Consumer Reports says it still won't recommend iPhone 4

Consumer Reports says it still won't recommend the iPhone 4 — especially now that Apple said it will end its free "bumper" program for everyone Sept. 30.
"Putting the onus on any owners of a product to obtain a remedy to a design flaw is not acceptable to us," the magazine said on its electronics blog Monday. "We therefore continue not to recommend the iPhone 4, and to call on Apple to provide a permanent fix for the phone's reception issues."
Apple said Friday it is discontinuing the bumper program at the end of this month for all new iPhone 4 purchasers because the number of users having problems related to the phone's antenna and reception "is even smaller than we originally thought." However, "a small percentage of iPhone 4 users need a case, and we want to continue providing them a Bumper case for free," the company said on its website.
"For everyone else, we are discontinuing the free case program on all iPhone 4s sold after Sept. 30, 2010. We are also returning to our normal returns policy for all iPhone 4s sold after Sept. 30. Users experiencing antenna issues should call AppleCare to request a free Bumper case."
In July, Consumer Reports surprised many when it said would not recommend the iPhone 4 because of the antenna issue. At that time, it said Apple needed to come up with "a permanent — and free — fix for the antenna problem before we can recommend the iPhone 4."
The antenna on the phone, unlike those in the three previous models, is wrapped around the phone's casing. Some have described it as a design flaw because those who grip it in the lower left corner can cover part of the antenna, diminishing the phone's reception. Rubber bumpers, or phone cases, provide a barrier to that human interference.
Days later, Steve Jobs announced that Apple would offer free rubber bumpers — a retail value of $29 each — to anyone who bought an iPhone 4 in order to fix the problem.
At that time, Jobs said that the free bumper program would only last until Sept. 30.
But Consumer Reports is not mollified, calling the requirements for consumers who will still be able to get a free bumper more onerous.
"The offer that takes effect next month is less consumer-friendly in several respects," the magazine said. "First, if you are 'experiencing antenna issues' with your iPhone 4, Apple says, you'll need to call the company to request a case. And where the current program allows owners a choice of seven cases, including some from third-party manufacturers, the new program only offers Apple's own Bumper, a frame-like cover that runs around the edge of the phone."
Consumer Reports said the bumper works, and works well: It "successfully mitigates the iPhone 4's reception issue, which was a weak point in the phone's otherwise-stellar performance in our tests. And we agree with Apple that not all iPhone 4 owners will experience reception difficulties with the device."
But asking owners to find a solution to a product problem — instead of a company doing so — is unacceptable, the magazine said.