'Consumer Reports' Smacks Verizon iPhone Over Antenna Issues

[Frobozz]

Publicity Stunts

You know, I generally love CR. I subscribe online. I generally feel that, even when I disagree with their conclusions, I can understand their position and at least respect it. This, however, is another headline grabbing publicity stunt.

Not including either iPhone 4 in their recommendations has:

• In no way effected the popularity of the iphone.
• Has been an obtuse exercise in finding the single weakness in an otherwise, in their own opinion, stellar product.
• Makes CR sound like a bunch of out of touch curmudgeons who can't fathom why, when you hold your phone in an awkward way, the signal drops. If that is the litmus test, then do it for ALL smart phones and grade it as one aspect of the design.

 

[Popeye206]

Simple...

iPhone4 = Best selling Smart phone on the planet.

iPhone4 + CR = Not recommended.​

Simple... eliminate Consumer Reports.

 

[k995]

I'd reiterate my original point that failing to apply the same standard to numerous devices of the same category is not consistent, and this is something which they are guilty of. It becomes a little more foggy when you consider the extent to which they have hyped this particular complaint (through promotion and follow-ups, for example).

Also, fanboy hatred truly should not influence their articles. On the flip-side, however, they should not overpromote details or elements without proper cause. A more appropriate degree of balance would be desirable.

And how did they treat apple different?

As for fanboyism, I dont think so, as before the article glorifies the iphone for the rest.

 

[ketterj]

sensationilzed stupidity

Only an idiot would use this extremely expensive smart phone without a case. It is a non issue.

 

[sobeservices2]

Fing Haters

The iphone is the best device.

They are just haters like all those dumb PC and Microsoft users. Apple is here to rule the world LOLOOOOOOOOOO

 

[Pink∆Floyd]

Who the ****** cares about what CR says.

Who pays attention to what they have to say anymore, people in their 60's, perhaps?

They have no credibility anymore

 

[MacModMachine]

who cares about consumer reports,

there useless, and no one even cares about them.

 

[k995]

I don't have an iPhone but I still beg to differ. The issue was definitively quite notorious but the reason it's a nonissue now isn't because people don't use the phone feature, otherwise an iPod touch or an iPad might be more appealing. It's because Apple's legendary customer satisfaction standards took drastic measures to fix the problem.

Denying it and giving a 10cent bumper? Is legendary?

Not only was there a tour of their otherwise top secret facilities so the people could judge the standards of Apple's tech but there was a lecture showing how other phones had the same problem.

Mostly fud and diluting the problem trying to blame it on something else.

They even took Consumer Report's advice, shipped everybody out free bumpers and went even a step further by offering full refunds without a restocking fee[/] to anybody who bought the phone, both in a time limited offer.

More after a very large group started complaining.

While these remedies are no longer available, there's not much more they could do without redesigning the entire phone ahead of schedule to replace the old ones at massive costs to them for no return whatsoever.

They had plenty of months to redesign but apperently apple still is very stuburn.

At this point the problem isn't worth more than a footnote in whatever general purpose review they write for the iPhone. Something to the effect of "the Verizon iPhone still has the antenna issues of the AT&T iPhone, since it uses the same hardware."

No its not, if they actually find it droppes cals in area's with bad reception (wich plenty of countries still have) then its worth mentioning, its called informing people and letting them make an informed decision.

 

[_Refurbished_]

My dad is an avid CR reader. They test things without bias, moreso than any other consumer related publication. I do not trust them for everything, but they provide a good starting point to personally research their rated products.

Apple goofed with the antenna design, they know it, CR knows it, and everyone else who's seen the issue knows it as well. This issue, does not impact myself for everyday usage....so to me it's not a big deal. I do appreciate CR pointing out a potentially huge issue for some people. For this, CR succeeds.

Don't knock CR for being honest. They still rated the phone higher than any other phone on the market, don't forget that.

 

[Thunderhawks]

Indeed. Ever since I got this new case, dropped calls are a thing of the pass.

Does it come in white?

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

I love the antennagate problem, that way I get a new iPhone 4 every few months, just tell the Apple geniuses that it drops calls all the time, which it does, few other problems that I experience is putting my calls on "mute" all the time, they don't fix the phones, they just give you a new one. Works for me. It doesn't fix it, which sux, but hey... better than nothing.

If by new you mean Refurbished. All those brown boxed Genius bar phones are refurbs. Probably the last phone you returned for the same issue.

 

[DotComName]

...

Consumer Reports' opinion on suggesting devices is irrelevant. I think people are over the idea of the iPhone antenna problems anyways.. In other news,...

