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Topic: iPhone

iPhone 3GS overheating linked to battery

Summary: iPhone 3GS owners have been reporting problems with some units overheating and becoming too hot to touch. The handsets are getting so warm that the white plastic cases are discoloring to a brownish/pink as seen in the picture above from Ben on the French site Le Journal du Geek.

Jason D. O'Grady

By for The Apple Core |

3gs brown ring

iPhone 3GS owners have been reporting problems with some units overheating and becoming too hot to touch. The handsets are getting so warm that the white plastic cases are discoloring to a brownish/pink as seen in the picture above from Ben on the French site Le Journal du Geek.

The Inquirer is reporting that the overheating problem may be related to faulty battery cells. According to Aaron Vronko of Rapid Repair "overheating is likely an issue due to faulty battery cells" and could result in "massive recalls of iPhone 3G S units."

Wired's Charlie Sorrell adds that the problem may not be limited to iPhone 3GS hardware and that it may be related to Apple's new 3.0 software -- which can be installed on all iPhone models and the iPod touch:

I have noticed my 2G iPod Touch getting a lot hotter than usual since updating to the v3.0 software. This happens while web browsing, and the battery is draining fast, too. I have no idea if this is related, but if it is it could point at some bad power-management software in OS 3.0.

Is your device running hot since installing the iPhone 3.0 software? Tell us about it in the TalkBack below.

Topics: iPhone, Hardware, Mobility, Software

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Talkback

46 comments
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  • OMG THEY ARE TURNING INTO BROWN ZUNES!!!

    Run for your lives!!!
    itanalyst2@...
    Reply Vote

    • Or better yet

      Microsoft copied Apple too closely!
      GuidingLight
      Reply Vote

  • My 3G iPhone is operating fine since the 3.0 upgrade.

    No problems here.
    ye
    Reply Vote

    • My 3GS runs warm, but not so hot I can't touch it.

      One thing I definitely noticed is the battery on this thing dies a LOT quicker than the original iPhone I replaced. So much for the "improved battery life" they advertised. This thing is completely dead by the end of the day, even with WiFi disabled. I don't think Apple should be allowed to advertise improved battery life on the 3GS. It just isn't true.
      BillDem
      Reply Vote

      • Maybe battery life is better for everybody else?

        Maybe there is something wrong with your iPhone? Have you considered taking it back and asking for a new one? I don't think Apple would lie about something like battery life.
        NonZealot
        Reply Vote

      • Compared to an AT&T Tilt or Fuze, the iPhone lasts forever on its battery

        And I don't often make calls with the 3GS, but after 30 minutes, I can tell it gets warm.

        Just keeping wifi and other radios disabled helps with battery life and likely heat too...
        HypnoToad72
        Reply Vote

  • I Haven't Noticed Anything Since 3.0

    I use my IPhone 3G all the time, no more warm than usual.
    itanalyst2@...
    Reply Vote

    • These are the new phones, not the old ones

      which got upgraded.

      Edit: Never mind, just noticed the final quote. But this is the first I heard of it being anything other than the battery itself.
      Michael Kelly
      Reply Vote

  • My 2G Battery

    I have noticed my 2G battery running down a lot quicker over the past few days. I chalked it up to the fact it's going on two years hold.
    virtualizedgeek.com
    Reply Vote

  • Does it really matter?

    Who cares if it discolors? As long as the unit operates just fine, any discoloration is only cosmetic.

    And my friends have found that wrapping the phone in a damp cloth (not wet, you don't want to electrocute yourself!!) helps protect you from the heat.

    I think you are making a big deal over nothing at all.
    NonZealot
    Reply Vote

    • ARE YOU INSANE!?!?!?!

      I believe you have gone and lost your mind.

      Let's cover your comments.. shall we?

      [i][b]Who cares if it discolors? As long as the unit operates just fine, any discoloration is only cosmetic.[/b][/i]

      I think the people out there that spent their hard earned money on a device that isn't supposed to over heat and end up looking burned might care!!

      [i][b]And my friends have found that wrapping the phone in a damp cloth (not wet, you don't want to electrocute yourself!!) helps protect you from the heat.[/b][/i]

      Seriously?!?!?!? wrapping the phone in a damp cloth?!?!?! You truly see nothing wrong with that?
      Also, Mr. wizard... you can't electrocute yourself with a portable device that is operating at a low voltage like that.

      [i][b]I think you are making a big deal over nothing at all. [/b][/i]

      You are really out there BAD. Not sure what land you are living in.
      Geuseppi
      Reply Vote

      • Well, that is simple

        [i]Not sure what land you are living in[/i]

        I believe the name of the place is "sarcasmland" :)
        GuidingLight
        Reply Vote

      • Just kidding I guess

        I guess he is kidding.
        HellRazor909
        Reply Vote

      • You aren't taking Non Zealot seriously...

        ... are you? No offense but if you didn't recognize the dripping sarcasm from his post you need to get out more often...

        I sincerely hope that Apple will be replacing these units with new ones without any fuss - hopefully new ones that have better or more thoroughly tested batteries in them.
        athynz
        Reply Vote

    • the problems...

      that iphone puts you through, the damp clothes, the over heating batteries...

      don't worry guys i'm not a windows fan boy, just pointing out the hilarious :-)
      nessrapp
      Reply Vote

    • PRECISELY, i can see a rise in demand for these in colder climates

      they really should start adding this to their marketing in colder areas. how many times have you been riding on your snow-cat, trying to call your honey, and nearly developing frost-bite at the same time? with the new heater/phone from apple, those worries are a thing of the past!!
      Valis Keogh
      Reply Vote

    • Does it matter?

      You're kidding... I hope. But then again, my car runs hot so I just don't drive it any farther than the length of my garden hose. I think people make too big a deal of that, too.
      compudog
      Reply Vote

    • Dude, overheating can lead to EXPLOSIONS.

      BTW: My iPhone 3GS is black. 30 minute phone calls, with wi-fi and the rest turned OFF, it still gets very warm in my hand.

      Given previous iPhones never did this, Apple is doing things on the cheap. Shameful... ***OR*** Apple got duped by the manufacturing company they subcontract with, which would be far less surprising a revelation if that comes to pass...

      HypnoToad72
      Reply Vote

  • RE: iPhone 3GS overheating linked to battery

    More ZDnet FUD. A few reported problems and you conclude
    that it will result in MASSIVE recalls. I have a 3GS and it runs
    flawlessly.
    twodales
    Reply Vote

    • More than a "few reported problems" Sparky.

      http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?q=hot%20iphone&objID=f1333&dateRange=last90days&forumID=1333&rankBy=10001&threadID=2049575

      http://www.telegraph.co.uk/scienceandtechnology/technology/apple/5699853/Overheating-iPhone-3GS-handsets-worry-users.html

      http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/06/overheating-iphones/

      http://www.infoworld.com/d/mobilize/reports-surface-apple-iphone-3g-s-overheating-368?source=fssr
      ths40
      Reply Vote
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