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Apple: Free iPhone 4 Cases and Bumper Refunds, or Just Return the Phone

by Terrence O'Brien on July 16, 2010 at 02:07 PM

Apple iPhone 4 This morning, Steve Jobs took to the stage in Cupertino to address what many had dubbed "Antennagate." The iPhone 4's issues with reception and dropped calls have led to a public outcry, and Consumer Reports even decided it couldn't recommend the faulty phone. After weeks of media and users complaining that touching the iPhone 4 in just the right place could quickly cut your reception from five bars to one, Apple finally decided to try and extinguish the PR fire.

The event saw Jobs open with lots of not-particularly endearing whining about media coverage and arguing that antenna issues affect most other smartphones on the market. Twenty minutes of blaming everything from the lack of available cases to the algorithm used to calculate bars had many wondering if and when Jobs would ever address the issue. Finally, Jobs explained that, in addition to the software update (which will more accurately represent reception strength), Apple would offer a free case to anyone who has bought or will buy an iPhone 4 through September 30. If you've already bought an official case, Apple will issue you a refund for the retail price -- you're out of luck if you bought a third party case. If having your choice of case (the offer isn't limited to bumpers) or getting a refund does not suffice, Apple will accept returns of undamaged iPhone 4s and issue a full refund (waiving the restocking fee) within 30 days of purchase.

This is all good news, of course, but there was one thing missing: an apology. Free cases and refunds are great, and the proper response. But before announcing the bumper fix, Jobs tattled on other smartphones suffering from a similar issue, claiming the actual number of people affected was minuscule and generally dismissed the problem as being primarily one in the imagination of the media. While 0.55-percent sounds small, it means that over 165,000 people have called AppleCare to complain about the issue -- and we expect far more have been waiting to hear what Apple would do. While we appreciate the admission that the iPhone 4 drops more calls than the 3GS, and that you're trying to do right by your customers, Steve, next time, try and be a little less petulant about it. Thanks. [From: Engadget]

Update: Watch the full press event here.

Tags: antennagate, apple, bumpers, cellphones, iphone, iphone 4, iPhone 4 recall, iPhone 4 reception problems, Iphone4, Iphone4Recall, Iphone4ReceptionProblems, smartphones, steve jobs, SteveJobs, top

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