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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.
Top Rated Comments
(View all)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...
I wonder how much the lawyers will get?
The real winners are the lawyers.
I'm sure Apple settled to be done with it and move on.
I totally disagree with you.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.
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.
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.