

where can you have the plastic back of the iphone 3g replaced? mine's cracked so badly already. from the dock connector until quite close to the ntc sign already. that's how bad the crack is.

Try the ever resourceful people in Greenhills.

i got an iphone 3gs and cracks are starting to show up near the power button.