Apple Settles Class Action Suit Regarding iPhone 4 Antenna - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Settles Class Action Suit Regarding iPhone 4 Antenna

by

104037 iphone 4 side shot

CNet reports that Apple has settled a class action suit over the iPhone 4's antenna.

The settlement comes from 18 separate lawsuits that were consolidated into one. All share the claim that Apple was "misrepresenting and concealing material information in the marketing, advertising, sale, and servicing of its iPhone 4--particularly as it relates to the quality of the mobile phone antenna and reception and related software."

When the iPhone 4 launched in 2010, some customers were affected by low signals and dropped calls that were believed to be related to the iPhone 4's external antenna. At the time, Apple's response was a press conference as well as a refund offer for iPhone 4 customers or free bumper cases.

Based on the preliminary approval, U.S. residents who bought the iPhone 4 will be entitled to $15 in cash or a bumper case provided by Apple. The lawyers claim that the 25 million customers may be eligible.

Update: The Loop's Jim Dalrymple has obtained a statement from Apple on the settlement:

“This settlement relates to a small number of customers who indicated that they experienced antenna or reception issues with their iPhone 4 and didn’t want to take advantage of a free case from Apple while it was being offered in 2010,” Apple spokeswoman Natalie Harrison told me on Saturday.

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
Read Full Article • 151 comments
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Read Full Article • 111 comments
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
Read Full Article • 102 comments

Top Rated Comments

brock2621 Avatar
brock2621
190 months ago
Shame its only US consumers. I wouldn't have minded $15 for doing nothing...
Are you grabbing the $15 rightfully and in clear conscience that your phone dropped calls because of the way you were holding it?

I refuse to accept this money out of principal:

1. They already gave a free bumper

2. I had plenty of time to return it (just like everybody else)

3. I never had a dropped call or no signal because of that stupid antenna design. Not once.

I don't feel right taking this money...
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
P
profets
190 months ago
I wonder how much the lawyers will get?
Score: 23 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xlii Avatar
xlii
190 months ago
I wonder how much the lawyers will get?

The real winners are the lawyers.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
T
troop231
190 months ago
Uhm.... Apple already gave out free cases for iPhone 4 purchasers (the app is still in my itunes purchase history), why do they have to give out more?
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B
Bearxor
190 months ago
I'm sure Apple settled to be done with it and move on.

What a waste of a class action lawsuit.

1.There was never anything wrong with the antenna.
2. Gizmodo fabricated the story to get back at Apple, knowing full well they could take advantage of the "bars dropping" illusion that occurs if you hold any GSM phone a particular way, and the coincidence of poor AT&T service in certain areas.
3. Typical internet whiners bought it hook line and sinker and added their "voice" to problem, creating further illusion that there were millions of people with defective antennas.

The whole thing was a fantasy, and if Gizmodo had never lied and created that video blog post, like I said, to punish Apple for taking legal action against their previous criminal activity, there never would have been anything.
I totally disagree with you.

There is a problem with the iPhone 4's antenna placement.

You can place your finger lightly (not brushing, but you don't have to press hard) and bridge the two antennas on the OUTSIDE of the device and lose notable signal strength. In areas with poor service to begin with, this could cause loss of reception completely.

Is it overblown? Yes. Have I ever lost a call because of it? Yes. But I adjusted the way I hold it and can live with it just fine for the most part.

But it's not like it's a figment of my imagination.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
A
Awjvail
190 months ago
Uhm.... Apple already gave out free cases for iPhone 4 purchasers (the app is still in my itunes purchase history), why do they have to give out more?


That was only for people who bought within the first few months.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments