How To: Make Your Own White iPhone 4
Many of you have seen the photo of me holding my white iPhone… Many of you have also asked where/how I was able to obtain such a device. Well, the truth is that I don’t really have a white iPhone. I faked it. Yep, that’s right I took a regular, run-of-the-mill black iPhone and disguised it as its white counterpart. So, how’d I do this so convincingly? Read on to find out.
Step 1 – The Back Panel
The first challenge I encountered was the back of the Phone. I considered using a GelaSkin and simply adding artwork that resembled the white phone, but then I thought better of it. You see when I had my iPhone 3G and 3Gs, I was able to find cases on eBay that helped give them the illusion of being white (or whatever color I wanted really), so I figured I could do the same for my iPhone 4… and I was right! Pictured below is exactly the type of case I found for my new iPhone. What’s even better about the case is that the clear plastic sides help to protect against the “iPhone death grip.” The case was only $3 with FREE SHIPPING.
Step 2 – The Front Panel
The second, and most daunting, challenge of this white iPhone conversion was the front panel. Much like the back, there are OEM solutions, but I am not interested in paying hundreds of dollars to modify an already-expensive phone. For this I took to the web again, this time searching for vinyl skins that would fit the iPhone. I found my solution on a site called iStyles. They offered a full-cover white vinyl skin for the iPhone 4 for just $7.99+ S&H. The awesome part about the skin is that even though they didn’t advertise it, they provided a cover for the home button as well. This meant I wouldn’t have to deal with the polkadot look that the folks at Engadget got with their modification.
Step 3 – The Assembly
Once both items had arrived at my door I was able to begin assembling my new white iPhone 4. I applied the vinyl skin to both the front and back of the phone first. You may be wondering why I even bothered with the back skin, especially since I had the case to go over it. Well, in my experience, cheap cases like these are often rough on the inside and collect dirt very easily which can scratch your iPhone to death. Seeing as I will probably be selling this thing in a year for the iPhone 5 (or whatever they call it) I want to keep my phone in tip-top-shape. After applying the skin (which is very easy btw) I popped on the case and voila… White iPhone.
The pictures really don’t do it justice, I promise. People stop me all the time and ask where I got a white model phone (even folks at the Apple store). So there you have it, how to create your own white iPhone 4 for under $15. Enjoy.
How To: Make Your Own White iPhone 4 
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Once again sir – simple, concise and practical. Thank you for the connections too. You don’t just show us how, you show us where! Thanks.
Look no matter what Apple does they will continue to dig their own grave. I mean it does have some great features but white or not the iPhone 4 has major design flaws. Design should never come before function and usability. Apple seems to have forgotten that.
I mean the iPhone 4 held the number one spot in the top ten ranking on pc world. Once Apple gave that press conference they took it down with out explanation. However, http://getyourgadgetsgoing.com/ took a look into it. The results are rather interesting.
Are there any screen protectors that will fit just the part of the front that the iStyles skin doesn’t?
You can buy an invisible shield that covers just the front from Best Buy and then trim it to fit… That’s what I did.
I dont understand, yours looks amazing, But the button is white, and on the skin its been cut out so it would be black.
How have you managed to keep the button white?!
Any info would be great.
Cheers
Even though the site makes it look as though the home button is cut out, the actual skin that ships to you will have a white cover for the home button as well. Well, mine did anyway. Hope this helps!
Thanks Phil. I appreciate the kind words.
how did you get the apple symbol on your phone
The case itself has the apple branding on it… Look at the pics. It's all part of the case that you can get off eBay for around $5.
Why do people add comments without reading the info first??!?!
Brilliant job Justin, I'm buying the equipment now (not waiting on Apple any longer!!)
Actually, I do have a good question! Why did you choose the High-Gloss Coating as opposed to the slightly more expensive Matte/Satin Coating? Just trying to decide which one to go for for all round lastability…
I chose the glossy coating b/c I thought it would mimic the actual Apple product more and b/c I figured with the added slick texture of a gloss finish maybe it would be less likely to discolor or get dirty… So far, so good!
Thanks Sean.
has anyone else ordered from istlyes.
i am wondering if they give everyone the center button for iphone 4 or if i have to some how ask for it