Nearly two years after tech blogs screamed `` Antennagate ! '' over problems with the iPhone 4 's reception , owners will be getting a little pocket change for their troubles . Apple over the weekend settled a class-action lawsuit filed about the issue , promising to pay $ 15 or give a free case to everyone in the United States who bought one of the wildly popular phones . Released in June 2010 , the slimmer reworking of Apple 's smartphone became a huge seller . But soon after it went on sale , some owners began complaining that their phone frequently dropped voice calls . The culprit , it was ultimately determined , was the antenna , which is wrapped in a band around the phone 's edge to help create its slim form . Using what became known as the `` death grip , '' ( i.e . holding the phone at a certain spot ) caused reception to suffer or cut out entirely . `` This settlement relates to a small number of customers who indicated that they experienced antenna or reception issues with their iPhone 4 , and did n't want to take advantage of a free case from Apple when it was being offered in 2010 , '' Apple told CNET in a written statement . However , Ira Rothken , a lead attorney in the case , said more than 21 million iPhone 4 owners were eligible for the payout . The free case offer lasted for three months . Apple had initially ignored the complaints , then dismissed them , then called a rare press conference at which then-CEO Steve Jobs announced the offer , while claiming the problem was just as bad on other companies ' phones . A bumper or other protective case on the phone eliminates , or at least greatly reduces , the problem . Apple 's new iPhone 4S , released in October , has not shown a similar problem . `` We believe that the Apple iPhone 4 settlement is fair , adequate , and reasonable , '' Rothken told CNET . `` We believe that it allows members of the class to choose , and they can get $ 15 of cash or a bumper , so we believe that type of choice is proportional to the circumstances . '' Apple did not immediately respond to a request for comment . Multiple lawsuits had been merged into one in the case . Plaintiffs claimed that Apple had been misleading in its communication with customers about the problem . Rothken first noted `` preliminary approval '' of the settlement late Friday on Twitter . Under the settlement , eligible customers should get an e-mail from Apple some time in April . They 'll then have 120 days to apply for the $ 15 . A website , iPhone4Settlement.com , has been set up but had not yet been activated as of Monday morning .
Apple 4 owners to get $ 15 or free case in antenna settlement . Lawsuits claimed iPhone hid problems with reception on the iPhone 4 . Attorney says 4 people will be affected .