iPhone 4 Bumper Test from Consumer Reports

[wilkinson8707]

i held mine in my right hand so it never came in contact with the antenna.

[BlackSadCat]

the problem with the reception or signal there in USA its ur cheap movile provider... ATT sucks. USA has 70% from antenna issues by signal.

[LimadjnoPC]

I hope they solve this on iPhone 5.

I was going to buy this one, but I didn't because of the antenna problem.

Maybe now I can buy a my first one with no problem

[sprockkets]

@imattie707 Context, context. This was made before they made them free, obviously.

[73126]

But the bumper and incases are free from apple!!!

I got mine free from apple.

[Member0420]

Who holds the phone like that?

[Urzu3]

@Member0420 try hold it with left hand.. your palm near the thumb surely cover that part of iphone4 antenna

[2naruto1]

@Member0420 L

[TheNoobyNoobNoob]

mike geekis?

[wblong13]

consumer reports are soooo garbage

[chickcarle]

Just got my verizon iPhone and it still has death grip but only if I cover it excessively like both hands but still DEATHGRIP!

[bigstickcop]

I know what would help with the signal loss: FIX THE DAMN SERVICE AT&T. I'll be switching to Verizon soon

[XGeneralBeanX]

I am left handed so I have zero problems with this. For once it pays to be a southpaw. woot!

[sk8terjoe98]

I think $30 for a little piece of plastic to cover only the sides of my phone is ridiculous.

[hypersoma]

Duh! I want to see this video for every smartphone out there. I'm guessing many Android headsets suffer from the same issue.

[winniethepoohpiglet]

lol mike GEEKus

[FloatingOnAZephyr]

Wow. That's quite the laboratory they have there!! Lot of hot air about nothing, and consumer reports haven't covered themselves with glory here. Can't recommend the iPhone 4 but will rate is as the best smartphone on the market in their comparisons!? Strange, strange behaviour.

[thecardsharp]

I bought a bumper not because I was paying to fix Apple's problem but because it protects the phone very well from common drops all the while allowing me to show off the phone. I am, however, upset that Apple will not admit that the issue is a flaw in design. Telling iPhone 4 users to hold the phone differently from how we've been holding previous iPhone versions is ridiculous.

[pappachuco]

"game2heart" The flaw IS the DESIGN not software. The bio-electrical field that naturally occurs in our bodies disrupts the signal by causing interference when the 2 antennas are bridged by touching them. Both antennas respond to diff frequencies and when you arc "touch" their frequencies together, it temporarily "shorts" the signal out. Geez, get a clue ;-)

[maxiloop]

your video is pointless

[game2heart]

The iPhone 4 signal loss isn't because of a design or mechanical flaw, it was a software error..... people these days...ugh...

[IreapsI]

@game2heart It is a design flaw, the software error was a seperate issue. The fact that my iPhone 4, on latest firmware, will still drop signal if i bridge the gap proves this to me. The signal strength formula mistake was damage control by apple. Thats it. They admitted to a problem in the software and fixed it expecting brownie points. But declined to admit a hardware issue, which they wont ever fix.

[dublex]

@game2heart well if its so much of a software flaw, how come the current iOS firmware doesn't correct this issue? people these days...ugh...

[KobiandMadge]

youre hot

[freakylocz14]

Android is better.

[SageSofa]

Holy shit look at that guys hair! :o

[HelluvaHorizon]

Your name is Mike Geekus? :D

[arty000123]

i use it in my advantege (bad spelled)

whene my mom calls me to come home i hold the antenna and "whoosh" no more nagging

[Vconti52]

@arty000123 Hahahaha ive posted a few comments on videos about this to, Your boss , family that talks to much or a crazy EX calls drop the call .. I would pay more for this feature

[EmanuelHenderson]

Ive had a iphone 4 for about 2months now and have yet to lose a call or signal due to this reception issue even when i deliberately tried to mess the signal up. I truely believe this issue doesnt affect ALL iphone 4's because mine is fine.

