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.
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, itâs obvious now, why the transparent covers have not been available before.
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 donât know how they look now, but everybody who got one from the Vienna Angels has our contact info and Iâm sure theyâd tell us if they broke.
Iâve 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 (didnât count)? 3 with slim covers (did count).
That doesnât really worry me yet - but Iâll keep an eye on this topic (as I do on almost any topic ).
Just for the recordâŚ
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 momentâŚ
Cheers!
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.
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 themâŚ
BbwaahaaâŚwhat a crap, just forget it⌠(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 canât 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
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 donât remember any such complaints concerning the other slim covers.
Anyone affected who might get a warranty replacement, please donât dispose of the rim with black buttons â 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
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?
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? Iâd 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 worksâŚ
Any good ideas?
It wonât 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 donât need to send a broken case back to Amsterdam.
@Moritz
And - judging by the postings and pictures in this thread - the cover will serve itâs purpose even if some cracks should appear. So it will be better than your taped version anyway (until your warranty replacement arrives).
But hopefully your transparent cover will be just fine without any cracks.
Two weeks ago i bought a transparent slim case for my FP2. Crazy as i am, because who the hell is willing to pay more than 30 Euro for a simple piece of plastic. But now, the case is showing cracks and fractures at two edges. And this without any reason. Has anyone made a similar experience? Could it be, that he material of the transparent case is low quality? This would be very annoying.
Yes, i have the same problem. It is very annoying that FP delivers such miserable quality for this price (30 Euro plus shipping). We can see all kind of plasticboxes in the supermarkets, made to keep food and to put it in the freezer. They last until the end of all days without showing any sign of weakness. But FP is not able to produce something that lasts much longer than two weeks. I wish anybody in this forum has an explanation for this bullshit.
We are aware that some units of the first production batch of the transparent and black translucent slim cases are susceptible to breakage. This may happen when the phone and its case did not experience pressure or fall damage.
What happened?
The original hard coating process meant to provide additional protection against scratches has caused the material of some of the new transparent and black translucent production units to become less flexible and thus brittle.
).
(I couldn´t resist)
