I’ve been following all of the iPhone 4 stuff since I got mine the day before release. I was able to replicate the signal issue. I also had the proximity sensor issue, causing inadvertent mute button pushing. There were a few other software issues I was experiencing so I consulted Apple at the Fifth Avenue store in New York. They replaced my phone. The diagnostic showed that the OS was corrupt and certain utilities were failing. [They claimed that]all phones with a proximity sensor issue were being sent back to Apple for further study.
Well, when I got the new phone it was different. It was different hardware. The black [plastic]bezel isn’t as black on the new one. I couldn’t see the proximity sensor at all on the previous iPhone 4, now I can. The stainless steel band on the new phone is less ‘steel-y’ and more matte. I’ve also tried to replicate the signal drop and failure. While I can’t say for sure that it is entirely fixed, there is certainly huge improvement. I’m guessing they coated the steel with something, took some black out of the bezel and sent them out without saying too much about it. I also think Apple is willing to warranty a phone for any reason except the signal issue.
The guy next to me said that he had to press the home button several times before the phone would come back from stand-by. This happened once. The Apple tech ran the diagnostic, everything was fine. They still replaced his phone. I think they’re doing a ‘silent recall’.
We doubt Apple would do something like this. While it would seem smart to silently modify the production process – coating the antenna was the solution suggested to us by a chemical engineer – and only replace the units of those who actually protest about it at the store, it would not be good for the company if something like this gets uncovered. Apple hasn’t answered our questions about this subject.
Again, this is a single isolated reader report and we have not been able to confirm it: Following his claim, we exchanged one of our units, but we didn’t get any different hardware back. The antenna reception problem was still there.
ij
July 14, 2010 at 8:38 AM
Because, as we all know, Apple never replaces items that don’t work properly.
Report PermalinkAdam
July 14, 2010 at 9:17 AM
It’s bemusing that we don’t even have an Aussie release date yet. Maybe by the time it gets over here it’ll be perfect and we’ll be wondering what all the fuss was about.
Report PermalinkMatt Stone
July 14, 2010 at 9:31 AM
I hope you are right Adam… it is probably the ONLY advantage of always getting stuff late.
Report PermalinkVijay Alapati
July 14, 2010 at 9:56 AM
I don’t think so, People are still ready to buy irrespective of the defects it has. If they fix it then they must first replace the handsets of the customers who brought it. No way. Steve will spend money to train the people on “How to hold ur mobile” :)
Report PermalinkArfur Sixpence
July 14, 2010 at 10:56 AM
That people still want to buy this defective device is beyond belief. I am so glad I was unsuccessful in persuading Her Indoors to hold off from buying a 3GS in order to wait for the new one! What a load of old bollocks and to think there are millions of numpties out there who can’t wait to worship at Jobbie’s altar!
Report PermalinkMark Santer
July 14, 2010 at 10:17 AM
Obviously is it a design flaw. But I would still buy one because I would immediately put a bumper on it anyway. Problem solved. If you don’t then I think you are foolish. Yes the metal band is cool but I am more interested in the actual great features of the phone.
Wish the would hurry up and set a release date in OZ!
Report PermalinkBetterThanBozo
July 14, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Ok, it’s a design flaw but you’d still buy one and put a bumper on it. All you’re doing is reinforcing the attitude that Apple has – make it look good, if there’s a technical flaw don’t worry because the masses will buy it and forgive you with a workaround. The reality distortion field is really kicking in on this product – are we that stupid to let a company do this to us? Fight back, don’t buy this thing until they fix it. And for the record, before this antenna issue came up, I thought of upgrading my phone to this.
Good design doesn’t compromise on functionality. It looks like this product failed this rule.
Report PermalinkArfur Sixpence
July 14, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Clearly people ARE THAT STUPID. I would be ashamed to admit I had gone out and bought a dud device from a manipulative cheat like Jobs…
Report Permalinkboc
July 14, 2010 at 6:10 PM
@Mark Santer,
I have never once used a case for any of my phones. If it can’t survive a few drops and wear and tear than it’s a phone that I would never buy.
For you though, it is a design flaw and as a soon to be owner, you *should* complain about it even if you don’t experience any issues.
Why? Because it will lead to better quality products. Don’t you deserve that?
Report PermalinkJames
August 23, 2010 at 1:40 PM
Not sure what the fuss is about. People find flaws and fix them all the time, and pay money to do so.
Computers have security vulnerabilities, we made firewalls.
People have car accidents, we put in airbags.
It’s cold, you put on a jumper.
To think that everything that you buy should be perfect and tailored to your every need is foolish.
Report PermalinkMichael
July 14, 2010 at 10:37 AM
@ij – actually, how many phone companies do you know replace defective handsets on the spot? This is exactly what Apple has done since the iPhone was invented. Walk into Apple store, show them the problem, they give you a new (usually refurbished, but effectively new) iPhone.
