More phonemakers condemn Apple's defence of iPhone 4

HTC, Samsung and Motorola have joined Nokia and BlackBerry-makers Research in Motion in hitting back at Apple's attempt to claim that the reception problems afflicting its new iPhone are an industry-wide phenomenon.

Apple's Steve Jobs has apologised to disgruntled Apple customers over antenna problems with the iPhone 4 Photo: AP

Steve Jobs, Apple's chief executive, has come under fire from more mobile manufacturers, following his attempt to say the iPhone 4's reception problems are not unique to his company's device. Yesterday the Telegraph reported thatRIM and Nokia hit back at Apple's defence of iPhone 4 and now Samsung, HTC and Motorola have all condemned Mr Jobs for saying that the antenna issue affecting the iPhone 4 is "a challenge for the whole industry".

Will fans risk another bite of the Apple?

During a press conference at Apple's Californian headquarters on Friday, Mr Jobs attempted to highlight the reception deficiencies of phones made by RIM, Samsung, HTC and Nokia, showing "evidence" from the BlackBerry Bold 9700, HTC Droid Eris, and Samsung Omnia II.

"The reception problems are certainly not common among smartphones," HTC CFO Hui-Meng Chengtold the Wall Street Journal, adding "[Apple] apparently didn't give operators enough time to test the phone."

Motorola's co-CEO Sanjay Jha has also told the Wall Street Journal that his company's labs have also been able to demonstrate that the iPhone 4 suffers from greater attenuation than equivalent phones when held.

RIM's co-chief executives Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsille said over the weekend: "Apple's attempt to draw RIM into Apple's self-made debacle is unacceptable. Apple's claims about RIM products appear to be deliberate attempts to distort the public's understanding of an antenna design issue and to deflect attention from Apple's difficult situation."

Mr Jobs has apologised to disgruntled Apple customers and promised to give away a free case with every iPhone 4 sold until September.

The RIM executives added: "One thing is for certain, RIM's customers don't need to use a case for their BlackBerry to maintain proper connectivity."

Nokia has also launched a strident defence of its phones. The company said: "We prioritise antenna performance over physical design if they are ever in conflict."