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Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?

By | July 15, 2010, 6:30am PDT

Summary: The iPhone 4 launched with record sales and a slew of complementary reviews. However, the alleged antenna problems have developed into major publicity crisis. Has it affected your buying decision? Take our poll.

The Apple iPhone 4 launched with long lines, record sales, and a slew of complementary reviews. However, the tide turned against the iPhone 4 in recent weeks as the alleged antenna problems escalated into a full-blown publicity crisis.

We’d like to know if the bad press about the iPhone 4 has affected your plans to get one. Take the poll and then leave your comments in the discussion below.

Poll

If you were considering an iPhone 4 purchase, has the antenna issue affected your decision?

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Topics

Apple iPhone, Purchase, Antenna, Smart Phones, Consumer Electronics, Personal Technology, Jason Hiner

Jason Hiner is the Editor in Chief of TechRepublic. He writes about the products, people, and ideas that are revolutionizing business with technology.

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Jason Hiner has nothing to disclose. He doesn't hold investments in the technology companies he covers.

Biography

Jason Hiner

Jason Hiner is the Editor in Chief of TechRepublic, an online trade publication and peer-to-peer community for IT leaders. He is an award-winning journalist who examines the latest trends and asks the big questions about the technology industry. He previously worked as an IT manager in the health care industry.

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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
tomlin21-24319035676893835085146735905770 11th Oct
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Joe Dufflebag 15th Jul 2010
No matter what the Apple folks say there are hardware and software problems with the iPhone 4. My family has three iPhone 2 3Gs and 1 3GS. They are great phones but Apple screwed up on this one. Would like to get a new one but Apple needs to admit then fix the problems first.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Schoolboy Bob 16th Jul 2010
@Joe Dufflebag - Add my three family plan iPhones I was planning to get to the list of non-sales. I'm glad I was waiting for a white one. Now I'm waiting for a white one that doesn't have so many issues. I'm giving my old brain-dead 3G a reprieve.
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Hated to do it, but I returned my iPhone
jmallymall 15th Jul 2010
I hated to do it, but I returned my iPhone 4 to the Apple store in Charlotte, NC yesterday. Too many issues from the antenna, 3G coverage indoors, 1/2 second lag during calls, and even bluetooth connectivity. I might have had a lemon, but it was too much to handle. What it boiled down to was that I could not use it as a phone, forcing me to return it. One odd side note is the Apple store rep stated I had the option to exchange it for a replacement. However if I did so, I would not have the option of returning the replacement should it be defective as well. That really was not an option!
Lastly, I have gone back to my iPhone 3G and it now operates at a snails pace. I think it was the iOs4 update.
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Blame the lag on ATT
jacarter3 15th Jul 2010
@jmallymall

I recently purchased and returned an ATT WWAN "aircard" for roaming Internet access with a 5GB data only plan. Even with a fully rated signal (-69dBm at all bars), the lag for round trip packets to an Internet server was always greater than 750mS. That performance was only when I could actually get the thing to connect in the first place.

It was so bad that after hours with their tech support, they finally agreed to eliminate all charges. I returned it and eventually got a Verizon WWLAN radio and have acceptable performance. Now I remember why my cell phone is not based on ATT...
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Weird that you returned it
NonZealot 15th Jul 2010
@jmallymall
We had been told by the Apple zealots that no one was returning theirs. Huh. Guess they were lying.

I have gone back to my iPhone 3G and it now operates at a snails pace. I think it was the iOs4 update.

Yeah, that isn't unusual at all. It seems that iOS 4 was really only supposed to be used on iPhone 4, none of the other iPhones are quite up to snuff. Amazing when you think that MS got multi-tasking working on hardware with a fraction of the power about 10 years ago.

I'm now worried about the bluetooth issues though. That would be a showstopper for me. Glad you had no trouble returning it. I'm still planning on getting one as long as I can return it too, should the bluetooth not work.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Den2010 15th Jul 2010
@NonZealot Microsoft's use of multi-tasking, of course, was on PC hardware. It seems that with their newest and finest, multi-tasking is only going to be implemented in a crippled, hardly acceptable state on phone hardware. All hail Windows Phone 7 - the Great Pretender!
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@dbarr: I agree
NonZealot 15th Jul 2010
Many of us Windows Mobile users aren't fans at all of WP7. For the first time ever, MS has decided to copy Apple. Unfortunately, they decided to copy Apple from 3 years ago: no native applications, no copy and paste, no multi-tasking.

