After all the posts and comments (more than 100) that I received on this site here are the top 5 complaints regarding the iPhone and iPhone 3gs:

1. Coverage
AT&T might not have been the first choice when it comes to coverage. There have been numerous reports of lost calls, no reception areas or slow data transmission.

2. Apple’s water damage case
It seems like there are a lot of cases out there in which Apple said an iPhone was water damaged and the users reported that they made 100% sure to keep water away from the iPhone.

This is not a question of right or wrong, just a strange case that pops up every once in a while.

3. Apple’s release and upgrade policy
Several users reported that they were told by either Apple or AT&T that there was no new iPhone (in this case the 3GS) coming along the line and ended up buying the iPhone 3G.

After the new iPhone came out these user were surely frustrated that they have an old model which was bought just a few weeks before its end of life.

Although one can understand the frustration these user have they have to see that Apple is still a company interested in making money and selling their goods. If there are is a product in your portfolio which is near its end of life I would not tell my customer straight in the face that the model is old and there is a new one coming. But not telling them if they specifically ask is not ok in my eyes.

That’s the list of top three iPhone related complaints gathered from the reports I have received through the iPhone complaint report form.

This user reports who he bought the iPhone 3g and was not allowed tu upgrade to the new 3gd model:

I purchased an iPhone on 4/25/09. I searched online for information related to the phone before purchasing and read an article about the possibility of an upgraded model coming out soon. So before I bought mine, I asked AT&T if there was a new model coming out and was told there was not, that it was just a software upgrade which would be available for the phone I was purchasing. I’ve been with AT&T for several years and was excited to upgrade to a top of the line phone. Within a week I had to fight with AT&T to exchange the phone because of defective speakers for talking on the thing. After being treated rudely in the local AT&T store where I bought the phone, and several calls to AT&T, the phone was exchanged and everything was fine. Then the new model came out in mid-June, approximately 45 days after I purchased mine for $200 and a 2-year contract, a new model comes out and mine drops in price to $99!!!!!! I contacted AT&T and was told that they didn’t know about the new model until it was released. I was given the number for Apple where I was told that I’m no different than any other owner who just happened to purchase the phone prior to the new model release, I just happened to buy it closer to the new model release date. I think it’s absurd of Apple to treat customers in this manner. I don’t care about the new model, I’ve read that the difference isn’t that big of a deal. But I’m infuriated that I asked about this and was told not to wait when I should have. A coworker was told the same thing 2 weeks prior to the release…luckily he had waited to decide on getting the phone so he got the new model. Verizon/Sprint is sounding better and better. It’s a matter of principle and I may just pay the fee to get rid of AT&T and Apple now rather than give them my monthly business for the next 22 months!!!!!!! I recall there being a similar issue when the first model was released a few years ago and customers received some money back, if I’m not mistaken.

Here is my opinion on this: If you buy an old model any base a contract on this particular model it is clear that you are not allowed for an upgrade to the new model. Ok, there is Apple’s secrecy about their release cycles but that is their companies policy which is known and accepted.

If you buy a new car and the car manufacturer comes out with a new model a few weeks later no one would think about a free upgrade. It is the same with the iPhone, if you want an upgrade buy a new phone. You will find an unlocked version on eBay very easy.

I added another line to my AT&T account in June in order to get an IPhone. I told the rep at the ATT store that I wanted to wait until the new iphone comes out because I am a disabled veteran and have limited income. She assured me there would be no new phone, only a software upgrade. I purchased the phone after she told me that. About a week later the new phones came out. I called the ATT 800 number and they told me I wasn’t eligible for an upgrade. I went online to the Apple site and that said I wasn’t eligible. When I paid my bill last month the lady at the counter said I had 30 days to get the new iphone gs but it is now 32 days so your not eligible!! She said she would talk to her manager but she never got back to me. I still want a iphone gs and I feel betrayed by ATT misleading me into believing I couldn’t get the new iphone. I pay $400 a month for my phones and you would think ATT would take care of it’s customers. I would appreciate it if ATT would upgrade my phone -since I was eligible for one and was given false info. I just think it is wrong to lie to customers and misrepresent what they are eligible for. I do hope congress can force these companies to do what’s right.

Another user with various different iPhone and Apple service related complaints:

Purchased a 3g in January 2009 at an ATT corporate store. Within 3 weeks experienced dropped calls. Returned to store and had SIM card replaced. I was informed this “may” fix the problem, they were’nt sure. I was not aware that the phone would need to be returned to Apple for major repair problems at the time of purchase or I would not have made this purchase. Since then problems include dropped calls, inability to connect to internet, inability to receive and/or send emails and/or “locking up” when in some non-ATT service areas. There is NO Apple store here, only an ATT store. After returning to the ATT store with more problems, it was then I was told, “the Apple folks service the phone, not us.”: As a result, I have made numerous calls to Apple iphone support. Some were helpful, but did not result in longterm fixes. Today I was informed I needed to subscribe to the $69 annual service contract if I wanted to continue to receive iphone support. I am very unhappy with this phone and would not recommend it as a very reliable business tool. My office is a virtual one which means I need to depend on the phone for many types of applications throughout the day, wherever my business takes me. I am frustrated with downloading updates and making support calls begging for assistance. My great fear now is having to send the phone back via mail because the closest Apple store is 150 miles away. This will shut down my business for as long as I am phoneless simply because I do not live near an Apple store.

