iPhone 4 With Bad Reception? Get $15 in Settlement
Disgruntled iPhone 4 users: Apple hears you, and is answering the call for compensation -- with a $15 settlement payment.
The $15 settlement is for Apple iPhone 4 users who experienced reception issues linked to the smartphone's built-in antenna, PC Magazine reports. To qualify, users must have purchased an original iPhone 4 before Feb. 17, 2012.
The $15 payout is Apple's final offer to iPhone 4 owners who were part of a class-action settlement over the so-called "Antennagate" issue. Shortly after the iPhone 4 was released in 2010, many users complained about bad reception when they held their phones in a certain way.
Apple's late CEO Steve Jobs initially suggested iPhone 4 users change the way they hold their phones. But consumers took their complaints to court, filing 18 separate lawsuits that were combined into a single class-action settlement.
About 25 million iPhone 4 users comprise the class, PC Magazine reports. Many took advantage of Apple's offer for a free iPhone case, which sells for $29. Those who received an iPhone case are not eligible for the $15 settlement.
Though the company's free iPhone case offer officially ended in 2010, Apple is still doling out free cases if an iPhone 4 user requests one, according to Apple Insider.
That gives iPhone 4 users two options, if they haven't settled their claims already: They can apply for the $15 cash settlement by calling (877) 417-7234 or going to the website http://www.iPhone4Settlement.com; or they can request a free iPhone case by heading to Apple's support page for iPhone 4 antenna issues.
Apple's $15 iPhone 4 settlement offer is good until Aug. 28. iPhone owners who qualify should have received a notice by email on Thursday.
Related Resources:
- iPhone 4 users with bad reception invited to apply for $15 settlement claims (Ars Technica)
- iPhone 4 Class Action Filed by User over 'Flawed' glass casing (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Steve Jobs Action Figure to Spur Another Apple Lawsuit? (FindLaw's Technologist)
- Steve Jobs' FBI File (FindLaw's Courtside)