Anyone dropped their iPhone 3G?
By Ben Robinson on Tuesday, December 16th, 2008 at 4:06 PM PST In Apple, Device tests
Nice phone... but how does it respond to being dropped?
In a constant battle against the evil forces of gravity (and paranoia), whenever I am moving about with my ip3g, I am always seeking to avoid a situation where it makes contact with the floor, and inevitably comes off worse. Yep, I’m talking about dropping it.
You see, having dropped a few mobile devices in my time – and these were ones that I really wanted to keep in A1 condition – so I have the feeling that if the ip3g is dropped (say on an outside surface), it’s going to scratch REALLY badly.
My reasons for thinking this are:
- large screen area – screen are notorious for scratching
- large shiny rear surface – that will show up scratches easily
- rounded edges – look particularly bad after damage/scratches occur
So I throwing it out there – has anyone dropped their ip3g and would like to share what happened to it? Interestingly, I’ve seen an ip2g that was dropped, and even with it’s metal back, the impact scratched the case, but more importantly, cracked the glass screen – must have been a decent impact !!
Of course, the logical thing here is to use a case, and I quite agree that would be an option – however, there’s something slightly ironic about covering up the design-centric ip3g with a hulking great case – and at any rate, I’ve yet to see a good one!
[Image via: Apple]
I bought my iPhone 3G on launch day, and dropped it after six days. On tiles no less. It’s amazing how well they bounce. Virtually the entire screen was cracked, yet still usable.
I had it insured but due to the fact that they were like gold dust at the time, it took almost three weeks to get a replacement. I’ve dropped the replacement several times on nights out etc. yet it’s managed to stay in one piece.
And yes before anyone asks, I do use a case now!
I got mine on launch day, also. I think it took me a few weeks to drop it, tho. The screen was fine but the hit to the pavement of my street took several small CHUNKS right outta the corners (bounced from one corner to another of course!). Still worked just fine…and that was done WITH it in its case. Obviously not the smartest case for such a clutz! I’m on my third iPhone…same case. LOL! CLUTZ! As long as Apple has stock I have stories.
you have to buy the $40 dollar brown leather case at at&t it is the only one that will cover all 4 corners and the back , with a flip up cover on the front , i have dropped mine once with the case and there was zero damage
I dropped mine, and there were a few scratches on the metal area, they are not that deep though, but if one takes a closer look at it, can see it. and the worst part is that the front glass came out a bit from the top, and i had to push it back inside and now when the screen is not active, thier are a few dust particles in it…
I dropped mine last week. It fell off the work bench in the garage onto the concrete floor. No case on it. A few tiny scratches on the backside- no other damage. Guess I’m lucky.
i dropped mine on some pavement and it loks like crap especially since mine is white.
My wife droped 2 iphones on our weding day, both phones craked, had to buy new glass of ebay and replace.
TGSinSYR, the exact same thing happened to me! I will never buy a Berlin case again!
Dropped mine about a dozen times, not even a scratch. As for the original iPhone? Dropped that on the first week and dented the casing.
My policy on new phones is this; get a cheap case for the first couple of months, practically every phone I ever seriously damaged has been within the first two months of ownership. After that ditch the case, you wont need it.
I have 2 super cheap O2 iPhone rubber sleeves, I think they were a tenner for the pair. If I’m in a situation where I might need the extra grip, jogging for example, then I’m good to go!
I have dropped mine onto a tar road, it has tiny scratches on all 4 corners, but can barely see it on the black surface, screen is fine. Actually, still looks new
I have since then got a back cover though. Sleek cover, fits in with the look of the ip3g 
so I was at TAO Nightclub at the Venetian in Vegas gettin’ down when I was tryin to drunk-text a friend on my 3g.. all of a sudden, someone hits my arm and my 3g goes flying and drops between 2 dancing gals. Buzzed as f*<k, I quickly lean down and reach between one of the girl’s legs to grab my phone, and on my way up, end up rubbing a lil bit of sweaty thigh (on accident of course ^_- ) Those 2 girls jet off to a different location faster than a spun crackhead.
as for my phone, there was no damage from the drop thankfully, and i owe it to having a Griffin Elan Form.
I’ve dropped my iPhone 3G many times. The worst was getting out of a Hummer Limo on Halloween with my iPhone 3G on my lap. Over the course of a few drinks en route to the Halloween party, I managed to forget that my precious iPhone 3G was on my lap. When the driver opened the door to let us out, I just got up and exited.
My iPhone 3G dropped to the broken asphalt from about 3.5 feet up. It hit the ground on a corner and proceeded to slide ~4ft on its back until it came to a stop. The driver looked down and apologetically said “not good.”
Damage report:
Not a single scratch or ding
Protection:
ZAGG ClearCoat for iPhone 3G – it covers the corners, which prevented any dings from impact. The thin plastic covering apparently provided just enough bounce/give to absorb the force of impact. The rest of the body was protected from scratches during the 4-foot slide across the asphalt.
I’ve dropped my 3GIphone quite a few times,getting out of the car onto the road,slipping out of my pocket onto the ground, knocked of table onto the ground and not a mark on it and works perfect.
I have a Fullbody Film covering the screen and back,then a Tech21 iband to protect the edges.
This allows you to still have the feel and great looks of the iphone without putting it in a case.
I’ve even thrown my iphone onto the ground to show friends how good the protecton is.
I was not as lucky with my drop, I dropped my iPhone 3G and cracked the screen. I went to apple and they told me the repair would be $199+. I was furious that they could charge that kind of money. My friend told me that he had the same problem and he got his phone repaired at http://www.iphone3gscreenrepair.com for only $69. I tried them and I was very happy with my repair. I would recommend them to anybody looking for a screen repair.
Dropped mine off the top of my locker at school, roughly person with their hand up drop, and man was i pissed. My friend said he just saw me pick it up like it was nothing and was scared i would freak i was like thanks but meh it’s a phone, IT REALLY SUCKS NOW but a phone none the less. The top left corner was dented and the chrome plate is off a little but all in all it’s still good. if you press the top left of the screen it vibrates cause it shut off the silence and puts it on real fast