Apple iPhone 4s - hardware/software malfunctions

danielr82

hmmm, I wouldn't usually trawl up an old thread if it weren't for the fact that my issue is more or less exactly the same.

I have an Iphone 4S.
I recently updated to IOS 7.1.1 using Wifi, since then my wifi had been getting progressive more prone to dropping out and disconnecting.

until now it just doesn't even see any networks.
I can search for networks, but never find one.

if I turn off WIFI for a few days then I might see a network and be able to join it momentarily, but it'll disconnect after a few seconds.

I tried resetting the phone (erase all contents and settings) and then it gives me no options to connect to WIFI, and when you go to the screen the slider to turn it on is greyed out. if you use the little pull up screen it says WIFI is not available.

This is a serious (as in not made up) issue, there are plenty of reports on this going back months, -whether apple have chosen to accept this or not is inconsequential they have release a software update that has changed the operating parameters of the way that WIFI works, that has caused some people's phones to malfunction.

Assuming that the advice above regards re-flowing is true, this would point to a weak part in the manufacturing process.

The phone was bought from new on an O2 contract around 28 months ago. I have since finished paying for the phone and left O2 in favour of Giff Gaff (that's a mistake best left not talked about as their customer service is terrible and they can't allow tethering of iphones etc).

The phone has "broken" due to this update within the last month.

So the question is what now?

Obviously over the 18 months of my contract I paid around £500 for this phone, a five hundred pound gadget should be expected to be of reasonably quality and last for more than 2 years (At least I would expect that).

All reports seem to indicate that this is a software issue that causes a hardware fault, whether that is down to faulty manufacturing or otherwise?

where do I go from here.
I ave a phone that I would argue has a manufacturing defect, though I've only noticed that defect some 28 months after purchase.
I no longer have any relationship with the supplier (can I just walk into an O2 store and see what they say?).
The device suggests, (in fact you cannot use it) without agreeing to various T&C contract with Apple, and it's Apples latest software update that appears to have brought the defect to light. - I.e my device was working "perfectly" even with the defect until they offered a software update, the software update has changed parameters in such a way as to cause the system to break?

If I'm honest the thing that's really annoying about this is that where I live 3g is unreliable, I'd need to pay (ever so slightly) more to have unlimited 3g data allowance, I was hoping to be able to eeek out whatever life I could get from the phone whilst paying off various debts etc, (partly incurred by buying expensive tat such as this!!)


I don't necessarily want a new phone, but I would like to have the defective part replaced.

gycraig_2

Momoneyman wrote: »

i think if you get back on the phone to them and discuss the sale of goods act at possibly going through small claims you may get a different response

working for a major phone retailer this isnt how it works. iv thought tooth and nail trying to fix the issue for a customer and it never got solved, apple said to contact the retailer, the company told us to contact apple.

a "reasonable time" is to hard to define and to easy to dismiss and it clearly was fine "when it was sold" as there has been no issues till now.

iv heard of a lot of people challenging but very few having luck sadly. however EVERYONE is aware of the one year warrantee, the fact people buy iphones still means that apple will keep getting away with it

danielr82

well, I had a think.

and whilst I was sure in myself that there was some issue in hardware exposed by a software update, the process of proving that (any engineers reports, trying to "make" O2 replace the phone was not worth while.

following instructions here:ifixit-guide-pdfs . s3 . amazonaws . com / guide_22167_en . pdf

(remove the spaces to make the link work)

I've got the wifi working again.

So to me, this hardware fix, sort of proves that there was a hardware issue, but since I fixed it myself it took about 40 minutes or so.

I suspect any phone repair shop could do this if you don't want to take it apart yourself.

gjchester

danielr82 wrote: »

I've got the wifi working again.

So to me, this hardware fix, sort of proves that there was a hardware issue, but since I fixed it myself it took about 40 minutes or so.

This is asking for trouble, and there are other reports that this works but is temporary.


However think about the logic, you are heating the phone up to a temperature that you will melt the solder and reset the chip. To need a reflow the components have had to get to the 280*c or so to melt the solder, if it had then it would be more than just one chip with a solder joint issue. There are many many components you can unseat by this method.


You are more likely to overheat and wreck the chip than just reflow the joint. You also need to be careful not to h
Heat or cool the board too fast and you'll break other parts,

KagemushaV

I've had/am having the same issues...

Mobles.co.uk, an off-shoot of Carphone Warehouse were the original retailer in my case and my dealings have been with them since initially going through Apple without much success. This has included me attending an Apple store to get documentation from the Genius Bar identifying the fault was inherent from when i received it and providing this proof to mobiles.co.uk.

However, given all the above. Their response has been that they believe, that as the phone is approximately 26 months old this is sufficient time to cover the phone against defects - all my pleas against Consumer Law have fallen on deaf ears and they're refusing to do anything.

I am currently debating whether to follow up my case via the small claims court - which may be the next step, as advised by Citizens Advice.

SeduLOUs

If you have some kind of proof of purchase from the seller, i.e. ebay receipt to prove it isn't stolen I'd try walking into an Apple store with it and asking for their help. I've heard several stories of people being handed a new phone there and then to replace issues even with second hand phones, although I'm not sure how much luck you'd have with a 4 as I don't think they even sell them anymore so possibly won't have any stock.

grumbler

KagemushaV wrote: »

.... Their response has been that they believe, that as the phone is approximately 26 months old this is sufficient time to cover the phone against defects - all my pleas against Consumer Law have fallen on deaf ears and they're refusing to do anything.

Well, they have the right to 'believe' as our lawmakers were incapable of coming up with anything better than 'reasonable time' thus making the 'Consumer Law' extremely vague.

I am currently debating whether to follow up my case via the small claims court - which may be the next step, as advised by Citizens Advice.

Yes, unfortunately it's the judge who has to decide every time what is 'reasonable', and in this case I wouldn't dare to predict the decision.