How could Apple pull of a recall of 2 million phones?

[Holty123]

Voluntary recall!

 

[tombarnes]

I think your number is a bit high... Assuming that the reports that the cost to produce an iphone 4 are correct at $188, you're talking. 2 million * 188 = 376 million. Figure at most 500 million with shipping and overhead to send everyone a new iPhone 4. Also, the old ones wouldn't be completely useless, they would become refurbished phones assuming there is an easy fix that they could apply to them (antenna coating?), resurface the glass on the front and back and the metal band.

Even if your number is correct at 2 billion, its well within apples capability to do, look how much microsoft spent repairing defective xboxs.

I think the thread starter is underestimating apple, they've become one of the worlds largest companies, reports late last year showed that they had 34 billion in (free, spendable) cash alone. Apple could easily recall 2 million phones if they needed to.

Will they though? I highly doubt it.

The voice of reason and sense. I totally agree it's possible. But probable? Maybe.

 

[Ashin]

If Toyota can recall 5.2 million cars, I think Apple can recall 2 million iPhones

 

[Jashmid]

IF they announce a recall tomorrow, and it's a BIG IF, it's going to be on a voluntary basis and via Apple retail stores or carriers. The hassle of it for the customers will at least slow down the process and buys some time for Apple. The PR damage is already done. A tiny bit of extra customer annoyance won't do any more serious damage.

 

[jackblack73]

How many people got a new Toyota during that recall?

The fix was either a shorter gas pedal, new floor mats, and/or a computer update...basically a bumper and firmware update. Not a new car.

Yes, the fix was a fraction of the price of a car. The comparisons to Toyota are way off here.

 

[wirelessmacuser]

The comparisons to Toyota are way off here.

I agree.

Apple lacks the ability to admit they're wrong.

Apple is handing success to Android on a golden platter.

 

[Ashin]

My Toyota comparison was merely logistics.

OP assumed it'd be too hard to send out boxes etc, when Toyota had to recall entire cars

 

[serialtoon]

How many people got a new Toyota during that recall?

The fix was either a shorter gas pedal, new floor mats, and/or a computer update...basically a bumper and firmware update. Not a new car.

You are assuming that a car costs the same as an iPhone. Come on man. 188$ is much cheaper don't you think?

 

[wirelessmacuser]

You are assuming that a car costs the same as an iPhone. Come on man. 188$ is much cheaper don't you think?

Can Apple do the math?

 

[CocoaPuffs]

Yes, the fix was a fraction of the price of a car. The comparisons to Toyota are way off here.

Way off? On average, each car must have taken 1-2 hour to fix, and let's put that in perspective with the iPhone. Assuming 10 million cars were recalled, and revising it down to 2 million while preserving the number of hours. That is roughly 10 hours per car a mechanic would have to spend on a car. You think 10 man-hour per car costs less than 1 phone?