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Apple Settles Class Action Suit Regarding iPhone 4 Antenna

Saturday February 18, 2012 5:18 am PST by Arnold Kim

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.


[ 202 comments ]

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brock2621
100 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...
Rating: 32 Votes
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profets
100 months ago
I wonder how much the lawyers will get?
Rating: 23 Votes
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troop231
100 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?
Rating: 16 Votes
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xlii
100 months ago

I wonder how much the lawyers will get?


The real winners are the lawyers.
Rating: 16 Votes
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Bearxor
100 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.
Rating: 15 Votes
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Awjvail
100 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.
Rating: 11 Votes
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Ibjr
100 months ago

The only ones who make out in this are the lawyers who brought the stupid suit in the first place. Pretty pathetic way to leech out a living if you ask me. :mad:


Ya dude! It is so pathetic holding companies to account for their defective product designs.
Rating: 9 Votes
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Will do good
100 months ago
Once again, only the lawyers gets the real money and the consumers get $15. That's after you filled out bunch of paper and find your proof of purchase.
Rating: 8 Votes
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Exhale
100 months ago

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.

Here we go again.

No, the same does not happen to other phones. You might knock of a bar, simply because the hand could partially block the signal yes - but you can't kill the antenna itself on any semi-decent phone. That was the problem with the IP4 - the antenna could be effectively shut down with improper hand placement.
Rating: 8 Votes
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chrono1081
100 months ago
Anyone else consider this a frivolous lawsuit?
Rating: 8 Votes

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