Back cover w/o camera cut out?

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iPhone 3GS

Revamped version of the iPhone 3G with faster processing speeds. Repair of this device is similar to the 3G, and requires simple screwdrivers and prying tools. Model A1303 / 8, 16 or 32 GB capacity / black or white plastic back.

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Thomas Schroeder @thomasschroeder

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Posted: Apr 27, 2011

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Back cover w/o camera cut out?

Hi!

I work in R&D where cameras and camera phones are not allowed. My idea was to take out the camera from a second hand iPhone and get a back cover without the camera cut out, so on first sight this would appear as a bona fide no camera phone. Trouble is, I couldn't for the life of me, find a site or vendor that sells replacement back covers for the iPhone without the camera cut out. Any pointers or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks and bye, Thomas

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oldturkey03 @oldturkey03

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Posted: Apr 27, 2011

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Get a back cover from a used phone. Place some tape on the outside over the opening for the camera. turn the cover over so that you are looking on the inside of it. Get a small amount of fiberglass resin and mix it according to specs. Now poor just enough in the opening to fill it up, okay may be just a bit more so that it flows just over the inside of the opening. Let it dry, again according to specs for the resin. Once dry. turn the cover over and pull of the tape. The now hardened fiberglass should have fully covered the hole. You can now either paint it or get it painted. May be some cool airbrush job...kind of ghetto but might just work for you. Good Luck

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I've been thinking along the same lines but I'm not sure that the original hole wouldn't still be visible on closer inspection. My idea was to have some shiny back cover that looks as though this phone was never intended for a camera. Another idea was that by having a replacement cover without any references to this actually being an iPhone would also help. You know, kind of pretending that the phone is a cheap knock-off of an iPhone, hence, no camera. I know, I know, it's lame but a man can dream...

Apr 28, 2011 by Thomas Schroeder

oh you mean like the wolf in sheep clothing...:-) Check some of the websites from china. Like ALibaba.com or tvc-mall.com as well as ankaka.com and see what you come up with. Here is a site that does the actual camera removal for people in your type of situation. May be if contact them, they can provide you with more help on getting a non-camera backplate. http://www.iresq.com//iphone-repair/ipho...

Apr 28, 2011 by oldturkey03

Just because I'm from a family of mad model makers... If you follow oldturkeys advice make sure you remove the plastic camera plate/ring so that all evidence of the camera is gone (it just pries off witha spudger) sand with the finest grade paper and the try spraying with model paint or.. Car respray which should last and look better.. Then you can have any colour you like,

Apr 28, 2011 by pollytintop

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I've been thinking along the same lines but I'm not sure that the original hole wouldn't still be visible on closer inspection. My idea was to have some shiny back cover that looks as though this phone was never intended for a camera. Another idea was that by having a replacement cover without any references to this actually being an iPhone would also help. You know, kind of pretending that the phone is a cheap knock-off of an iPhone, hence, no camera. I know, I know, it's lame but a man can dream... — Thomas Schroeder
oh you mean like the wolf in sheep clothing...:-) Check some of the websites from china. Like ALibaba.com or tvc-mall.com as well as ankaka.com and see what you come up with. Here is a site that does the actual camera removal for people in your type of situation. May be if contact them, they can provide you with more help on getting a non-camera backplate. http://www.iresq.com//iphone-repair/ipho... — oldturkey03
Just because I'm from a family of mad model makers... If you follow oldturkeys advice make sure you remove the plastic camera plate/ring so that all evidence of the camera is gone (it just pries off witha spudger) sand with the finest grade paper and the try spraying with model paint or.. Car respray which should last and look better.. Then you can have any colour you like, — pollytintop

mayer @mayer Rep: 685.3k MacHale Enterprises 3.4k 1.1k 2.6k · Answer 1 · 2011-04-27T08:13:54-07:00

mayer @mayer

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Posted: Apr 27, 2011

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If you use a phone that is known to have a camera, you will always be suspect, and that will be a risk to your job and any higher security ratings. After all, who knows when you might switch phones to one that has a camera that works. Get a phone that is known not to have a camera. No one will believe you have a camera if you use this one and you might get kudos for it.

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I was hoping for the bag-phone and not the brick....to suspicious ;-)

Apr 27, 2011 by oldturkey03

Currently, I own a Nokia E51 which is one of the last business phones w/o a camera. But it sucks on so many levels that it continually drives me crazy. The other day, it managed to completely mess up all of my calendars for the gazillionth time and last year it thought it would be totally hilarious to change all of my contacts' birthdays to one day ahead. I am now ready to switch to an iPhone ;-)

Seriously though, I know that it's wiser to keep using the E51.

Apr 28, 2011 by Thomas Schroeder

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