Consumer Reports Still Not Recommending iPhone 4

[SiskoKid]

My Iphone 2G/3G never had issues with dropped calls and choppy reception at my house, no matter how I held them. The iphone4 does.

That's all the proof I need.

And I'm pretty sure the issue is not as bad on those other phones as it is on the iphone 4. If you really believe it is because Apple says so, then I don't think we'll ever agree. So, let's agree to disagree.

You probably don't have this issue, so I can understand your perspective, but I did have the issue and it was bad enough for me to return it. Consumer Reports not recommending it makes perfect sense to me.

People can read their full review and make their own decision.

It is an issue with ALL phones whether you like it or not. Your old phones DID have the issue, you probably didn't notice it. Here are other non-iPhone examples since you asked for proof.


* Samsung I9000 Galaxy S: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LROTHrTR92k

* HTC Evo Signal Attenuation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pj2YBYTbag

* Samsung Galaxy 1:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=

* Samsung Galaxy 2:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPCQdYtPihg

* Droid Incredible: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaDE941PzQk

* Droid Incredible (With Network Extender in Room): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpEQH9_A5jw&feature=related

* Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEIA_lMwqJA

* Nexus One vs. iPhone (start at 1:29): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvMoV4_C4aA

* Nexus One: http://posterous.com/getfile/files.p...n_-_iPhone.m4v

* Nexus One (after Google's update to correct): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2g5J4qPp54

* Nexus One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deCkjeHYT-g

* Android G1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CDaxhjUs9M

* "Major signal degradation when Nexus One is picked up" (N1 Thread on On this Problem): http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=34ae2c179184c33e&hl=en

 

[aristotle]

Let me ask you complainers again. How many of you had a case for your 3G or 3GS and how many of you actually have an iPhone 4?

Apple cannot fix the network because it is run by AT&T. What sort of hardware fix would you expect Apple to release to fix american cell network coverage?

@SiskoKid: Thanks for posting that.

 

[YankeeSR23]

I figure Apple gave 9/30 as a date so that early adopters will have enough time to get the bumper. There appears to be a 3 week delay on ordering new iPhones which suggests that Apple has a permanent solution in the works and needs time to implement it. I don't see why they would end the free case idea if they didn't have a permanent solution ready.

 

[rhanley]

Woz built the personal computer. lol Consumer reports is the most unbiased source for reviews in the world because they take no ad dollars. So when they loved the iphone they are great when they say there is a problem they are biased.sounds like sour grapes to me.

hahaha... well said.

I'd like to dredge up old discussions when CR recommended all previous versions... Now they don't recommend one (for a very valid reason) and they are just looking to "cash in".

People are too funny!

 

[Dr Kevorkian94]

thats not cool, consumer reports isnt that smart, even if Steves data was not good the antenna thing is blown way to out of proportion (as stated in the song). so they can not recommend all they want but it might bite them in the but. also the case thing is good, not the best fix but it helps alot and compared to the other phones that drop bars its better than nothing. don't get me wrong CR is usually great and pretty reliable but all this is just too much.

 

[persona1138]

Woz built the personal computer. lol Consumer reports is the most unbiased source for reviews in the world because they take no ad dollars. So when they loved the iphone they are great when they say there is a problem they are biased.sounds like sour grapes to me.

Newsflash... Every media outlet, regardless of ad revenue, is susceptible to bias. Trust me, I work in the field... It happens, whether or not they're getting money for it. Sometimes it's just for attention... And in my opinion, that's what it seems like in this case.

 

[bobbyz110]

I think it would be nice for Consumer Reports to test the phones listed in the apple presentation. They can do the same antenna reception and post their findings. When they find out that all the those phones do indeed exhibit the same reception behavior... then maybe they can issue "do not buy recommendations" for those phones as well. I mean c'mon.. fair is fair

 

[thirtyeyes]

Consumer Reports should be concerned that they are not recommending the fastest selling smart phone ever. I wonder why they aren't afraid that their recommendations are out of touch with the buying public.

