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Apple issues heat warning for iPhone 3G and 3GS

updated 07:45 pm EDT, Thu July 2, 2009

iPhone heat guidelines

Apple has provided a set of guidelines to help prevent users from overheating their iPhone 3G and 3GS handsets. Although the support page does not directly acknowledge the widespread reports of excessive heat with the new 3GS model, the company suggests the handsets should be operated in temperatures below 95℉ (35℃) and stored in areas that do not exceed 113℉ (45℃).

Along with the general temperature guidelines, Apple claims users may receive a warning message if certain applications are used or music is playing while the device is in direct sunlight.

Although the company suggests problems will only occur in hot climates or with direct sunlight, complaints from many iPhone 3GS owners have related to typical usage. Several pictures have surfaced of the white handsets with discoloration on the back panel, while others claim the device becomes too hot to be used comfortably during a call.

A number of users experiencing excessive overheating or case discoloration have contacted the company to test the affected devices or replace them under warranty. Apple has not yet disclosed any further plans to address the issues.

 
Previous Comments

Ok....

07/02, 08:14pm reply

"Although the company suggests problems will only occur in hot climates or with direct sunlight"

Ok, no more iphones in Panama

Rolando_jose

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jan 2006

+2

Or...

07/02, 10:48pm (1 reply) reply

..in Phoenix. The kicker is AT&T doesn't provide service to indoor areas.

I can't wait for Congress to act on these exclusivity deals.

dmsimmer

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Feb 2005

+4

This means battery...

07/03, 01:01am reply

Battery problem down the road.

The MacBook and MacBook batteries were flawed in the first place, but the heat made it worse. Apple is still standing behind the battery exchange program for the four-year-old PowerBook, but not so for these two-year-old Intel units.


Paul Huang

Forum Regular

Joined: Sep 1999

+4

Not All iPhones

07/03, 07:28am reply

I used my iPhone for a 30 minute call (on 3G) this weekend while out in a blazing hot sun. It got no warmer than my forehead.

This problem I think is due to a manufacturing defect in a small percentage of batteries. Very small percentage, since there are very few real cases of this problem posted on the web, from what all I can find. Let's be generous and say there are 50 of them... 50/1,000,000 = 0.005%. Isn't that about the chance of being hit by lightning?

wings_rfs

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Dec 2002

0

CRICKEY...

07/03, 09:15am reply


...BETTER NOT STAND NEXT TO ANYONE WITH AN BURNT 3GS IPHONE DURING AN ELECTRICAL STORM!

;-)

ps: i think 'wings_rfs' is on-to-it

roberto

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Jun 2007

-1

desert

07/03, 01:32pm reply

The first thing that came to my mind was being stuck in the desert, stranded, and having the iPhone not work......

atkin

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2004

0

OK, so since I moved...

07/03, 05:24pm (1 reply) reply

...to Texas, where temperatures often hovers past 100 degrees for days or weeks, I should ask for a refund for my iPhone 3G?

Don Montalvo, TX

poolmouse

Fresh-Faced Recruit

Joined: Mar 2004

0

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