'My iPhone glowed red and could have killed me' - Gloucester dad
PAUL James thought his iPhone was about to explode when he woke up to find it glowing red and his bedroom full of toxic white smoke.
Paul, 25, from Quedgeley, had returned from a night-shift at the Stonehouse Court Hotel and put his iPhone on charge before going to sleep next to his heavily pregnant partner, Jess, 27.
He woke just half an hour later to a discover his iPhone 4S was red hot, billowing with smoke and melting next to his bed.
Paul picked up the mobile and threw it across the room, before dialling 999.
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"When I saw white smoke coming out of the glowing mobile my first thought was to get it away from the bed in case it caught fire," he said.
"I was most worried that it could set fire to the bed so threw it by the cable across the room.
"The fire marshall who turned up to do a safety check said we could have died from smoke inhalation if we hadn't woken up."
Paul bought the phone just four months ago, taking advantage of an online deal at Carphone Warehouse.
He contacted Apple who arranged to collect the phone to carry out their own checks.
A week later, he was told by the California-based company that they would not be able to send him a new phone. The firm's engineering department had completed a technical review but said that because the phone was damaged from when he threw it across the room, they could not replace it.
"I was gobsmacked by the response from Apple," he said. "I didn't expect any compensation, just a new phone.
"Despite arguing the fact that I could have been burnt, died or let the house burn down – that didn't seem to matter to Apple. I felt I had been treated like a second class citizen."
Despite being contacted by The Citizen, Apple was unavailable for comment.
Comments
by TimMessanger
Monday, October 22 2012, 9:44PM
“Carphone warhorse "Web offer" iPhone Price FREE
The phone is what is known as an inducement and the contract is normally for the SIM, the warranty provided by APPLE is extra to your statuary rights at 12 months, yes apple should replace the phone under the 12 month warranty.”
by gallopingbear
Monday, October 22 2012, 3:05PM
“Jokes aside, it is quite ridiculous that Apple would not replace the phone.
Write to Wathdog. Ann Robinson will sort them out.”
by eyeopener
Saturday, October 20 2012, 4:09PM
“@ TimMessanger The article does not state if the phone was bought, or free with the contract. Some contract phones need a down payment. Other contract phones are "free" with the contract.
The fact phone companies offer warranties regardless means they ARE covered. These contracts are as Studley1975 states dearer than if you had a "sim only" contract so of course even though it is "FREE" you are "buying" it.
The phone company could not plead that you were simply renting because that would if the phone failed, give grounds to terminate the contract. This interpretation is confirmed because companies offer 12 month warranties, on 2 year phone contracts.
Last but not least as FreeRadical1 points out, your life is NOT covered under the warranty. The one thing that will save you (assuming escape is possible) is a bedroom smoke detector!”
by Takeaway22
Saturday, October 20 2012, 4:04PM
“EllJay1 - I stand corrected. I must learn to read properly myself!”
by FreeRadical1
Saturday, October 20 2012, 3:35PM
“This is the reason why the fire service suggests that you fit a smoke detector in your bedroom. Smoke from electrical equipment is always very toxic.”
by Studley1975
Saturday, October 20 2012, 1:07PM
“@Timmessanger: I Hear You But Nothing's Ever For Free. The Contract Is Set At A Tarrif While Over The Contract Period Covers The Value Of The Phone Plus The 3G Allowance,Therefore The Contract Is In Stone Until Its Conclusion & He Will Continue To Be Debited. Due To This The Phone Is His Property & He Is Paying For An Item Which Is Faulty Goods. Usually,As IPhones Are Very Expensive Phone Conpanies Will Charge An Upfront One Off Fee For The Handset. All IPhones Have A 12 Month Warranty & I Personally Feel Apple Should Replace The Handset Under The Warranty Provided. I Have Read About Other IPhones Combusting On Mac Forums & All Were Iphone 4's?”
by TimMessanger
Saturday, October 20 2012, 12:32PM
“@Studley1975 and eyeopener - Your point might be a bit difficult as the phone is "Free" with the contract and you would have to prove you "Paid" for the phone otherwise it would be treated as a gift.”
by EllJay1
Saturday, October 20 2012, 11:20AM
“Takeway22 - but this is what comes two paragraphs later:
"I was most worried that it could set fire to the bed so threw it by the cable across the room."”
by Takeaway22
Saturday, October 20 2012, 9:18AM
“SteveNumber1 - "Learn to read it properly, He threw it by the charging cable." Errrm. Steve, I think you need to read the article again. To give you a clue, it's the fourth paragraph "Paul picked up the MOBILE and threw it across the room, before dialling 999." - Sorry it's confusing! ;)”
by capital1978
Saturday, October 20 2012, 9:00AM
“Looks like Mr James is working overtime to give negative feedback to anyone who doesn't support him and his actions. Makes you wonder.”