The Apple Core

Jason D. O'Grady & David Morgenstern
Home / News & Blogs / The Apple Core

CR defends its ‘can’t recommend’ iPhone 4 rating

By | July 13, 2010, 2:41pm PDT

Summary: Consumer Reports is at it again, this time blogging in defense of its “can’t recommend” rating for the iPhone 4.

After yesterday’s devastating news that Consumer Reports can’t recommend the iPhone 4 because of its well-documented antenna flaw, comes a follow-up post from CR defending its statements.

While the post sounds a little defensive, the almighty CR sticks to its guns about Apple’s antenna flaw, stating “we think it’s the company’s responsibility to provide the fix—at no extra cost to consumers.”

Our tests, conducted in our labs using controlled signals, confirm growing anecdotal indications that the iPhone 4’s problems are anything but illusory. Our tests found that when your finger or hand touches a spot on the phone’s lower left side—an easy thing to do—the signal can significantly degrade enough to cause you to lose your connection altogether if you’re in an area with a weak signal. We tested several other AT&T phones the same way, including the iPhone 3G S and the Palm Pre. None of those phones had the significant signal-loss problems of the iPhone 4.

The funniest part of CR’s latest blog post is its stopgap fix for the issue: “applying duct tape to the phone.” I’m sure that the thought of putting a piece of ugly grey duct tape on the perfect i4 might send Jony Ive into a fit of rage. Maybe to the point of actually designing a better antenna scheme next time?

CR throws the dog a bone near the end of its latest missive, stating that the iPhone 4 landed at the top of its Ratings of smart phones, noting that it did not feel comfortable listing a phone with such a problem as “recommended,” and therefore have withheld that tag.

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily e-mail newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

More from “The Apple Core”

Topics

Apple iPhone, Ear, Review, CR, Smart Phones, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Jason D. O'Grady, iPhone

Jason O'Grady is a journalist and author specializing in mobile technology. He has published six books on Apple and mobile gadgets and his PowerPage blog has been publishing for over 15 years.

Disclosure

Jason D. O'Grady

Jason D. O'Grady is the creator and editor of O'Grady's PowerPage, which has been publishing mobile technology news since 1995. He maintains an advertising relationship with the following legacy advertisers on the PowerPage:

  • Amazon Associates
  • Google Adsense
  • Tekserve

    • Advertising on the PowerPage is brokered by a third-party agency (BackBeat Media) and he recuses himself from these negotiations.

Biography

Jason D. O'Grady

Jason D. O'Grady developed an affinity for Apple computers after using the original Lisa, and this affinity turned into a bona-fide obsession when he got the original 128 KB Macintosh in 1984.

He started writing one of the first Web sites about Apple (O'Grady's PowerPage) in 1995 and is considered to be one of the fathers of blogging. He has been a frequent speaker at the Macworld Expo conference and a member of the conference faculty. He also co-founded the first dedicated PowerBook User Group (PPUG) in the United States.

After winning a major legal battle with Apple in 2006, he set the precedent that independent journalists are entitled to the same protections under the First Amendment as members of the mainstream media.

O'Grady is the author of The Nexus One Pocket Guide, The Droid Pocket Guide, The Google Phone Pocket Guide, and The Garmin nuvi Pocket Guide (Peachpit Press), the author of Corporations That Changed the World: Apple Inc. (Greenwood Press), and a contributor to The Mac Bible (Peachpit Press). In addition, he has contributed to numerous Mac publications over the years, including MacWEEK, Macworld, and MacPower (Japan).

When he's not writing about Apple for ZDNet at The Apple Core, he enjoys spending time with his family in New Jersey.

Related Discussions on TechRepublic

Did you know you can take part in these discussions with your ZDNet membership?
Ask a Question Start a Discussion
30
Comments
Add Your Opinion

Join the conversation!

Just In

RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
jackson1984-24316069205748857739440257893812 11th Oct
I considered it positively was likely to be some boring chestnut ugg previous submit, still it most certainly compensated for my time. I'll publish a web site website link to this website on my running a blog blog. I am self-assured my web site people will realize that very useful
View in thread
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
jbach67 13th Jul 2010
And yet Apple continues to say nothing...

I own an iPhone 4. Its always in a case, so I never touch the antenna. I love this phone, but I'd still like Apple to say something less offensive than 'we were stunned that the bars did not correctly indicate signal strength.' I'm stunned they think we're that stupid!
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
Jkirk3279 14th Jul 2010
@jbachandouris@...

Let me offer another viewpoint. Have you ever tried coding an algorithm?

It's harder than it looks. You get something that should do what you want, and then you test it.

