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Does the iPhone 3GS overheat?

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Is the Apple iPhone 3GS having overheating issues? I've seen some reports circulating on the Web that indicate some handsets might indeed be affected. And I have my own tale to add to fray.

The story began at French site Nowhereelse.com, with a piece that showcases a discoloured white iPhone 3GS whose owner says the discolourations came from the device noticeably heating up during use of the GPS over 3G wireless.

This tale and image has circulated today at other US gadget sites, including Gizmodo and Engadget.

For me, I had noticed from day one that the iPhone 3GS appeared to have similar heat issues to iPhone 3G: The phone's back got warm during use. I thought it curious that handset still got warm in many of the same areas as with the 3G, in part because, Apple had specifically told me that the components inside were reconfigured as compared with the 3G model.

I didn't think too much of this heat thing - I recall the lower inch of the T-Mobile G1 getting toasty, too, when I had tested that model - until last night. That was the first time I had used my 16GB iPhone 3GS while it was plugged into the wall outlet.

I don't recall how long I had been using the handset, but I was making my way steadily along The Oregon Trail, thank you. And at some point, I became aware the handset had become very hot. Very, very hot--not just on the back, but the entire length of the front face, too.

I was using a game, and then later the Web browser for reading the news about Michael Jackson, all over a Wi-Fi connection while plugged in. And in those circumstances, well...toasty doesn't even describe how surprisingly hot it got. It was too hot to even put the phone against my face. No discoloration to report, though; I have the black handset, and didn't see any effects.

After my own experience, I wondered if this was an isolated case, or if this was a sign of something bigger. The Nowhereelse.com blog appears to confirm that this may not be an isolated case. Anyone else noticing heat issues?

Note: This blog first appeared on our sister site PCWorld.com.

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Comments received


William said on Monday, 29 June 2009

Mine is certainly warmer than my 3g ever got.. Even after relative light usuage it's noticably warm and I thought I was being paranoid until mate checked a website on it and said "you've got a warm phone". I have black (32) so don't see the reported marks like on White.. But I am concerned..

Kevin Rosewell said on Tuesday, 30 June 2009

About the same heat as noted with my 3G although I have to say I never used either for an extended period plugged into a wall outlet. Not that I can see why that should make a difference.

nom said on Wednesday, 01 July 2009

Haven't noticed any heat issues here after using for work for past week+ like today using all day with maps with gps gettign to 7 different locations over 10 hours (sometimes on car charger)

it felt a bit hot against face on calls but then it was on seat next to me in car with glass roof

so basically, no isues here (touches wood)

David said on Wednesday, 01 July 2009

I had no problems with heat until tonight when my 3GS did heat up significantly when I was downloading a movie over wifi and had it plugged in at the same time. It is back to normal now. My 3G was a similar temperature when being charged - sometimes.

Leon said on Friday, 03 July 2009

My iPhone 3G 16gb gets very very warm when using the app Wunderradio.

terri said on Tuesday, 07 July 2009

I have returned one 3Gs already and getting close with the second. Just not the attention to detail.

lapide said on Wednesday, 08 July 2009

My white iPhone 3GS did heat up significantly when I was playing Fast and Furious for about half an hour. Even the battery doesn't seem to last that long just browsing over wifi. I only had this phone over two weeks ago!

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oliver said on Monday, 27 July 2009

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oliver said on Monday, 27 July 2009

Brand New Original : iPhone 3G S 32GB For Sell
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Tim said on Thursday, 30 July 2009

failed from overheating withinn the first 3 hours of use while attempting to sync with itunes which it would not do.
Second not fairing better. Apple makes a good lot of crap from what I can see.

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