Would you return your iPhone 4 to get the iPhone 4.1 on September ?

I understand that ios 4.1 beta was out to developers and that has ended now, and they are on the next step. I read a post that said if you look at the numbers in an update, you will know if it is a major update or a minor one. 4.0.1 was considered minor. An update numbered 4.1 would be a major update. Another poster I read said that September is the end of a fiscal period. As angry as people are over the antenna, I don't know that Apple would release a new model in September. You would probably have all the people that kept theirs and decided to work with it, upset that there would be a new model so soon.

teach5 wrote:
I understand that ios 4.1 beta was out to developers and that has ended now, and they are on the next step. I read a post that said if you look at the numbers in an update, you will know if it is a major update or a minor one. 4.0.1 was considered minor. An update numbered 4.1 would be a major update. Another poster I read said that September is the end of a fiscal period. As angry as people are over the antenna, I don't know that Apple would release a new model in September. You would probably have all the people that kept theirs and decided to work with it, upset that there would be a new model so soon.

The fact that the phone was released in June, they haven't had any time to test a new model. There won't be a new model.

And what do you mean that the 4.1 beta is over? It's not...

This is exactly why we are waiting to see what happens after September. Maybe something or maybe nothing. My husband and I can pick up our phones at the Apple store tomorrow but we are going to wait. We may be reading too much into what Steve said but why is there an end date for free bumper cases if nothing is going to be done? Either they can extend the free bumper cases or fix the antenna issue. If we're wrong so what we still going to buy the phones but we will not accept them telling us that a bumper case is not free.

I would return it, definitely. As a matter of fact I did. Well technically I cancelled my pre order. I would have it by now if i didnt cancel. Yeah it bugged me a little because i do like these phones but not enough to buy one with this major flaw. If they do revise the metal band with a coating and it works, I will definitely get one. If they don't, I won't. If they do I believe you will see some more complaining from the early adopters when they get to feel silly for not waiting knowing that a better version is out.

I am pretty sure they will do something on the hardware side. It is a no brainer. As I said in my thread, most of the hardcore fans pre-ordered theirs or got it shortly after already. So maybe soon the sales will slow down, maybe quite a bit because many of us are not willing to buy a flawed phone. So new customers and holdouts (such as myself) will be very limited unless the phone is truly fixed and not with a band aid.

I hope they do fix it because I do want one.

Oh and Mr. Steve.........quit with the BS. Not all of us are that stupid.

One thing you never do when confronted with a problem like this- when explaining your products flaws, do not use the fact that many of the other companies phones do this too. True or not, this is not how you redeem your companies image. "Well, theirs does it too!" sounds like a little kids defense. You are not them, you are supposed to be THE BIG "APPLE". And your issue is much more pronounced.

I could go on and on about his diverting the problems away from themselves. Some people fall for this stuff.

Just guessing here, but I really think the whole "we'll re-evaluate at the end of September" thing has a lot more to do with Apple's fiscal year, which ends September 25th, than with some planned under-the-radar hardware release.

Why are you people talking of a new model? They won't put out a new model but they could send the metal trim through one more process of being coated before assembly. They wouldn't totally revamp the iPhone 4. If they want to prolong this model they will find the most sensible method while using the existing form factor. They are already tooled for it. My guess would be the coating. It seams the most logical to me. Instead of putting the rubberband- aid on it, just dip or plate the stainless steel before it is assembled.

I personally don't know what materials they would use but I have read of some real promising ones that are used for things like this.

I returned mine with the distant hope they might fix it. I didn't think it would happen but you never know. However the Sept 30 deadline for the bumpers makes me wonder if they have something in mind. If indeed they do somehow, some way fix the antenna problem, I'd likely buy it.

Oh also when I spoke with AT&T yesterday, the guy asked me "Do you not like the iPhone 4 or are you waiting for them to fix it?" ... He was conversational but I wondered if there was any kind of poll being done there, for reasons only those "in the know" would know but people like me would guess at.

