PR Experts: iPhone 4 Hardware Recall is "Inevitable"

[yodaxl7]

The only way that I will regain faith in apple is if they do a full recall. They always say that they're about creating the BEST products out there. A phone that can barely make calls does not fit under that category. And all the people that are saying a case fixes the problem, that may be true but it doesn't change the fact that you were sold a phone that shoots radiation through your hand instead of to a cell tower. Unacceptable.

All current phones shoot radiation throught your hand, because the antenna is located in the bottom inside except iphone 4.

I doubt there will be a recall. I am curious as to how many people don't ever buy a case for their iphones.

 

[Juan007]

The only thing inevitable is that these "eggspurts" will be proven wrong once again.

 

[jburns]

You have no data. "The vast majority?" The vast majority might not be AWARE of any issue - doesn't mean they don't have it. And if there's a recall - it's going to be a voluntary one when/if there's any change made. That doesn't mean EVERYONE will return it. Some people will think their's is just fine

PS - I don't know what YOU think is a recall - but what you described IS a recall. They will change production (if needed) and then people will be able to swap theirs out. It's not like everyone is going to send their phone in and wait for a new one.

So a) New production model (sprayed, whatever) and swap outs
or b) (if possible) people will bring their phones into the Apple Store to be "treated" - something more of a nightmare as lines and wait times will be insane.

Actually - it'll be a pain either way

And everyone will practically be forced to stand in that line because of the resale problem down the road. Next year when its time to sell your phone the first thing you will be asked is if it has been fixed or is it one of the faulty early models.

 

[OHCasper]

Free bumper, free voucher for Apple Store (say, $30 to cover a good case), and an option to upgrade to next year's model without penalty. I think I could live with something like that.

I'd be game for that.

Particularly considering the fact that the vast majority of the iPhone 4 users are not having any issues.

Buwahahahaha!!! I don't know anyone in my area with the new iPhone NOT having the problem.

aren't we all 2 million fools?????? at least the blue screen of death could be fixed with a software update ahhahhahahhahahhaha

Correction, the software updates CAUSE the BSOD. LOLOLOL

I want to wait it out and see what this software update does. However, I'm quickly closing in on my 30 day window to return it. I'm not sure what to do at this point.

 

[yodaxl7]

Check this electromagnetic engineer's opinion about the cr report.

Very interesting article to read on :

http://mobileanalyst.wordpress.com/...eport-consumer-reports-study-is-full-of-crap/

 

[Makaveliarts]

I didn't bother reading the report, but if they tested other iPhones by holding it in the same spot as iPhone 4 then it's a stupid a$$ test. We know exactly where the weak spot is on the iPhone 4, but other iPhone antennas are internal so they can't see where they need to hold for signal attentuation. I can say that my iPhone 3GS on iOS 4 exhibits similiar signal drop when I cup the bottom of the phone when I'm in weak signal area

I drop only 1-2 bar when I cup the bottom, and it will eventually bounce back up to full bars. When I hold it tightly, covering the whole left side, I can make myself drop to 1 bar. It also kills the upload speed, but I can makes calls normally etc. I preordered the 3Gs. If needed I could give screenshots of the 3G speed tests and give the model number.

 

[br0adband]

Broadband, just one of the factories Foxconn uses to make the iPhone has 420,000 workers that reside and work within.

Yes, that's true, but those factories aren't cranking out JUST iPhones 24/7; Apple's products make up an incredibly minute portion of their overall potential output on a daily basis, so 20,000 units a day is being more than generous, even if I have to say "on a per factory basis..." as well.

People seem to think that Foxconn = 24/7 Apple only iPhone production and that's far from the truth. The sheer amount of iPhone production that actually takes place is the proverbial "drop in the bucket" for what comes outta those slave brigades on a daily basis, nothing at all really.

Apple has just over 200 stores worldwide with vast majority of them here in the US, obviously. I can't find actual statistics on AT&T stores, but they claim thousands so I guess that has to do, as well as Walmarts and Radio Shacks as well.

