4.1 proximity sensor NOT fixed.......

[ryannazaretian]

Guys, if after getting a replacement from Apple and still having issues...get another replacement!

I was the biggest critic of the new iPhone and it's proximity sensor problems as I had a replacement and updated to 4.1 even though it cost me my jailbreak. I went back to Apple and got my 3rd replacement and it was crap like the others at first (came with 4.0.2). I updated to 4.1 and it actually fixed it! I couldnt believe it. It's been 5 days and not once have I had an issue where previously I had Call Guard register 80 unwanted touched in one 17 minute call.

I now physically see the prox sensor light up red which didn't happen with the phone I had replaced and also can physically see that the screen takes about a second to light up when you pull it away from your face whereas the old one instantly lit up.

Yea, I don't see it lighting up at all. My last one lit up a little bit, but I had to struggle to see it. This one I don't see at all.

I wonder if they're more lenient for 2nd replacements for the same issue because I have 3 problems with the 3 ways for replacements:

1) Send in and receive replacement 1 week or later (obviously not the best case scenario)

2) Advanced exchange. Apple sends out a replacement immediately, but puts a hold of the price of the phone on my credit card. My credit limit (as a college student) is $500, so this obviously won't work.

3) Take back into an Apple store. Closest Apple store is 106 miles away. I'm not making another drive there for the same problem. The only reason I chose this approach is because it's on my way home. I'm not planning a trip home for another few weeks.

 

[patseguin]

My replacement phone is now having the issue too. The new phone does not have the red glowing sensor. I was talking to someone today and put them on speaker phone and tried to start facetime with my face.

 

[Drag'nGT]

It seems like a few people still have the issue or they now have it while we had a huge thread with people praising how 4.1 fixed the issue. I'm just kind of lost on it all but I'm sorry you guys are having issues.

 

[benoitgphoto]

Well 1-2 people in this very thread confirmed the problem I'm having. The Apple boards have numerous posts about the same issue. What the heck is your problem. The phone is fundamentally flawed. Period.

Very honestly, I have the iPhone 4 for 3 weeks now and I did not experienced the proximity sensor issue. I was also a little scared that 4.1 would have mess with it and created an issue where I did not have. Also, my sensor doesn't glow red, but like some other ones, since 4.1, it now takes 1 second or so for the screen to lighten up once taken away from the ear.

Also, since I got my phone, I tried to replicate the proximity sensor issue and tried very hard by moving the phone away from my ear, down, up and I can only replicate it when the phone is in an unnatural position (too high like having my top ear in he middle of the screen or 1-2 inches away from my ear).

I'm starting to believe that this issue is either isolated to a batch of defective proximity sensor or to people that are holding the phone in an unnatural way...I might be wrong though but like I said, I NEVER experienced that issue. To all the ones who are claiming to have issues, I would get a replacement phone right away if I were you.

To Razeus : my iPhone 4 32 Gb works just fine so fundamentally not flawed. No issue with antenna and drop calls, proximity sensor, battery, bluetooth, wi-fi, yellow spot on the screen, bad white balance, breaking glass when throwing the phone (because I don't throw it) and it still haven't caught on fire. Oh yes...the camera also work fine (both of them since apparently all the 32 Gb phones have defective camera). So if yours is flawed, get a replacement.

 

[spacemnspiff]

I had the problem with 4.0.2 and still have it with 4.1. But its not frequent, most of the times I dont run into the issue.

 

[Mark Booth]

4.1 fixed the proximity sensor bug for me. At least, so far. And I've intentionally tried to get the front screen to come on while the iPhone 4 was held up to my ear (by moving the iPhone into different positions and angles). While I could EASILY reproduce the proximity sensor bug on iOS 4.0.x, I have yet to be able to reproduce it with 4.1.

Mark

 

[fairoasis]

Since 4.1 didn't fix my Proximity Sensor problem, I decided to restore tonight as NEW PHONE as suggested in other threads. So far so good. I'll try it out in more depth tomorrow.

 

[DJohm]

Wonder if Apple will start taking Head measurements to see if you qualify for a replacement. "I'm sorry Sir, you have a fat head. NO IPHONE FOR YOU!"

That was hilarious!! Damn iPhone Nazi!!

 

[fairoasis]

That was hilarious!! Damn iPhone Nazi!!

