Anybody returning their iPhone 4?

[Croozer]

I thought about taking mine back and grabbing a Droid X but this phone does everything so well (beside the antenna woes) that it is gonna be hard to part with.

 

[phide]

Mine seems fine (for now), so no.

 

[obs]

Tossed an invisible shield max protection on mine and I am good to go. Even though the antenna issue never effected me much anyways. Surprisingly easy to install too since all the curved areas are planar (installing the back on a 3G/3GS is a bitch).

 

[Roliath]

my dad returned his, and went back to his 3gs. my dad said he would just get another one once this fiasco is over. His however did have the reception issue, even after a replacement. If your palm just put pressure on it the signal would drop.

 

[FerraraZ]

I didnt have so many people bring their phones back into the store today. To be honest I feel people put these issues in their head once they read about it. I've diagnosed phones where people have said the calls were dropped yet the phone statistics did not show any dropped calls.

One gentlemen today mentioned the Droid X today after he smashed his iphone 3GS and I COULD not replace it. I've had Verizon before and it was news to me that they cover accidental damage haha.

None the less this is definitely an issue and I just wish it wasnt so badly because the phone really is the best on the market overall.

 

[darkhunter139]

I've never dropped a call yet and my bumper finally shipped so no way I love the phone.

 

[Firemane]

I'm keeping mine, no question about it. I don't cup the phone in my hand to use it, so this reception fault has yet to cause me any grief. Though I will admit that it was fascinating to make it happen on-demand and observe the signal attenuation a couple times.

I'm also not affected by the proximity sensor bug - my prox sensor seems to be working just fine, keeping the display turned off when it's within about half an inch away from anything.

Both are legitimate issues for many iPhone owners though, and I think Apple have done a horrible job responding to them. How they've gone about it so far is not the way to retain market leadership and brand loyalty - not by a long shot. JMHO, as a long-time Apple nutswinger.

 

[obs]

I'm keeping mine, no question about it. I don't cup the phone in my hand to use it, so this reception fault has yet to cause me any grief. Though I will admit that it was fascinating to make it happen on-demand and observe the signal attenuation a couple times.

I'm also not affected by the proximity sensor bug - my prox sensor seems to be working just fine, keeping the display turned off when it's within about half an inch away from anything.

Both are legitimate issues for many iPhone owners though, and I think Apple have done a horrible job responding to them. How they've gone about it so far is not the way to retain market leadership and brand loyalty - not by a long shot. JMHO, as a long-time Apple nutswinger.

Yea, the proper response to an problem of this magnitude is not to be quiet about it and say nothing for weeks after its been exposed.

 

[rampantandroid]

I didnt have so many people bring their phones back into the store today. To be honest I feel people put these issues in their head once they read about it. I've diagnosed phones where people have said the calls were dropped yet the phone statistics did not show any dropped calls.

One gentlemen today mentioned the Droid X today after he smashed his iphone 3GS and I COULD not replace it. I've had Verizon before and it was news to me that they cover accidental damage haha.

None the less this is definitely an issue and I just wish it wasnt so badly because the phone really is the best on the market overall.

Yes, it's ALL in our heads. I mean, every phone I played with had the issue...all 5. All 5 people I know with them complain about it. People bump into in public acknowledge it, but state they "just hold it the right way."

And your shitty diagnostic tools? Yeah. My iPhone dropped ALL signal (3GS) around the new year. For TWO DAYS. I had to take it in TWICE before the people at the apple store would replace it, and only then because I threatened them as they were in violation of the warranty. Their diagnostic tools showed NOTHING. I mean, who cares I can't make phone calls, call 911, text people and arrange a nice new years eve out with friends, read emails....your tool says ITS ALL OK.

Genius bar? More like the fucking stupid condescending dipshit bar. People there don't know fuck all about hardware...they just know how to run a shitty diagnostic tool, and how to look really cool checking if the organge water indicator is out.

On my fourth 3GS. First: No signal for two days. Second: LCD screen separation. The glass came off, no damage don't to the phone - never dropped it. Third: Battery life was less than 6 hours at idle. Oh, and one of those had 15+ dead pixels. I think the first one.

And don't even get me started on iTunes...what a piece of shit.

Most companies develop something for an existing need.
Apple designs something, and tells you why you need it. And when they fuck up their design, they tell you how it's really your fault.

 

[CKMorpheus]

Yes, it's ALL in our heads. I mean, every phone I played with had the issue...all 5. All 5 people I know with them complain about it. People bump into in public acknowledge it, but state they "just hold it the right way."

