PR Nightmare Continues: White iPhone 4 Thicker Than Its Sibling

[Phillip Swanson]

In what has become a week from public relations hell for Apple, Reports popped up late yesterday the white iPhone 4 was thicker than the black model. It has now been confirmed by Engadget the white iPhone 4 is 9.5mm thick compared to the black iPhone's 9.3mm thickness.

Below is an image of Apple's PR headquarters:



The .2mm change in thickness was not announced prior to release and has not been reflected in the product description on Apple's website. There is however this disclaimer ""Actual size and weight vary by configuration and manufacturing process."

Apparently the possible changes in the manufacturing process discussed yesterday did cause this variation in size and weight. This of course creates headaches for consumers and case makers alike. White iPhone 4 owners must now worry whether or not their case will be able to fit their newly purchased phone. Manufacturers will need to decide if they need to start releasing new cases to match the slightly different specifications of the white iPhone 4.

This problem wont affect your average silicone case or bumper, but for more expensive and tight fitting slider cases and muli-part cases, like OtterBox's more expensive offerings, potential problems exist.

It baffles me that a company who tries to maintain and promote an image synonymous with perfection (in their opinion) could lack this kind of necessary foresight. The problems this fragmentation creates for case and accessory makers is obvious. As Engadget points out, Apple now has four configurations of their phones: white and black AT&T; white and black Verizon. Each offer their slightly different dimensions and button layouts. None of these differences are distinguished by a different model number. To the lay consumer all these phones should be interchangeable between accessories. However, they are not.

In the past I have appreciated Apple unification of their product lines. It made for an extremely easy time purchasing accessories. Now it has become unnecessarily confusing.

Source: Engadget

[delusion950]

Those that waited i dont think they give a cap if is little thicker than siblings. It finally arrived.

[Prolix]

Well, that's why there is the iPhone 5: Probably a more unified version of the iPhone since the mess of the iPhone 4.

But then, the keyword is HOPEFULLY.

[unison999]

hahahaha
Becareful what cases you buy for the white iPhone4 should be stickered on the box itself.

[justinpotter81]

I bet the extra thickness come from the "secret film" behind the glass to make the white color nontransparent.

[x12_Carnage]

If there's gonna be problems for people using otterboxes on their iPhone 4s,why not use a silicone case since it doesn't necessarily affect these?

[DubbaCTrumpetMSU]

Are you kidding me? .2 mm is NOT going to affect a case fit. I've already tried 10-15 on mine after people started posting this crap. I've also tried two versions of the Otterbox and it fit just fine. This post is a joke. Give me a break.

[x12_Carnage]

Are you kidding me? .2 mm is NOT going to affect a case fit. I've already tried 10-15 on mine after people started posting this crap. I've also tried two versions of the Otterbox and it fit just fine. This post is a joke. Give me a break.

Lol it might fit a little bit more snug then usual but it'll be fine :P

[DubbaCTrumpetMSU]

The otterboxes didn't even feel like that, really. I want some real news soon...

[RICO_]

I bet the extra thickness come from the "secret film" behind the glass to make the white color nontransparent.

That's exactly what's causing the extra thickness...it has to be. But that's the price people will now pay for having their precious white phone.

[coolguy742]

Are you kidding me? .2 mm is NOT going to affect a case fit. I've already tried 10-15 on mine after people started posting this crap. I've also tried two versions of the Otterbox and it fit just fine. This post is a joke. Give me a break.

The story is saying it could cause a problem because people are ignorant and will freak out when they can't figure out what case to buy, so they will call Apple an b1tc4....


Sent from my iPod touch using ModMyi

[zinjen]

Are you kidding me? .2 mm is NOT going to affect a case fit. I've already tried 10-15 on mine after people started posting this crap. I've also tried two versions of the Otterbox and it fit just fine. This post is a joke. Give me a break.

That is not true. I have the Defender otterbox case and removed it from my previous iPhone 4 to my new white one.. it does not fit at all. The case does not snap.. You may be able to widdle it down but I hate to do that to such an expensive piece. I'm on hold with Otterbox right now seeing what they are planning to do.

[Brian3dee]

.2mm? really? I guess 2012 has come early! Seriously, any one freaking out over .2mm should go talk to Samsung!

[Poseidon79]

The otterboxes didn't even feel like that, really. I want some real news soon...

Please.. enlighten us on what "real news" is in your expert opinion.

[ash3s2012]

No more McDonalds for white iPhone 4 lol

[cookbenj]

omgg, 0.2mm this is gonna change everything!!!!!! not...

[kadernal]

yea this definitely causes problems with the otterbox.

anyone who says otherwise is sorely mistaken.

[XFaega]

I bet the extra thickness come from the "secret film" behind the glass to make the white color nontransparent.

You mean black on white?

[Buddy17]

oh, so Android is fragmented?? Gimme a break. Now you have 4 different versions of the iphone4 when you go to buy a tight fitting case. Not only are the black/white versions different thicknesses, but the verizon/att versions are also different. I would rather have software fragmentation than HARDWARE fragmentation.

[kadernal]

oh, so Android is fragmented?? Gimme a break. Now you have 4 different versions of the iphone4 when you go to buy a tight fitting case. Not only are the black/white versions different thicknesses, but the verizon/att versions are also different. I would rather have software fragmentation than HARDWARE fragmentation.

good call..... because its not like there are 100000000 different android phones.