Apple admits fault in iPhone 5 sleep/wake button - PC Pro

By Nicole Kobie

Posted on 28 Apr 2014 at 10:30

Apple has admitted the existence of a problem with the sleep/wake button at the top of the iPhone 5.

The flaw isn't new: it's been reported on Apple's own forums since shortly after the handset arrived in September 2012, but Apple has taken until this weekend to admit that a "small percentage" of handsets have the problem.

Apple hasn't explained why the button is failing in some handsets, nor why it's taken so long to address the issue, but it appears to have been quietly replacing affected phones for some time.

"Got it on launch day and the sleep/wake button is almost completely non-responsive," said one user, two months after launch. "I had been able to get the far left side to work but even that isn't working every time, now." His phone was eventually replaced.

Another user reported in November 2012 that the button had become unresponsive, and that he had received a new iPhone with "no questions asked".

"This is a common issue," added another commenter around the same time, who said Apple was "instantly" replacing affected handsets. "I was in and out in ten minutes. They will give you a brand new phone."

Other forum users reported that Apple wasn't offering replacements for handsets that were out of warranty. Now, Apple is offering to fix the flaw for free, but isn't handing out replacement phones.

Repair details

The flaw affects handsets manufactured up until March 2013. To see whether your phone is eligible, enter its serial number on Apple's website. Repair programmes have already started in the US and Canada, and will be available in other countries, including the UK, from 2 May.

Apple says repairs will take four to six days, and the company will offer temporary loan handsets for free. Affected handsets can be either mailed in or dropped off at an Apple Store.

If you've cracked your iPhone 5's screen, it will need to be repaired at your own cost before the button can be fixed, Apple warned, saying handsets must be in working order to qualify. Apple will also consider offering refunds to anyone who paid for a replacement phone before it acknowledged the flaw.

via apple - Google News http://ift.tt/1pGJiF7