[andrewcampbell113]

thats nice that you dont think we need to pay for it .but we have to

[Nikiko1]

This guy hates apple.. xD. I hate him

[luis85pr]

that guy works for HTC jajajajajtalking BULLSHITT!! iphone 4 still the best phone out there right now!

[hatehaters494]

@luis85pr no its not the htc evo 4g has so muchhh more futures than the iphone 4. soooo sorryy

[nasa1998]

apple probably made the antenna that way soyou could buy a bumber case

[rojermalak]

You dont have to pay for the bumper if you order an iphone or get one before september 30th you get given a free bumper to solve the problem!

[werthefishes]

These r all da phones I had nokia, 8310,5800,5300,6300,5310,n95,n­958gb,samsung,d500,d600,d900,u­600,g600,j700,samsung/ tedbakerthebutton,sony Ericson , w200i, w580i,s500i,expiriax10minipro,­Lg,ks360,Renoir,kf600,motoroll­a,v3(btw not in order) now getting iPhone 4 next Tuesday

[MrTylerRich]

@werthefishes no one cares about all the phones youve had.....show off....

[vish8895]

lol mike geek us was that?

[p1n0yBalleR]

fuck this im trading my iphone for a blackberry.

[FredEFuego]

Apple is giving them away when you purchase a new iPhone 4 this video is old & invalid . Fail

[eeiko321]

@FredEFuego its only for a limited time... untill september and pretty much u can get screwed after that i think

[splashx]

I LOL that this problem hardly occurs outside US. So much for nothing, AT&T...

[OtherVincentLee]

this really pisses me off, im going to think twice about buying the next iphone in 2011, probably lost another customer apple.

[zebulonx]

I don't get it. I was thinking about picking up an iPhone 4, but then all this crap started about antenna problems. Strange thing is, many people I know now have the iPhone 4 and NONE of them have ever had this problem, even testing the "bridging" theory myself on each device (for several minutes) did not result in dropped bars. I've also gone into some local businesses that are selling iPhone 4 and tested those units with similar results. Is it a US AT&T thing?

[EricSummers78]

Seriously, this is just going to make Consumer Reports look bad when that take this stance and everyone else says that it is a minor problem affecting very few people. Can it be reproduced? Yes. Can you easily avoid the problem (if you do not naturally do so)? Yes. Does the antenna design generally improve reception over a traditional design. Yes. Will it cause your call to drop? No. It's like the efficiency gauge on the Toyota Prius. Maximize your bars and you will get better gas mileage.

[WETWILLY17]

we have them in Bakersfield CA for $ 10.00....and much more....

[Chris22090]

You guys are so stupid. Apple gave the bumpers out for free.

Of course if you paid attention instead of misleading consumers you would have known that,.

I'd stick to actual consumer reviews for people who actually own the product and use it in the REAL world. They are the ones that count.

[darkpill]

Consumer Reports already gave the iPhone their highest rating, so I'm not sure what they are talking about. Are all their tests unreliable?

They just saw an opportunity to get some press, and so they "discovered" problems on a second test.

[justincarley]

This needs to stop. People exploited Apple for this issue when the only people that have the issue are the ones that are looking for problems. I've owned the iPhone for since its release and I have never had a problem. When you SQUEEZE the damn phone hard enough to make the two antennas touch each other and cause interference, you may or may not experience signal loss. But WHY are you squeezing it that hard to begin with? This is absolutely antennagate.

[thed0000d29]

I'll take this guy serious when he stops wearing that wig. the funny thing is that i worked at a cell phone repair place in tn for a long time and everyphone does the same thing. I smell payoff

[SuperTwiggster]

thas true

[Manuellaborer]

apple sheeple acted as if the bumper is just a firmware upgrade!

God!