Maybe you get something that LOOKS like it's working perfectly, but once in a blue moon, gets squirrely and makes mistakes you can't explain.

Apple's admitting they made a mistake breaks with tradition though.

They should have fixed it and covered it up.

It does explain, though, how the phone can go from 4 bars to nothing in a matter of seconds.
0 Votes
+ -
I'm stunned that CR felt the need to justify this at all
NonZealot 13th Jul 2010
Has CR ever needed to justify a rating in the past? Does the entire world shudder with fear at the thought of crossing the 8,000lb gorilla that is Apple and its army of astro-turfers?

Folks, something is wrong here.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
DannyO_0x98 Updated - 13th Jul 2010
@NonZealot
I'm letting the all the noise flow before I figure out where I stand on this issue.

Still, "Consumer Reports" is premised on three pillars: one being their tests are made on purchased items, two, they don't take advertising, and, three, they print the ratings from the readers who use the products.

So the engineers say "Don't buy." And the users, I understand, are rating it "#1 best smartphone."

It is a paradox. Possible reconciliations? Maybe Apple folks are, willingly or otherwise, astroturfing. Possible. Engineers got it wrong. Not at all likely. Problem exists but the other aspects of the phone make up for it. That's certainly possible. It's what I hear from blogging and podcasting sources I listen to, with one qualification. If people liked iPhones before, they seem to like the iPhone 4, unless some externality, such as Apple's app store policy, has caused them to sour on Apple in favor of Google. People who didn't like the iPhone or Apple are, of course, making hay with one more reason they don't like what they never were going to like.

Reading the discussions from last night about that Secunia report, I take it as a given that were Apple advocates to discuss the nuances of today's story, you will say that their commenting reflects some sort of nerve being touched. Of course, when there are no comments on the Apple side, the question is posed and answered "Why are the Apple people keeping quiet, it must be true."

As I said, I don't know where I stand on this story. Does CR have to reconcile its subscribers and testers? Yes, no, maybe, do I care?

A response I have to so many, but not all, of the questions I stumble across in the course of my forays into the wit and wisdom of ZDNet, CNet, and their talk backers.
0 Votes
+ -
It's your third point.
frgough 14th Jul 2010
The antenna issue is easily resolvable, and consumers like the other features of the phone enough that it's not a deal breaker.

In fact, the only people having a major cow over it are tech pundits.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
Jkirk3279 14th Jul 2010
@DannyO_0x98

Your post was curiously well reasoned and insightful.

I think you're lost. This IS ZDNET after all.

You keep this up and you'll be banned !
0 Votes
+ -
Consumer Reports and Consumers VS Apple and Fanboys
zdnetviewer Updated - 13th Jul 2010
@NonZealot, that's a very good point. In the long run, Consumer Reports have the upper edge as they're in the best position to say whether or not the iPhone 4 works well for consumers or not as a "phone". Apple arrogance has lost them respect and trust from consumers worldwide, not to mention $billions of dollars in losses in the event of a recall.

Also, if you bought the $30 bumper cover...join the class action lawsuits that have already been filed from multiple states around the USA. Analysts have found that they are only worth $1 each but overblown the price 30x higher for a flaw that was Apple's fault to begin with!
0 Votes
+ -
Awww.. NonZealot created a new nick.
i8thecat 14th Jul 2010
slurp...slurp...slurp...

Did you enjoy patting yourself on the back Zealot???
0 Votes
+ -
Be stunned
Fred Fredrickson 13th Jul 2010
Consumer Reports (CR) publishes data and opinion about products. While the data may be scientifically sound, it is the opinion expressed through the rating that may be open to question. It is perfectly reasonable for people to raise questions about ratings from time to time and for CR to either defend or amend them in response.

The conflict between CR's "can't recommend" rating and consumer's overall high rating indicates to me that the antenna issue is not considered significant by users as it is easily fixed by fitting a case (as most people do anyway).

Given that the antenna is fundamental to the design of the phone, I can't see this issue being fixed until the next generation is released. In the meantime, it would be much better if Apple admitted to the issue and provided helpful workarounds such as ways of holding the phone that avoid the issue and the types of cases or covers that are most effective.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
kenosha77a 13th Jul 2010
@Fred Fredrickson
See my comment to NZ. It mirrors your own views.
0 Votes
+ -
A dirty little secret
kenosha77a 13th Jul 2010
@NonZealot
The "8,000 pound gorilla", in this case, is not Apple but Consumer Reports. Let me explain that statement, NZ, for it surely needs an explanation and also what the "dirty little secret" I alluded to is. Oh .. a little personal background first.

