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Internet Buzzing About iPhone Case Cracks

Overproduction may be leading to defects in new phones

August 7, 2008

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Is something amiss with the plastic case on Apple's new iPhones, which hit the market last month? In postings on a number of message boards and blogs, some consumers have said they have noticed small cracks after only a few days use.

On the MacRumors message board, several consumers reported tiny cracks had appeared near a metal switch, or the metal earphone jack. Most said it occurred on the white 16 gigabyte model.

"Mine has the exact same thing, crack between the headphone and silent switch, going to return it tomorrow, it's only a day old," wrote one consumer going by the name electrobix.

"I recall someone spotting cracks on their white iPhone the moment he took it out of the box at home," responded a poster named TimothyB. "When he went back to the store they accused him of dropping it and wouldn't exchange it or something."

While the story has yet to make it onto the mainstream news media agenda, the technology press has begun looking into the complaints.

TechCrunch.com quotes a source close to Apple as saying Foxconn, the Taiwanese manufacturer that produces the iPhone 3G for Apple, has increased production to 800,000 units per week, which is above full capacity. The writer speculates the massive increase in production could raise quality control issues.

Even posters on Apple's own discussion forum have posted complaints about cracks, though some have complained that Apple has removed the threads.

"What happened to the previous thread? I posted a few things yesterday but can't view it now," wrote a poster named ccchapman. "It says, 'Error: you do not have permission to view the requested forum or category.' Any thoughts?"

Other posters have said they took their iPhones back to the Apple Store, but most said they were told either cracks looked like scratches, or that the phone had probably been dropped. However, some said Apple retail locations and partners were replacing the phones at no cost.

Officially, Apple has remained silent. Though the reports of cracks began before the end of July, the company has not yet addressed the issue. A ConsumerAffairs.com email to an Apple corporate spokesman, asking for a comment, went unanswered.

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