Apple\u2019s iPhone 4 is still relatively new; and I when I pulled it out of my pocket at a social occasion last weekend someone said, \u201cisn\u2019t that the new iPhone?\u201d and another, \u201cisn\u2019t that the one with the aerial fault?\u201d<\/p>\n
Another person then showed his iPhone 4, with shattered screen. His had been dropped, an expensive slip of the wrist.<\/p>\n
So there we have it, the two worst features of Apple\u2019s new phone \u2013 fragility, and a dodgy antenna – exposed to all.<\/p>\n
I have first hand-evidence then that the antenna issue is well-known. But how much will it affect sales? I received an email today from Opinium Research<\/a>. According to their survey of 2000 UK adults, 26% are less likely to get an iPhone 4 because of this widely reported fault.<\/p>\n Pretty bad for Apple then \u2013 a quarter of their market gone. Well, no. This is an example of \u201cask a silly question\u201d. If you ask someone, \u201cdoes the antenna issue make you more or less likely to buy an iPhone 4,\u201d what do you expect them to say? In fact, 13% of them said it was a non-issue, while 57% said it was irrelevant because they are not in the market for an iPhone 4 anyway. <\/p>\n The right question would be: \u201cHave you changed your mind about getting an iPhone 4 because of the reported fault with the antenna?\u201d I expect many fewer would tick the yes box.<\/p>\n Useless survey then. In my view the phone is fine, the antenna issue is minor, and Apple\u2019s free case offer will sort it for most people.<\/p>\n Going back to my social occasion, by the end of the party Apple had at least one more would-be customer, despite the antenna and despite the fragility; and given that the phone is still out of stock everywhere I don\u2019t think the company need worry too much \u2013 though its reaction to this wave of bad publicity has been interesting to watch.<\/p>\n Incidentally, I also had a briefing on Windows Phone 7 today \u2013 more on that later.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Apple\u2019s iPhone 4 is still relatively new; and I when I pulled it out of my pocket at a social occasion last weekend someone said, \u201cisn\u2019t that the new iPhone?\u201d and another, \u201cisn\u2019t that the one with the aerial fault?\u201d Another person then showed his iPhone 4, with shattered screen. His had been dropped, an … Continue reading Lies, damn lies, and Apple\u2019s antenna-gate<\/span>