California resident Donald LeBuhn has filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company misrepresents the durability of the iPhone 4's front and rear glass panels.
"The iPhone 4 is defective because normal and reasonable use of the product, including the use advertised by Apple, results in the breaking of the glass panels on the device," the lawsuit alleged.
Reports of iPhone 4's frail glass construction, dubbed "Glassgate," emerged shortly after the introduction of the device. Despite advertising claims that the glass panels were particularly durable, it was discovered that small pieces of grit, when trapped under a case that covered the back, could scratch the iPhone and cause a fracture. Apple dropped closed-back cases from its store, and the uproar died out.
Anecdotes of broken iPhone 4s are common, and there is some evidence to suggest that the design is more fragile than earlier models. Last fall, an independent warranty provider analyzed 20,000 iPhone accidents and determined that iPhone 4 owners reported 82 percent more damaged screens in the first four months of ownership than 3GS users. In addition, the overall iPhone 4 accident rate was 68 percent higher than for the 3GS.
Despite strong sales, the iPhone 4 has been plagued by controversies since its release last June. First reports flooded in that holding the handset in a certain way could cause signal strength to fade and calls to drop, a problem known as "Antennagate." Apple gave away free cases to mitigate the problem. "Glassgate" started shortly thereafter.
Still it's unlikely that the two issues will shake consumers' confidence in Apple. The company is generally well-known for cultivating strong customer loyalty, highlighted as iPhone sales continue to soar.
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