Consumer Reports' iPhone 4 snub
In its review, the respected product guide says it "can't recommend" Apple's problem-plagued new phone — fueling demands for a recall
Consumer Reports says it "can't recommend" the popular iPhone 4 until Apple fixes the "grip of death" — a reference to reception problems caused by touching the device's bottom left corner. The influential buyer's guide said tests prove the widely reported problem is hardware-related, refuting Apple's claim that it's merely a software glitch that an update could resolve. Though the review gave the cell phone high marks for its sharp touchscreen display, video camera and speedy performance, the ominous "can't recommend" warning has re-ignited demands that Apple recall the phone. Is a recall becoming inevitable? (Watch a Fox Business report about the iPhone 4's poor rating)
Do the right thing: Apple must "recall the iPhone 4," says Molly Wood in CNet. What started as a complaint among gadget "geeks," is quickly seeping into the mainstream. And Apple has only responded "with arrogance and dismissal." Of course, an Apple recall would be "expensive and unprecedented," but it would prove the company's "commitment to the impeccable quality and design principles it's always espoused," and win back "some flagging hearts and minds."
"Time for an iPhone 4 recall?"
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
A recall? No way: This is ridiculous, says David Morgenstern in ZDNet. The iPhone 4 "is the top-rated smart phone" — by Consumer Reports! Despite its "can't recommend" proviso, the "passive-aggressive" buyer's guide ranked the iPhone 4 "several points higher than the top-scoring iPhone 3GS" and says it "does almost everything that a user would want." Please, "everyone," just put a piece of duct tape on the corner or use a "Bumper case," and then "go out enjoy the best phone on the market." Is that so hard?
"Dudes, put the Bumper on the iPhone 4 and move on"
Apple has to make some sort of concession: Sorry, says Rik Myslewski in The Register, but this problem isn't going away. Consumer Reports is the "most respected product-testing labs" out there and its negative review could seriously compromise Apple's reputation. "At minimum," Apple should "provide every iPhone 4 owner with one of its $29 Bumper antenna covers," for free. "At maximum, Apple should issue a recall." Either way, Steve Jobs, "the ball is now in your court."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
6 homes near national parks
Feature Featuring a lodge surrounded by red-rock mountains in Utah and a cottage within walking distance of Acadia National Park
By The Week Staff Published
-
News overload
Opinion Too much breaking news is breaking us
By Theunis Bates Published
-
Greenland is hoping to boost tourism with the Arctic's first international airport
In the Spotlight The enhanced facility is the first international airport in Greenland's capital
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published