Apple has announced a special press conference about its problematic iPhone 4 prompting speculation of a recall.
An Apple spokesman declined to give further details, including whether the conference will address the new model's reception problems.
But Apple watchers speculated that the company will offer a solution.
"Given the intense pressure and scrutiny Apple has come under on the problem with the iPhone 4, it's going to be about some kind of fix or compensation for the owners of the phone," said Ed Snyder, an analyst with Charter Equity Research.
Apple launched the phone last month to great fanfare as it boasted of a design that put the antenna in a stainless steel band around the phone's frame.
But it has been plagued with user complaints about dropped calls when the phone is held in a way that covers part of the antenna.
Antenna-design experts have said that the phone design, while cutting-edge, was risky because it exposes the antenna to touch.
What started out as a small number of users complaining about reception has now ballooned into a full-scale public-relations issue.
Critics say Apple has created a public relations headache for itself by appearing to dismiss or ignore the problem, allowing a minor issue to be turned into headline news.
On Monday America's Consumer Reports magazine - America's equivalent to Which? - said it could not recommend the iPhone 4 and suggested it had a hardware defect.
It was the first time the product-quality watchdog failed to recommend an Apple phone.
A recall of the device is unlikely, because since the problem does not affect safety and only occurs for some users in certain situations.
But there are rumours Apple could give away its £19 rubber 'bumper' case, which it believes could solve the reception problem.
The press conference will be held on Friday at 6pm UK time.
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