Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) has announced that it will be waiving the restocking fee for the iPhone 4 in response to the reception issues that many have seen with the device. Buyers that want to return the product can do so within 30 days of the purchase date without paying the typical $20 to $30 restocking fee.
The problem which resulted in the fee waiver is reception issues on the new iPhone which occur when users hold their phone in a manner that covers up the device’s antenna. Apple confirmed the issue on Friday and said that the signal declines are a result of a software issue based on Apple’s incorrect calculation of signal strength.
“Our formula, in many instances, mistakenly displays 2 more bars than it should for a given signal strength. For example, we sometimes display 4 bars when we should be displaying as few as 2 bars,” said Apple in the release.
“The real signal strength remains the same, but the iPhone’s bars will report it far more accurately, providing users a much better indication of the reception they will get in a given area,” wrote Apple. “We are also making bars 1, 2 and 3 a bit taller so they will be easier to see.”
Many have questioned Apple’s response to the iPhone 4’s reception issues saying that Apple hasn’t done nearly enough to respond to the device. Many say that they are receiving many more dropped calls on the iPhone 4 and Apple’s software fix won’t correct that problem.
A number of class action lawsuits are working their way through the court system suggesting that Apple shipped defective products to consumers or otherwise defrauded them in some capacity.