 

[chrmjenkins]

Only an idiot would use this extremely expensive smart phone without a case. It is a non issue.

You think so?

 

[Poll Smoker]

And then if a hot blonde comes up to me and asks me out...

I get the feeling that won't be an issue.

 

[MonkeyClaw]

I have an iPhone 4 and yes, it does have an antenna issue. But it is never an issue unless im at my parents home visiting where they only have 1 bar of signal on any phone. Verizon's network is good enough that this "problem" is a non issue. On the plus side, this is the best phone I have ever owned, I owned an android before and it's like night and day.

I wish CR would do a report on that POS Droid Eris that I owned before, the one where you had to yank the battery before you went to make a phone call. I love verizons advertising, "Droid Does......nt make phone calls"

 

[cloakedpegasus]

It's not going to be long before we can buy this faulty product for 10 cents on the dollar in the streets

<snip>

To me a double sided glass phone should always have a case, which makes this a non issue.

Ha, that's pretty dumb. A product that NEEDS a case in order to work is a poorly designed product.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

I'll say this about epinions, itunes, amazon, and any site with reviews.

If you are SMART - you'll pay attention to HOW people are reviewing as much as what they say.

I can't tell you how many books I've bought on Amazon that have crappy reviews (despite being best sellers) because people didn't get their item shipped on time. Or it came ripped. Or they didn't like the price they paid. All things that have nothing to do with the actual BOOK or AUTHOR.

Same thing happens with Apps and people who don't know how to read descriptions of what the App is, can do, technical requirements, etc.

Some people are paid to post negatively about products by their competition

Some people are paid to post positively about some companies.

And then there's the obvious reason why reviews can differ. PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT USE CASES. And EXPERIENCES.

Extremely good points. I'd like to add that you can also typically tell when it's just a complete moron reviewing it. "It doesn't play my CDs!" "Sir, did you place the disc in the player with the label towards the top and the shiny part tot he bottom?" "No!" That was a bit extreme, but not completely unheard of. Anywho, every review should be taken as "a grain of salt" as the saying goes. They do matter but it is by no means read one and done kind of research.

 

[cloakedpegasus]

you think so?

+100000

 

[Jcoz]

Only an idiot would use this extremely expensive smart phone without a case. It is a non issue.

LOL....really? Cause to me, part of what you pay for with apple is the design.

And I sure as **** didn't buy an iphone 4 to cover it up with some ugly case that doubles the thickness/size....if that is really the thought process, what point is there for apple to pour some much into the form factor and design?

Seems their money would be better spent elsewhere.

That said while I can see the drop when I hold the phone like that, its never actually affected anything I've been doing.

Would never put my iphone in a case. Never put my original in one either.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

Thanks - did you copy and paste that right out of Steve's speech? Because it's nearly word for word

Sure didn't. Maybe I just have a better memory than I recognize, or it could just be that simple of a conclusion. Care to point out the flaws?

 

[ferrous]

If by new you mean Refurbished. All those brown boxed Genius bar phones are refurbs. Probably the last phone you returned for the same issue.

That's what I thought that the replaced phone is a refurb, but checking the serial number, it was built 3 weeks ago, it has a model that has improved headphone connector and as some suggest, modified antenna...

Love the Apple warranty

 

[SAIRUS]

Look it's quite simple, Apple messed up.

The iPhone 4 is amazing when you're in the vicinity of a tower, and sadly they didn't test it, or they decided to release a case just at the same time they released the phone to take care of it (wait a sec).

I'm sure they do a lot a testing in house, which has a tower on campus. Do you think they could accurately test it in house then?

Also I think the Gizmodo iPhone did have a bumper on it. Why? Did the iPhone need it? Was it just to disguise the phone?

Every phone has weak spots, it's just stupid putting one in an area that is commonly touched 99% of the time.

 

[Kwill]

I've tried recreating the deathgrip on my verizon iphone without the case. I've managed to drop typically 1 bar (2 on rare occasions). Not a big issue for me, especially since i have a bumper.

How to hold your iPhone 4 (O2) video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPraHIymRGo​

 

[tim916]

In other words, CR writers were thinking this:

"How can we make headlines again?"

Exactly. A desperate attempt to stay relevant.

 

[matt56037]

Without getting too much into this conversation I'd just like to say that the people at Consumer Reports are nothing more than trolls. Without taking sides with Apple or with Consumer Reports, we all know that this issue isn't actually an issue. No one with an iPhone 4 actually notices this kind of thing when they use it on a daily basis.