[BigManator]

I think Apple doesnt test thier products in daily routine

[massp84style]

Just get the app directly off your iPhone 4 and it will ship within 7 days.. I just put an order for mine and got a confirmation for Sept 7th for free... Trust me guys don't pay no money just do it buy sept 30

[SebringGirl]

I got mine for free within 4 days of ordering it through Apple. I was impressed. UNTIL I realized that the iPhone4 now won't charge WITH the bumper on. Nor can i use it in my portable player. Its a massive design flaw.

[456dude654]

@SebringGirl you can get a refund go to apple.com and check the "apple bumper program."

[concubinage]

The bumper just looks too ugly on the phone.



[jyjjyc]

Just got my free bumper in the mail the other day.

[kirafaye]

You can get bumpers free till September 30 from apple if you have already bought a phone. Mine came with a free one at purchase anyway. Though I don't use ti because I notice no signal loss.

[WonderIGaming]

ITS NOT A FUCKING PROBLEM, EVERY PHONE HAS IT. SOME PHONE MAKERS JUST MAKE IT SEEM LIKE YOU HAVE FULL BARS DUE TO THEIR RIDICULOUS ALGORITHIMS

[bigjonnyjon]

@WonderIGaming if its not a problem then why do you need a bumper??

[engliyee]

Agreed,we should not pay to solve their problem!!don't mind if it is free

[trivium1299]

bumper doesnt fix my iphone :/

[jrm637]

I guess you guys didn't check out the video of Apples press release about this. They have extensive testing and also said that all iPhone 4 customer get a free case or bumper.

[mc101305]

@jrm637 YEA BUT ITLL TAKE A MONTH TO GET IT... THAT SUCKS MAN BY TIME U GET IT , ITLL BE TOO LATE TO RETURN IT IF U DONT LIKE IT OR IT DOESNT WORK

[Aureoloss]

brotha gotta cut his fingernails

[kukenimunnen]

Hail, consumer reports!

[sunbimr]

hey Mike, can we get a Consumer Reports review on how you get your hair the way it is.... ;-)

[vandammestijn123]

I bought a iphone today, it was released here in Belgium and all i can say is, the antenna problem is real, i juste selled my iphone again (THE SAME DAY) cause it is anoying as hell dont buy an iphone 4 stick to your 3G(s)

[Shadowho]

Apple should give them with the phone! After all, we are paying for a supposedly high quality product!!!

[chelloveck7]

Thanks for the advice but that dude should cut his nails.

[Jonsiv]

you can get the bumber now for free. there is an app in the app store to order it!

[PS3Yes]

@myuser150 you realise if apple did do a 're call' it would cost them 1.5 billion, trust me like speew said it will NOT happen ever, unless its unfixable but it the iPhone 4's case, it is, by buying a case. If you have an iPhone 4 and you are complaining about the antenna and do not want to buy a case...return it.

Bottom line, buy a case (consumer reports prove it fixes it). But i agree apple should of designed a better phone. Yet im still buying one, coz ill get a free bumper with it :D

[geniustripod]

apple can eat shit!....they better fix da crappy problem.....30 bucks for cheap plastic???r u nuts???// apple wtf???

[nederlandms]

i know the better solution its called HTC

[GyroscopeApps]

Thanks for the review.

Can you review the 7 cases that apple is offering for free?

They are all very different.

Wondering which of the 7 would do the best job of protecting the phone from a fall.

[Toxicisleet]

Apple is just making shit loads of money they did this on purpose.

[myuser150]

How about a RE CALL!!!

[speew]

@myuser150 naaah a re-call would be too much of an epic fail for apple, they wouldn't do it, not in 1000 years. If your not happy with the phone, just return it and get a refund...doh...

[bigjonnyjon]

Still the Iphone 4 has a major design fault and i'd wait for the updated version to come out after september. Still no idea why people pay so much for a reject american item.

[eVoluci0n]

@bigjonnyjon There isn't going to be an updated iPhone after September. Apple re-evaluated the antenna situation and said the antenna problem is a much smaller issue than they thought, so there will be no changes to the phone.

