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

Ifti said:
I hear ya - but no, I'm on a 20GB data plan and rarely go over 5-10Gb to be honest. I've been on the same data plan, using the same towers in the same locations, for at least the past 3 years or so. In addition, if I was being throttled, I don't see why it would only be in certain areas.
Its not a cell tower issue - one place I visit weekly, and at the same spot I get no data consistently, every week in that spot, whereas it was perfectly fine with my X.

I'm completely ruling out any carrier issue considering my X was perfectly fine. I have been with the same carrier for over 10 years without issue. Bit of a co-incidence it should start when I move to a XSM......
[doublepost=1540821493][/doublepost]

Did you solve the issue with a replacement handset?
Or you dropped back to the X?

Saying that, the X is hardly a 'drop back' at this point when it comes to cellular....... lol
Click to expand...
I thought the replacement Max was better but I think that was wishful thinking. I returned it to Apple and went to Best Buy for the new X. I’m super happy with the X and although it’s last year’s model, I feel lucky to have been able to get one. And best of all it works like it should both on WiFi and cellular. I can just enjoy it.
 
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So I stopped by Best Buy earlier today. I wanted to check out the XR. I did a speed test just for fun. The results, well, speak for themselves. The first image is the XR. The next 3 are 3 successive XS test results. Same WiFi network. Same server.
 

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Tofupunch said:
So I stopped by Best Buy earlier today. I wanted to check out the XR. I did a speed test just for fun. The results, well, speak for themselves. The first image is the XR. The next 3 are 3 successive XS test results. Same WiFi network. Same server.
Click to expand...

Did the XS have 12.0.1? This was supposed to have specifically addressed WiFi issues.

If the XS just had 12.0 ... then all you have proved was 12.0 was broken.
 
The Oak said:
Did the XS have 12.0.1? This was supposed to have specifically addressed WiFi issues.

If the XS just had 12.0 ... then all you have proved was 12.0 was broken.
Click to expand...
I still have WiFi problems on 12.0.1. The only thing WiFi related in 12.0.1 is
"Resolves an issue that could cause iPhone XS devices to rejoin a Wi-Fi network at 2.4GHz instead of 5GHz"
 
The Oak said:
Did the XS have 12.0.1? This was supposed to have specifically addressed WiFi issues.

If the XS just had 12.0 ... then all you have proved was 12.0 was broken.
Click to expand...
Darn. Didn't think of that. They all were running 12.0. But I thought 12.0.1 only addressed the 2.4GHz vs 5GHz issue...?

BTW the XS Max was 47 up and 56 down.
 
according to the notes on the update from within the phone:

"Improves cellular connectivity for iPhone XS, XS Max and XR.

Let's hope so! Please let us know if you notice improvements!
 
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Verizon XS:

Modem Firmware: 1.01.30
Carrier: 34.0.1

I believe this was the same as the last Beta 5.

Edit:

For me, it was the uploads. Uploads are actually respectable now. Jury is still out. But initial impressions are favorable.
 
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FYI 12.1 big improvements on cell signal strengths near my house.

Also didn’t have Major issues with WIFI some saw.My other iPhones always dropped to the 2.4 ghz on my AirPort Extreme after I got to far away or left and came back. None would go to my 5 ghz until I reselected it. So not a big change in that regard with my Xs. I will wait to return home and see if my Xs grabs the 5ghz or like previous iPhones requires me to select it.




I have weak AT&T in neighborhood. Verizon same just no close towers. Tended to be mostly 1bar sometimes 2 on all phones not any changes much on Xs with 12.0 or 12.01.




With 12.1 I got two cell bars consistently just now and with too many walls 1 bar. But for first time in house I got 3 bars a noticeable change i ran tests and am getting 22-25 mb down now with cell at house and 5-7 up.


So in conclusion 12.1 is major improvement over 12.0 and 12.01 for weak cell signals which i had hoped for with upgrading to the Xs. I am getting as I had hoped (finally) improvements over earlier phones and even my Xs on pre 12.1 iOS
 
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rjjacobson said:
FYI 12.1 big improvements on cell signal strengths near my house.

Also didn’t have Major issues with WIFI some saw.My other iPhones always dropped to the 2.4 ghz on my AirPort Extreme after I got to far away or left and came back. None would go to my 5 ghz until I reselected it. So not a big change in that regard with my Xs. I will wait to return home and see if my Xs grabs the 5ghz or like previous iPhones requires me to select it.




I have weak AT&T in neighborhood. Verizon same just no close towers. Tended to be mostly 1bar sometimes 2 on all phones not any changes much on Xs with 12.0 or 12.01.




With 12.1 I got two cell bars consistently just now and with too many walls 1 bar. But for first time in house I got 3 bars a noticeable change i ran tests and am getting 22-25 mb down now with cell at house and 5-7 up.


So in conclusion 12.1 is major improvement over 12.0 and 12.01 for weak cell signals which i had hoped for with upgrading to the Xs. I am getting as I had hoped (finally) improvements over earlier phones and even my Xs on pre 12.1 iOS
Click to expand...

rjjacobson,

Thanks for that post with the encouraging news. But I'm still a tad curious. You note your "new/improved" signal strength, but do you recall what it had been prior to 12.1? Indeed I would find the "before & after" quite informative.
 