And your shitty diagnostic tools? Yeah. My iPhone dropped ALL signal (3GS) around the new year. For TWO DAYS. I had to take it in TWICE before the people at the apple store would replace it, and only then because I threatened them as they were in violation of the warranty. Their diagnostic tools showed NOTHING. I mean, who cares I can't make phone calls, call 911, text people and arrange a nice new years eve out with friends, read emails....your tool says ITS ALL OK.

Genius bar? More like the fucking stupid condescending dipshit bar. People there don't know fuck all about hardware...they just know how to run a shitty diagnostic tool, and how to look really cool checking if the organge water indicator is out.

On my fourth 3GS. First: No signal for two days. Second: LCD screen separation. The glass came off, no damage don't to the phone - never dropped it. Third: Battery life was less than 6 hours at idle. Oh, and one of those had 15+ dead pixels. I think the first one.

Oh and I haven't had a single issue with my iPhone 4 other than it being a finger-print magnet. That's the nature of touch screens though.

And don't even get me started on iTunes...what a piece of shit.

Most companies develop something for an existing need.
Apple designs something, and tells you why you need it. And when they fuck up their design, they tell you how it's really your fault.

You've had enough problems that most people would move on to another product/company by now. Why don't you just return it and cut your losses?

 

[Decepticon]

Yes, it's ALL in our heads. I mean, every phone I played with had the issue...all 5. All 5 people I know with them complain about it. People bump into in public acknowledge it, but state they "just hold it the right way."

And your shitty diagnostic tools? Yeah. My iPhone dropped ALL signal (3GS) around the new year. For TWO DAYS. I had to take it in TWICE before the people at the apple store would replace it, and only then because I threatened them as they were in violation of the warranty. Their diagnostic tools showed NOTHING. I mean, who cares I can't make phone calls, call 911, text people and arrange a nice new years eve out with friends, read emails....your tool says ITS ALL OK.

Genius bar? More like the fucking stupid condescending dipshit bar. People there don't know fuck all about hardware...they just know how to run a shitty diagnostic tool, and how to look really cool checking if the organge water indicator is out.

On my fourth 3GS. First: No signal for two days. Second: LCD screen separation. The glass came off, no damage don't to the phone - never dropped it. Third: Battery life was less than 6 hours at idle. Oh, and one of those had 15+ dead pixels. I think the first one.

And don't even get me started on iTunes...what a piece of shit.

Most companies develop something for an existing need.
Apple designs something, and tells you why you need it. And when they fuck up their design, they tell you how it's really your fault.

Just show us on the doll where Steve Jobs touched you...

 

[FerraraZ]

Yes, it's ALL in our heads. I mean, every phone I played with had the issue...all 5. All 5 people I know with them complain about it. People bump into in public acknowledge it, but state they "just hold it the right way."

And your shitty diagnostic tools? Yeah. My iPhone dropped ALL signal (3GS) around the new year. For TWO DAYS. I had to take it in TWICE before the people at the apple store would replace it, and only then because I threatened them as they were in violation of the warranty. Their diagnostic tools showed NOTHING. I mean, who cares I can't make phone calls, call 911, text people and arrange a nice new years eve out with friends, read emails....your tool says ITS ALL OK.

Genius bar? More like the fucking stupid condescending dipshit bar. People there don't know fuck all about hardware...they just know how to run a shitty diagnostic tool, and how to look really cool checking if the organge water indicator is out.

On my fourth 3GS. First: No signal for two days. Second: LCD screen separation. The glass came off, no damage don't to the phone - never dropped it. Third: Battery life was less than 6 hours at idle. Oh, and one of those had 15+ dead pixels. I think the first one.

And don't even get me started on iTunes...what a piece of shit.

Most companies develop something for an existing need.
Apple designs something, and tells you why you need it. And when they fuck up their design, they tell you how it's really your fault.

TLDNR

 

[zaxour]

get a $20 case at best buy, I haven't experienced any of the antenna issues because I know all too well from experience how easily apple devices scratch up.

 

[valve1138]

I had no issues before i got a case for it, and it's still fine now nso no, I'm not returning mine.

If they offer a recall I'll do that however.

 

[Sean]

Screw returning it. How about releasing it. Bastards at Apple delaying the release in Canada. Get off their asses and at least tell us a date or something. Screw the antenna issues, and anything else. Release the product to other countries with better networks than ATT.

