Johannesburg - US tech giant Apple has said that a “small percentage” of its iPhone 7 smartphones have been reported to show “no service” for their network status.
The issue may plague devices even if cellular coverage is available, and is believed to be caused by components failing on the main logic board of the phones.
iPhone 7s with model numbers A1660, A1780, A1660 or A1779 have been experiencing the network status problems.
The issue is reported to affect smartphones produced between September 2016 and February 2018 and purchased in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, and the US.
Apple said in a statement last week that users in these regions who were experience the 'no network' issue would be reimbursed for paying for the repair of their phones.
“If you believe you paid for a repair related to this issue, and have not received an email from Apple by the end of March 2018, please contact Apple,” the company said.
“If your device exhibits the symptom described above, Apple will repair your device, free of charge. Your iPhone will be examined prior to any service to verify that it is eligible for this program. This program only applies to iPhone 7."
Apple noted that, if a device has any damage that impairs the ability to complete the 'no network' repair, such as a cracked screen, that issue will need to be resolved prior to the service. In some cases, there may be a cost associated with the additional repair.
The iStore in South Africa told Fin24 on Monday that it would assist with the repair of affected iPhone 7s if all the following requirements are met:
- The international warranty of the particular iPhone 7 should still valid
- The user must provide proof of purchase that clearly shows the serial number of the device
- The user must provide proof that all import duties were paid
Where to find your iPhone's model number?
Apple have release the image below to show where to find the iPhone 7's model number. The number is displayed on the lower rear end of the device.
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