I'm still not convinced they sold 1.7 million in 3 days, not even with all the pre-orders, but that's just me. If I doubt the 1.7 million figure I can sure as hell doubt the 2 million or whatever they'll toss out next too. I usually buck trends and go against the flow, so this is no different for me. I just don't believe them once again, only time will tell if I'm accurate or not.

 

[br0adband]

Check this electromagnetic engineer's opinion about the cr report.

Very interesting article to read on :

http://mobileanalyst.wordpress.com/...eport-consumer-reports-study-is-full-of-crap/

I'd say that guy's report was the real crap. Can't test the effect of holding the phone in your hand without - *gasp* - holding the phone in your hand, which is what CR and Anand and Engadget and many other sites including Spencer Webb's own experience as well and HE is actually an antenna design engineer so, no offense to Bob Egan but I'm sticking with Spencer on this one.

You can read Spencer's stuff here:

http://www.antennasys.com/antennasys-blog/

Make sure you read it in the proper order, start at the posting near the bottom (his oldest iPhone 4 related post), and then read the posts as they go up the page (and are newer chronologically).

I'm still waiting for him to post his new results based on his own iPhone 4 - should be tomorrow or Wednesday hopefully, but I fully expect them to mirror what every other website has discovered:

"It's the antenna, stupid..."

 

[SRLMJ23]

Look people, the are going to do what Microsoft did with the original Xbox 360's. Some of them overheated, not all, just like not all iphone 4's have the reception issue (like mine). For the people who do have the reception issue they will offer a recall, and a recall doesnt mean they have to change the design of the phone, did Microsoft change the design of the Xbox? No. They changed a few little things and bam no more overheating. If the Apple Engineer's cant figure out a little hardware fix like a coating or something then apparently they arent the best in the world.

I also think Apple should do what Microsoft did and give everyone a 3 year warranty on their iPhone's or something similiar.

Recall does not mean total redesign.

 

[RA19]

I am surprised by Apple's continuing silence in all this and concerned at stories that the latest Consumer Reports review has been removed, allegedly, from Apple-owned forums.

I am a big Mac / iPhone fan and am really glad I didn't rush out this time to get the iPhone 4. Apple really need to do the right thing here as each day (imho) that these issues fail to be resolved is harming their brand image and equity.

 

[spiritlevel]

...just like not all iphone 4's have the reception issue (like mine)....

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your iPhone DOES have the reception issue. They ALL do. You just haven't been anywhere yet (with lower signal strength) that has made you aware of it.

If you are 100% confident that your iPhone does not suffer from the reception issue (ie. around 20db signal attenuation when held), then why not put your money where your mouth is?

Someone on this forum is offering a bet of between $1K - $10K (your choice) that your phone suffers from this problem too. He will pay for your phone to be sent (by you) to a mutually agreeable independent testing centre for testing. If your phone proves to not suffer from the issue, you win the bet. If your phone does suffer from the issue, he wins and you also pay him back the testing fees.

Are you game? it's an easy $10K if you're right...

 

[SRLMJ23]

Ok, well I've been quite a few places with my phone and I haven't had any issues. Maybe I do live in a very strong AT&T area, but I really don't think everywhere I've been is one. I suppose you and the other person you referenced are right, I'll update you if I experience the problem somewhere else than my most "roamed" area.

I'd really like to focus on the point of this thread, which is the point of a recall. I'd like to hear your opinion on that.

 

[spiritlevel]

Well I think it's more likely than not now that there will be a recall (despite Apple doing everything it possibly can to avoid that). As the article this thread references points out, Apple's reputation and brand is far more important than the costs of recalling any single product, however difficult that might be for them to swallow...and Apple's reputation is seriously suffering here.

I think we will know the answer reasonably soon now - based on the anticipated launches in the 2nd phase countries - I doubt they will go ahead on schedule unless Apple has already worked out how to fix the issue and has updated it's production line.

