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

All Screen iPhone 2030 Feature Sans Text

iPhone 18 Pro: Nine Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 7, 2026 5:01 am PDT by
Apple is set to unveil new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models on Wednesday, September 9, and the devices are expected to feature a design that's largely similar to the iPhone 17 Pro models, with a peppering of enhancements inside. Major changes are not expected until next year, when Apple is expected to introduce a radically redesigned 20th-anniversary iPhone. If you're thinking of...
Read Full Article • 111 comments
apple surprise and shine event

Apple Event Tomorrow: iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Ultra Cheat Sheet

Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:24 am PDT by
Apple's biggest event of the year is almost here, and all eyes are on Cupertino. With the first foldable iPhone expected to headline Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event on Wednesday, September 9, at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, the rumor mill has been running full throttle, fuelled by the biggest single design change in the life of the iPhone. To get you up to speed, here's a quick reference...
Read Full Article • 32 comments
apple watch series 12

Leak Hints at Four New Features for Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4

Monday September 7, 2026 8:57 am PDT by
Ahead of the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 later this week, code in the watchOS 27 and iOS 27 betas points to a series of new features for the product line. The information comes from a new post from MacRumors forums member "pdfu." The findings include: New "Readiness" app: An all-new separate Watch app referred to in code as "Readiness," distinct from the...
Read Full Article • 108 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