Nokia and Ericsson are infamous for requiring phones to be sent off for weeks and to be returned sporting nothing but fresh firmware and the same dud hardware.
Apple ain’t perfect, but in comparison, they are great.
Report Permalinkboc
July 14, 2010 at 6:22 PM
An on-the-spot replacement is nice but, that doesn’t always happen with Apple. You have to meet certain conditions for that otherwise you have to pay for a refurbished replacement.
I don’t know why the other phone makers don’t offer on-the-spot replacement as well.
You really shouldn’t say Nokia etc are “infamous” for *actually* repairing your device as that is industry standard practise.
Refurbished phones are far from “essentially new” they are always somebody else’s phone that was returned because it had problems as well except it was fixed and put in a new casing. Worst case is you are given what is a frankenstein combination of several other people’s phones.
Report PermalinkGreg
July 14, 2010 at 11:46 AM
It would be commercial suicide if they didn’t replace all the dud ones.
Report PermalinkViddy
July 14, 2010 at 1:38 PM
Forget the new hardware for the moment. iOS4 on the 3GS is really starting to piss me off!
Constantly crashing. I tried a fresh install – no change. Hard Resets – no change. Deleting and reinstalling apps – no change.
The mini freezes (constantly) & shorter battery life (seemingly) – I love my phone, but it’s really starting to annoy me since the update.
I thought that the ‘task manager’ would only have held the apps you were forcably quit out of (i.e. – receiving a call) or only if you double-tapped out of the app to open another… but no, you now have pages of apps which you have to scroll through to get to the one you want… and even that is restricted to only the apps you have opened already! Why can’t you touble-tap and then select the actual app you want?? THAT is multi-tasking!
Hard resets don’t ask you for your sim lock – so if you lose your phone, they can just hard reset and do their dirty work if they know your login (if you have one).
Folders are just annoying to look at – where’s the option to put your own/preselected folder icon on for speedy access rather than having to read the folder name?
…I really hope there’s a patch coming soon!
Report PermalinkSteve M.
July 14, 2010 at 2:07 PM
Hardware modifications suddenly seem like a perfect explanation for the fact that we’re halfway through July and still don’t have a solid release date nor any real announcement from the telcos about the iPhone 4 in Australia.
Report Permalinkboc
July 14, 2010 at 6:24 PM
Could also explain why the white iPhone 4 isn’t available yet.
Maybe the black iPhone 4 was the public beta?
Report PermalinkMario
July 14, 2010 at 2:55 PM
Disclaimer:
I don’t consider myself an Apple fanboy, and in fact, have only been using Apple products since ~ 1 year ago. I currently own an iPhone 3G, iMac and a Mac mini.
People are not stupid for still wanting to get an iPhone4! They want it because of the features, functionality, etc. Who cares if in order to not have antenna problems you must buy a case? You should buy a case anyway to protected the phone!
I do agree that the case should probably be “included” with the phone, but that’s besides the point I’m trying to make. People need to stop saying Apple is evil because some consumers choose to buy their products based on feutures they like, and are willing to compromise on small defects that can be easily addressed by using a case, that THEY WERE GOING TO BUY ANYWAY!
I guess I care more than I want to admit, but it just annoys me that some people actually think they are changing the world by choosing not to buy a consumer product from a particular company, in this case, Apple.
People dont buy the phone because they are “numpties out there who can’t wait to worship at Jobbie’s altar”, or because “Clearly people ARE THAT STUPID”, but because they like the features and are willing to compromise on small, easily fixable problems.
Report Permalinkboc
July 14, 2010 at 6:32 PM
@Mario,
Apple are knowingly selling something that is defective. To me that is evil.
All you have said is that you are more willing to compromise than others.
Your willingness to compromise does not make Apple’s actions any less evil.
Also, even though you feel these are “small, easily fixable problems” shouldn’t you still complain and push Apple to improve the quality of their products?
Report PermalinkTom
July 14, 2010 at 3:11 PM
If this leads to the Australian release being delayed because of hardware modifications, I’ll be thrilled. Happy to let the Americans be lab rats for the problems :D
Report PermalinkJase
July 14, 2010 at 4:38 PM
Exactly what I was thinking. Patience is a virtue (apparently)..
Report PermalinkVaughn
July 14, 2010 at 3:45 PM
Is it possible to run a poll for US users who have bought a phone in the last 2 weeks as to whether or not they are experiencing antenna problems? It would be interesting to compare the results with a poll of users who bought the phone when it first came out.
Report PermalinkP.Russell
July 14, 2010 at 9:33 PM
apple, you need to pay more readers to submit that kind of news…one “reader” is not enough..
Report PermalinkVB
July 15, 2010 at 8:52 PM
Bought a iphone 4 in the UK and running it the my cut down optus sim. Its works better than the 3gs. Faster and has better reception in the middle of the cement tomb I call work. Fast internet in the toilet were before could not even get gprs. Have not had a call drop out.
I think its either AT&T or the metal tray/sim contact. Pretty happy with mine
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