Apple started the week on top of the world. The release of the new iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus exploded with sales that topped 4 million in a matter of days. Demand was so high for the new iPhones that the iPhone 6 Plus sold out within hours and the phones have sold 10 million units in a week. Many people who pre-ordered their iPhone 6 will get them quickly but many others won’t get their iPhone delivered until next month. Another unqualified Apple success. Even though the new iPhone 6 is not really that much different from the iPhone 5 gadget hounds could not resist pouring billions more dollars into Apple’s bank accounts.
And with every party comes the hangover. Apple has some major explaining to do. Reports are coming to light that the new iPhone has an interesting curve, literally. Customers are reporting that the phone bends when it is placed in the owners pocket.
Apple’s new iPhone has a thinner design with a bigger screen than the previous model iPhone. As a result the phone bends under pressure. The iPhone 6 plus is made of a secret aluminum alloy and milled as a single piece. The weak point of the phone appears to be around the volume buttons. This is where the aluminum is the thinnest. This creates a fulcrum point where the phone bends but the screen does not crack or break unless you try to flatten it out again.
Many people say the bending occurs when the phone is placed in the back pocket and sat on. Brandwatch, a social media monitoring company said only a few people tweeted about the bend originally. But after the release of the video showing the phone bending that number jumped to 75,000. Click here to see the YouTube of the iPhone bending.
However tests done by Consumer Reports revealed that the iPhone 6 plus is stronger than the iPhone 6 and not as bendable as reports suggest. Consumer reports testing revealed the phone was as strong or stronger than some of its competitors.
Apple after first stonewalling the issues finally issued a statement saying that the phone is made form the highest grade materials and the strongest glass in the industry.
Apple went on to say; “We also perform rigorous tests throughout the entire development cycle including 3-point bending, pressure point cycling, sit, torsion, and user studies. iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus meet or exceed all of our high quality standards to endure everyday, real life use.”
According to Apple after six days of incredible sales only nine customers have contacted Apple about bent phones.
Apple’s problem did not stop at their hardware. The normal super quality of their software and updates also seems to be lacking. Apple launched then recalled an update for the iOS software running the iPhone on Wednesday after users complained of bugs, including one that disabled cellular service.
Apple called the release iOS 8.0.1, then pulled back the software following complaints that it disabled cellular service and Apple’s touch-identification system.
Apple released a statement saying, “We have received reports of an issue with the iOS 8.0.1 update. We are actively investigating these reports and will provide information as quickly as we can. In the meantime we have pulled back the iOS 8.0.1 update.”
Apple did issue a work around for iPhone users. In a statement Apple said affected users could reinstall iOS 8 using iTunes. “We apologize for the great inconvenience experienced by users, and are working around the clock to prepare iOS 8.0.2 with a fix for the issue, and will release it as soon as it is ready in the next few days,” read the statement.
On Thursday Apple released iOS version 8.0.2, a patched version of the flawed iOS 8.0.1 software update for iPhones. According to PCmag.com 40,000 Apple users were affected.
Breaking it down
This was a big week for Apple. But Apple is not the first company to stumble coming out the gate with a new product. And nor are they the first tech company to have software bugs. My question is; is it really a problem? After all only nine people complained to Apple about bent phones. Why? Because its possible many realize its their own fault. The iPhones that were tested by Consumer Reports bent and fractured at about 110 pounds of force. So how many Apple customers weigh more than 110 pounds? And why are they abusing their phones by placing them in their pockets knowing they bend and twist and sit over an over again all day? I’m not surprised that some people have had the phone bend in their pocket. Apple has always built quality products. So this is not all Apples fault. But at the same time the buyers of these devices should expect them to be fairly rugged. Its a fine balancing act between the two. I would expect the people who waited in line for hours to pay top dollar for the right to be the first with the new iPhone to be more careful with their purchase. As for the software glitch; that one is all on you Apple.