If they come to the conclusion that a recall is inevitable, then the sooner they start that recall the better.

I still hold out a small hope that there may be more to the promised software update than simply a recalibration of the bars display, mainly due to the length of time it is taking...but that remains to be seen and until then it is just vapourware.

I think if Apple had fessed up earlier and offered free bumpers they might have got away with it - but I think it has gone too far for that now.

 

[Fabienne]

Experts say: There Won't Be An iPhone Recall Over A Tiny Silly Matter Which Can Be Taken Care Of With A Decent Case.

Looks like every phone out there has some "thing" that everyone is jumping on: EVO has a short battery life, iPhone has the antenna issue, Invincible isn't the advanced phone that EVO is, Nexus One is expensive, the list goes on. The only one which is getting any universal love is the Palm Pre, and that poor thing has won the most regrettable title of "The Best Phone That is Going Nowhere". The public loves a loser.

 

[ptsube]

Experts say: There Won't Be An iPhone Recall Over A Tiny Silly Matter Which Can Be Taken Care Of With A Decent Case.

Looks like every phone out there has some "thing" that everyone is jumping on: EVO has a short battery life, iPhone has the antenna issue, Invincible isn't the advanced phone that EVO is, Nexus One is expensive, the list goes on. The only one which is getting any universal love is the Palm Pre, and that poor thing has won the most regrettable title of "The Best Phone That is Going Nowhere". The public loves a loser.

What experts said that? I haven't heard of the Invincible. And since when has the Palm Pre received universal love?

 

[BoleCailey]

I really don't get why people are freaking out about the antennae issues. Maybe I am lucky and my phone works better than most. I can hold the phone with my left hand with three fingers along the bottom left corner of the phone and still make calls without any of them dropping. I will say while doing a speed test on 3g that I can greatly reduce the connection speed by using the "death grip," but this is only when I am trying to create it. My roommate is even left handed, he is using his without a case and he has not had a single dropped call since getting it on launch day.

Consumer Reports is also not known for being unbiased, honest or reliable. Do some google magic and see what you can find. I don't take anything they say as being worth a damn.

Maybe some people are having excessive reception problems, but I suspect most iPhone 4 users are not having major issues with the antennae. I also wonder how much of it is caused by AT&T's "crappy" network. I live in Houston where AT&T's coverage is awesome so maybe that is why my roommate and I have not had any problems.

 

[mmyers0520]

recall unlikely but a credit would be nice. or a free in-store 'repair' for those that can proove a reception issue. If they can replace a screen/lcd in 10 minutes the genius bar can certainly handle fixing the hardware in a way that will yield better reception down the road

 

[b166er]

Yes, that's true, but those factories aren't cranking out JUST iPhones 24/7; Apple's products make up an incredibly minute portion of their overall potential output on a daily basis, so 20,000 units a day is being more than generous, even if I have to say "on a per factory basis..." as well.

People seem to think that Foxconn = 24/7 Apple only iPhone production and that's far from the truth. The sheer amount of iPhone production that actually takes place is the proverbial "drop in the bucket" for what comes outta those slave brigades on a daily basis, nothing at all really.

Apple has just over 200 stores worldwide with vast majority of them here in the US, obviously. I can't find actual statistics on AT&T stores, but they claim thousands so I guess that has to do, as well as Walmarts and Radio Shacks as well.

I'm still not convinced they sold 1.7 million in 3 days, not even with all the pre-orders, but that's just me. If I doubt the 1.7 million figure I can sure as hell doubt the 2 million or whatever they'll toss out next too. I usually buck trends and go against the flow, so this is no different for me. I just don't believe them once again, only time will tell if I'm accurate or not.

