Why won't Apple sort out greyed wifi?

Question

My phone is nearly three months out of warranty.  I took it to our nearest Apple store(70 miles away) and was told that it's not an uncommon problem (and after reading other pages about it, I feel it's quite a common problem that Apple DO know about).  It's an unrepairable problem I was told but I could have a replacement phone for £139.
If I had dropped or damaged my phone in any other way, I would've paid up for a replacement but when it's a hardware problem that I have no control over, why should I pay?
My phone contract is for two years so they obviously expect the Iphone to be fit for purpose for that long.  Can and is Apple trying to sort out this problem? 

Answer 1

First, we're users here, not Apple.  We cannot speak to what Apple's doing any more than you can.
Second, do you know how many millions of iPhone 4S's there are out there?  Because a handfull of people are having your isses, in no was does this mean there's a common problems.
Apple, like all reputable manufacturers, warranties their hardware to be free of defect for ONE YEAR.  You have the ability to purchase Apple Care in many places, to extend this to TWO YEARS.  Apple lived up to it's contractual obligations with you.  Had you had a hardware failure within a year, your device would have been replaced free of charge.  The fact that you're under contract with your mobile provider is irrelevant.  That's between you and your mobile provide, not between you and Apple.
Your warranty expired.  Period. That's life.  Pay for an out of warranty replacement device or get a new phone (Apple or other).  Move on.
Best,
GDG