iPhone 4 ‘Antennagate’ Class-Action Suit Settled

iPhone 4 ‘Antennagate’ Class-Action Suit Settled

A class-action suit filed against Apple on behalf of iPhone 4 buyers has resulted in a settlement which will provide the buyers with a bumper for their phone, or a check for $15, from Apple

The Apple iPhone 4 was launched back in the summer of 2010. Not long afterwards, consumers and critics started claiming that the phone’s reception would weaken when it was held in a certain manner.

The issue become known as “Antennagate.” Apple responded by saying consumers should avoid gripping the phone in a way that they were touching the lower left corner. They then said that the problem was actually a programming error causing the number of bars indicating reception strength to be calculated incorrectly. That explanation was not accepted by many. Consumer Reports was one of those that was unconvinced, and after a study of the phone, said that a piece of tape placed over the lower left corner could resolve the problem. They also recommended that consumers that wanted an iPhone without the antenna problem get an iPhone 3GS instead of an iPhone 4.

iPhone-4In July of 2010, Apple announced it would, for a limited time, provide all iPhone 4 owners with a case that would insulate the antenna from the users’ grasp.

Due to the issue with the iPhone 4 antenna, 18 different lawsuits were brought against Apple. They were eventually consolidated into one class-action suit which charged Apple with “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.”

Apple has now agreed to a settlement in the case. It’s not due to be finalized until July 13. If approved by the judge, shoppers who purchased an iPhone 4 will be able to file a claim to receive a free bumper or a $15 check from Apple.

It’s not online yet, but according to Ira Rothken of the Rothken Law Firm, the co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, a website will be set up at iphone4settlement.com with additional information for those who wish to file a claim for the bumper or check.


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Author Profile: Consumer Expert Faroh Sauder

Faroh Sauder has spent more than 30 years working as a journalist and educator. He has written on politics, international affairs, civil rights, and consumer education.

Now mostly retired, Faroh continues to stay current on tech and consumer issues and reports on his interests here at Consumer Press

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