I retired from an American Automobile Company recently and, to a person, my associates never felt CR represented or reported on our products in an unbiased manner. I'm sure more than a little bit of "professional pride" influenced our opinion of CR's reports but we also had access to extensive warranty, dealership and customer reviews of our own that were far more comprehensive than any analysis that CR's staff could ever hope to field.

Plus, (and I only cite this as an example and not to pick on Toyota) with CR's continued long standing love affair with Toyota products and CR's glowing reports of our Japanese brother's vehicles simply didn't agree with common Industry analysis and current world knowledge of Toyota's recent and on going quality problems, our negative opinion of CR's proclaimed unbiased reports were justifiably upheld. I actually think that ANY manufacturing company would feel and think the same about CR's objective credibility to accurately assess a particular product. (Please note: I never would or did state that CR can't report an accurate assessment of a particular product's ability to satisfy its consumer owner's expectations. They can, obviously, but people seem to believe that they get their reports or opinions 100 percent correct ALL THE TIME).

And that's the key element of our "dirty little secret". Manufactures know that consumers take CR's reports as gospel even though they can't possibly be. Manufactures want a good CR report of course but we tend to feel that its sort of a "crap shoot" if we get one or not. So, because the media reports CR's opinion as gospel and consumers, to a person, believe that, CR is the 8,000 pound gorilla in this case.

Now .. my opinion on the current issue at hand and ZR, you already know my opinion of the iPhone antenna issue.

I do agree that paying thirty dollars for the Apple iPhone perimeter bumper is idiotic and Apple should give one as standard equipment when an iPhone is purchased. Now, if a consumer wishes a different bumper color, than that consumer should have the right to satisfy his vanity urges and pay that outrageous price to have a customized iPhone colored bumper. (I sort of think a white iPhone with a Green bumper looks cool and would remind me of a Michigan State University memory association .. but I digress)

I'm sure every Apple supporter would wish this issue would "go away" but of course, it won't. At least, not until iPhone 5 is introduced next year by Gizmodo (grin).

As for myself, purchasing an iPhone 4 would still be a viable option although the "CR duck tape" fix would not be. (I do have some engineering pride left!)
Mike
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
bmgoodman 14th Jul 2010
@kenosha7777 Wait, another person who made his living off of producing American cars is SURE that Consumer Reports is biased against American cars? And don't you think that your statement, "common Industry analysis and current world knowledge of Toyota's recent and on going quality problems, our negative opinion of CR's proclaimed unbiased reports were justifiably upheld." is pretty bold, yet your conclusion is unsupported? I just read the NHTSA summary that concluded that 74 of 75 cases of unintended Toyota acceleration was due to DRIVER ERROR.

FWIW, I have no financial interest in Toyota.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
Ken_z 14th Jul 2010
@kenosha7777

We bought our first Toyota in '71 and bought a lot since then.

But not these days. In the 90s Toyota removed a few thousand dollars of costs from their cars - and it shows. We now drive a Mazda (good car) and are considering a Korean brand as they are delivering more bang for the buck. So on cars CR is pretty much at the bottom of the list for help.

When it comes to Apple, the CR consumer ratings still hold weight, but the magazine never seems to understand Apple, regardless of the product.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
wzrobin Updated - 15th Jul 2010
@kenosha7777
"I actually think that ANY manufacturing company would feel and think the same about CR's objective credibility to accurately assess a particular product. (Please note: I never would or did state that CR can't report an accurate assessment of a particular product's ability to satisfy its consumer owner's expectations. They can, obviously, but people seem to believe that they get their reports or opinions 100 percent correct ALL THE TIME). "

I think you are mistaken to assume that everyone thinks that CR cannot be wrong... it's just that the manufacturers have a very difficult time refuting something that CR says (even if CR does have to be wrong) because consumers don't trust manufacturers to tell them the truth. There is an entire profession (Advertising) that has turned lying to us into an art form, so when push come to shove many (most?) of us will take the opinion of an amateur with no vested interest, over that of a professional who's livelihood may depend on the answer coming out one way.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
Ken_z 14th Jul 2010
@NonZealot

