Anyone Else Just Turing Off 3G Until They Fix It Besides Me?

[TXCraig]

I can't handle the dropped calls and batter going from full to empty in 4 hours of standby time. I'm just shutting the 3G off. How many others are doing this?

[newyorksole]

I haven't experienced any of your problems. I haven't got 1 dropped call yet and every phone call I have made in the past 4 days on 3G have been VERY clear. When I use 3G for the internet my battery doesn't drain quickly either.

[DreamPod]

You've obviously got a defective phone if its battery dies after 4 hours of doing absolutely nothing at all, you need to return it.

[rareflares]

yeah, my phone lasts 32 hours with about 7-8 hours of usage on a full charge. you probably got a defective iphone, unfortunately

[jacksam101]

Fix what? At work I have full 3G signal (full bars displayed) and have had the best battery life from my iphone; it does suffer when it has to swap between GPRS/Edge/3G

But even then I have to charge it nightly (looks about 1/4 battery full)

[b1gted]

It would probably be worth taking it in and having it checked out.

[JML42691]

I would take your iPhone in for service, the battery and dropped calls problem seem to be pointing to a defective part or something.

[ViViDboarder]

I would recommend everyone turning off 3G if you are in the Washington DC area... More 3G for me!!!! :D

It's working great for me! I get plenty of battery and fast speeds and no dropped calls.

[luckygyrl83]

I turned 3G off since it helps drain the battery. I dont notice a difference with it on or off anyway.

[hayduke]

I would recommend everyone turning on 3G if you are in the Washington DC area... More 3G for me!!!! :D

It's working great for me! I get plenty of battery and fast speeds and no dropped calls.

Turning *off*?

[ViViDboarder]

Turning *off*?

Uhhh... yea... I mean... No... Turn it on ;)

Nice catch.

[nikhsub1]

There is one issue; 3G is nice but the problem is that the phone (or maybe it is the cell service) doesn't switch from 3G to Edge when it REALLY needs to. For example, at my friends house he has a gen 1 iphone, he gets FULL strength as in 5 bars. With 3G on in his house I get ZERO bars but yet the phone will NOT switch to edge! It is so annoying, I have to turn 3G off manually. Surely the phone should switch when the 3G signal is so weak that calls can not be made?

[diesel]

I didn't realize that 3g was broken :)

[Small White Car]

There is one issue; 3G is nice but the problem is that the phone (or maybe it is the cell service) doesn't switch from 3G to Edge when it REALLY needs to. For example, at my friends house he has a gen 1 iphone, he gets FULL strength as in 5 bars. With 3G on in his house I get ZERO bars but yet the phone will NOT switch to edge! It is so annoying, I have to turn 3G off manually. Surely the phone should switch when the 3G signal is so weak that calls can not be made?

This is an option I want:

"Auto Turn off 3G only when it has 1 bar or less AND the EDGE network currently has more bars."

[cohenspire]

I <3 3g

[ViViDboarder]

This is an option I want:

"Auto Turn off 3G only when it has 1 bar or less AND the EDGE network currently has more bars."

Wouldn't that mean both antenna(or recievers or whatever) would need to be active at all times reading signal strengths?

[Jblack4083]

I think your phone might be defective. I was on 3g two nights ago and yesterday when i woke up for work I didn't even look on my iPhone and just took it with me to catch the bus. This is at 8AM.

Then at lunch time I realized it (3G) was on and just used it for about 30 minutes browsing on Safari. It got somewhat hot. I was playing music simultaneously. I left it on again

At 7:00Pm when I was on the bus going home I turned it off. I also have Push on. I think I probably had 2 hours of use on the iPhone and a whole work day of standby.

At 7:00 when i turned it off I was still good for battery life enough to leave it on my bed without charging it. I finally plugged it in at 1AM.

Wouldn't that mean both antenna(or recievers or whatever) would need to be active at all times reading signal strengths?

It already does this. When my 3G goes down to 1 bar, it automatically reverts to EDGE which has full bars.

[bdorpetzl]

It already does this. When my 3G goes down to 1 bar, it automatically reverts to EDGE which has full bars.

I have noticed that my phone tries to hold on to the poor 3G signal instead of switching to EDGE, which causes it to lose signal and take about 20-30 seconds to switch. So, I turn 3G off when I know the signal is bad and I have no problem. It seems that there may be a problem in the software with regards to switching. I must say though, even though I have about 1-2 bars of EDGE at home, I have had no dropped calls nor any NO SERVICE issues that I had with my 1.0 iPhone.

[bboucher790]

I can't handle the dropped calls and batter going from full to empty in 4 hours of standby time. I'm just shutting the 3G off. How many others are doing this?

Could be crappy 3G in your area. The phone could be trying to get a 3G signal, which is lowering battery life. Even still, doesn't seem like that's normal. I would try reading this thread, see if it helps:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=527562

[phishie]

yeah, my phone lasts 32 hours with about 7-8 hours of usage on a full charge. you probably got a defective iphone, unfortunately

What kind of usage? Is that 7-8 usage with 3G, wifi, Push, Bluetooth, and Location Services (GPS) on? That's crazy good if true. If you're getting battery life like that than mine must be defective because I'm getting roughly 5-6 hours usage (3G/wifi/GPS off when not in use) with 10-15 standby.