Microsoft's use of multi-tasking, of course, was on PC hardware

No idea what you mean by this though. WM has never run on PC hardware.
  • Flagged
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Pete "athynz" Athens 15th Jul 2010
@NonZealot For the first time ever, MS has decided to copy Apple. The first time ever? Do you not recall the origin of Windows? Based on code stolen from Apple's first GUI mac OS Lisa... which in turn was licensed by Apple from Xerox. But don't let the facts stop you from your Apple Hating agenda.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
dave95. Updated - 15th Jul 2010
@NonZealot

For the first time ever, MS has decided to copy Apple.

Funny......Take a look at your beloved Zune, and then the ZuneHD, Zune Market Place? Zune "closed" ecosystem? All trying to clone the iPod's success. Have you seen the recently opened Microsoft stores? If that's not cloning then really, what is? They even hired the same guy who designed the Apple Stores.

But I will forgive you if you've just realized this with Win7. It's a start to recovery.
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@athynz and dave95: Prove your assertions
NonZealot 15th Jul 2010
I claim this is the first time ever. You claim otherwise. Fine. Prove that MS copied Apple's GUI. After all, if MS copied Apple's GUI, I'm sure Apple took MS to court and that a court found MS guilty of copyright infringement. Please find me the link to the courts finding MS guilty of copying Apple's GUI. If you can't, you must retract your statement since once a court rules on something, it is the right ruling. At least this is the standard that you Apple zealots have established when it comes to MS's anti-trust rulings. wink wink wink

Likewise with the Zune. If the Zune were a copy of the iPod, I expect you to find me a court ruling stating as much. If you can't, then either Apple doesn't agree with your or the courts don't agree with you. Either way, your assertion has been proven wrong.

happy
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
lelandhendrix@... 30th Jul 2010
@NonZealot The only liars here are the ones who responded to the poll by saying antennagate made them change their mind.

How, then, do you explain the fact that it is currently IMPOSSIBLE for manufacturing to keep up with demand both in store and the long-lead pre-orders?

And then why are people in coutries where iPhone 4 isn't being sold flocking to eBay to pay $800 USD CASH to get their hands on one?

It would not surprise me in the slightest if it were YOU, mr Zealot, who were roaming around to every browser you could find go click the "I changed my mind" response to this poll, as it fits your vitriolic MO just perfectly!
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Still waiting
bsvee 15th Jul 2010
I work in an IT shop and I'm the only kid in school without a smart phone. My coworkers are all either on iPhone or Android. I had planned to purchase an iPhone 4 when the dust from the buying frenzy had settled but being patient I now plan to wait for the next hardware update or at least for the iPhone to come to T-mobile (my current provider) or Verizon.
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RE:Still waiting
drphysx 15th Jul 2010
@bsvee Just get the Nexus One on T-Mobile. Pretty much the same hardware, but Android is better than iOS is every aspect.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Bookmark71 15th Jul 2010
The antenna issue itself didn't curb my purchase but their arrogant attitude did. My next phone purchase will be android based. When that 2 year contract is up I'll look back at how this all shakes out. Most important however will be how they treated their customers.
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Fix the iPhone for $4 from ebay
CathyCC 15th Jul 2010
Your poll needs another choice:
> I paid an extra $4 for a case from ebay and totally fixed the problem.
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Re: Fix the iPhone for $4 from ebay
AllanV 15th Jul 2010
Or perhaps that choice would be: "Had Apple admitted the flaw with a promise to fix, and included a case with the purchase, would you buy the iPhone4?"
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Loverock Davidson 15th Jul 2010
@CathyCC
The case didn't fix the problem. It masked the problem. Take the case off and the antenna issue is still there.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
jpdemers@... 15th Jul 2010
@Loverock Davidson: Give it a rest, you tool.
  • Flagged
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Loverock Davidson 15th Jul 2010
@jpdemers

Apple fanboy in denial.
  • Flagged
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Not in itself so much
John Zern 15th Jul 2010
I don't have a iPhone, nor nee/want one. Yet I was talking with a co-worker the other day who said that he and his wife decided against getting it no for just the antenna issue, but for all the problems it's having combined.

They said it's not worth spending money on buying a defective product.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
windozefreak 15th Jul 2010
@John Zern
Seems like smart people; unlike some tools calling others tools. I know, I can't figure that one out either.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
ahh so 15th Jul 2010
@windozefreak
It's quite easy. All you have to do is look in the mirror and say to yourself; "tool".

