Mexican Carrier Executive Claims iPhone 4 Hardware Revision Coming by End of September

[Bonds79]

CanalMX reports [Google translation] on comments from an executive at Mexican carrier Telcel claiming that Apple is set to release a revised version of the iPhone 4 by the end of September to address the highly-publicized antenna issue. Telcel began offering the iPhone 4 in Mexico last Friday as part of a quiet expansion that saw the device also come to the Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Portugal, and Slovakia.

According to Marco Quatorze, Telcel's Director of Value Added Services, the iPhone 4 sold in Mexico will initially be the same hardware as that sold in the U.S. and elsewhere, with Apple offering a free case to address potential issues with antenna performance. But he also noted that as of September 30th, when the free case program expires, revised hardware without the reception issues will become available.

The veracity of Quatorze's claim is unknown, as it is unclear whether a carrier executive at his level would even be privy to such information, and it is possible that he may simply be mistaken in his understanding of Apple's September 30th expiration date for the free case program. At Apple's iPhone 4 press conference last month, Steve Jobs noted that the free case program was launched with an initial expiration date of September 30th to provide the company with time to continue its investigation of the antenna issue and perhaps come up with a better solution for future customers.

Article Link: Mexican Carrier Executive Claims iPhone 4 Hardware Revision Coming by End of September

Where are all the idiots that for weeks said
" there is NOT GOING TO BE A REDESIGN "

I guess those idiots are looking real dumb right now.

 

[Windacintosh]

I've put off buying the iPhone 4 because the possibility of something like this happening was bugging me. After weeks of waiting, I finally promised myself I would buy it along with the newer iPod Touch coming out (which I'm getting as a gift for a relative). But I suppose I could wait until the end of September to see what happens (if anything).

 

[aelalfy]

I have no idea of the inner workings of the FCC, do you? I have no idea how long it takes to have a product go through approval or if one could just submit an addendum/revision to the previous application. It's not ike they are starting from scratch with this process, like you make it seem. Who knows, they could have already submitted this revision and nobody knows about it.



Well, apparently this one didn't.

Sorry, I just liked this line the best.

Well please educate yourself about what manfucturers need to do to get a product to the masses. There are tons of articles on what the FCC regulators do and how long it takes. Also read about what companies like apple do before even applying to get a predict approved. Also it's not as simple to submit a change request on a product, they don't just say here we put a coating and that's it, there are several tests that need to be redone to check if the change had an effect on another functionality. I mean puttin a coating could interfere with signal all together, both apple and the FCC need to test for this. Just read about what happens there are many articles and many scenarios there.

Also no apple could not try to hide the FCC approval, A company can only withhold documentation from the public for so long, then it's open to the public, please go check other examples. Many of these media companies would immediately notice such documentations and it would create a disaster for apple.

Technically, adding a thin insulating coat to it would still be a hardware revision, though. A very, very minor one, but a revision nonetheless.

And since one of the fixes to the antenna non-issue is putting nail polish over the black strip, that's what I expect to happen.

Of course a thin insulation is a small change not a redesign, making testing for both apple and the FCC easier but its not the FCC sits around waiting for apples next product, I mean those people are very busy and getting a request change on a product to be approved can take months maybe more.

Apple could of course make a small change without asking for approval, which is ultimately the only other option it has, but it would risk getting the product banned from being imported if the FCC finds out.

I'm very definite that the only change we will see is in iPhone 5 or whatever it will be called. Apple can not sell a product while changing a design flaw, that's completely impossible and unacceptable by today's standards.

Thank you,
AE

 

[SAD*FACED*CLOWN]

Where are all the idiots that for weeks said
" there is NOT GOING TO BE A REDESIGN "

I guess those idiots are looking real dumb right now.

bless your little heart...this is a rumor...no redesign has been confirmed....

 

[marksman]

Steve Jobs is more powerful then the Mexican Drug Cartels.

¡Adiós trabajo!

It will be funny when people start claiming they have a new model phone after September 30th, and how some crazy people will sell their current iPhone to get a new one.

Just means more sales for Apple without them having to do anything.

 

[VladM]

The fanboys bleating about how there will not be a redesign (or a silent update, whatever) remind me of the same idiots who vehemently insisted that the current design is something "Apple would never allow" when the Gizmodo story broke, on this very forum.

 

[Glideslope]

There are certain EU guidelines Apple has to follow. One of them says the buyer is entitled to a properly working product. If Apple releases an updated version that resolves a certain issue this would automatically mark the former version as defective. According to a particular EU guideline this would mean you can trade in for a revision model since that model is considered to be a properly working version. This also shows why it is very unlikely this rumour is true.

LOL. The EU. Where is that EU Constitution these days?

Apple has a right to "make an improvement" to a design. They gave everyone a chance to bring back the phone if they were unhappy with it at it's opening level of performance.

People keep confusing "fixing a defect" versus "implementing a performance improvement".

Do people really forget the infamous "buy a revision B" Apple product mantra? Well I don't. Apple has made unannounced hardware revisions for years.

