Is Apple Doing a Silent iPhone 4 Recall?

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Posted July 13, 2010 at 6:42pm by iClarified

Gizmodo has heard from an iPhone 4 customer who received a replacement handset from Apple with noticeably different hardware.

I've been following all of the iPhone 4 stuff since I got mine the day before release. I was able to replicate the signal issue. I also had the proximity sensor issue, causing inadvertent mute button pushing. There were a few other software issues I was experiencing so I consulted Apple at the Fifth Avenue store in New York. They replaced my phone. The diagnostic showed that the OS was corrupt and certain utilities were failing. [They claimed that] all phones with a proximity sensor issue were being sent back to Apple for further study.

Well, when I got the new phone it was different. It was different hardware. The black [plastic] bezel isn't as black on the new one. I couldn't see the proximity sensor at all on the previous iPhone 4, now I can. The stainless steel band on the new phone is less 'steel-y' and more matte. I've also tried to replicate the signal drop and failure. While I can't say for sure that it is entirely fixed, there is certainly huge improvement. I'm guessing they coated the steel with something, took some black out of the bezel and sent them out without saying too much about it. I also think Apple is willing to warranty a phone for any reason except the signal issue.

The guy next to me said that he had to press the home button several times before the phone would come back from stand-by. This happened once. The Apple tech ran the diagnostic, everything was fine. They still replaced his phone. I think they're doing a 'silent recall'.

Let us know what you think of this in the comments...

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Is Apple Doing a Silent iPhone 4 Recall?

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Freenick - September 4, 2010 at 7:33pm

I have just gotten my iPhone 4 the day before yesterday and was able to jailbreak it via the Dev team website and it is much easier than I used to jailbreak my iPhone 3Gs.

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Apendergast - July 14, 2010 at 5:36pm

Took mine to apple store in Annapolis MD. After telling the clerk about reception issue ( he actually made a " really?" face) proximity and brightness issues, he offered a new phone. Then some other clerk came over and gave me the "try restoring it" spiel. Not very happy with that one. I will try again because the first clerk told me that they had several in stock. Apple needs to test their products better.

Hawk - July 14, 2010 at 11:20am

Has anyone checked the firmware on the "new" device to see if there is also a silent update as well?

BSoares - July 14, 2010 at 7:17am

My iPhone 4 is from week 22 and so far I haven't had issues. The signal does drop if I cover the left side but with the cover that is on it now it's been working fine... BTW, I cannot see the proximity sensor.

Teodor Pavlovich - July 14, 2010 at 4:28am

On my UK (14 June) Iphone 4 there is something like thin plastic tape over the problem area. But not on the wide part. This plastic tape is over the thin edge and it is almost invisible. I have not antenna problem with this phone.

ming - July 14, 2010 at 3:13am

please help escalate a brewing issue with IPOD TOUCH users who upgraded to OS4.

NeHoMaR - July 13, 2010 at 10:15pm

This is why I will wait a lot before buying this phone. Even a year when iPhone 4S could be possibly released. I am still fine with 3G.

Atif - July 14, 2010 at 11:03am

u should use the 2g instead, fegit

74tz - July 13, 2010 at 10:04pm

I have a iPhone 4 32GB Black (Production Week 28), bought from the UK Apple Online Store. I'll be using it with my O2 UK SIM that is currently in my 3GS once the iPhone 4 Userland jailbreak is released. I haven't yet tested the signal strength on my new iPhone 4 as I'm perfectly content with waiting and using my 3GS instead for a bit longer - plus I dare not use the iPhone 4 until I get a new Speck CandyShell protective case for it. The steel band on my iPhone 4 isn't 'shiney', but I'm not sure if it is the same as the phone in the above pictures of this article as I don't think I can see the proximity sensor - however if I use a bright enough light and stare at where the proximity sensor 'might' be visible for long enough, I can just about bring myself tp believe I can see it, though I might just be imagining it. How difficult should it be to see the proximity sensor on these 'new' iPhone 4's that have a revised hardware design? ...and how does the steel band compare between old & new production models? Thanks, ~74tz

Kenz - July 13, 2010 at 11:41pm

Sorry mate sounds like you have the older hardware.. You can see from the images above how visible the proximity sensor is.

Gooch - July 13, 2010 at 9:29pm

I have week 27. So far I have had no issues. However when I did the restore of my backup from my 3GS, it seemed very sluggish. I then restored the iPhone4 back to the state of a new phone by erasing everything. It now works fine and I've experienced none of the common issues going around.

David - July 13, 2010 at 9:27pm

Hmmm. I got my phone day 1 and the band is also matte and I can see the proximity sensor. Maybe just dual suppliers?

Brian - July 13, 2010 at 8:42pm

My phone is week 25 and I haven't had any issues with mine. Maybe it's a question to ask if after a certain week problems don't exist.

Jordan J. - July 13, 2010 at 9:06pm

I agree, can we get a Week number of when it's manufactured? I have Week 27 and have issues galore. The local Apple store only had Week 26 replacements.

AJ - July 13, 2010 at 8:01pm

I'm sure! And they also can tell the difference between butter and margarine on a piece of toast!

Knighthawk - July 14, 2010 at 12:47pm

ROFL!!!

Me - July 13, 2010 at 6:49pm

same here. just had a phone replaced due to a faulty microphone. the glass is a little recessed, and the metal antenna pops out more. before it felt flush with the phone.

mateen - July 13, 2010 at 6:54pm

What week was the iPhone? (4th and 5th digits of serial #)

innov - July 13, 2010 at 6:58pm

they had to have rushed though the release knowing there was an issue, but wanted to start selling anyway,why else would the replacement phones look different . Typical Apple mentality, if Steve says to sell a problem phone and deal with it later, that's what they did.

Ryan - July 13, 2010 at 7:13pm

I'm taking my phone in tomorrow for the proximity sensor issue, among others...my serial number shows 21 for the production week. I do see the difference with mine and the photos above. My cover is much darker than my screen and i cannot see the proximity sensor.

Nt02 - July 13, 2010 at 7:45pm

Make sure you post back here if you notice these hardware changes.

edrons - July 13, 2010 at 8:41pm

My production week is 27. Is this newer iPhone much better ? would they just exchange it for the antenna issue ?

Me - July 13, 2010 at 9:53pm

mine is a week 26. but btw i am still having proximity sensor and antenna issues.

brandon - July 13, 2010 at 10:06pm

Mine is week 25 and I have the antenna issue but I don't really notice the proximity sensor issue

ae6057 - July 14, 2010 at 8:15am

Mine is week 26. I have no issues with prox sensor but signal strength issue

Questabond - July 14, 2010 at 8:54am

Mine is from week 23. I've had no problems. When I got my phone I set it up as a new phone and did not use tha backup of my JB 3GS

Ryan Shannon - July 14, 2010 at 11:54pm

So I just got back from Apple....after having to argue over and over with two separate "Geniuses", she finally agreed to exchange my phone. I had prox sensor issues, passcode lock had no options, google maps wouldn't display traffic, a bunch of weird little things. Soooo, the old phone was week 21, new one is 27. So far so good as far as my prox sensor goes. I definitely DISAGREE with this post though. My old phone and the replacement are exactly identical on the exterior, there is no "silent recall". Maybe is was a bad batch or two, who knows. Side but related note....the genius actually told me to hold the phone differently and was initially refusing to exchange phones! I was so furious. I said "If nothing is wrong with my phone, then exchange mine for another one and your free to re-sell this one with no concerns". Ugh. Palo Alto Apple Store - Worst Customer Service!!!