 

[bahamallama]

I don't know why people are mad.

IF you don't like the phone don't buy it! IF YOU DID return, for free!!!!

If you are the other 99.5% Apple was talking about that doesn't have this problem, keep it and get a free case!

Again the funny part is it's the best cell phone but they can't recommend it!

I'm more waiting for the proximity sensor fix.

d

 

[DCJ001]

Yeah I wonder why they chose Sep 30? Why not until a permanent solution is made available? If iP4 owners are going to be stuck with this flaw they should extend that bumper deadline to when the next iphone comes out.

They chose Sep 30 because they did extend the bumper deadline to when the next iphone comes out.

 

[wschutz]

Good to see someone who doesn't get influenced but all the smoke and mirrors from the press conference

 

[rhanley]

Let me ask you complainers again. How many of you had a case for your 3G or 3GS and how many of you actually have an iPhone 4?

Apple cannot fix the network because it is run by AT&T. What sort of hardware fix would you expect Apple to release to fix american cell network coverage?

@SiskoKid: Thanks for posting that.

I never had a case on my Iphone 2G or 3G (just bodyguardz which doesn't resolve the iphone 4 issue).

I had an iphone4 and returned it 2 days ago.

I didn't really expect a fix, but I also didn't expect Apple to say, "Everyone other smart phone is having this problem, so it's ok if we have it too"... Not to mention it is very clear this issue is worse on the iphone4 when compared to others.. I'm not talking about a drop in bars.. I'm talking about being on a call, and the reception going choppy and dropping a call within a few seconds of barely touching the antenna separator.

Apple was very condescending, at least that's how I felt... Originally I stated that I would settle for a free bumper, but I'm now glad that I returned my phone because I didn't like how they handled the press conference.

 

[Blue Fox]

go figure, I never listen to consumer reports anyway......grandma's and 50+ yr olds do.

Agreed. Consumer Reports is a joke the majority of the time. All of the products that I usually have problems with they "recommended", so it's probably good that they didn't recommend the iPhone.

 

[itsmenyc]

Good for Consumer Reports. The bumper is nothing but a band-aid. I don't/didn't need a bumper or a case for my 3GS, 3G, 2G. Why for the iPhone 4?

You DON'T need one for the iPhone 4.

If you had bothered to experiment as I did you would find that you are able to drop bars with a "death grip" on the 3Gs.

 

[triceretops]

Blackberry too

My blackberry drops bars depending on how I hold it too. Either hand, normal grip, loses bars.

I wish I had an iPhone, but my contract doesn't expire for another year.

 

[Robert M.]

I think it would be nice for Consumer Reports to test the phones listed in the apple presentation. They can do the same antenna reception and post their findings. When they find out that all the those phones do indeed exhibit the same reception behavior... then maybe they can issue "do not buy recommendations" for those phones as well. I mean c'mon.. fair is fair

Be careful what you wish for! What if they tested them and found no problems? Then Apple would be in worse shape...

I just want everybody to move on. Apple screwed up, CR is doing nothing wrong. They said other then that issue, it's the best smartphone ever! Sounds like a win to me.

If all of you guys don't care then stop talking about it! Obviously you all do care...

 

[Vulpinemac]

Yeah I wonder why they chose Sep 30? Why not until a permanent solution is made available? If iP4 owners are going to be stuck with this flaw they should extend that bumper deadline to when the next iphone comes out.

Could it be possible that by September 30th Apple will have a modified version of the iPhone 4 already on the market? I would say that well fits into the timeline of redesigning and manufacturing the antenna components and get them started through the assembly process. Of course, with the fact that the antennae are also the frame of the phone, this means the assembly line workers will need to be retrained on the assembly. It appears to be an easy fix, but a complicated one.

