Apple has apologised to Chinese clients after negative reports in the national media about the period of warranty offered on iPhones.
The one-year warranty, compared to other market standards, has now been amended to offer full replacements rather than major repairs on any problematic iPhone 4, 4S and 5.
Apple has been accused of being “arrogant” due to its market behaviour towards China, the second largest group of iPhone buyers. News complaints in newspapers such as People’s Daily and on television channels such as China Central Television began on March 15.
Tim Cook, chief executive of Apple, issued an apology yesterday (Monday) as the alteration to implementing iPhone warranties was announced.
Cook acknowledged the claims in a responsive letter on Apple’s local site, saying: “We are aware that owing to insufficient external communication, some consider Apple’s attitude to be arrogant, inattentive or indifferent to consumer feedback.
“We express our sincere apologies for causing consumers any misgivings or misunderstanding,” the message, written in Chinese, continued.
The readiness of the apology is regarded as a sign of the market significance of the Chinese to the iPad manufacturers, Reuters reported.
An estimated US$7.3 billion in revenue was generated by Greater China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong, during the first quarter in 2013.
Apple also recently acquired the indoor Global Positioning System (GPS) firm WifiSlam as a suspected attempt in bettering their efforts to succeed in building a navigation system after the failure of Mapplegate.