 

[rampantandroid]

TLDNR

Solution hold it different and stfu

Did I hit a sore spot? Hmm? It's a god damn phone. I SHOULD be able to hold it however it is comfortable. That happens to, for me, be in my left hand using my right hand to do gestures, or reversed. Given my hands of so large, I touch the matal strips if I hold it how it feels comfortable. If I hold it any other way, it is awkward and uncomfortable.

Good to know apple store employees are as annoying as Jobs himself, trying to tell people they're wrong an Apple did no wrong with their shitty engineering.

Also, it's actually "tl;dr"

get a $20 case at best buy, I haven't experienced any of the antenna issues because I know all too well from experience how easily apple devices scratch up.

WHile this solution may work, it's like putting tiny band-aid on a massive boo-boo. The most egregious thing Apple has done is blame the failure on the consumer, and then tried to claim it wass a software defect when it clearly a hardware defect....and covered it up by just making the reception look worse.

Having to pay an extra $20 to make the phone work is wrong. If the phone does not work correctly out of the box, Apple is liable. They should be fixing the problem, not telling people to spend even MORE money to make the piece of shit work as expected.

You've had enough problems that most people would move on to another product/company by now. Why don't you just return it and cut your losses?

I've had the phone for a year now. My MAJOR issues started about 5 months in. Kinda hard to return it. I do not own a 4, I own a 3GS. I've USED various 4th gen iPhones, but do not own, never have owned, and will never own one. I'm waiting for a better phone to come out. SOme of the future android phones and WP7 phones look far superior.

 

[CKMorpheus]

So the major issues started 5 months after you owned it. That sounds more like AT&T than the phone... By my old job AT&T took down a tower for a while and my reception went from pristine to dogshit for a few months. Thank goodness I changed jobs, I'm back in a great spot. (I work in NYC so I'm very fortunate great service is all around me). Sorry to hear you got burnt by the Apple Store "geniuses." Personally I've never had an issue with them at any of the three Apple Stores I've been to where I've gotten repairs. Hope you do find a phone that suits you, since the iPhone seems to be dragging anger and frustration out of you very easily. Just do yourself a favor and stay away from those WP7s... They will be Microsoft's Vista, you can bet the farm on that.

 

[TechBoy]

I am thinking about it sadly.

 

[rampantandroid]

So the major issues started 5 months after you owned it. That sounds more like AT&T than the phone... By my old job AT&T took down a tower for a while and my reception went from pristine to dogshit for a few months. Thank goodness I changed jobs, I'm back in a great spot. (I work in NYC so I'm very fortunate great service is all around me). Sorry to hear you got burnt by the Apple Store "geniuses." Personally I've never had an issue with them at any of the three Apple Stores I've been to where I've gotten repairs. Hope you do find a phone that suits you, since the iPhone seems to be dragging anger and frustration out of you very easily. Just do yourself a favor and stay away from those WP7s... They will be Microsoft's Vista, you can bet the farm on that.

While I might agree that ATT were at fault - this being what I first thought - everyone else around me had reception. Traveling far enough that I'd be on a different tower had no effect. I bet the modem had just shit itself.

 

[FerraraZ]

While I might agree that ATT were at fault - this being what I first thought - everyone else around me had reception. Traveling far enough that I'd be on a different tower had no effect. I bet the modem had just shit itself.

I totally understand ur frustration but the fact is there is no perfect phone for every user. You can complain on forums but that won't move you to a solution. Explain ur problem to an apple employee and see what they can do. Most likely they'll swap it and if that doesn't work then you know it's not the phone and it's the carrier that you can direct your anger at.

 

[rampantandroid]

I totally understand ur frustration but the fact is there is no perfect phone for every user. You can complain on forums but that won't move you to a solution. Explain ur problem to an apple employee and see what they can do. Most likely they'll swap it and if that doesn't work then you know it's not the phone and it's the carrier that you can direct your anger at.

Oh, I did - my annoyance is that it took two visits on consequtive days to get it replaced. As soon as it was swapped, I had signal again. It's just every time I go in with an issue, they make an issue of doing any hardware replacement, and their solution is just to tell me to do a restore. My subsequent replacements are LIKELY due to Apple giving me refurb devices that are just no good - but that is just speculation on my part.

 

[CommanderFrank]

The news conference scheduled for later today should shed some light on what the next step should be. I don't expect a recall, but I figure there will be some sort of fix (other than a slapdash software fix) that he will announce. There is a lot of speculation on what the content of the news conference will be. Hopefully they have a viable fix in place.

