Apple’s Long History with “Gate” Controversies
Another “gate” hashtag is trending among iPhone users this year, continuing a pattern that started more than a decade ago. Since 2010, Apple’s flagship device has weathered multiple user-led controversies, often triggered by hardware or software design issues.
The trend began with #Antennagate during the release of the iPhone 4. Apple had redesigned the device so that its antenna wrapped around the outer casing, which led to dropped calls when users held the phone using what became known as the “left-handed death grip.”
The late Steve Jobs, then Apple CEO, famously responded to the complaints by saying users were “holding their phones the wrong way.” Fifteen years later, that remark remains one of the most controversial moments in Apple’s history.
#Bendgate and #Batterygate Followed
Four years after Antennagate, Apple faced another hardware issue — #Bendgate.
When the iPhone 6 Plus launched in 2014, users discovered that the phone could bend easily when placed in tight pockets. Social media quickly amplified the issue, forcing Apple to strengthen the phone’s chassis in later models.
Then came #Batterygate in 2017, when users accused Apple of secretly slowing down older iPhones. It was later revealed that an iOS update included code that throttled CPU performance on devices with ageing batteries, including the iPhone 6, 6 Plus, 6s, and 6s Plus.
Apple claimed the move was intended to prevent unexpected shutdowns, but the company eventually apologized and offered a discounted battery replacement program for affected customers.
A Recurring Pattern in Apple’s iPhone Legacy
From antenna flaws and bendable frames to performance throttling, these “gate” incidents have become a recurring theme in Apple’s product history.
While each controversy sparks criticism, Apple’s transparency, design revisions, and customer compensation programs have helped maintain user trust, even amid backlash.
As the latest “gate” hashtag surfaces in 2025, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between innovation and reliability in the smartphone industry, and how Apple’s every design decision continues to attract global attention.