I just made my Genius appt. for 1230 today. If they measure my head, I'll let you know

 

[popcorn-in-sac]

I just made my Genius appt. for 1230 today. If they measure my head, I'll let you know

Had mine a day before yesterday. I can easily reproduce the fault at home, no problem. I got to the Apple store, and could not replicate it. Got back home right after the appointment, tried it again, and yep, no problem - can reproduce every time.

Was to told to "restore as new" and that should take care of it. Tried that yesterday, and no change. Still can easily reproduce the issue at home.

I've come to believe that in my case, it has to do with ambient light. The Apple Store was very bright, and places in my house where the issue is easy to repeat are not nearly as bright. When I try it in sunlight or other bright light, it seems fine. Try it in low light, and problem shows up.

Just thought I'd share some of my recent Apple Store experience on this topic. Not really sure where this leaves me. The genius did say if I did the restore and it was still having issues, they would consider replacing it.

Mark

 

[NikeTalk]

When will you all realize that this is an hardware issue first and now with 4.1 Apple has made it both an hardware and software issue!

 

[fairoasis]

Well, they replaced my iPhone 4 today. I took my MBP with me to the store, and sat at the bar and did the update on the replacement from 4.0.2 to 4.1, and then restored from the backup I had done before going to the appt. I called my sister and actually carried on a 10 minute conversation without so much as a hiccup from the proximity sensor. Later, I was on the phone with a friend for about 20 min...put the phone on my shoulder to find my keys in my bag and voila....lost her. I called back and as long as I actually hold the phone, it was all good. I can live with this.

 

[Italchef]

I had heard of the problem of course but haven't experienced it until today. I've had my phone since release day here in Canada. I was talking on the phone and the thing went haywire. On and off, then my face hit a few buttons. Crazy. By the way, I'm up to date and running 4.1.

 

[x986]

4.1 SEEMS to work for me. Two days, one hour plus call and a bunch of shorter ones with no problems. I'm on my second phone, the first was replaced due to PS. Second had problems about one out of ten times. I was/am a believer that it is a HARDware QC issue, but this software APPEARS to have fixed it.

 

[megadon]

Well 1-2 people in this very thread confirmed the problem I'm having. The Apple boards have numerous posts about the same issue. What the heck is your problem. The phone is fundamentally flawed. Period.

I hope your phone gets fixed, but I just got mine 2 weeks ago and everything is perfect. Not one dropped call or signal loss. Take your phone into apple and get a replacement.

 

[Roger1079]

Proximity sensor issues are probably a mix of user error and maybe a limited number of manufacturing defects. Never had a problem with either of our iPhone 4s from launch, nor the ones I've tried at the local Apple stores or friends iPhone 4s.

Please explain to me how a proximity sensor that doesn't function properly is user error. My iphone history below:

iphone 2g - experienced no proximity sensor issues
iphone 3g - experienced no proximity sensor issues
iphone 3gs - experienced no proximity sensor issues
iphone 4 - bought on launch day - proximity sensor issues from day 1. release 4.1 makes my sensor glow red but still no fix.

Please explain to me how I was able to use all 3 previous versions with no issue, and now with Apple's latest and greatest, I cant make a call without muting, initiating face time, or bringing up the keypad and dialing numbers. this phone has a physical defect, plain and simple. Apple's arrogance with handling this issue is inexcusable. But hey, they have the dedicated sheep to follow them blaming the user for a hardware defect, and are a billion dollar corporation at that, so what do they care if they lose a handful of customers.

 

[benoitgphoto]

Please explain to me how a proximity sensor that doesn't function properly is user error. My iphone history below:

iphone 2g - experienced no proximity sensor issues
iphone 3g - experienced no proximity sensor issues
iphone 3gs - experienced no proximity sensor issues
iphone 4 - bought on launch day - proximity sensor issues from day 1. release 4.1 makes my sensor glow red but still no fix.

Please explain to me how I was able to use all 3 previous versions with no issue, and now with Apple's latest and greatest, I cant make a call without muting, initiating face time, or bringing up the keypad and dialing numbers. this phone has a physical defect, plain and simple. Apple's arrogance with handling this issue is inexcusable. But hey, they have the dedicated sheep to follow them blaming the user for a hardware defect, and are a billion dollar corporation at that, so what do they care if they lose a handful of customers.

Please explain me WHY I do not have any issue with my proximity sensor...does my head is magnetic or something or maybe I'm an alien?
I think MRDisney is right...return the phone and get a replacement .