 

[Patman]

TLDNR

Solution hold it different and stfu

Wow, interesting. Claiming to be a Genius Bar employee who completely ignored the customer complaints sounds exactly like the real problem most people have with Apple right now, poor customer service.

What you do in your free time is just that, yours. When you begin to associate yourself willingly to your employer, then act so unprofessionally sounds like a great way to lose your job. Does your manager approve of you treating customers like this off the clock?

I doubt it.

 

[KENNYB]

Wow, interesting. Claiming to be a Genius Bar employee who completely ignored the customer complaints sounds exactly like the real problem most people have with Apple right now, poor customer service.

What you do in your free time is just that, yours. When you begin to associate yourself willingly to your employer, then act so unprofessionally sounds like a great way to lose your job. Does your manager approve of you treating customers like this off the clock?

I doubt it.

Steve Job's personality tends to trickle down to the subordinates. Yeah, they get the memo.

 

[KENNYB]

Oh, I did - my annoyance is that it took two visits on consequtive days to get it replaced. As soon as it was swapped, I had signal again. It's just every time I go in with an issue, they make an issue of doing any hardware replacement, and their solution is just to tell me to do a restore. My subsequent replacements are LIKELY due to Apple giving me refurb devices that are just no good - but that is just speculation on my part.

My employer's buildings are like 3 bermuda triangles. One day one location may show full signal while the next day the same location will show no signal. This ain't the backwoods either.

I've also had to deal with Apple so-called Care. This was before the advent of the Apple Store and done through a local releaser in San Diego. Years ago I needed a powerbook's screen repaired. A-holes scratched the powerbook's hinges swapping the screen and sent me a refurbed screen with multiple clusters of dead pixels. The screen also didn't close evenly.

The local releaser tried to tell me how this defect was normal, but I put up such a stink that they were forced to send it back to Apple. The bastards didn't replace my scratched hinges.

I recommend that you walk into an Apple Store and complain how you've had multiple hardware problems. Not too loud, but loud enough for other customers to hear you.

 

[Mistrblank]

I didnt have so many people bring their phones back into the store today. To be honest I feel people put these issues in their head once they read about it.

Pretty much. And part of it too is that you mention "iPhone" in a news piece and people are drawn to it. The end result is endless coverage to keep advertising dollars up. Ultimately it becomes endless advertising for a problem that may or may not be a problem anyway.

You don't hear about signal issues with other phones because lets face it no single device phone has this much ground. Apple doesn't own the cell or smartphone market, but for a singular device it has a much higher penetration than any other. I've been through plenty of HTC devices and they've all sucked. I haven't met many people that didn't have a problem with a Motorola (especially the Razor's and flip phones). But none of those phones has had the impact and market penetration combined with the public visibility and recognition of Apple. All combined, Apple is getting a bad rap.

 

[Finkus]

No issues here. I can force the reception issue but it doesn't happen in real world situations. I removed the bumper a week ago as it ruined the aesthetics of the phone but it hasn't made reception worse. Waiting on my Grove case at the moment.

 

[Nasty_Savage]

Yeah, mine is fine too. Never experienced an issue. I guess if you have Ham Hands or something its an issue Seriously? This is my first iphone and quite frankly I find it more reliable than my HTC Fuze and more or less get the same reception if not better then all my previous cell phones. This is a viral issue that people flipped their pancakes over and its just spiraled out of control and just gaining steam by parrot heads...

 

[Drawshot]

I have not had any problems with mine. Maybe I'm just lucky, cause I haven't experienced any of the problems people are reporting. I don't even use a case or bumper of any sort.

In fact my only complaint about the new iphone is that the back feels exactly like the front when it is in my pocket. So, half the time i dig it out, it's facing the wrong way. Been thinking of getting a textured sticker to stick on the back because of that.

 

[obs]

Woah, a bunch of actual owners of the phone not having problems. So shocking.

 

[Zoson]

I also do not have problems with my iPhone4.
I covered it in an invisible shield, so maybe that helps. It also makes it more 'gripy'

 

[ScottSwing]

Mine works great. I couldn't trade the display for anything.

 

[Croozer]

Woah, a bunch of actual owners of the phone not having problems. So shocking.

LOL, most of the people bitching are non-owners.

 

[Domingo]

No problems here...but it's been almost a week with no actual mention of how to get a free bumper or refund. Was that a "paper announcement" ? I just want my $30 back.