July 06, 2010
As fans held their breath for the long-awaited launch of Apple’s new iPhone 4, a series of malfunctions has left many seeking compensation from the global manufacturer.
Reports from USA claim that several class action suits have been filed against Apple and disgruntled UK consumers could be next.
Apple launched the new product in late June to a groundswell of consumer demand. But, despite selling more than 1.7million iPhones, several problems have overshadowed its success, leaving many with a phone that doesn’t live up to expectations or advertisements.
According to some users, when the phone is held in specific, common ways it begins to lose signal, while software issues lie about the clarity of signal received.
Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs’ response to a wave of internet discussions and consumer outrage was that users should “just avoid holding it in that way”, leaving many further annoyed at Apple’s course of action.
A class action filed last week in the U.S. District court for the Northern District of California against Apple and ATamp;T Inc - the iPhone's exclusive wireless carrier in the United States - includes allegations of fraud by concealment, negligence, intentional misrepresentation and defective design.
"The iPhone 4 manifests design and manufacturing defects that were known to defendants before it was released which were not disclosed to consumers,” the lawsuit said.
UK consumers should watch the case closely. If Apple admits to releasing a product which falls below advertised standards, all of which was known to manufacturers before release, then compensation could be available to millions of consumers.
