Redesigned iPhone 4 Due out September 30?

August 31, 2010 By Ryan Fleming

A Mexican exec has claimed that a new iPhone without the antennae issues is due out on September 30, the same day the free bumper initiative ends.

It has been a few weeks since the Apple’s antennae-gate issues were last discussed, so we were due. A new rumor based on a somewhat unconfirmed report on a Mexican website is reporting that the iPhone 4 will no longer face the antennae problems as of September 30.

Marco Quatorze, Director of Value Added Services Telcel said that as of September 30 Telcel will be available in new devices that do not have the malfunction of the reception, and explained that the company will have several options to make changes from one phone to another.

Below is a translation courtesy of Google. It is somewhat imprecise in the wording, but the important part is in bold:

“If the previous plan is over, you will need to hire a new change for iPhone 4. If, for example, already has one and take three months for payment, change the cell with a re-employment and takes into account the previous time, so instead of paying 24 months, only done in 21.”

Business Insider is also covering the story, but still, take the quote with a grain of salt. There could be more to his meaning, or the quote could be incorrect, but it does coincide with the end of the Apple plan to send out free bumpers to iPhone owners. When the bumper plan was announced, Steve Jobs gave an end date of September 30. It makes sense that since Apple first announced the bumper plan on July 16, the Apple designers would have had time to fix the issue. After all, despite Apple’s initial stubborn refusal to acknowledge the issue, it is highly unlikely that Apple would knowingly choose not to correct an issue that has already been exposed, especially one that has a fix as simple as insulating the casing.

The real issue is how will current iPhone 4 users respond, and will Apple offer them any potential exchanges? It seems unlikely following the bumpers. Will iPhone 4 owners even care? What say you? Are you an iPhone 4 owner, and do you care that a slightly redesigned iPhone 4 is on the way?

Showing 12 comments

bare.bone at 11:10pm 2nd October 2010 So it is past September 30th. Does anybody has any update????
Bob at 1:03pm 20th September 2010 Well... If Apple comes up with a new iphone after Sep 30th I don't believe the current owners of the phone should get upset because Apple gave them the change, 1st to get a free bumper and 2nd to give the phone back if weren't happy with it within 30 days.
1. Patrick at 7:18am 21st September 2010 I am personally a huge fan of Apple, and subsequently most of my electronics are Apple. I feel they make a great product that lasts and most of all is reliable. However, I feel iPhone 4 was a miss. There are inherent risks with purchasing any product. But at the end of the day, if Apple wants to keep customers, they'll make it right by the consumer. It's absurd to think you have to use a phone case so your phone can do it's simplest task it was intended for, making phone calls. Let's not forget why phone cases were originally made, to protect the phone, not enhance the signal strength. Now everyone purchases them to change the color of the phone and be original, and lately to be able to place a call. I can appreciate certain upgraded features like the camera, but it's a phone first. I like the idea of Face Time, but it's a phone first. I LOVE the iPod feature, but it's a phone first. All of that other stuff should fall by the way side before I sacrificed one dropped call. And I agree AT&T has their problems, as do all cell carriers, but they should be held responsible for poor service. If I don't pay my bill, I get shut off, even if it's shotty service at best at premium prices (possibly the highest around). Consumers need to stand up and not let this happen. But how?
hatestheinternet at 5:58pm 14th September 2010 This only matters if you care and despite the seething hate in internet comment sections (aren't they a fun place?), I tend to agree with Apple that the number of people who care is ridiculously small. I don't really see how you're screwed if you brought early, there is an infinite amount of ways to stop the issue if you experience it, as little as placing a small piece of tape on the area. It may not be visually attractive but if you really think you deserve a new phone for 1mm change in difference, you are insane. And please get off the Apple screws early adopters bandwagon, whatever. What company doesn't? Ask G1 users how they felt when their phone peeked at Android 1.6, ask 360 users how they felt with the early RROD...Give me a break, early adoption always comes with a price, you just choose to ignore it when it's a company you don't hate. Of course for me, the issue is non-existent, as is often stated, this problem happens to be accentuated by America's crappy AT&T network. You couldn't pull this off with my phone if you gripped it hard enough to break it in to bits.
@smiggleburger at 4:37am 2nd September 2010 The iPhone 4 has been a HUGE disappointment. As a communication device the phone is almost worthless, unless you are close to a tower. iPhone 4 is another example of Apple arrogance. I HATE this thing. So many better phones out there. I am stuck ith ATT for another 2 years! At the very least the phone does take pretty pictures.
Whatever at 10:48pm 31st August 2010 When has Apple NOT screwed early adopters?
mastermo411 at 9:52pm 31st August 2010 I'm not sure about this rumor, but I would love to see this idea I found about the iPhone. Check it out: http://bit.ly/bGh4GX Basically having two phones on one device like one for work and one for personal use?
Ian Bell at 8:24pm 31st August 2010 This story is everywhere on the internet right now. Apple will majorly screw the early adopters if this is true.
rexiaoa at 7:35pm 31st August 2010 that is another rumors , i disappoint , and i think the new iphone probably solved the antenna issue that is difficult to handle , which will take a long time , it is too hurried to be released so early! the releasing time will to next year at least ! than Apple released ipad , iphone in succession this year , i think the next product should be ipod touch ! don't forget download a Aneesoft free ipod video coverter if you get it !
Will at 6:13pm 31st August 2010 Its hard to say if a hardware fix would be truly communicated by apple to a Mexican carrier executive. Why would they release that information if at all possible? “The end of September” timing from the stock and the case program both show that there is lots happening and it will happen in the end of September, which I believe I read that it was Apple’s end of its 3rd fiscal quarter. Which will leave the last quarter with new “fixed” iPhone, and sales should explode after people feel that apple isn’t trying to pass off defective phones. But what happens to the guys and myself, who jumped the gun and got my hands on an iPhone 4 early? Will users such as myself stand up to say “The same way we’d repair a hardware ‘defect’ through the 1yr warranty, I want my hardware fixed or replaced?” and what will Apple say? Will apple say “well we offered the case program” and “fixed the equation for the signal strength” …. Is this to reduce recall quantity to save money? Will they say it was sold “as is” at the time it was bought? I would like to see what other people think of this whole deceptive situation with apple and it’s hardware. I like the iPhone and think apple has done well, but this kind of irks me and probably a decent amount of other apple loyal or iPhone loving consumers.
Steve at 5:43pm 31st August 2010 This is possibly the stupidest Iphone rumor I've ever seen. It's arguably journalistic negligence that you're spreading it.
1. ioman at 8:24pm 31st August 2010 This story is everywhere. I am willing to bet it's true. Apple will not want to give out bumpers forever.