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Apple Looking Into LTE Connectivity Issues Affecting Some iPhone XS and XS Max Owners

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Apple is looking into reports that some customers are experiencing LTE connectivity issues with the newly released iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

According to one iPhone XS Max owner, Apple is conducting an outreach program with some customers who have a new device that is experiencing LTE problems.

iphonexsmaxfront-800x457.jpg

Apple has asked him to install a baseband logger to track his cellular connection, presumably to figure out if there are any serious issues that need to be resolved. We've heard similar reports from MacRumors readers who have been asked to provide device logs to engineers when troubleshooting the issue.

@reneritchie Apple just reached out to me to see if I could answer some questions about my Xs Max reception issues they're doing an outreach to some affected users and are asking to install a baseband logger to track my connection to the tower - Devin Meredith 🇺🇸🧐 (@Devmer11) October 3, 2018
Click to expand...
iPhone XS and XS Max owners began complaining about LTE connectivity and signal problems shortly after the two devices launched on September 17. Many users have discovered noticeable differences in cellular reception between iPhone XS models and older iPhones like the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X.

Affected users have noticed fewer bars and poorer signal on iPhone XS and XS Max compared to older devices, but it doesn't appear to be a universal problem. While some people have complained of weak connectivity and slow speeds, others have noticed LTE improvements, which confuses the issue.

Many of the early complaints came from Verizon users, suggesting there are perhaps carrier firmware issues that need to be resolved, but it's unclear if carrier firmware is the full extent of the problem.

In the most recent iOS 12.1 beta, Apple updated the modem firmware in the iPhone to version 1.01.20-1, up from 1.01.12 in iOS 12.1 beta 1. On the Verizon network, the iOS 12.1 update also introduces new 33.5.6 carrier firmware.

iphonexsmaxios21firmware-800x779.jpg
New firmware on left, iOS 12.1 beta 1 firmware on right​

Modem firmware updates are a routine part of major .1 iOS releases, so it's not yet clear if the new firmware specifically addresses issues that customers have been experiencing with LTE connectivity.

Early reports on the MacRumors forums have, however, suggested that iOS 12.1 does indeed bring some improvements. MacRumors archer75, for example, says the update has doubled his LTE speeds. Other users, though, have said the update does not address LTE problems.

Regardless of whether a fix has been bundled into the iOS 12.1 update, Apple is taking reports of LTE problems seriously and investigating what might be going on, so should this be a software-related issue, a resolution is likely in the works.

Article Link: Apple Looking Into LTE Connectivity Issues Affecting Some iPhone XS and XS Max Owners
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2018/10/03/iphone-xs-lte-connectivity-apple-investigation/
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I don’t think that this can be fixed via software upgrade. I had the problem on two different devices. I finally reverted back to a X that my local Apple store still had in stock last week.
 
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Strange. I just lost all cellular data connectivity on my XS Max about an hour ago. I have 3 bars and the LTE symbol is showing but no data. Other iPhones in the office on the same carrier(AT&T) seem to be working fine.

Swapped the sim into a 6 plus works fine. I tried turning off LTE and resetting network settings and no luck.
 
Last edited:
...or they are looking into the reported issue and declare that there is nothing wrong? Time will tell.
 
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Let’s hope it is software related. I’m noticing a big difference between my Xs and my 6s. The Xs is much slower in speed with equal to or greater number of bars. Additionally seems to be worse inside of buildings when the Xs should be better in this situation
 
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How about WiFi? My iPhone Max doesn’t like 5Ghz, keeps switching to 2.4 when other iPhone X in the household retain connection even if the signal quality is subpar. Then when the max connects to 2.4, the speeds are terrible, most of the time falling below 30Mbps on more than 460 downstream connections.
 
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This is good news. If it's software it can be fixed, if it turns out to be hardware wouldn't Apple need to make the necessary changes to remedy it?
 
1.00.07 modem firmware here, and not the 1.01.12 listed in the article. Anyone else actually see 1.01.12 on their devices on 12.0?
 
MacRumors said:



Apple is looking into reports that some customers are experiencing LTE connectivity issues with the newly released iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max.

According to one iPhone XS Max owner, Apple is conducting an outreach program with some customers who have a new device that is experiencing LTE problems.

iphonexsmaxfront-800x457.jpg

Apple has asked him to install a baseband logger to track his cellular connection, presumably to figure out if there are any serious issues that need to be resolved. We've heard similar reports from MacRumors readers who have been asked to provide device logs to engineers when troubleshooting the issue.


​
iPhone XS and XS Max owners began complaining about LTE connectivity and signal problems shortly after the two devices launched on September 17. Many users have discovered noticeable differences in cellular reception between iPhone XS models and older iPhones like the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X.

Affected users have noticed fewer bars and poorer signal on iPhone XS and XS Max compared to older devices, but it doesn't appear to be a universal problem. While some people have complained of weak connectivity and slow speeds, others have noticed LTE improvements, which confuses the issue.

Many of the early complaints came from Verizon users, suggesting there are perhaps carrier firmware issues that need to be resolved, but it's unclear if carrier firmware is the full extent of the problem.

In the most recent iOS 12.1 beta, Apple updated the modem firmware in the iPhone to version 1.01.20-1, up from 1.01.12 in iOS 12. On the Verizon network, the iOS 12.1 update also introduces new 33.5.6 carrier firmware.

iphonexsmaxios21firmware-800x779.jpg

New firmware on left, iOS 12 firmware on right​
Modem firmware updates are a routine part of major .1 iOS releases, so it's not yet clear if the new firmware specifically addresses issues that customers have been experiencing with LTE connectivity.

Early reports on the MacRumors forums have, however, suggested that iOS 12.1 does indeed bring some improvements. MacRumors archer75, for example, says the update has doubled his LTE speeds. Other users, though, have said the update does not address LTE problems.

Regardless of whether a fix has been bundled into the iOS 12.1 update, Apple is taking reports of LTE problems seriously and investigating what might be going on, so should this be a software-related issue, a resolution is likely in the works.

Article Link: Apple Looking Into LTE Connectivity Issues Affecting Some iPhone XS and XS Max Owners
Click to expand...



I’m having the same issue and I’m on ATT Network. I have also downloaded this software on my device. I was also told this could be an issue affecting some devices hardware or carriers due to the device supporting multiple sims they are trying to update their settings and networks to support this feature. But still dissent explain while my signal is very erratic. Hopefully it’s an easy fix.
 
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Anyone having connectivity ( LTE ) issues with TMobile ? Occasionally, opening a webpage or even logging into an App takes a while, or just hangs.

Also, on WiFi, while the speedtest shows downstream/upstream speeds very similar to other devices, sometimes webpages take forever to open.

I will be calling Apple about this, just wondering if any other TMobile users are facing a similar issue.
 
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