[0limit100]

@bigjonnyjon

i bought last monday a iphone 4.... i got the new rivision... dont have the problem with that. they allready fixed it. all devices after 30 september are new rev.

[zorilla99]

please give a link to information about this breaking news that Apple has made new iPhones that fixes the problem. It seems strange that Apple has decided not to inform the world about this news, especially considering all the bad publicity they have endured due to the design. But maybe they have just informed you?

[zorilla99]

@0limit100

please give a link to information about this breaking news that Apple has made new iPhones that fixes the problem. It seems strange that Apple has decided not to inform the world about this news, especially considering all the bad publicity they have endured due to the design. But maybe they have just informed you ?

[bladdan]

this is baloney!!! i have htc droid eris and ive tried to cover it with both hands and i still get 2-3 bars! People must be very stupid to believe apple bad excuses. "we are not perfect?" u spend 100 000 000$ on antenna research and u still blow it? and u blame other smart phones? Apple is expert with brainwashing people.

one last thing i LOVE apple, ihave ipod and imac so dont even go there.

[kbudi92]

im still most likely gunna buy one of thee bad boys. im waiting on the white one though. ive considered an evo, droid x, captivate but i think overall the iphone 4 is what im getting. ive been an iphone user for 2 years and although androids are nice i dont think ill be buying one anytime soon

[jnrolf]

Wahahahahahaha!

a $30 fix on a $200 item apple suck big time!

[persianwhite]

Long live the CR!

[dmbnanifan]

Apple has announced they will give the bumpers to iPhone 4 owners for free...Those that've paid for them can get a refund!

[djsanluis]

@dmbnanifan yes, but this video was made before Apple announced that. You probably knew that, but I'm just pointing that out for other people.

[daoping]

Yes they now give everyone a free bumper with the iphone and everyone that already has one gets a refund!

[curedude77]

They are offering those bumpers for free at the online Apple store, yet it shows as "not available" for shipping right now.

[DigableDude]

iphone 4 is an official FAIL...

Only a fanboy idiot would buy this junk after everything we now know.

[Luinreg]

Industrial design finally bites Apple in the ass to where they forgot the basic rules of radio interference. Pretty sad how one of the tech giants can't even remember the basic rules of telecommunications. Makes me start to question who really has the power in creating our products, marketers and designers or engineers and scientists?

[gazell12]

I'm glad that Apple is gonna give every body a case if they buy an iPhone :)

[Hitagara]

looks trashy

[DJTEVAdotCOM]

bumper is now free but u are still owning a defective product....better reason to wait because u know there will be a permanent fix.

[thatonebeone]

bumpers are FREE NOW...

[Weilonglin]

y wont apple just fix the phone itself, cant b that hard if a piece of worthless plastic can fix the issue...

[dennisteutsch01]

Steve jobs announced that apple will be giving away free bumpers, or if the consumer chooses, an alternate case for ALL iPhone 4's. If you've already purchased a bumper, they will refund the cost of it!

[LemmsGreengee]

They are giving it away for those who bought an iPod.

And if you already have one, they give you the money.

[imperthnthn]

TO LET YOU ALL KNOW -- Apple are giving out FREE Bumpers with any iPhone 4.. or a full refund if you've already brought one. ALSO they are bringing some more cases etc.. to the apple store late next week which will also be under the same offer!

[Ksquaredgaming]

my rubber band idea works like a charm

[ronnieandfriends]

apple really screwed us over on this, but what its matter to them, we will all still buy it anyway, well at least i did lol

[XtQfH]

its free for every iphone 4 owner now :)

[elpresidio]

Apple confirmed giving free bumpers to iPhone 4 users in live conference today.. Google it.

[Missspancakes]

Okay, now they're giving a free bumper... But thats such a half assed approach to "fixing" the problem. I'm not buying one until this is actually addressed properly.

[MeisterYodarkus]

this piece of plastic costs $1, but the little apple on it costs $28...

