The design of Apple's iPhone 4 has come under renewed scrutiny, following claims that slide-on cases may cause the device's glass back to crack. The allegations come only months after problems with the phone's antenna were first reported.
According to an article by Ryan Block, co-founder of gdgt, the problem is that slide-on cases, as opposed to cases that pop on, can trap material between the case and the glass back of the handset, causing scratches that could develop into fractures and cracks. Block reports that Apple became aware of the issue after the antenna debacle, and has created a lab and test programme to investigate the problem.
Block also claims the problem is the reason behind the current absence of slide-on cases for the iPhone 4 in both Apple's online store and physical outlets. We rang an Apple shop to check whether we could buy any slide-on cases for the iPhone 4 and were told we couldn't, even though these types of cases have been available in the past.
A sales representative told us that slide-on cases had been available for free as part of the company's response to criticisms over the phone's reception, but that they had now been taken off general sale.
We asked case manufacturers Griffin and Proporta why Apple has stopped selling their slide-on cases in its store. While Griffin wouldn't make a comment, Mike Coombes, managing director of Proporta, had this to say:
"Proporta is not aware of any problems with cases. We still firmly believe that using a case is the best way to protect your mobile phone. Proporta customers get extra security as we offer a lifetime guarantee on all cases. If customers have any problems with products we encourage them to come forward as we take their experience with us very seriously."
There are still plenty of places to buy slide-on cases for the iPhone 4 besides Apple's outlets, however. As such, whether the cracked-glass issue is a genuine problem or not will undoubtedly soon become clear.
We haven't seen any evidence of cracked glass due to this issue so far. Let us know in the comments section below if you have.
Image credit: Engadget
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Comments 11
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Anonymous 9 October, 2010 19:58
i got a slide on case and it has not cracked my iphone
Anonymous 10 October, 2010 19:46
How the HELL!! Can the Back Glass be On the iPhone 4 get 'CRACKED' Using a Slide on Case.. Even if the Case is made of METAL..This Sounds to me Total B****X..David S
tommo 11 October, 2010 11:29
Without wanting to be unpopular, rather than 'Will this fracture the glass back' shouldn't the question be 'Why make the back... yes the back - the bit that makes contact with any surface you put your phone on and probably the brunt of knock - out of GLASS?'
Surely this is a case of fashion over functionality!
Anonymous 11 October, 2010 11:49
The source of the crack in the image shown really looks like this has either been dropped or received heavy impact of some kind...bit of a nonsense!
Anonymous 12 October, 2010 09:45
Well, I must say I thought this news was nonsense until I removed the Belkin case Apple sent me due to Antennagate and saw that my back panel IS cracked. It's not a noticeable crack as the ones shown in the images, it's much more discrete, but it's cracked for sure...
Anonymous 3 December, 2010 22:16
this is a problem I have had, I bought a 2 part case that catches grit which by no fault if my own cracked the back glass on my iPhone 4. speaking to a friend that works in a well known phone shop says that he has had several phones replaced with this problem.
Anonymous 8 December, 2010 21:01
First of all, slide on cases do no damage to iPhone 4's i own one and have owned it since it was realeased (and used a Leather slide-on-case after the first week of usage, also the glass on the back is reinforced it is strong glass buy the phone before making these comments.
Anonymous 25 January, 2011 16:36
I had 4 scratches 2 long back of my iphone 4 and 1 in front, and i allways use slide-on case (leather sena case)
Anonymous 3 May, 2011 23:41
Now I know why my glass is shattered.
Anonymous 30 June, 2011 17:20
Me and my wife both have an Iphone 4 and slip on case and both our phones are cracked. not impressed.
von dutch 8 August, 2011 11:17
YES, BUT YOU'LL BE USING THE SLIDE-ON CASE!!!!! DUUURRR!!!