My slim cover has cracks already

Oh no! :confounded:  

So there are problems with the new cover’s materials?
I want a new transparent cover too…

Hi there,

I got a transparent case since two weeks. I checked it (a little worried, I must said…) but there is no stress cracks.

Factory defect (twice in the case of @schmulschubiak)?

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They introduce transparent backcovers NOW!? Right after I got my replacement!? After I’ve been begging for a transparent backcover for years!? :fire::radioactive::fire:

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Not quite right now … it was May 8, to be fair :wink: .

Perhaps hold your horses for now until this gets resolved …

Just checked my 10 days old black translucent cover:
Cracks in the lower 2 corners, too :(, like on your photos.

Thank you for pointing me at this problem! I will try to give the cover back and get a refund for it.

I didn’t open it after the first assembly until I found the cracks. Also I can’t remember that it ever fell down in the last 1-2 weeks.

Here are 2 photos, but it’s hard to find the cracks there, it’s easier with your own eyes (photos made with also new 12 MP FP2-camera - could be better, but no chance even with manual focus :/):

-> For better quality/resolution click on the photos above.

I just thought a little about possible reasons and remember one, which maybe was already mentioned with the first translucent covers, I think:
Too much pressure, when in a pocket of your trousers.

What do you think?

Hi peepz,

I bought a transparent cover exactly a week ago and to be honest…damn… I also have my 1st (little) crack already (on the left below corner) :cry:

#bloodyShame

Let’s see how it will look like in a month from now :thinking:

cracking_chuckn

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I was really becoming interested in looking forward to when I would order one as long as they are still in stock. But these upcoming statements with cracks after this short time somehow muted my excitement. To get a replacement in such case would not be a suitable in concerns of longevity and ecology. I think I should rather stick to what I have and not take further actions without needs just for the extra eye-candy.

I am feeling sorry for you after just shortly reading your post of excitement only a few days ago.
I am curious how the manufacturers reaction will be in this obvious quality issue.

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I really would be interested in some feedback from the fairphoneangels that have ordered transparent covers for their heavens. They should/might have some more experience, having access to more than one cover.
Are some of them maybe broken after shipping already?
Maybe the transparency leads to less stability or at least more problems in production (the material being less tolerant towards variations in the production process?

Should that turn out to be the case, I really would consider it a good idea to stop the production.
At least in my opinion it is better not to offer something that is certain to result in unneccessary waste.

P.s.
I guess, it’s obvious now, why the transparent covers have not been available before.

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I have so far held about 13 transparent slim covers in my hand and none of them had any problems. Sure for many of them I don’t know how they look now, but everybody who got one from the Vienna Angels has our contact info and I’m sure they’d tell us if they broke.

I’ve seen one cracked slim cover so far and that was due to multiple drops on stone-floors. I exchanged it for a transparent slim cover without any concerns.
What do we have here so far? Maybe 5 people with cracks so far (didn’t count)? 3 with slim covers (did count).
That doesn’t really worry me yet - but I’ll keep an eye on this topic (as I do on almost any topic :wink:).

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Just for the record…
I had cracks on both lower corners after one week with the new translucent black cover.
And sadly with the replacement also after 1 week.
I only put the phone in my pockets and it never fell down.
So, from my point of view, it could be that the plastic is too inflexible for the daily physical stress in my pockets. Or it might be a lack of luck at the moment…
Cheers!

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I think we could get a more clear image of the situation considering the overall circumstances.
Having a rough estimation of how many users have ordered such a new transparent cover. I guess we can only count them from sales aside from the quantity ordered directly from FP.

How many of those users are registered here and also reporting their inconvenient experience with it in the last few weeks (not having dropped it prior to their finding).

This ratio then should give an obvious picture on which further statements related to quality can be based on.

Although it is only a passive item, still it it covered by a product warranty of 2 years if I am not mistaken.
I´m using my phone regularly since >2 years and my turquoise slim cover still has not a single crack or damage. I did remove and remount it every now and then for battery swap or else.
Although I don´t own a new transparent cover I do feel a bit worried as longevity is one core value of FP. Hence it also should stay alert if quality issues rise from sub-contractors.
I do believe our angels keep an active link to the maker.
Maybe he already knows about something coming up.

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But to be true I cannot make out why the color has so much influence in stability.

Just look at all the glass we have around. Even presentations rooms covered with transparent glass can carry cars on them…:thinking:

Bbwaahaa…what a crap, just forget it…:joy: (I couldn´t resist)

But imagine simple every day household items such as plastic bowls can be placed in micro-waves or ice boxed without being damaged. Many of them are transparent as well. So I don´t get it why the color makes a difference here.

I think one reason is the way of production (moulded not out of a 3d printer).
If this makes the difference the production process would have to be changed. Of course building a specific tool is more cost intense and modifications are very limited compared to 3d printing.
Furthermore the raw transparent material for 3d printing may not be suitable for such filigree, thin items.
I am no material specialist, maybe there is someone who could enlighten me. I have no idea why transparent covers are not as robust as we know it from covers of different colors.

Well, I guess you can’t compare it to kitchenware, as a smartphone has to endure much more hardships being carried in pockets and regularely dropped. On the other hand it has to be hard and not too flexible, to strengthen the structure of the FP. And in addition it has to be detailed and of high precision giving the connection to the black rim and the outbreaks for the buttons.
That the transparent cover is a different construction compared to the other slim-covers is illustrated by the fact, that it is made of a different material.
While regular slim-covers are made of

Polycarbonate (50% post-consumer recycled); scratch-resistant coating

the transparent ones are made of

Polycarbonate; scratch-resistant coating

no recycled materials included.
So it seems, there is some important difference between transparent and other covers.

@paulakreuzer
What really strikes me as special with the tranparent/translucent covers is the fact, that I don’t remember any such complaints concerning the other slim covers.

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Anyone affected who might get a warranty replacement, please don’t dispose of the rim with black buttons – if you have no need for it, someone with a red or turquoise case (which comes with blue buttons) might be grateful for the extra option of black buttons. So once you get a replacement settled, please consider offering your extra black/black rim to others :slight_smile:

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For me it feels like that the transparent covers are a littlebit to tight (as if they could be a 10th of a millimeter larger), maybe a result of the molding process of the material?

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Oh no!
I just ordered a transparent slim cover and I know it already arrived. I am in Vietnam for the foreseeable future and was planning on having my mom send me the new slim cover in the next supply package. But I would hate having to send it back to Europe to have my mom send it in for replacement and then repeating the process all the while being stranded without a case. My current standard transparent case is being held together by a lot of tape and very careful handling so it will hopefully make it till the replacement arrives.
But what should I do now? I’d also hate to order another color slim case and also have it sent here just to be sure that I will actually have a case that works… :confused:
Any good ideas?

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It won’t completely alleviate your worries, but you would not need to send back a broken cover that Fairphone has accepted as a warranty case. I know it would still require another forwarding by your mother (to Vietnam), but at least you don’t need to send a broken case back to Amsterdam.

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You’re right…
So I guess I’ll take my chances and hope for the best…
But damn… making cases does not seem to be this company’s forte.

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