[TristanMac65]

"We dont think you should have to pay to solve apple problems." Way to go apple, create a phone that u cant even hold correctly and have to pay 30 bucks not to lose the signal. Congrats!

[MacLoverized]

Just buy a freakin' case and the problem is solved. And, it will protect your phone of damage !

[connorlee57]

FREE BUMPERS FOR ALL

[uberd0gAlpha]

Looks like Apple are now offering free bumpers to all iPhone 4 users :)

[limpcookiez148]

Apple just announced they're giving everyone a Free bumper for their iphone 4s

[iorshkee]

well i think this is just another shiti vid just to prove that apple can do it wrong... for god sake, if you dont want it just dont buy it... NEXT

[nwo50150]

Hey everyone can shut up now..BECAUSE THEY'RE FREE!

[vientinho]

AUCH

[GolesValencia]

Por 5 euros tengo yo una funda igual para mi movil samsung

[KamraanMirza]

billion dollar for the iphone and another million for the bumper. now thats called growing business. $30 for piece of plastic and $600 for piece of shit :)

[surfs1man]

$30 for plastic and rubber wow thats so cool i dont even have a iphone 4 but i just might buy the bumper just because its made buy apple.

[flarbton]

type in consumer reports XBOX 360 rating in google search, you'll find nothing but anti-Apple link listing and nothing about how defective the XBOX 360 is. Proves that the internet is controlled by money to bump up strategic listings.

Consumer Reports takes in $300 million annually to review products via "donations" they are corrupt, don't believe they are independent or non-biased. They make money off of reviewing products they choose to support.

They take donations from old dying people etc.

[wyphan]

Quirky.com has an iPhone4 case (called Tilt) that doubles as a stand in both landscape and portrait modes.

[keffoo321]

You should always buy a bumper or case so i don't really care. I do think apple messed up with the connection of the Iphone 4. But all other things about the iphone 4 are just great. It's a piece of plastic just give one for free with every iphone 4. If you pay ton's of money you should get it for free.

[LagSpike]

who buys a phone that costs hundreds of dollars without buying some sort of extra protection?

[asjeot]

@LagSpike

the bumper is not designed for protection, but as a way to customise your phone. Drop your phone even with a bumper on and say goodbye to the glass

[weiss27md]

Time to get a droid

[carbonunit]

I still like the duct tape option, you can get it in a variety of colors like the bumper

[Chillingfrost]

They Fixed it today the 4.0.1 released today it doesn't do it to me anymore

[danielsan854]

@Chillingfrost Where are people getting this bull from?

This is a hardware flaw, poor design on Apple's part, no software update can fix it.

[hCg4ME]

I saw similar rubber cases in various colors on eBay for less than $2.

I think this $30 is similar to the cheaper ones but have actual metal buttons on the sides instead of cutouts for your existing buttons like the cheaper ones. I'm not an Iphone user but I just wanted to pass on the info in case you were looking to save money.

[5murphy7]

I think it's funny that people are "ok" with patching up a brand new device with a piece of plastic. All because Apple f*#ked up.

[YeuLaKho]

IFAIL big time....... $30 for a bumper? how much did it cost to make in China? $0.30 ? hah...

[ricepaddy69]

@YeuLaKho Are you serious? I was thinking more like $0.03. XD

[talltim84]

@YeuLaKho apparently they're available on ebay for a buck? not sure if they're the licensed ones mind you...

[marioman1157]

@YeuLaKho they're free...

[DominicVitale]

@YeuLaKho yes i do agree that is a lot for a case but apple is having the iphone 4 case program which you download the app on your iphone 4 input your information aand they send you a free bumper in your choice of color

[Disambiguateful]

@YeuLaKho learn to ebay? iphone bumbers for less than $0.20 each up there with free shipping.

[LEAVEMELIVE]

Im really pissed about this, they better do something about it, or fix my phone or give me one of these for free, but im not staying like this lol

[alczem]

blah, blah, blah "it's just plastic" but we all want one. And that's true...