 

[vaper]

Well, they replaced my iPhone 4 today. I took my MBP with me to the store, and sat at the bar and did the update on the replacement from 4.0.2 to 4.1, and then restored from the backup I had done before going to the appt. I called my sister and actually carried on a 10 minute conversation without so much as a hiccup from the proximity sensor. Later, I was on the phone with a friend for about 20 min...put the phone on my shoulder to find my keys in my bag and voila....lost her. I called back and as long as I actually hold the phone, it was all good. I can live with this.

Sounds a lot like my most recent apple store/genius bar experience. Except the original genius was a total prick. another staff member helped me set up my (third) replacement ip4, updating to 4.1 from 4.0.2 on my macbook. Only he set it up as a new device, not from a restore.

I'm almost afraid to say it but, unlike my 3 previous ip4s, no more proximity sensor issues. Period. I feel very lucky as I know, first-hand, since day one, just how much of a pain the problem can be.

 

[BBNYC]

I have gone through multiple replacements and have tried every possible theory to fix this proximity sensor. From my dreadful experience, I can confidentially say that every iPhone 4 up until last week suffers from this problem.

Now that Apple has technically issued a fix for this problem (4.1), where do we go from here? (those that are past their grace periods)

 

[gslrider]

Only had the issue a few times and hasn't happened since.

I think there's a lot of user variation going on here and people only want to blame the device.

It's not the device, it's iOS 4 affecting a number of iPhones (3GS and 3G). Something in the new iOS is affecting the way the iPhone is working. Which is contrary to the belief that software can't affect hardware. But I can see that software is instructing the device to do certain things it's not suppose to.

The lastest 4.1 update seems to have fixed issues with the 3G, but not the 3GS, which Apple is claiming they have never heard of these issues. Well this thread alone, says otherwise

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2471090&start=0&tstart=0

. It's been building up since the introduction of iOS 4.

For the record I'm on my second brand new iPhone, and still having the same issues from my first one. Which was running flawlessly under iOS 3.1.2. I'm apprehensive in updating to 4.1, as some are stating that it's made their phone run even worse than it was under 4.x.x. While others say it didn't, but it also didn't fix any issues, so they are no worse or better than they were (which is still bad). However there are those claiming that 4.1 has fixed their issues, but they're all pretty much 3G users.

It's really hard to believe that Apple isn't aware of these issues since last June. All they have to do is look at their own forum. Unless of course, this is their way of forcing everyone to upgrade to the iPhone 4. I still believe that the iOS 4.x was designed for the iPhone 4, and only made to be compatible with the older iPhones. We all know that compatible doesn't mean that it will always work properly. Apple needs to address this issue, it's their responsibility. Maybe people should join this Facebook group

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=158568190823303

This isn't the Apple I've known and bought products from for the last 20+ years. They sound more like Microsoft now. Less about quality and satisfaction, and more about the almighty dollar. Sad.

 

[Maverick1337]

^^I've never rebooted my iPhone during a call. Some users are reporting this on 4.0.1 and I don't know how you could reboot the phone during a call.

 

[trajen]

Wow, I'm sorry to hear all this you guys. I talk all the time on my phone and this issue is making the free 3GS I have look better and better. I think I'll wait until iPhone 5.

 

[Roger1079]

Please explain me WHY I do not have any issue with my proximity sensor...does my head is magnetic or something or maybe I'm an alien?
I think MRDisney is right...return the phone and get a replacement .

No clue whether you came from outer space or not. Hmm, I think I figured it out. My ear must have changed shape on the day I bought my iPhone 4. I'm going to send an e-mail to Apple and suggest they start making ear bumpers to fix the proximity sensor issue.

 

[gslrider]

^^I've never rebooted my iPhone during a call. Some users are reporting this on 4.0.1 and I don't know how you could reboot the phone during a call.

That's the thing, we don't. The phone does it on it's own. Now, I'm not sure about the iPhone 4 doing that. But the 3GS does it. I've gone through 2 already and still doing it. The only explanation is iOS 4.x. Because never had ANY issues under 3.x.x. Very frustrating. Especially when your on a business call.

 

[Maverick1337]

That's the thing, we don't. The phone does it on it's own. Now, I'm not sure about the iPhone 4 doing that. But the 3GS does it. I've gone through 2 already and still doing it. The only explanation is iOS 4.x. Because never had ANY issues under 3.x.x. Very frustrating. Especially when your on a business call.

Really? I have never seen this brought up on MacRumors at all. That was the first I ever heard of it when I went to that website. If my iPhone 4 did that constantly, I would take it back in a heartbeat.