Chosen Solution
Just got my iPhone 4 last week and just today, I noticed a very soft rattling noise when I shake the phone. This noise comes from around the camera and sleep/power button. If I hold the power button (not press) and shake the device, I can reproduce the rattling noise, but if I press and hold the power button as if trying to power off the device, there is no rattling noise. I haven’t dropped the phone since I got it. What could be loose inside the phone?
It could be caused several things. The power button has a small metal bracket that moves from side to side. Since the noise goes away once you actually press and hold the button, my guess is that the bracket is loose or another component close to the power button is loose. There are screws in that par of the phone which are used to secure the power button to the frame. One of those could be loose. There is a small piece of black plastic that covers the back of the proximity sensor and ambient light sensor. It’s right above the main earpiece speaker. When I took the phone apart, that part came off in the process. I could see that as the culprit although I’m not sure how pressing or holding the power button would have anything to do with that. My iPhone 4’s power button rattles very slightly when it is not in it’s silicone case. t could just be the way the phone is designed. Getting to the inside of the iPhone 4 to do some investigating is pretty easy. Just follow this guide to get to the components I’m talking about. If you just bought the phone, you can also take it back to Apple and see if they will do anything about it. It’s still under warranty and they should help you.
My ihpone 8 in red that reminds me of this 5c also rattles near the camera area sending it back today
I have rattle noise too. Two days ago, when I replaced the button, i also tried to locate source of rattle noise.. When my phone was totally disassembled except power switch - the culprit proved to be. Exactly POWER SWITCH, and this is not screw loose. I think this is internal button problem, the gap between plastic pushing part and the metal contact plate inside.
or its the vibrator