 

[JayLenochiniMac]

My recent experience with CR. We were in need of replacing our 15 year old washer and dryer. So I decided to subscribe to CR for a year to get the best information possible. CR had a complete list of all the major brands. I would look at their top rated unit, then I would read all the reviews by CR readers that were posted right there on CR webpage. Almost all of CR top rated units were hammered by the actual purchasers. Really hammered. It seems none of the top rated CR were preferred by real people. Go there, read for yourself. If they don't know washers they sure as heck do not know cell phones. I would put Steve's 18 PHDs and 100 million dollar lab up against CR's "scientists" any day. I did not renew my subscription BTW

How's this any different from this forum, where the distractors overwhelm the quieter, satisfied users and blast the iPhone 4 left and right? Are you going to unsubscribe from MacRumors too?

 

[johnnyjibbs]

I'm not American so I have to take all your word for it on how influential it is but how the hell can you rate something #1 and best of class without recommending it?

Secondly, the cases: if you bought a 3rd party case and couldn't get a refund, you can still claim for a free Apple Bumper....

The thing is, it seems that Apple is not altering the manufacturing process and that actually the current design is fine. The 30th September date makes business sense - you don't commit to a freebie as a business without some sort of potential get-out clause. Non-issue as Apple will 99.9% renew the deal come that date if it is still deemed an issue. At the end of the day, come that time if they don't renew the deal and you still think it's an issue, don't blinkin' buy the phone...

As an iPhone 4 owner, I fully love my device and despite having erratic signal reporting (sometimes even with the bumper in place) I have never had any dropped calls or noticeable drop in data speed. I'm happy with the product and over the moon that I'm now going to get £25 back (I won't get into how a rubber band can cost £25 or how $29 translates to £25 even after VAT and the 'higher cost of business'). However, if at some point in the future Apple modified the design of the current iPhone 4, I will be asking for a replacement unit.

No journalist asked the question as to whether they would be changing the manufacturing process. I assumed from what Steve said that they would not be but it's a pity no-one clarified this as it seems to me as the most important question to have asked.

 

[persona1138]

Consumer Reports should be concerned that they are not recommending the fastest selling smart phone ever. I wonder why they aren't afraid that their recommendations are out of touch with the buying public.

The problem is, the media get more attention from negative reviews, which is ultimately all that matters. They want to sell their stories.

On the other hand, let's assume for a minute that they genuinely have issues with a product... Then yes, I agree, they're out of touch with consumers.

The fact is, though, a negative review is always better for critics' publicity than a positive one.

 

[Vahvakarhu]

guess consumer reports is not recommended.

Not so indipendent after all?! how many other cellphone brands they havent tasted on signal strength?

 

[rhanley]

If you have not had an issue and have been complaining about the ones that have, you shouldn't get a free case. You should only get one if you are having the issue.... Those same people that feel Apple can do no wrong are now going to take advantage of them by taking a free case for an issue they aren't having.... That is what I call hypocritical.

And let's be real -- the Apple fans complaining and whining about the CR Reports now are hypocrites as well. The same ones getting angry at the ones complaining about a real issue with their phone, and not some stupid product review.

If you don't like what CR is stating, don't read it or cancel your membership. You have options

 

[Branskins]

Meh... iPhone 4 still going to fly off the shelves. Consumer Reports is doing nothing but harming their own reputation.

Where's the relevance for Consumer Reports when they say don't buy but the phone sells 3 million in three weeks?

I don't see a correlation with their recommendation and the big sales of the iPhone. Sounds like we are making a big deal out of nothing.

Also, does CR recommend the same phones we saw during the press conference that showed similar behavior to the iPhone antenna?

 

[heavy2healthy]

what will be interesting is today jobs trashed all the other cell phone companies. It will be interesting to see what their response will be.

 

[itsmenyc]

Apple was very condescending, at least that's how I felt... Originally I stated that I would settle for a free bumper, but I'm now glad that I returned my phone because I didn't like how they handled the press conference.

So you returned the highest rated smart phone because you didn't like the press conference? I'm sorry, I don't follow the logic...