There will be no 4.1.

The only thing Apple could do different is "add a coating" as many people have said. Now, this sounds like a simple thing, and that's why it seems to be the most prevalent fantasy/rumor going around, but it makes no sense for Apple to do it for soooo many reasons.

But mainly, a coating will not "fix" the attenuation for those that have it. It might allow you to lose a little (and i mean a little) less signal, but it's not going to fix it. The bumper provides you a much, much greater benefit.

Also, all the third party case/protection manufacturers are going to do the work FOR Apple on this front. Zagg already has the Invisibleshield for the antenna. We're going to see lots and lots of this stuff come out I think. So Apple doesn't need to do it. The free market will do it for them, for now. Next year, Apple will save the day again, look like the hero, and claim to be the first to overcome this industry-wide problem.

I don't say this to bash Apple at all. In fact, I think it's awesome, and I think they WILL come out with some stellar improvements next year. I'm rooting for them.

But some secret back-room re-vamp on the antenna, spraying it with some polymer is not gonna happen. It would cause them Antennagate II, it would cost them a lot of money, just to open up old wounds. And there's going to be a lot of third party solutions that basically even the playing field between the iPhone 4 and other smartphones (in regards to the attenuation issue).

Message was edited by: skiltrip

I believe they will. They are already into antennagate anyways. If they want to sell more, I believe they have to fix it. Maybe quietly. As far as letting other companies SELL there fixes. That makes no sense at all. Apple can't keep selling a bad phone and tell their customers they have to, once again, buy a fix. It ain't gonna happen. There are many people that will buy this phone only if it is fixed. Myself included.

How are you so sure that a coating wouldn't help much? There are many methods. The rubber bumpers aren't perfect either.

I believe they will make the phone better soon. Time will be on there side somewhat. Things will cool down a little bit and they will slip in a fix in. Yes there will be upset first adopters when the better one is flowing. But I believe that when people accept the rubber bumpers and the time is up they won't have any recourse. They were told that they can return their phones without any restocking fee. Any reasonable judge would have to agree. You were given an opportunity and you chose not to because you had to have the phone NOW even knowing there was an issue and even though you were given ample opportunity to return it.

So think hard and fast people on weather you want to return it now or not. You can't lose by returning it now because if there is a fix you will have the opportunity to get it if you return yours now. If they don't fix it, you can still buy it again if you have to have it so bad.

I believe everybody that has an issue with it should return it because this will force Apples hand to fix it. The more the better. They will have to draw the line when the sales weren't enough and fix it or do ok sales and wait for the next version iPhone.

Think about it.

@redfran
+100

Don't need to return my iPhone 4, because I've had no problems and no dropped calls. I bought a case on day 2, as well as glass protection. Everything is working perfectly. In fact, I had an unusual 6 hour phone call with my girlfriend the other night due to flight delays (now there's something to gripe about). No drops, speaker phone was fine, ear pods are fine and the connection was clear even in remote parts of country.

Seems like people just want to B-tch.

masterchan777 wrote:
Mr. Jobs did not confirm nor deny a possible hardware revision, so I guess there is a great possibility that an iPhone 4.1 is laying down somewhere in one of Apple's test labs.

it's already been reported that apple will install some kinda plastic or rubber piece where the two antennas meet. they are prolly trying to figure out how to do this without having to change the manufacturing process too much. they're trying to have it all worked out by Sept, that's why the free bumper program will be re-evaluated at that time

Great!

The conspiracy theory. I like it.

Matt

I don't know anything about beta testing, I just read a post from someone who said they were done with the first round and on to the next level of testing, whatever that is. I take it that it must be another level of beta. I apologize, I was only trying to pass along some information.

iFrodo wrote:
He said only 17% of iPhone 4 users are using a case (apparently)

He said only 17% bought a case with their IPhone 4 purchases. I think this is likely the result of so few cases being available on release. I would think many more have bought cases after the purchase though. Now, they can get one for free.