See?

lol... grin
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Loverock Davidson 15th Jul 2010
I decided not to get an iphone because of all the issues its had. I will see what other options are available to me.
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Riiiigggght
dave95. 15th Jul 2010
@Loverock Davidson

You forgot to mention you will be getting a brand spanking new WP7 instead, so let me help you out....
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Loverock Davidson 15th Jul 2010
@dave95.
I didn't forget. wink
  • Flagged
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Pete "athynz" Athens 15th Jul 2010
@Loverock Davidson Like YOU were ever going to buy an iPhone or any other Apple hardware... You decided not to get an iPhone because of your blinding hatred of all things Apple - even if this device had NO issues at all you would not buy it because of the logo on the back.
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No - but add a line in the poll to let us describe a third choice
jacarter3 15th Jul 2010
That one being I would never buy a platform that is as closed as the iPhone nor one that is tied to only one, and a very crappy one at that, cellco. In other words, I had already decided to not buy any iPhone prior to this debacle. If I could buy one that is tied to a cellco like Verizon, I might still consider buying an iPhone. But even then, it would not be the iPhone 4.
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Interesting......
James Quinn 15th Jul 2010
There was like one person here that claimed to have returned his/her iPhone 4 to Apple after listing off every single "issue" so far claimed against the iPhone 4.. Hmmmm Every single one!?! Now my question is this "IF" the iPhone 4 is so flawed and has so many flaws were is the reports of massive returns? That should not be hard to get from a dedicated journalist should it not? Apple is NOT charging a restocking fee so there is nothing stopping someone who owns an iPhone 4 from getting a FULL rebate right? There should be lines in front of Apple stores by now with unsatisfied iPhone 4 purchasers iPhone in hand ready to get their money back right?

Pagan jim
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Pete "athynz" Athens 15th Jul 2010
@James Quinn You won't see that - you'll just see post after post by the usual Apple Haters on here and maybe 2-3 posts out of hundreds from actual iphone owners with the actual issues...
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
windozefreak 15th Jul 2010
@James Quinn
Hey Pagen, just one thing: intelligence!
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Tru the intelligent won't take all the rantings as fact.
James Quinn 15th Jul 2010
@windozefreak
The intelligent will wait and see what is real after all the fuss and dust clears. I will wait to see the results of the iPhone 4's continued sales and any reports on the returns of said phones.. None so far. I understand intelligence.. The question here is do you?

Pagan jim
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
aep528 15th Jul 2010
You seem to have forgotten a choice:

d) Didn't care about the iPhone before, still don't now.
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Ah but the question was the "effect" on sales or
James Quinn 15th Jul 2010
@aep528
the possible effect. Now most of us in the real world know you can't please everyone not even Apple it would seem. So people like you are not part of the equation.

Pagan jim
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
jpdemers@... 15th Jul 2010
@Pagan jim: I'm pretty sure most of the negatives here are from haters who had no intention of buying the thing in the first place.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
ahh so 15th Jul 2010
Of course since most of them suffer from NBMer disease, a disease created by absorption into the Borg Collective for too long.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
mgrubb@... 15th Jul 2010
i
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Yup
boomchuck1 15th Jul 2010
Was considering an iPhone 4 or 3gs but opted for the HTC Aria instead. Android OS and smaller footprint. Funny but a few years ago the whole move was toward how small can you make my phone. Now we've got phones that, aside from thickness, are as big as the old Motorola flip phones of 10 years ago! Check out the comparison to a iPhone - http://lekowicz.com/wren_forum/wp-content/imageposts/2007/07/old-motorola-and-iphone-thumb.jpg
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I know what you mean, HTC Touch Diamond is a fantastic phone
NonZealot 15th Jul 2010
@boomchuck1
Funny but a few years ago the whole move was toward how small can you make my phone. Now we've got phones that, aside from thickness, are as big as the old Motorola flip phones of 10 years ago!

My HTC Touch Diamond has truly fantastic dimensions without sacrificing screen resolution. Most of the other smartphones out there are total bricks compared to my phone.
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Actually the iPhone is smaller than the phone provided
James Quinn 15th Jul 2010
@boomchuck1
And it's not eve flipped out to use in that picture. Then you have to take in effect that the flip phone had virtually no screen or could do so very little compared to the iPhone.

Now where are the pictures comparing the width or thickness of each device?

