There’s no debating that the Apple iPhone (News - Alert) 3G S is hot stuff. But some users are reporting that the smartphone is so hot that the device is literally burning up.

 

Stories have been circulating across the Internet on various blogs and forums that some users of Apple’s (News - Alert) next-generation iPhone have experienced problems with their smartphones overheating (see image below).

 

The first known public account of the problem originated in France where one 16GB 3GS user noticed that his phone was hot during use. Later, the owner discovered that the white backing on the device had turned pink-toned near the spot where the battery is stored, the report said.

 

PC World writer Melissa Perenson wrote that while playing “The Oregon Trail” on her 16GB black iPhone, the device heated up so much it became too hot to handle.

 

Do I hear a recall coming? It’s unclear how many iPhone 3G S users are experiencing problems. Based on Apple’s history, a recall could happen. As PC World’s David Coursey wrote, “battery problems are the stuff of which recalls are made and Apple has not been immune from them in the past.”

 

Experts are blaming the applications themselves, particularly the games and GPS that are resource-intensive, Channel Web reports. The apps, the report said, pump up the battery until it gets too hot and eventually causes the device to overheat.

 

Apple has yet to comment. A company spokesperson could not be reached immediately for comment.

 

The claims come just after a week after Apple announced it  sold more than 1 million units of the device. 
The latest iPhone, which rolled out June 19, is designed to be the fastest, most powerful iPhone yet, TMCnet reported. It offers new improved speed and performance and is twice as fast as the iPhone 3G. It also features a longer battery life, a high-quality 3 megapixel autofocus camera, video recording and hands free voice control, TMCnet said. more than 1 million 3 GS units during its launch weekend.

 

Despite the glitch, there’s no stopping Apple’s momentum. Several news sources reported a widespread shortage of the smartphone. As of Sunday, three out of 211 stores were sold out of the 3G S units, the report said. The most difficult model to find is the 16GB white phone, which was vacant from more than half of locations, the according to the report.

 

The popularity of smartphones is sure to impact the overall mobile phone market. Mobile phone sales are expected to dip by 9.1 percent this year, according to another TMCnet report.

 

One reason for the popularity, analysts said, is that the high-tech gadgets are becoming more of a necessity than a nice-to have gadget.