PR Experts Suggest iPhone 4 Recall 'Inevitable' as Antenna Issue Snowballs

[Sean4123]

I've said it once and i'll say it again. This is NOT that big of a deal.

Apple made a phone with a flaw. It IS a flaw that is easily fixable with a case or bumper. I don't care what people are saying, a bumper or case absolutely fixes the issue.

take the phone back or get a case. It is just a phone people. Your children weren't eaten by a wild boar.

 

[timbloom]

I don't think they will "recall" in a traditional sense. I think if they can easily fix the issue, they will just start producing a working phone and swap out the bad ones under warranty and try to play it off as a few isolated phones.

This will be most likely if they can find a way to isolate the antenna better without modifying their already-cramped case. But the issue's quickly gaining the momentum that may make it up to the courts, not Apple.

 

[sneezymarble]

MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE A LAW! IF UR TOO F*CKIN STUPID TO USE A IPHONE, YOU CANT BUY ONE!

You're right. Anyone that holds the iPhone 4 wrong is an iDiot.

Oh, wait...

 

[dogie678]

Originally Posted by crawdad62
Why don't use just return it? I'm being serious here and not trying to start a flame war. That way if it never gets a fix then you're not out. If it does then go get the new improved iP4.

exactly. iphone owners not happy with their phones still have a few more days to return their phones.

 

[iSee]

If the apologists wouldn't keep chiming in:
1) since they have no problem there is no problem.
2) you shouldn't expect to be able to hold the phone normally
3) everyone buys a case so just go buy one
4) just return the phone because as a consumer you have no right to quality products and if it costs you to returning tough, 'let the buyer beware'.

And getting everyone to respond to them these threads would be much much shorter and far less popular.

I'm not an apologist but the reception issue is a minor one to me. Why would I work myself into a lather for a issue that isn't actually causing a problem?

Why would I worry about how the iPhone works without a skin when it will never be without one?

Eeek! I'm naked under my clothes!!!! Eeek! The iPhone has reception issues when held a certain way without a case!!! Eeek!

 

[DetroitBORG]

This is probably the most flawed Apple product I've ever owned, but everything I've owned has been flawless (and I own ALOT!). However, the antenna is much less of an issue for me than the proximity sensor which is making the phone a nightmare to use.

I'm affraid that this may be the "Jumping the Shark" moment for the iPhone, Apple has such a reputation than any doubt put into the minds of consumers destroys, beyond reason, the notion that Apple can't do wrong.

 

[futbalguy]

I really hope the answer will simply be "buy a case". I hate using cases on my phones. The way I see it Apple (or any other manufacturer, or maybe not in Apple's situation) specifically designed a lovely design for their phone. Why would I want to bulk that out? I've tried phone cases (and iPod) and I've never stuck with them. All it takes is a bit of care.

If the answer is use a case I'll have to get another phone. I already cancelled my order when this problem first came to light.

The iPhone 4 is not as durable as the previous iPhones and it will shatter if you drop it. It also is pretty slippery and the case makes it much easier to hold on to.

 

[iSamurai]

If you believe a recall is inevitable, time to short the Apple stock. I mean, what do you think the cost of recalling potentially 2 million phones would be? Oh, and by the way, how about a class action lawsuit related to AT&T exclusivity? Not that that's a guaranteed win for the class, but the specter of losing such an action can't help the profit prospects for Apple.

Toyota has recalled 8 million cars... if this were HTC or Nokia I'm sure their action will happen much faster.

Any first-year electrical engineering student can tell you that if a person grasps an electrically-charged antenna capacitance will result. Translated to English...if you grab an antenna, the signal drops.

make that ANY engineering student. a software update is one of the most stupid cover ups I've heard. it might be a bit help if the phone detects attenuation and amplifies the signal compromising battery life.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

You're right. Anyone that holds the iPhone 4 wrong is an iDiot.

Oh, wait...

 

[ast03]

I really hope the answer will simply be "buy a case". I hate using cases on my phones. The way I see it Apple (or any other manufacturer, or maybe not in Apple's situation) specifically designed a lovely design for their phone. Why would I want to bulk that out? I've tried phone cases (and iPod) and I've never stuck with them. All it takes is a bit of care.

If the answer is use a case I'll have to get another phone. I already cancelled my order when this problem first came to light.

i got a bumper case yesterday and it still drops almost every bar when i hold it. im not holding it weird or anything. i just pick it up and it starts dropping bars. the bumper case has changed nothing

 

[wolfpackfan]

I've said it once and i'll say it again. This is NOT that big of a deal.

Any you are wrong. It is a big deal. You shouldn't be forced to buy a case to make your cell phone work properly. It is that simple.

 

[timbloom]

Let me make a comment, since we have 22 pages of BULL SH**T!

I have 0 problems with my Iphone 4, and the one issue I do have is it's so sensative, and so was the iPhone first gen, that sometimes I mute, etc.

Yet people rant and rave over attentuation, of signal, and I have not got any. In the bumper or out. Mind you I'm in NY, where AT&T signal sucks.

