Suits Start Over Apple iPhone 4 Antenna

July 1, 2010 By Geoff Duncan

Two Maryland residents are suing Apple over the iPhone 4 antenna...and they want class action status.

Kevin McCaffrey and Linda Wrinn of Maryland have had enough of the iPhone 4 experiencing significant signal loss if held in particular ways, and they’re not going to take it anymore: the two have filed a lawsuit against Apple accusing the company of deceptive trade practices, fraud, negligence, and breach of implied warranty. The suit also targets iPhone carrier AT&T. The plaintiffs want unspecified financial recompense for the issue, as well as an injunction preventing Apple from selling the iPhone 4 until the antenna issue is resolved.

The suit is just he latest chapter in the ongoing headache Apple is experiencing with iPhone 4 reception: if the phone is held in particular ways—with a hand or finger making contact with the phone’s lower left-hand corner and antenna—the phone can experience significant signal drop. For some users in some locations, the impact of the signal drop isn’t a problem, but for folks in areas with spotty mobile reception, it can make the difference between staying on a call and having the call dropped.

Apple didn’t help matters by suggesting iPhone 4 users buy a case or hold differently, and avoid contact with the lower left corner of the phone if they experience signal loss. Apple’s own promotional materials for the iPhone 4 show users handling the device in ways that would result signal loss.

The iPhone 4 is not the first mobile device to experience significant signal loss caused by users’ hands, but the media attention surrounding the phone’s release and spectacular sales have fueled the controversy and public perception of the problem’s magnitude. Other phone makers—like Nokia—have been using the issue to promote their own devices.

McCaffrey and Wrinn’s lawsuit may just be the first of many to come. Other industry reports have additional suits being filed against Apple over the antenna issue, including one demanding Apple offer impacted customers free cases or bumpers to prevent users’ hands from coming in contact with the iPhone 4′s antenna ports,

Showing 7 comments

hady at 10:55pm 18th November 2010 it is not a common problem when you see how iphone 4 signal loss issue. the way the phone has its defects definetely different with the other phone signal loss. Iphone 4 owner have a trouble to receive a call and drop calls. what if there something happens( emergency) then you got no signal and could not make a call out. I think Steve jobs really need to recall all the iphone 4.
silent_o at 4:01am 11th August 2010 looks like they are giving the bumpers away free now. i got one free with my phone i got today and i saw on itunes a app that registers you for a free bumper
Paul Johnson at 3:35pm 11th July 2010 Seriously? Apparently there is not a lot going on in Maryland. Why can't the court systems decide to publicly humiliate people like this.....maybe an old school flogging, or something of that nature. W-H-I-N-E-R-S !!!!!!
Lucy at 3:17am 11th July 2010 This is Very common problem found on a mobile phone. Even on other phone if u touch around the antenna area u will lose the signal. Too bad the new iPhone build the antenna on the phone itself structure as u would touch it Thus cos the signal loss. It's true that the bumper help a lot. I use on now and the phone works great but it's a pity that u have to pay extra.
Rob at 5:08pm 10th July 2010 It is sad that our judicial system wastes money in cases like that. It is so obvious that these people suiting apple want to if they can make some money. You don't like the phone? Get your money back, just like with any other phone.
카라멜 커피 at 6:55am 2nd July 2010 I honestly find it sad that we have scooped to the level of suing companies over a cell phone.
1. Mary Powers at 12:03pm 8th November 2010 It's not a matter of scooped (?) Sure you meant stooped, but whatever. It's not over a cell phone. It's over the many promises that were made without verification and the amount of money we paid to get these phones. I would sue, too if I knew who to get in touch with. Apple and AT"&T should have known better than to market a product that was as inferior as this one is. They should feel a little heat and the only way they're going to care is if it's felt in their pockets. They could honestly care about the consumer......