What's wrong is that the other smart phones were worse. The iPhone4 was the highest rated of all smart phones tested. LOL!
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
egidioleitao 13th Jul 2010
One more reason for me to continue my CR subscription. I have used Apple products since 1984, but I am getting tired of the whole media adoration with everything Apple. If the phone has problems, let Apple address them. Good for CR!
0 Votes
+ -
It's over
Peter Perry 13th Jul 2010
Seriously, if Apple drags their feet it will signal the end of the iPhone's reign... By the time they fix this issue Android will have a much larger edge and the Apple stock will be even lower than I thought come next year.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
Stan57 13th Jul 2010
@Peter Perry
Hay man,the ones that need convincing are the apple zealots who after all the evidence and statements by apple itself STILL refuse to believe the phone has a serious design flaw. Me i wounldnt buy an google anything, they cant be trusted and the cost is too high for there free products. too bad OSS sucks too,but then how can anyone really trust them either?
0 Votes
+ -
That would be...
Fred Fredrickson 13th Jul 2010
the Apple stock that has gone from $80 to $250 in the last 18 months. If you're inferring that share price is an indicator of product quality, the facts are telling a different story to the one you're trying to spin.
0 Votes
+ -
Huh?
Peter Perry 13th Jul 2010
@Fred Fredrickson I was saying this phone and not enough lead time in the tablets will leave Apple down to about 2/3rds their current value by this time next year.

Look at it this way, before this issue people were predicting 100 Million of these iPhones being sold this year alone and now they'll be luck to make 30 Million until they admit the antenna is flawed and deal with it.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
jlags 13th Jul 2010
Simply put, the problem only happens to a few. All my iPhones in the past were properly protected from dings with a case, as well, it is a valued item that deems a few bucks be put out to protect my investment. Regarding all this crying, Apple gives a FULL refund back to all dissatisfied customers when returned within 60 days. The Media is having a feeding frenzy on such an over-hyped topic. Will be interesting to see how many were returned IF the media ever decides to release that info.
0 Votes
+ -
But they're not paying the early termination fee for AT&T
ye 13th Jul 2010
@jlags: Regarding all this crying, Apple gives a FULL refund back to all dissatisfied customers when returned within 60 days.

So you won't get all your money back.

The Media is having a feeding frenzy on such an over-hyped topic.

That goes for "pro-Apple" as well.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
msalzberg 13th Jul 2010
@ye

For new subscribers, AT&T has a 30 trial period, where you can cancel with no ETF.
0 Votes
+ -
I'd hardly call it a "few"
Cylon Centurion 13th Jul 2010
@jlags, Youtube, Google, Bing, CNN, etc. are all full of stories from consumers with the issue.
0 Votes
+ -
Okay and?
Peter Perry 13th Jul 2010
@jlags Wait a second the phone is flawed, it should have a recall by Apple and not just them saying, if you don't want it bring it back we're sure somebody else will.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
andrej770 14th Jul 2010
@jlags - The breaking problem with Toyota only affected a few too right? What ended up happening - practically a total recall. I am not saying all iPhone 4's are defective, but the reason people are uncertain about it is because Apple, like Toyota at the beginning, is making it seem like a user problem. Toyota took (and is still taking) a huge hit for their initial stance; Apple will too. Don't bite the hand that holds your product!
0 Votes
+ -
Duct Tape Fixes iPhone 4 - Stock Explodes!
jpr75_z 13th Jul 2010
Makers of Duct Tape saw an explosion in their stock price today as the millions of dill-weed iPhone 4 owners rushed out to buy duct tape to fix their faulty iPhone 4 antenna. Duct Tape sellers said there were people lined up for blocks to buy the silver, sticky tape that rarely gets noticed. Apple maintains it is a non-issue and it was rumored they have threatened to ?wipe Consumer Reports off the face of the earth? for their less than flattering review of the iPhone4.
0 Votes
+ -
If this has been confirmed by a third non-bias party,
Snooki_smoosh_smoosh 14th Jul 2010
Then Apple should either fix the problem, or offer a free Bumper, and a rebate for those who already bought the bumpers.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
rhonin 14th Jul 2010
After reading this I can't help but think that way too many people are brand bound.

I switched (Nexus One) and am glad I did.
I am finding it far superior to the 3GS I had and the 4 I tried.
and btw: I'm not having call issues any more. Imagine that.
0 Votes
+ -
RE: CR defends its 'can't recommend' iPhone 4 rating
jackson1984-24316069205748857739440257893812 11th Oct
I considered it positively was likely to be some boring chestnut ugg previous submit, still it most certainly compensated for my time. I'll publish a web site website link to this website on my running a blog blog. I am self-assured my web site people will realize that very useful

Join the conversation!

Formatting +
BB Codes - Note: HTML is not supported in forums
  • [b] Bold [/b]
  • [i] Italic [/i]
  • [u] Underline [/u]
  • [s] Strikethrough [/s]
  • [q] "Quote" [/q]
  • [ol][*] 1. Ordered List [/ol]
  • [ul][*] · Unordered List [/ul]
  • [pre] Preformat [/pre]
  • [quote] "Blockquote" [/quote]
ie8 fix

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

Facebook Activity

Blog Roll

Blog Archive

White Papers, Webcasts, & Resources
ie8 fix
ie8 fix