[monkmaster5]

i think Mike should cut his nails...

[Andriuxx]

this is new iShit 4 !

[dchao22]

excellent video, the consumers shouldn't have to pay apple to fix there issues. so if i owned a iphone 4, I'd used electric tape and have different color variations and spend my $30 on gas.

[DontMeanWell]

wow, $30 dollars? Damn the lemmings of Apple will probably buy it thats why Apple doesnt care.

[jpreston0]

The thing costs $1 dollar actually. And yet they (Apple) are selling it for $30 dollars is just BS. I hope Apple gets their ass-whooped when Microsoft releases Windows Phone 7. That's if they don't fix the problem for free. :)

[Darkdejaj]

right on consumer reports!

[241293985]

I heard it costs apple $1 to manufacture a bummper case... So why is it $30!!!

[jdoramaking]

@241293985 Because apple fans are dumb enough to buy something they can do.

[ricepaddy69]

@241293985 Profit margins. Why else?

[kennyt1230]

They better fix that problem and fast. The bumper should be free to everyone who purchased the phone.

[eramus5614]

@kennyt1230 theydid

[burkejedi]

@kennyt1230 It is now!

[CZA1112]

@kennyt1230 It is free now, for any iPhone4 User.

[adrianvillegas10]

@CZA1112 what is

[adrianvillegas10]

@CZA1112 what is free now

[Rockyroopam]

@kennyt1230 now it is :D

[megabryan]

@kennyt1230 it is

[loneknight97]

@kennyt1230 IT IS!!! Apple giving free bumpers to people who purchased iphone 4 before the recall.

[Simon95able]

@kennyt1230 it is now with the iphone 4 bumper program and hey maybe since they delayed the white iphone 4 there going for a recall you cant let apple down they surprise you...surprises from them are good

[Fanarkiii]

@kennyt1230 the bumper shouldnt have to exsist in the first place..this is apples dirty trick for the "New and Improved iPhone 5" fuckin bullshit

[Fanarkiii]

@kennyt1230 the bumper shouldnt exsist in the first place..this is apples dirty excuse for the "New and Improved iPhone 5"

[shanerobertspilot]

@kennyt1230 it is... or any of selected third party cases for that matter...

[viilips]

@kennyt1230 not only one bumper, but they should be free while you have the phone. i bet this plastic thingy doesnt last more than the phone.

anyway, i'm sure you will be able to find these bumpers cheaper at e-bay.

[Chaconerable]

@kennyt1230 it is

[brady911]

@kennyt1230 it is free

[cookie8028]

@kennyt1230 IT is free on app store, iphone case program

[bennynumba1]

@cookie8028 its free now, you used to have to pay for it, and if you did... apple is allowing everyone to get a refund on it

[prietov00]

Yea tell me about it! I purchased mine on June 29, 2010 and received it on July 13,2010. It's pretty solid, but it's not worth my hard earned money!! Damn you apple.

[azbf777775k]

lol geekus

[apodder]

When there is a recall for defects in other products that company does the repairs for free. These bumpers should be free.

[TJC450]

Apple is holding a conference on friday!

[jennylinna]

At least THAT works. >.>

[humaner]

Sorry a design flaw is a design flaw...the phone is not worthy of my hard earned money

[noslen1968]

Too bad about this - glad not to be a first adopter. I imagine the next batch will be fixed 'secretly'.

[karamgh14]

Amen mike.

[crazyfast39]

$30 for a bumper thats basically a piece of plastic????WTF Apple......

[killa123123]

@crazyfast39 well now their free so everyone should be happy

[kristoffers4]

@crazyfast39 Nope it's free..

[LexuSso8]

@crazyfast39

Apple gives away a bumper to each person who buys the iPhone 4. FREE BUMPER.

Find out.

[Kirksterful]

@crazyfast39 their giving it away for free now until 9/30/10

[Simon95able]

@crazyfast39 its free now