[opticalserenity]

This is an option I want:

"Auto Turn off 3G only when it has 1 bar or less AND the EDGE network currently has more bars."

+1!!! I wish we had this. I have to turn mine off when away from big cities, cause it'll hold on for dear life to a crappy 3G signal and I drop calls all the time..


PLEASE FIX THIS APPLE / AT&T.

[btcutter]

I don't get great 3G coverage at work or home so I have it on EDGE to save battery life.

When I am at home, I may turn on Wifi.

When I want to browse, I turn on 3G or Wifi whichever is available.

Stay by on EDGE last days.

Browsing really eat up battery (expected, think of your notebook....last only a few hrs surfing so you should expect the same with the iPhone).

[mark34]

I turned 3G off since it helps drain the battery. I dont notice a difference with it on or off anyway.

Is that because you do not have 3G coverage?

Otherwise I wonder what you mean. If I am stuck in Edge only I will only use data services if I really must (outside of email, sms). That has only happened once. 3G on the other hand has been very fast for me. Really good internet experience and streaming music, etc.

[Jblack4083]

I have noticed that my phone tries to hold on to the poor 3G signal instead of switching to EDGE, which causes it to lose signal and take about 20-30 seconds to switch. So, I turn 3G off when I know the signal is bad and I have no problem. It seems that there may be a problem in the software with regards to switching. I must say though, even though I have about 1-2 bars of EDGE at home, I have had no dropped calls nor any NO SERVICE issues that I had with my 1.0 iPhone.

I wish I could take a video. The switch is done for me within 5 seconds and it doesn't disrupt any network connections I have except for AIM.

[bdorpetzl]

I wish I could take a video. The switch is done for me within 5 seconds and it doesn't disrupt any network connections I have except for AIM.

I don't doubt the fast switching you have seen, I still feel there may be some timeout issues with regards to the software. I think part of the problem is when I test it, I am in a very weak area for 3G. I would have to check when I am coming from an area with 3G coverage to EDGE coverage.

[agbot]

I wish I could take a video. The switch is done for me within 5 seconds and it doesn't disrupt any network connections I have except for AIM.

Same here. Disabling/enabling 3G switches to/from EDGE in only a few seconds.

[cantankerously]

No droppers and a clear 3g signal here. (Chicago)

[Loge]

If you're on a call using 3G, and the signal drops away - because you are on a train or something - can it switch to Edge without losing the call?

[agbot]

I haven't seen very strong 3G signals too often (San Francisco Bay Area) but even when calling on 1 bar of 3G I haven't had any dropped calls.

[wizard]

I haven't seen any issues with 3G at all. In fact enjoying it very much thank you. What everyone needs to realize is that it will drain the battery if no connection is to be had. That due to the phone trying to find a tower.

The issue with 3G is that it apparently does not have a strong ability to penetrate structures. This the increase in battery consumption. Along with 3G you have all the other radios in iPhone. If you are not using them shut them off.

In any event an example here; the building I work is made out of thick concrete which cell signals do not penetrate well. Every cell phone I've ever owned will go dead real fast in there hunting for a conection. 3G doesn't make the situation any better, in fact I'd siggest that it makes it worst. The solution is to turn off 3G if conditions are bad. If things are real bad turn the phone off.

In any event I'm loosing track of this thread. The first thing one needs to do when looking at battery issues is to look in the mirror and evaluate just what you are doing.

Dave

[luckygyrl83]

Is that because you do not have 3G coverage?

Otherwise I wonder what you mean. If I am stuck in Edge only I will only use data services if I really must (outside of email, sms). That has only happened once. 3G on the other hand has been very fast for me. Really good internet experience and streaming music, etc.

No, we have it here. I live in Orange County, CA. When Im on edge, my bars or signal strength is full. When I switch over, they go down to like 2 or 3. Really irritating.

[mark34]

No, we have it here. I live in Orange County, CA. When Im on edge, my bars or signal strength is full. When I switch over, they go down to like 2 or 3. Really irritating.

Why is that irritating? Is it just the number of bars or do you see a performance problem? It might just be calibration. Who cares how many bars you have as long as your data is blazing away and calls are working well.

Maybe I missed the point of this thread... are you saying you are getting worse signal strength for phone calls when you activate 3G? That's odd. Or are you saying you just have fewer bars?

Personally, regardless of the number of bars, the iPhone is pretty worthless outside of phone calls when you are on Edge. Thank goodness for 3G.

But my response was to you saying you "didn't see any difference anyway". I am still confused on that. Are you not noticing the huge difference in data speed?

[Diode]

I have a issue where putting my hand on the back of the phone causes the bars to go to zero. Taking it away causes the signal to return. Doesn't happen with edge.

[benlee]

I have a issue where putting my hand on the back of the phone causes the bars to go to zero. Taking it away causes the signal to return. Doesn't happen with edge.

Haha. Guess you will just have to make phone calls with it setting on a table or something.

I don't have a 3G iPhone but I would suggest you bring it in and have it looked at if your call quality or data speed is affected by your hand.