Pndrgnsvc said:
rjjacobson,

Thanks for that post with the encouraging news. But I'm still a tad curious. You note your "new/improved" signal strength, but do you recall what it had been prior to 12.1? Indeed I would find the "before & after" quite informative.
Click to expand...

Ok what seems same (with 12.1) is WIFI, my phone drops to 2.4ghz when too far away from 5ghz but keeps on if I stay at or near house, but when I leave home and later return it can only grab and find 5 ghz when I manually reconnect. That has been the case since before Xs and X

Whats improved with cell with Xs on 12.1

First: consistent 2 bars (with some 1 bars at far end of house away from tower direction) and now occasionally 3 bars vs mostly 1 bar and occasionally 2 bars (I know not quantitative) on 12.0 and 12.0.1 on my Xs
Two: 12.1 I am getting 22-25 mb download on 2 bars at house and uploads of about 5-8 mb. On 12.0 and 12.01 I averaged 8-12 mb downloads typically well under 10 mb

Thats about all I have for numerical data hope it helps.
 
rjjacobson said:
Ok what seems same (with 12.1) is WIFI, my phone drops to 2.4ghz when too far away from 5ghz but keeps on if I stay at or near house, but when I leave home and later return it can only grab and find 5 ghz when I manually reconnect. That has been the case since before Xs and X

Whats improved with cell with Xs on 12.1

First: consistent 2 bars (with some 1 bars at far end of house away from tower direction) and now occasionally 3 bars vs mostly 1 bar and occasionally 2 bars (I know not quantitative) on 12.0 and 12.0.1 on my Xs
Two: 12.1 I am getting 22-25 mb download on 2 bars at house and uploads of about 5-8 mb. On 12.0 and 12.01 I averaged 8-12 mb downloads typically well under 10 mb

Thats about all I have for numerical data hope it helps.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the prompt reply; 'tis greatly appreciated!

When/if so inclined, can you please do an actual speed test (https://www.speedtest.net/result/5326879045)? I would find that as telling as the signal strength. But if that is not to be, I readily understand. So please, not to worry.
 
I updated today to iOS 12.1. iPAD Air 2 (also on 12.1) is still getting better LTE signals than my new XS. It just might be time to contact Apple Support again. I've been using the XS for 14-days now. This is my 2nd one, after returning the first to VzW.
 
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F0F88EF0-ACC3-4162-BC29-D348B361B67E.jpeg
Pndrgnsvc said:
Thanks for the prompt reply; 'tis greatly appreciated!

When/if so inclined, can you please do an actual speed test (https://www.speedtest.net/result/5326879045)? I would find that as telling as the signal strength. But if that is not to be, I readily understand. So please, not to worry.
Click to expand...

Sure here are a few tests with cell stayed consistent at 2 bars. Interesting from earlier test is that uploads down right now a bit (they were closer to 10) and downloads up from 22-24 to around 30ish
 
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These last 2 tests I've run, are since the update. My iPAD gets 3bars minimum from my location. It is not at all densely-populated. My new iPhone varies greatly. I tested right after finishing with the update (after 5pm local).
6lms.jpg

[doublepost=1540938879][/doublepost]Numerous tests later, my iPad is still beating out my new iPhone. Unacceptable.
 
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Pndrgnsvc said:
How does that compare with what you should be getting/paying for?

And of course, thanks again!
Click to expand...

Not sure what I should get with AT&T cell. I can get up to double or triple these numbers in areas of town with my phone showing four bars, but its the best i have ever tested for in my yard where I typically got 1-2 bars and worse numbers (about third) with earlier iPhones including X. AT&T does not offer speed numbers unlike my ISP which i pay for 75 MPs down


Above Here is what I get from my ISP through WIFI on my 5ghz. 75 down lowest level of Xfinity from Comcast
 
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Before the update, I did witness my previous XS experience the best LTE speeds I've seen anywhere:
139Mbps DL /48.7Mbps UL. But that was in pretty much ideal conditions, that my device won't experience often--close proximity to a cell tower, in a very small town. Other than cellular radio/connection itself, this XS is better than the 6S it replaced.

I do not believe Verizon Wireless is at fault here. My iPad Air 2 performs just fine, as did my 6S on LTE.
 
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Apple Support had me log the issue, and then submit the files. Should hear back from them before the weekend.

I expect them to make this right.

Between the iPhone 3GS and the 6S, I tried 3 different Android phones. My experience with them, brought me back to the superb refinement of the iPhone and iOS. This XS has great promise, as long as its cellular connectivity is ironed out.
 
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Pndrgnsvc said:
Per https://www.macrumors.com-

FWIW and for those of may have missed it: The 12.1.1 update fixes a problem that could cause excessive skin-smoothing when using the front-facing camera on the iPhone XS, XS Max, and iPhone XR, and it addresses LTE connectivity issues on those same devices.
Click to expand...

NO NO NO!

Please reread the MacRumors post. They are referencing what 12.1 was updating/introducing.

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/10/31/apple-seeds-first-beta-of-ios-12-1-1/
 
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Welp, my WiFi may not be working correctly, after all.

I notice my XS doesn’t automatically switch to WiFi (5G) even though I leave it enabled. This has happened the past few times I return to my home network. I have auto-join engaged. Also, it seems to be more sluggish as compared to the switchover on my old 6S and iPad Air 2.
 
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