Consumer Reports 'Can't Recommend' iPhone 4 Due to Signal Issues

[PerfSeeker]

Look I can there are a lot of disgruntled Mac computer users who don't like the whole iDevice obsession with Apple lately. But face it - that $30 billion came on the back of the iDevices. Whatever portion of that that's derived from increased Mac sales is from the iDevice halo effect. Otherwise Apple would still be a niche company.

 

[Chwisch87]

If Apple doesn't immediately revamp their entire computer line and make it truly cutting edge, they've got less than two years. This iPhone debacle is the perfect storm to make an entire market blink and realize that iCrap is just that, iCrap. And overpriced. Apple's cutting-edge cachet is gone.

Fad toymakers do not survive long term. This happened to all the great organ companies when they tried to compete with the first Casio "dimestore" keyboards. The only ones that survived (and survive to this day) make instruments that START at five figures. All the ones that tried to make cheap crap to compete with Casio vanished one by one, and in the order they tried to chase after Casio.

obvious troll is being an obvious troll.

 

[xbjllb]

And where will you be when Apple is still thriving in two (2) years?

I'm sure you won't be here to admit you were wrong.

I've been here for two years, and I'll be here to dance on the grave, if I must.

 

[juicedropsdeuce]

Why the hell do you post here? Nobody cares about the crap you're spewing out. I have the new iPhone and it's hands down the best phone I have and will ever own. The signal issue doesn't exist for me so I could care less.

The best phone you will EVER own?

Ohhhhh, I get it. Because the quality of Apple products declines with each iteration. So yeah, probably.

 

[HLdan]

Yes they are obligated to tell us at least what they are fixing (even if they don't tell us how) so that we can make an informed decision as to whether to return our phones in the appropriate time window. They have said that the only thing they are fixing is what is being displayed. If you currently go from 5 bars to 0 and lose your connection, instead you will go from 1 bar to 0 and lose your connection.

Fair enough. But that means they have NOT admitted they are fixing the underlying problem, and consumers should act appropriately.

Okay, but here's the thing, they HAVE told the public what they are doing and have given people time of 30 days to make informed decision. You can either take it or leave it in terms of what you don't find as a satisfactory response, and if you want to leave it then return the phone which is the option they gave you and take your money elsewhere.
If anybody keeps their iPhone 4 and is unhappy with Apple's public response and does not believe anything will be "fixed" then if Apple doesn't fix it then the consumer has nobody but themselves to blame as they were given a CHOICE but didn't take it.

 

[Roofy.]

Ah the lack of empathy. Aren't you a real winner. Yours is fine so obviously there's nooo problem.

Oh im sorry please tell me where it says there's no problem? I know the problem exists. I could care less about it because it doesn't affect me.

 

[PerfSeeker]

The fact is in the face of the Android beast, Apple will not decline much in market share because they are unbeatable in several areas:

* best industrial design
* well vetted App store
* Apple stores which are a work of art in themselves

this is an unbeatable combination.

 

[xbjllb]

Look I can there are a lot of disgruntled Mac computer users who don't like the whole iDevice obsession with Apple lately. But face it - that $30 billion came on the back of the iDevices. Whatever portion of that that's derived from increased Mac sales is from the iDevice halo effect. Otherwise Apple would still be a niche company.

iDevice halo effect? What about the cutting edge cache halo effect that existed decades before iCrap?

On the contrary.

And a bubble is a bubble is a bubble. And the larger it is, the harder it pops.

 

[tivoboy]

wow

Wow, we have gone WAAAY off topic here. I can't believe the mods haven't reared us back around on SOME SEMBLANCE of a topic.

I haven't seen something go this awry here on MR for years.

 

[xbjllb]

obvious troll is being an obvious troll.

And obvious Clueless being obviously clueless.

 

[iAmYou]

I have never not purchased a product based on consumer reports.
In fact most of the time it is almost the opposite.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

CR can't recommend the iPhone 4 based on a bench test that showed a 20dB drop. They didn't test how often that actually matters. They didn't specify what they think an acceptable level of attenuation would be, or compare it to any other phones.

In the Chicago area, where AT&T is pretty lousy, the iPhone 4 outperforms the 3GS, even with your finger on the gap. Isn't that what matters?

 

[whsbuss]

Okay, but here's the thing, they HAVE told the public what they are doing and have given people time of 30 days to make informed decision. You can either take it or leave it in terms of what you don't find as a satisfactory response, and if you want to leave it then return the phone which is the option they gave you and take your money elsewhere.
If anybody keeps their iPhone 4 and is unhappy with Apple's public response and does not believe anything will be "fixed" then if Apple doesn't fix it then the consumer has nobody but themselves to blame as they were given a CHOICE but didn't take it.