This reader complaints about the in his eyes poor battery lifetime on the iphone 3gs:

I am very disappointed with the new Iphone 3Gs!
I waited so long for one. THe battery on mine dies after just a few hours of being on. It is frustrating. The folks at our local AT&T store are no help and never offer any advice or suggestion. It is going to be a long and frustrating 2 years!

I was so happy with my iPhone 3G until a couple of weeks ago. It stopped charging mid-charge and after that it would not charge or connect to my computer. I tried everything I could think of, other USB cables, etc. No go. I took it to my AT&T store and they said I would need to contact Apple directly. That is a chore all by itself. I live an hour away from the nearest Apple store, so I used their phone support.

The first contact was with a man that sounded very new to the support business. He argued with me about things I knew to be true. When I suggested that he was not listening to me, he told me I was the one that was not listening. Anyway, he did get me setup to receive the carton to mail my phone in for warranty replacement. I sent the phone in and received an e-mail with their diagnosis in a couple of days. WATER DAMAGE - they said.

I called them immediately as I have babied that phone from the very first. I bought a leather case and made sure it was kept dry. The customer service man that I talked to looked at the photos they took of my phone when they received it and said he did not think it looked like water damage to him. Told me to take it to the Apple store and he would call them while I was there for my appointment.

I found out at the last minute he would not be in the day I went to the store, but it was my only day off and needed to go that day anyway. Well the genius opened the phone and looked inside and said water damage too - but the water sensors were not activated, just as the CSR had told me.

I ended up talking to everyone in the store. They told me there was corrosion on the connector where the phone plugs into the cable to charge. So, they would not replace my phone.

>From reading on different websites, it seems like they use the water damage assessment pretty often.

I am seriously considering talking to attorneys about a class action lawsuit. I think they would lose the case.

Needless to say, I am very disappointed in Apple and no longer believe all the good things I have heard about their company.

This reader complains about the activation procedure from Apple:

I tried to buy an Apple iPhone at the carphone warehouse in Bath. I went through the entire procedure. Yes, I want to buy on pay as you go, plonking down £538.30, and £50 for first payment, plus a cover. This required my name, address, date of birth. At the end of the whole procedure they asked for my credit card, not to pay for it, but as proof of who I say I am. The reason: the iPhone is viewed as so expensive Apple requires a chip and pin to go with the iPhone. The credit card activates the iTunes. The reason Apple give is that the iPhone is an expensive item and needs proof of identity just to buy it! I had no credit card, so I was refused the iPhone. This means that the GPS iPhone will be tracking you as you use your credit card. This seems to be the main reason for giving you a phone: marketing and advertising revenues, selling your details onward, etc. Stay well clear of people like these.
iPhone Expensive? No. My push bike cost £1500.00 and I paid cash - no chip & pin needed. I bought my £900 HP Pavilion - cash again - and no chip and pin needed. The only need for tracking is your mobile. You are now being tagged through GCHQ thanks to Apple. Scrap your iPhone fast.

Another customer seems fed up with Apple, but read for yourself:

I agree with the 1st post, I too have spent thousands of dollars worth of Apple products, including laptops, I phones (4) desk tops and the amont of Ipods is just crazy.(replacements & as gifts) What ever new gaget they came out with we purchased Now my son (20yr. old) wanted the new I phone, so in May we checked his cell phone plan and he was eligible for an UPGRADE, so a week later we went down to our local AT & T store to buy his new Iphone 3G. knowing that the price was $399.00 and with a 2 yr. agreement we would receive a $200.00 savings bringing the cost down to $199.00. Now mind you this is what the Rep at AT & T (the 1-800 #) told us. At the store this was a whole different story! We were told he was not due for an up-grade and that this Iphone cost was $399.00 with the savings of $200.00, so this IPHONE COST $599.00 if you did not sign a 2 yr. agreement! Well that is just outrageous!! Now 1 month later his Iphone dropped to $199.00 what the heck. But wait it gets better, he dropped his phone that was kept in a case (case cost $30.00) A case that the sales rep. told us we should buy because if my son should drop the phone this will protect it from a break. Well my son dropped his phone from a sitting position, (about 2ft) and of course the phone cracked. I called AT & T who said I have to call Apple & Apple told us that it will cost us another $200.00 to fix/replace the phone. This I phone has now cost me a total of $664.00. (OUTRAGEOUS) O and did I mention that with this I phone you cannot purchase a warranty. I was told by the sales rep. that it is not cost effective for Apple. Again OUTRAGEOUS!! Now I/we have been a loyal customer for many years now and this is how we are treated for being loyal customers.