Unless.... Do you have a metal hand?

[luckygyrl83]

Why is that irritating? Is it just the number of bars or do you see a performance problem? It might just be calibration. Who cares how many bars you have as long as your data is blazing away and calls are working well.

Maybe I missed the point of this thread... are you saying you are getting worse signal strength for phone calls when you activate 3G? That's odd. Or are you saying you just have fewer bars?

Personally, regardless of the number of bars, the iPhone is pretty worthless outside of phone calls when you are on Edge. Thank goodness for 3G.

But my response was to you saying you "didn't see any difference anyway". I am still confused on that. Are you not noticing the huge difference in data speed?

Irritating because if I leave the 3g, my reception sux. Ive only had 2 dropped call on 3g since 7/11, but thats too many for now. With the battery, its probably just 3g trying to find a tower to say connected or whatever. Between edge and 3g, the pages seem to load the same time. The battery thing is just a huge deal, and the taking away my signal strength or whatever it is, is not needed for now. Until I see the difference, 3g will be on a hiatus.

[CyberGreg]

There is one issue; 3G is nice but the problem is that the phone (or maybe it is the cell service) doesn't switch from 3G to Edge when it REALLY needs to. For example, at my friends house he has a gen 1 iphone, he gets FULL strength as in 5 bars. With 3G on in his house I get ZERO bars but yet the phone will NOT switch to edge! It is so annoying, I have to turn 3G off manually. Surely the phone should switch when the 3G signal is so weak that calls can not be made?

EXACTLY the same problem and I usually keep 3G off. Mine will actually go to No Service and stay there for (ever???) a long time. Once I switch off 3G I have FULL service under EDGE. The switch timing has to be improved but who's job is that? AT&T or Apple?

[Loge]

EXACTLY the same problem and I usually keep 3G off. Mine will actually go to No Service and stay there for (ever???) a long time. Once I switch off 3G I have FULL service under EDGE. The switch timing has to be improved but who's job is that? AT&T or Apple?

The switching is turning out to be a real pain. I usually end up having to power off and on again. So far I'm finding (from a couple of days usage) 3G is fine in central London, but pretty much unusable on a train in outer London, probably because it is not switching properly.

[mark34]

Irritating because if I leave the 3g, my reception sux. Ive only had 2 dropped call on 3g since 7/11, but thats too many for now. With the battery, its probably just 3g trying to find a tower to say connected or whatever. Between edge and 3g, the pages seem to load the same time. The battery thing is just a huge deal, and the taking away my signal strength or whatever it is, is not needed for now. Until I see the difference, 3g will be on a hiatus.

I think you may have a faulty phone. Besides that seems to defeat the purpose of the device (to turn off 3G). Like a completely different device without functioning 3G, in my opinion, albeit one with longer battery life.

[TheNakedMan]

they don't have 3G where I go to school..they do have it where I live when I'm not at school...

so for 10 months of the year....3G will be off :(

Kinda pisses me off I have to pay higher fee.

[aneftp]

I can't handle the dropped calls and batter going from full to empty in 4 hours of standby time. I'm just shutting the 3G off. How many others are doing this?

How "mature" is the 3G service in your area. I know when 3G launched in the Washington DC area in early 2005, I got tons of dropped phone calls and battery life sucked. Now that Washington DC 3g service is very mature (and widespread even in the outer suburbs), battery life and the number of dropped phone calls has dramatically decreased.

[markgamber]

I generally have it off at home as I have one reception bar at best and data is so slow as to be pretty useless. Now if I walk 300 yards to the pool, it gets funny. Standing at the south end of the pool, there's no wifi and no 3G....the phone itself flips to EDGE. If I walk 100 feet to the north end of the pool, there are 5 wifi sources, two full strength, and 3 reception bars in 3G mode with data averaging 450 kbps. Weird, huh? Gotta love UHF frequencies!

[cooldaddybeck]

I haven't seen my iPhone connect to 3G yet. Meanwhile, my wife's iPhone right next to me has a strong signal and the "3G" logo next to her signal.

blech.

[jeniferkey]

I keep my phone charged while I'm at work and then overnight, so the power isn't much of an issue. But, trying to answer calls on 3g in the Dallas/Fort Worth area is really hit and miss. Tons more dropped calls, fewer bars than Edge and bad reception. This is in or outside of buildings.
I use it mostly as a phone during the day, so do I turn off 3G and it works fine. Much better than my first iPhone on Edge. At home it also gets a better wi-fi signal than my first one.
When I have it out to browse, then I might switch it back to 3g. I guess I'm hoping 3g service gets better in our area

[Diode]

How "mature" is the 3G service in your area. I know when 3G launched in the Washington DC area in early 2005, I got tons of dropped phone calls and battery life sucked. Now that Washington DC 3g service is very mature (and widespread even in the outer suburbs), battery life and the number of dropped phone calls has dramatically decreased.

You have a 3G iphone? 3G so far for me has been spotty at best with the iphone.

I'm finding myself turning it off a lot because I don't get a signal and the phone won't switch to edge. Something is wrong here and it doesn't seem to be just my phone.