2 million is not that big of a number, not for Apple anyway. Look at how many iPad's they sold in a short period of time. The iPhone 4 has a better screen, more RAM, etc- I'm sure they anticipated sales to be at least in the iPad ballpark. You are correct that the factories make other products. But they were cranking out these new phones for a while before launch day. I don't think these numbers are far fetched given the sales of every previous iPhone and iPad. Did you believe the iPad numbers? Also- they say they SOLD 1.7 million, they didn't SHIP all of them yet. My credit card was charged the instant I did my pre-order last month.

 

[fsck-y dingo]

the reason he's not going to accept the flaw is because ....he knows he will look like a big douche if he ever accepts the design flaw...

Given Mr. Job's behavior so far I'd say that mission has already been accomplished.

 

[whsbuss]

Maybe some people are having excessive reception problems, but I suspect most iPhone 4 users are not having major issues with the antennae. I also wonder how much of it is caused by AT&T's "crappy" network. I live in Houston where AT&T's coverage is awesome so maybe that is why my roommate and I have not had any problems.

I wish those who haven't experienced are dropped calls/lost data connectivity because of the antenna design would please stop all this great coverage stuff. If/when you traverse from those large cities where AT&T coverage is so great, you will find weak signal strength WILL affect your IP4 too! Mobile=the ability to move from one lcation to another.

 

[b166er]

I wish those who haven't experienced are dropped calls/lost data connectivity because of the antenna design would please stop all this great coverage stuff. If/when you traverse from those large cities where AT&T coverage is so great, you will find weak signal strength WILL affect your IP4 too! Mobile=the ability to move from one lcation to another.

Honestly, I have been all over Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware since I got my phone. I have not had any issues with my reception. I'm not watching my bars like a hawk, but when I went to make calls I experienced no issues. Now, I have not been to any backwoods areas- but I'm sure my phone wouldn't work in those kinds of places, because none of my previous cell phones ever did either, including my iPhone 3G.

 

[jlyanks85]

I'm sure every iPhone 4 made has this issue in some form. If there's people saying that they don't have the issue, their either lying, doesn't bother them much or people think it's just bad reception in their area. Or it's not that bad for some people.

 

[b166er]

I'm sure every iPhone 4 made has this issue in some form. If there's people saying that they don't have the issue, their either lying, doesn't bother them much or people think it's just bad reception in their area. Or it's not that bad for some people.

Just like I lied when I said FedEx was coming a day early.

 

[br0adband]

My credit card was charged the instant I did my pre-order last month.

Are you in the US? If so, there's a law that prevents such a thing if I'm not mistaken, but I could be wrong. My understanding is that it's against the law for you to be charged the full product or purchase price for something - even on a pre-order type deal - until it is shipped from whatever distribution center it's coming from.

As the pre-orders didn't ship till at least a given date (what was it, the 20th?) and the pre-order itself was the 14th (I could be mistaken on that as well, if I am I apologize, can't find an accurate reference), it wouldn't have been legit of Apple or whoever to charge you the complete price for something that hadn't shipped yet...

Most people could (and do) care less about the fine print or what's right or wrong but, if I order something and they say it'll ship on a certain date - not the date that I order it - they are not going to charge me for it. That protects the consumer from possible order mishaps, backlogs, sudden loss of inventory, etc - they haven't paid for something they're not absolutely going to have shipped, I mean.

Semantics? Probably, but I ain't paying for something till it ships. I don't mind a small pre-order fee, like 10% down or whatever to guarantee an item is set aside for me specifically and then the full balance charged when the item ships but, full price when ordered and it's shipped some other date, forget that.

If I order a laptop from Dell and it says it won't be shipped for 3 weeks, they don't charge me the full purchase price till 10 minutes after the delivery is turned over to the shipping agent, for example. Never heard of any company getting away with charging full price on the pre-order, that's insane.

But... we are talking about Apple I suppose.

 

[bclizzle]

how can they not recall? or offer something at least? whether its a free bumper til they figure something out, or something.

when a car company has a design flaw - its an immediate response - and they HAVE to do it. obviously a toyota accelerator killing people doesnt compare to a phone... but a manufacturer has to held accountable when selling 2 million devices at at least $200 a pop