Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

AppleCare Iphone 4 Replacement Testing

Ferrd

Ferrd

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 24, 2008
120
6
Hey everyone,

I called my IP4 in yesterday for the reception issues, and they sent me a replacement with no questions asked. So far, it seems the new one is MUCH better, however a few days of usage will provide that true or not.

I figured since I have both for a few days, I would allow everyone to ask me to test certain things to see if Apple did change the manufacturing process, or if this is a design flaw. I'll do my best to accomodate all reasonable requests ;)

Thanks,
Fred
 
Post the first 5 digits of the serial number for each.

The frist 2 are the factory and the last two is the week of the build.

It would be interesting to see if your replacement is older then your original.
 
Neither my original nor my replacement iPhone4 demonstrated any reception issues no matter how hard I tried to replicate the "problem."
 
rsnaider said:
Post the first 5 digits of the serial number for each.
Click to expand...

Original ip4 - 84024
Replacement ip4 - 7S026

Interestingly enough:
Original ip4 Model - MC608LL
Replacement ip4 Model - MC318LL
 
Ferrd said:
Original ip4 - 84024
Replacement ip4 - 7S026

Interestingly enough:
Original ip4 Model - MC608LL
Replacement ip4 Model - MC318LL
Click to expand...

Hmmmm... Wonder what the deal is with the 7s serial number?? This is the first time I've seen one of this sort. Or have I missed out on something??
 
nikhsub1 said:
This is interesting... I have model MC319LL with 86025 and my phone does not exhibit any reception issues no matter how I hold it, with or without a case...
Click to expand...

I wouldn't read much into that, I also have MC319LL and even with a case my signal drops, though not as bad as without.

You know, I've been thinking about this and I have a crackpot theory about this. When apple annouced the iphone4, they said that they had developed a new kind of stainless steel alloy to use as the antenna/support. Now here is my crackpot theory, what if this new alloy is very hard to make, what if even the slightest imperfection will cause the alloy to be more conductive and effect reception? Maybe that is why some people can't get the signal to drop at all (perfect stainless steel batch), why some can get bar to drop but don't lose connection (slight imperfections in stainless steel) and why for some it craps out completely (imperfect stainless steel). Plus this could also explain why there doesn't seem to be any pattern to those havin issue when looking at the model and serial numbers.

That's my crackpot theory and I'm sticking to it.
 
replacement

I called apple @ there 800 number 331 0500, spoke with a supervisor, no replacement, return it to ATT for a refund, or get a case.
What # do u call??????
 
dfeigenbaum1 said:
I called apple @ there 800 number 331 0500, spoke with a supervisor, no replacement, return it to ATT for a refund, or get a case.
What # do u call??????
Click to expand...

I called 1-800-MY-IPHONE

The guy I spoke with asked what was wrong, and I stated that I'm having the same reception issues that everyone is complaining about. He said ok, we'll replace it. Simple as that. He asked for my information and gave me a case #. That was yesterday, and the replacement arrived today.
 
Ferrd said:
I called 1-800-MY-IPHONE

The guy I spoke with asked what was wrong, and I stated that I'm having the same reception issues that everyone is complaining about. He said ok, we'll replace it. Simple as that. He asked for my information and gave me a case #. That was yesterday, and the replacement arrived today.
Click to expand...

Any charge for overnight shipping? Do you have AppleCare?
 
Does the antenna of the new one seem to have any coating or anything on it compared to the old one? Do you get to keep the old one :eek:?
 
psywzrd said:
Any charge for overnight shipping? Do you have AppleCare?
Click to expand...

I do not have AppleCare. The phone rep put a credit hold on your card for $500! But they only charge $29 for shipping. They do not charge anymore then that as long as you return the phone within 10 days. I guess if you want to avoid the charge you could try the store, but I felt the phone was an easier option.
 
Hellishness said:
Does the antenna of the new one seem to have any coating or anything on it compared to the old one? Do you get to keep the old one :eek:?
Click to expand...

I really can't see any difference between the two. The feel is the same, and they look the same. I will say that the buttons on the new one are a lot more stiff out of the box the my original one.

I wish I could keep both. Apple will charge me $500 if I do not send the phone back within 10 days. I figured I could experiment for the weekend and still be ok.
 
IMO they are all the same. I got a replacement sent from Apple Care and I also get on in store, some places I could not recreate signal loss, other places I could.

The antenna design is no different on any Iphone 4 made, so if you are in a low signal area and cover the antenna, bye bye signal.

Seriously, these posts mean well but there really is nothing that will change the design of the Iphone antenna, replacements are the same as new in box.
 
Ferris23 said:
IMO they are all the same. I got a replacement sent from Apple Care and I also get on in store, some places I could not recreate signal loss, other places I could.

The antenna design is no different on any Iphone 4 made, so if you are in a low signal area and cover the antenna, bye bye signal.

Seriously, these posts mean well but there really is nothing that will change the design of the Iphone antenna, replacements are the same as new in box.
Click to expand...

Ferris,

I do not disagree, however so far this phone has gotten better reception everywhere in my office. The original ip4 I had could easily go to no service by applying the death grip. So far, I can not lose even 1 bar with the death grip.

With that said, i'll be interested to see how I feel about this new phone after the weekend is over.

If there is a difference in manufacturing processes, I want to be able to provide as much data as I can for everyone else suffering with this issue.
 
I was in the same situation as you fred, where my replacement was because of a wiggly home button and a yellowish tinted screen.

My serial number starts with 7S as well, and is a week 26 phone. Everything seems to be working fine for now, but I want to know if 7S is in deed for replacements only..
 
I received a replacement iPhone 4 today due to major internet data problems. My new model # is MC319LL and first 5 of serial number are 82026. It was in a replacement box. Not a brand new box. My old serial ended was 88021 and model was also a MC319LL/A.

I purchased my phone from Bestbuy but thankfully was able to exchange it at Apple.
 
My replacement is not a 7S

I had my iP4 replaced a couple days ago and the serial number has 4S, which is the same as my wife's, which is NOT a replacement but her serial also has 4S. I don't think the serial number is indicating replacement, or at least not that way. Oh yeah, my model # is MC318LL, also the same as my wife's original release day issued iP4.
 
I just got my iPhone yesterday from Best Buy.

Serial #: 82027
Model #MC319LL/A

I definitely get the reception issue here at home. It's most annoying when I'm using wi-fi to browse the internet and fail to notice the reception completely drops out to SEARCHING. . . status. It concerns me because if someone calls I'd be totally oblivious to the fact that they are not getting through. I have yet to buy a case though. I have a Wrapsol kit but have not yet put it on because their is a yellow spot on my screen and I want to give it a few days to go away as was suggested before I waste the Wrapsol on a phone that may be going back for exchange.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back