A revision is on the way, and you currently have NO legal road to follow. You did not return your early phones, so you are "Happy" as far as the law is concerned.

 

[marksman]

There are issues with the antenna. Last week I went to the Apple Store in central London, held the phone with my left hand while browsing the web in a perfectly normal position. In less than a minute there was only one bar and browsing was nearly impossible. I tried this with 3 different iPhones 4 and in both T-Mobile and Orange. They all had the same problem. I am sure some of you do not have the problem, you might hold your phone the "right" way, but for me (and a lot of other people) it's pretty obvious there's a flaw. I really want to buy the new iPhone but I can't conceivably think of spending £500 on a phone that has such a basic design flaw. Hoping for a revision come end of September...

Stop molesting all the phones in the apple store. If you want to try out an iPhone and see if it works buy one. Don't go to an apple store and molest a bunch of phones and come here acting like you are some sort of expert.

I think they're more likely to just put the bumper in the box, than change the design.

I believe this as well. People read way too much into the September 30th date at the time and they continue to do so. They put up a date so they could do just what they said, re-evaluate. Without a date some people would assume they could just get a free bumper/case for the rest of the time iPhones are in existence. It is because of stupid people companies have to make stupid disclaimers. That is all that was.

It would be ridiculous for Apple to spend the money redoing their current model iPhone when they can not even meet demand right now. They will have a new model out in another 9 months. It makes no sense to remanufacture the current device.

Aye Caramba

Actually, there are a fair number of non-Apple people who would be privy to such information.

Certainly the suppliers would know but for a telecom, one would expect at least some of the following to be in the know: shipping people, finance, channel sales/biz dev, inventory specialists, senior marketing staff, probably some tech support managers.

Yeah don't get most of that actually. Why would shipping people have to know what is being shipped? This would be a manufacturing change. Sales people certainly no way would be in the loop nor would any tech support people on any level. Most of the people you mentioned would have no participation in any of this. If they did make a change, which they are not doing, it would be minimal, and there would be no need for anyone to know about it.

Why as a consumer should you give care if Company X makes money/profitable?

Others already explained this... but just wanted to put my two cents in, to reiterate what a dull point you made.

u make it sound so simple. ive tried to "return" it to get a replacement and all they said was "hmmm maybe use it for a bit longer and see if the error remains" ... "hmmm its a known issue and u can use a bumper" ... "hmmm a replacement won't help cuz all iPhones have this issue in certain areas" (after that bi'''' said theres no issue )

You are missing the point. When people tell you to return your defective device they are telling you to return it and get your money back. Not just keep getting replacements. If the device does not work for you and you do not like it, return it for a refund and go find something that works for you.

 

[gatearray]

In the era of "ifixit" teardowns, there can be no such thing as a "silent recall", so please stop suggesting such nonsense.

Word would get out in ten minutes if one bit of the iPhone 4 was redesigned resulting in an "improved" antenna, make no mistake, and it would be carnage.

No slowing of iPhone sales according to the Apple Stores I have seen, it truly is a non-issue for the buying public of all walks of life.

 

[zoomp]

The veracity of Quatorze's claim is unknown, as it is unclear whether a carrier executive at his level would even be privy to such information, and it is possible that he may simply be mistaken in his understanding of Apple's September 30th expiration date for the free case program.

I just wanted to point out that Telcel is part of America Movil, this is a huuge tele company, owners of major players in 18 countries. I mean they own all of Latin America big phone companies. And you might remember Carlos Slim, the billionaire that is the richest guy in the planet, well... this is the company that made his fortune.

When they first introduced the iphone in another countries, I was quite surprise by how fast they got to Latin America, until I saw which companies had the privilege of being the sole vendor. Yep, all from his group.

 

[Minimoose 360]

Don't really care, I am able to use my iPhone perfectly as is.


But it would be nice to shut up all the fandroids

 

[iKrl]

Being Mexican myself, you can't trust them Mexicans.

Trust me.

True
I'm mexican too, and telcel doesn't say but lies, they said the iPhone 4 was going to arrive to Mexico in july and some others said December. You really can't trust this company, liying and missleading is their strong point

 

[ddavid]

According to Marco Quatorze, Telcel's Director of Value Added Services, the iPhone 4 sold in Mexico will initially be the same hardware as that sold in the U.S. and elsewhere, with Apple offering a free case to address potential issues with antenna performance. But he also noted that as of September 30th, when the free case program expires, revised hardware without the reception issues will become available.

Does anyone believe that Apple would divulge this info to Mexico? Hell, you can't even trust the police in Mexico!

How do you say idiot in spanish? Why would anyone buy an iPhone in Mexico if there will be a new one in 30 days? What kind of fool tells that information to the press? It sounds like Marco needs to go play polo and stop making self-important statements to the press. There is no way that Apple is foolish enough to divulge information to el-dumbass.

 

[Windacintosh]

Stop molesting all the phones in the apple store. If you want to try out an iPhone and see if it works buy one. Don't go to an apple store and molest a bunch of phones and come here acting like you are some sort of expert.