Yea I can agree..... questions: 1) do you have an IP4 without the signal problem? 2) are you holding out for the "fix"?

 

[PerfSeeker]

But even in computers, Apple continues to innovate. Witness the latest Mac Mini - unibody aluminum with HDMI port and card-reader, not to mention built in power supply. All for the low price of $699. Can't beat it.

 

[jmpage2]

i think steve is being stubborn. Apple execs and lawyers prob asked him to just send an apology and gift card or bumper out.... but he refused.

Steve gave $100 of store credit to all of the original iPhone owners when the price came down and there really wasn't anything wrong with how they did the price drop so I don't think he's too squeamish about trying to make nice with his loyal customers.

On the other hand I don't think he wants a class action lawsuit that ends up costing Apple 10's of millions of dollars (most of which will go to lawyers anyway) either.

The cheapest way for Apple to fix this is simply to modify the final assembly steps of the phone. Spray a coating on the antenna so that it can't be bridged as easily by coming into contact with skin. Problem solved. Then Apple just swaps handsets out quick and cheap for the complainers.

 

[iZac]

Well, this should help push them to fix it. Lots of people will absolutely not buy something if it is on CR not recommended list. No matter what.

Now, CR will test whatever "fix" apple does and they will probably be busted if it is a simple remapping of the bars to the signal.

It's excellent that us sweaty palmed, thin skinned, electrically conductive meat bags have a voice from a respected authority, rather than just thousands of nobodies hopelessly flinging emails at sjobs@apple.com

 

[jmpage2]

And obvious Clueless being obviously clueless.

Obviously someone with zero stake in the iPhone wasting a lot of time in an iPhone thread.

 

[xbjllb]

Wow, we have gone WAAAY off topic here. I can't believe the mods haven't reared us back around on SOME SEMBLANCE of a topic.

I haven't seen something go this awry here on MR for years.

What? Isn't the topic "Unbelievably stupid things Apple has allowed Steve Jobs to do that will eventually bankrupt the company", specifically the latest iPhone debacle?

 

[PerfSeeker]

CR can't recommend the iPhone 4 based on a bench test that showed a 20dB drop. They didn't test how often that actually matters. They didn't specify what they think an acceptable level of attenuation would be, or compare it to any other phones.

In the Chicago area, where AT&T is pretty lousy, the iPhone 4 outperforms the 3GS, even with your finger on the gap. Isn't that what matters?

One has to wonder if CR is getting Google/MSFT money under the carpet.

 

[jmpage2]

But even in computers, Apple continues to innovate. Witness the latest Mac Mini - unibody aluminum with HDMI port and card-reader, not to mention built in power supply. All for the low price of $699. Can't beat it.

The new Mini is overpriced by about $200 and has no Blu-ray drive, but that's a whole separate topic.

 

[Techhie]

For those who need another reminder.

Congratulations, you've finally achieved the epitome of the American stereotype. What's next, saying Steve Jobs is the Anti-Christ, or that he wants to take your freedom away? Tell me, why does that terrorist Steve hate our freedom?!

USA! USA!

sigh.

 

[juicedropsdeuce]

Wow, we have gone WAAAY off topic here. I can't believe the mods haven't reared us back around on SOME SEMBLANCE of a topic.

I haven't seen something go this awry here on MR for years.

MR is a joke. 90% of the people who post here are mentally deficient. The rest are bored at work, stirring their pot.

Why would MR stop it, they get paid on page views. Arn makes money off your obsession with some corporation. It's actually quite brilliant.

 

[xbjllb]

Obviously someone with zero stake in the iPhone wasting a lot of time in an iPhone thread.

Zero stake in the iPhone doesn't mean zero stake in Apple.

I'd venture to say I've spent more on Apple hardware and software in a year than most iPhone users will in a lifetime, and have far more to lose than iCrap iBrats.

 

[PerfSeeker]

The simple fact is, if I didn't think all smartphones were a ripoff I'd buy an iPhone 4 immediately with skin.

 

[cmaier]

Okay, but here's the thing, they HAVE told the public what they are doing and have given people time of 30 days to make informed decision. You can either take it or leave it in terms of what you don't find as a satisfactory response, and if you want to leave it then return the phone which is the option they gave you and take your money elsewhere.
If anybody keeps their iPhone 4 and is unhappy with Apple's public response and does not believe anything will be "fixed" then if Apple doesn't fix it then the consumer has nobody but themselves to blame as they were given a CHOICE but didn't take it.

I don't disagree with you. But the allegation was made that Apple has said they were going to fix the problem. I said that Apple has NOT said they are going to fix the problem - they have only said they will fix the bar display issue, not the underlying loss of signal issue. You disagreed with my statement.