Overheating iPhone 3GS handsets worry users

Telegraph UK ^ | 01 Jul 2009 | Claudine Beaumont

[Wooly]

The problem appears to particularly affect the white handsets of Apple's new turbo-charged device, which is twice as fast as its predecessor, the iPhone 3G, and boasts an improved camera and the ability to record video.

Dozens of users have reported overheating issues, with some iPhone owners unable to pick up the device because the handset gets so hot. Owners of the white iPhone 3GS say the casing turns pink with the heat. Some users have said the device has been too hot to put to their ear while making a phone call. The overheating seems to occur when owners are using the iPhone's mapping software, which uses the handset's built-in GPS technology to pinpoint their location and provide directions.

On Apple's support forums, iPhone owners have been complaining about the problems. "My iPhone 3GS back get somewhat warm when playing a few mins of games. Is this normal?," asks one user, Dreamcast DC. "I am having the same issue," reports Ron Lift

[Wooly]

Just thought I would post this since the Applebores only post the positive stuff about Apple. When you see a battery powered device that has a heating problem, it usually means that the battery is undersized for the maximum amperage drain. Given the fact that discoloration that has been reported on the White phones is pink means that the temperature is getting pretty close to a plastic melting point. I see a recall coming and since the iPhone battery is not consumer changable you will be sending it back. Now that they have sold over one million of these and Steve Jobs has paid for his liver transplant and the payoff to the people who moved him ahead of others on the donor list, it is time to introduce the new improved cooler running Iphone 3gsII Turbo! If you are the owner of the now obsolete Iphone 3gs we will give you $50.00 off when you purchase an IPhone 3GSII Turbo between July 4th and July 15th. Don let people think that you are a toothless hillbilly fixing to switch to Windows by using your old Iphone 3gs, Pre-order now so that you can be one of the first to walk down the street knowing that you are superior to all the people not using the new IPhone 3gsII Turbo.

[Williams]

“Owners of the white iPhone 3GS say the casing turns pink with the heat.”

Sounds like an IGrill.

[cardinal4]

I have the last year’s 3G, and as soon as I sell one of kids’ bikes I’m getting the new one. But after the first bug fix..

[Safrguns]

“Can you hear me N... BOOM!”

[VanDeKoik]

Make your stuff in China, expect awesome build quality! /s

Anyway, I do find it amusing how some outlets have been trying to cover-up this problem as if they are doing the public a favor by not telling them there phone could seriously overheat.

[FreedomOfExpression]

Don't let people think that you are a toothless hillbilly fixing to switch to Windows by using your old Iphone 3gs,

LOL!

BTW, I always used to say "fixing to" instead of "about to".

[devane617]

I beta tested the 3.0 OS, but have decided NOT to buy a 3Gs. I am almost certain the 4G phone will be out within a year, and I am happy with my currect 3G iPhone.

[saganite]

Mmm. Apple compote!

[Psycho_Bunny]

Mines been great. The only real complaint I have is the battery life on 3G but when you stop and think about it, it's pretty amazing that it lasts as long as it does on 3G.

I really don't like Apple but the iPhone is pretty impressive.

[Rebelbase]

No doubt lawyers are quickly preparing ILawsuits.

[Astronaut]

Apple labels their boxes “Designed in California” but everything is built by slave labor in Red China. A bit disingenuous, if you ask me.

[stuartcr]

Just think how expensive they would be if made in California.

[Wooly]

To be fair, batteries have been a problem for a lot of portable devices. Most of the time it is because the manufacture or in this case the brand uses the bare minimum size battery to save production cost, But when you go from a spec sheet to the real world, the device drain is higher than expected leading to a faster discharge and heat. The one thing that the owner can do to help this condition is to turn off features when they are not being used, such as WiFi, Bluetooth,GPS, and 3GP. And you should completely discharge the battery before recharging as this somewhat increases the capacity of a new battery reducing the amp draw when discharging.

[Frogtacos]

Its killing me, I still have the 1st generation iPhone (which I dearly love.) I wouldn’t get enough from one of the kids bikes though, would probably have to sell one of the kids...

[Betis70]

I never knowingly buy a first gen anything. I don’t feel like paying to be a beta tester.

[Incorrigible]

LOL! Don’t forget the wink and a nod when Steve Jobs got his backdated stock options. Oh, I know, he didn’t sell any or make a profit from them, but that was only because he was caught!

[thefactor]

wow. from a story about hot batteries to your rant in the first post is quite impressive. you have a gift.

[Paradox]

Its a shame, since that is a very nice device. Alot of applebots seem to think that the laws of physics and computing don't apply to them. Sorry folks, they do. Stop being fanbois.

And I say that as an old school Apple Fan since I bought my Apple II+ back in the early 80's.

[JaguarXKE]

I have the new 3GS (32 Gig) and have not had any issues with it being too hot. I use the map feature often too. Mine is black however, so maybe that’s the difference. So far I’ve been extremely happy with this new phone. The interface it nothing short of awesome.

[Star Traveler]

Well, you forgot to ping Swordmaker...