Pagan jim
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
mgrubb@... 15th Jul 2010
I was already on the fence. My contract on my current phone will be up shortly and I can upgrade if I want, and so I was looking at the iPhone. But, I've never been a huge fan of Apple products. I don't like many things, like the inablity to add more storage to the phone, or inablity to change the battery without sending it in. I also didn't like the shape of iPhones until they changed it with the iPhone 4, which I really like the shape now. Anyway, a lot of phones are moving towards batteries that can't be changed, and I have many friends that love their iPhones (even though they can't make it an entire day with out having to charge it), so, I had pretty much made up my mind to take the plunge and get the iPhone. But, with all of their problems, and with Apples' attitude about the problems, and with the class action lawsuit that was just announced this week (I read the breif and it opened my eyes to a few things), I've decided the iPhone isn't for me. I'm going to hold off for a few months I think and see if the Samsung Galaxy S lives up to it's hype, and may consider that phone. And I'm also very seriously considering paying full price to buy an unlocked Nokia N8 when they are available overseas. That looks like an AWESOME phone, great specs, etc, and I've owned several other nokia's and loved them. In fact, I liked my last 2 Nokia's so much that I kept each one for 4 years before upgrading. And while I'm very happy with the Samsung Eternity I have right now, which is why I'm considering the Samsung Galaxy S, the list of features on the Nokia N8 are pretty incredible. My only concern with the N8 is the OS, Symbian 3. It's the last Nokia that will use Symbian (so I've read) and that is a bit of a concern. But, I'm not sure that's enough of a concern to change my mind.

Bottom line, I'm not buying an iPhone. What i end up getting will have to wait for the new cycle of phones in 3rd quarter.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
jpdemers@... 15th Jul 2010
I'll buy it, see how it works for me, and either keep it or return it. (Sorry if the common sense approach bothers anybody.)
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Common sense does NOT apply here
Pete "athynz" Athens 15th Jul 2010
@jpdemers@... You must either hate all things Apple or worship the very ground that Steve jobs walks on - here there is no middle ground or any sort of common sense approach.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
Antigone42 15th Jul 2010
I was going to upgrade my wife's iPhone 3GS until I heard about the problems. She'd kill me if I "upgraded" her and she had problems with antenna, proximity sensor and now Bluetooth!
What a complete fiasco.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
JohninSDCA 15th Jul 2010
I had an iPhone 3G, it was an OK phone, great for Apps and games via Wifi, I did not get the iPhone 4, jumped ship for EVO, do not regret it one bit.
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
sip01 15th Jul 2010
My son got one last week, and no problems with dropped calls or the proximity sensor. Two of my nephews and I are awaiting the release of the white iPhone4.

The poll is not really relevant -- why don't you poll ALL the 1.7 million who bought an iPhone4 in the first three days of release?
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
windozefreak 15th Jul 2010
@sip01
We don't need a poll we already know they are sheep!
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Who's this "WE" white man!!?!
James Quinn 15th Jul 2010
@windozefreak
I don't mind a good hate filled rant. Some a few of NonZ's are fairly entertaining after all. However you sir and your posts have been for the very most part very poor in quality and generally lame.

Pagan jim
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
pjones 15th Jul 2010
You need a fourth Item to the Poll for those that were not planing to purchase one anyway.

Until Apple dumps AT&T or atleast allows other cariers I am not planing on a Purchase. As Much as I love apple products. I wouldn't go with AT&T in my Area if some one offered me a million dollars to do so. AT&T in our area Drops calls from people standing 50 feet away.
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What poll is this?
Bart B. Van Bockstaele 15th Jul 2010
The issue has *not* influenced my decision *not* to buy an iPhone 4. I prefer stuff I can actually use, not toys. Apple is a toy merchant. It doesn't interest me. The iPhone 4 issues are therefore utterly irrelevant to my decision making process.
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Which kind of makes you "irrelevant" to the poll..
James Quinn 15th Jul 2010
@Bart B. Van Bockstaele
You can't please everyone after all and you are one of those that Apple does not even try to please nor expects to get as a customer so no big.

Pagan jim
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RE: Poll: Has the antenna issue influenced your iPhone 4 purchase?
tomlin21-24319035676893835085146735905770 11th Oct
Its my satisfaction to declare you that your information has fascinated me. You occur being most suitable right into a fantastic labor. Keep nfljersey going to maintain the spirit large.

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