Yet I still have no issues. How many people have legitimate issues. You sound like asses, oh I got 1% attenuation. Your dumb ass wouldn't know, if you did or not!

People up on here make me sick!

Now I got my two cents in I already feel better.

Posting HUGE text makes your experience more valid than everyone that reproduces this problem on a daily basis. The problem is signal-based if you never have the issue, then you have great signal to start with. Just be careful when you get to moderate-signal areas (aka everywhere else)

 

[scriptx]

I really hope the answer will simply be "buy a case". I hate using cases on my phones. The way I see it Apple (or any other manufacturer, or maybe not in Apple's situation) specifically designed a lovely design for their phone. Why would I want to bulk that out? I've tried phone cases (and iPod) and I've never stuck with them. All it takes is a bit of care.

If the answer is use a case I'll have to get another phone. I already cancelled my order when this problem first came to light.

Plus, per Apple's recommendation, you should take the case out to charge it (unless it is a bumper style case or case with adequate ventilation) otherwise your battery will die a premature death.

 

[LagunaSol]

Actually, you can put out a mediocre product and still be profitable, as long as you market the product to the right audience.

For example, McDonald's Corporation does this very well.

Microsoft rules the "mediocre product, massive sales" niche.

 

[douglasf13]

I really hope the answer will simply be "buy a case". I hate using cases on my phones. The way I see it Apple (or any other manufacturer, or maybe not in Apple's situation) specifically designed a lovely design for their phone. Why would I want to bulk that out? I've tried phone cases (and iPod) and I've never stuck with them. All it takes is a bit of care.

If the answer is use a case I'll have to get another phone. I already cancelled my order when this problem first came to light.

I agree. I hate using cases, too. Fortunately, I found the case-mate "Barely There" case, and it doesn't add much bulk, so I can deal with it. The iPhone 4 with this case is still sleeker than just about any other phone.

 

[iSee]

You said noone ever read this, and I did!

I'll send your prize: a crunchy banana

 

[PeterQVenkman]

I'd bet a beer that the bumpers that apple made (who usually shy away from cases of any kind) are a proactive solution to design flaw they knew could cause a class action lawsuit. They give everyone a bumper with a purchase and send one out to anyone with problems.

Problem solved, no redesign to protect Job's ego.

 

[WeegieMac]

Actually, you can put out a mediocre product and still be profitable, as long as you market the product to the right audience.

For example, McDonald's Corporation does this very well.

Before stock makes profit for shareholders, the company must be producing/manufacturing/selling (delete as applicable) a product that sells.

Without product there is no profit. Without profit there is no rise in share price.

 

[peach23]

Just wondering if people overseas are seeing this issue - all the noise is about AT&T and in the US - but I haven't been able to find an iphone 4 in the UK that can show the problem -
Is it somehow an AT&T thing? am I useless at holding the phone? Does it only affect some phones?

Just curious as to how far this spreads outside the US as I haven't seen/heard much noise about it over here in the UK. I would think it should affect all phones on all networks - anyone have any data??

I'm from the UK and the iphone4 has given me better 3g coverage BUT when i hold the corner it drops the signal down till it finds the 2g coverage and then becomes full strength again, then no matter how i hold it the phone won't loose signal.

 

[timbloom]

You're right. Anyone that holds the iPhone 4 wrong is an iDiot.

Oh, wait...

/giggle

 

[BobVB]

Do you own it?

An iPhone 4? I just said I did. Arrived release day, as soon as it authorized I made calls and if I picked the phone up they dropped. Doctor called, I picked up phone and call dropped. Called Apple Experts they said they were aware of the problem and expect a fix on Monday. Then Jobs starts saying totally conflicting things. After enough conflicting BS I tried to return it, AT&T wants to charge a restock fee even after being shown Apple's letter promising full refund.

Waiting now to see if Apple has any honor left.

 

[savar]

Pretty sure points equals dollars in this scenario. He doesnt mean basis points.

Well while we are redefining words, I'm going to define "you" as "me" and "me" as "you".

Now can me tell you if that makes sense?

Points refers to percentage points. Basis points are hundredths of a percentage point. Dollars are dollars. Quoting a stock's price movement in dollars is ALWAYS useless. The magnitude of the change must be reported as a proportion of the original price, i.e. a percentage.

 

[ast03]

it seems like they didnt even know about this till the public got their hands on it. and if that is true am not as upset but they still must fix a product if it does not perform it's very basic purpose.

 

[i.mac]

this is 'like totally' toyota recall, let us see...

1. you purchase toyota product, do not like it, return it for full refund...

2. you purchase toyota product, breaks/acc fail, you die or at least have an insurance nightmare in your head if an accident happens, or worst...

3. you purchase toyota product, still want to use it regardless, you like totally can do that...

4. ... ah... do not want to keep wasting my time...


...oh wait... #3 applies to iphone4 as well... yupe, you guys are right, it is like a toyota recall... like totally...

 

[WalterNeff]

This wouldn't be an issue

if Grey Powell had finished his testing.

Kidding aside, mine's fine.