I don't know about you, but I would never even think of purchasing a product as expensive as this phone without trying it beforehand. The display models aren't there for decoration, you know

 

[bushido]

CORRECTION: You haven't actually tried to "return it"...you have tried to trade it in for another iPhone4 that works the same as your current one. If you don't like the way the phone operates, just say "I would like to return this and get a refund..." If you have a problem doing this, spend a few hours in front of a mirror practising it and I'm sure you will be able to handle it when you try it for real!

i cant do that either cuz they tell me i signed up for a 2 year contract which has nothing to do with the phone itself. so ur suggesting i'm paying a iPhone plan for 2 years without having the phone no thx

 

[atomicbatteries]

If this is accurate, which remains to be seen, this is going to piss off an awful lot of people off and I would be one of them

And it will also make Steve Jobs into a big fat liar!

Shame on him for not admitting it in the first place!

 

[marksman]

The fanboys bleating about how there will not be a redesign (or a silent update, whatever) remind me of the same idiots who vehemently insisted that the current design is something "Apple would never allow" when the Gizmodo story broke, on this very forum.

What are you talking about?

I don't know about you, but I would never even think of purchasing a product as expensive as this phone without trying it beforehand. The display models aren't there for decoration, you know

Yeah not the same thing as ignorantly molesting an iPhone in an Apple store. As someone else noted, they would be on wifi, so what he was doing was just dumb. He won't buy an iPhone because he doesn't know what he is doing. Did he bother to ask for assistance or just ignorantly molest the phones? I suspect the later... You?

i cant do that either cuz they tell me i signed up for a 2 year contract which has nothing to do with the phone itself. so ur suggesting i'm paying a iPhone plan for 2 years without having the phone no thx

That is not accurate at all. If you return the phone during the ample return window, your contract reverts back to where it was. This has been discussed 1000x here, and would be told to you if you asked anyone at AT&T or Apple. I am not sure I understand your inability to return your phone because you claim it does not work, yet your continued desire to act like you have been put in some kind of bad position by Apple/AT&T.

 

[swagi]

How could a news article saying Apple might be releasing an updated and fixed iPhone 4 be negative?
If this does happen I might finally be able to put down my hard earned money for one .

Nah...wait for iPhone5. There will be no fix. Or go Android -

- which I just did. But not because of Antennagate, but because of the horrid plan, T-Mobile bundles in Germany. If only Apple would stop this stupid carrier exclusivity.

 

[MacGiver]

Don't really care, I am able to use my iPhone perfectly as is.

+1...I never ever experienced a dropped called...i'd rather see the prox sensor being fixed...Soon Steve said...it's been 3 months...when is soon?

 

[bushido]

What are you talking about?




Yeah not the same thing as ignorantly molesting an iPhone in an Apple store. As someone else noted, they would be on wifi, so what he was doing was just dumb. He won't buy an iPhone because he doesn't know what he is doing. Did he bother to ask for assistance or just ignorantly molest the phones? I suspect the later... You?

That is not accurate at all If you return the phone during the ample return window, your contract reverts back to where it was. This has been discussed 1000x here, and would be told to you if you asked anyone at AT&T or Apple. I am not sure I understand your inability to return your phone because you claim it does not work, yet your continued desire to act like you have been put in some kind of bad position by Apple/AT&T.

check my location im from germany, the speech steve gave about simply returning it only counts for the us and at&t. anyway, ill just "drop it" by mistake and get a new one if they come uo with a "fix"

 

[junkie365]

I predict that they will quietly add something like a coating but that they will continue the case program until the end of the year. That way they can clear the channel of inventory and then discontinue the case program because the problem will no longer be a problem.

The downside is that they would be paying for cases longer than i needed but they would also reduce the PR attack.

 

[MattInOz]

Context. Perspective. Common sense.

....doesn't sell newspapers.

 

[MattInOz]

check my location im from germany, the speech steve gave about simply returning it only counts for the us and at&t. anyway, ill just "drop it" by mistake and get a new one if they come uo with a "fix"

Isn't Germany part of the EU?
Wouldn't they have had decent comsummer protection in place well before that?

When Jobs said Not happy Return it. It wasn't a specific Apple policy for this event .He was encouraging people to live up to their side of the deal as consumers and take advantage of laws that are seasonably common world wide. The rights of Consumers to vote with their feet. Get a dud and in any complex machine like a phone, computer or car there will be a few take it back decide if you risk another one, change model or get a refund.

Not that it really needs specific law even basic contract law requires then to live up to their side of the deal if they expect you to live up to your side.

 

[absynth]

Can we exchange our 'defective' iPhones for one of these then?

Why are you buying defective equipment in the first place? if it's a problem to you, don't buy. Don't complain afterwards that other people that waited cannot have a revised one. It's retarded logic.

 

[globalist]

it is unclear whether a carrier executive at his level would even be privy to such information, and it is possible that he may simply be mistaken in his understanding of Apple's September 30th expiration date for the free case program.

This.

/thread