Amidst criticism over reception with its latest smartphone, Apple on Friday said it would provide all iPhone 4 buyers with a complimentary case or bumper until September 30.
Users who have already purchased an iPhone 4 bumper will receive refunds, Apple chief executive Steve Jobs said at a Friday press conference, though that won't apply to third-party cases. Apple does not have enough bumpers for the 3 million iPhone 4's it has sold since launch, so the company will source other cases and provide users with a choice.
More details about case options and the refund will be on Apple's Web site next week.
If customers are still not happy with the iPhone 4 performance, Apple will issue a full refund, with no re-stocking fee, Jobs said. When asked if this meant AT&T would release people from their contracts, Jobs said, "I believe so."
An AT&T spokesman said the company supports Apple's decision to provide free cases and waive the usual re-stocking fee. "We're going to do the same," he said, and AT&T will have additional information on its Web site at a later date.
As for getting out of an AT&T contract, the spokesman said the company's normal, 30-day return policy will still apply. Under that option, customers have 30 days in which to return their device and switch to another carrier at no charge or exchange it for another AT&T phone. If users want to turn in their iPhone 4, AT&T will also waive the re-stocking fee, but beyond 30 days, the Apple offer does not affect AT&T contracts, he said.
The white iPhone 4, meanwhile, will start shipping at the end of July.
