Apple on iPhone 4 Reception: Signal Strength Display Issue Only, Software Update Coming

[jbro1999]

The people crying either don't have it or should return it. Plain and simple. So stop whinning god. You're worse than my girlfriend.

I have it, I love it, and I understand that it's only a software problem. My IP4 gets better reception than my 3GS did. Not one dropped call.

 

[Xavier]

So Apple is pretty much saying that it is not our fault, it is AT&T's

 

[kernkraft]

"Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that where there should a door appear on the iBuilding behind the iBalcony, there isn't any. This is purely a software issue and in the next few weeks, Apple will be painting a door to solve the problem."

 

[samcraig]

I think Apple would have been better off just ignoring the issue than putting out this press release

 

[rizzy]

I might actually believe it. I was at the Apple store where my iPhone 3G was showing 1 bar and the iPhone 4 showed 3-4. When I held the phone in my left had, the bars dropped dramatically. One thing I still don't understand is how holding the phone will cause the OS to recalculate the number of bars differently.

Might want to read the release again.

"Since this mistake has been present since the original iPhone, this software update will also be available for the iPhone 3GS and iPhone 3G."

This is "supposedly" been around since the first iPhone, so you should be experiencing the same issue with your iPhone 3G.

 

[jsbaugh]

I think its safe to say that those with the reception issue should return their phones and get something else. This software update will not fix your problem.

 

[Eriden]

So when it is out, many people may still be upset. But by then they will only have a couple of days to return the phone. This probably has been calculated by Apple bean counters and Steve.

"Fix now, lots of returns. Fix in 2 weeks, not much time left to return."

It would be quite unfortunate to see the update drop on Sunday, July 25th or Monday the 26th without an extension of the return policy.

 

[ReflexReact]

I doubt that very much.

The majority of people that don't sit on tech sites all day like us may have "heard something about weird signal problems" but it won't stop them from buying an iPhone if they want one because frankly, they don't care.

They will care once they get their phone, and the average joe who was shown by another average joe SHOWS them the issue. OR they'll start caring when they cannot make calls in their left hand.

 

[NoExpectations]

So Apple is pretty much saying that it is not our fault, it is AT&T's

And AT&T will take (unfairly) the brunt of the blame in return for another contract extension.....and Apple will agree.

 

[RiceRacerDX]

"Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that where there should be a door appear on the iBuilding behind the iBalcony, there isn't any. This is purely a software issue and in the next few weeks, Apple will be painting a door to solve the problem."

I see what you did there...and I like.

 

[anim8or]

So let me get this right....

Where i used to have 5 bars i will now have 3!!!

I hope this means that i will still get 5 bars where i have always had 5 bars with all of my other phones, including iPhone, 3G, 3GS and 4!

If all of a sudden i only have 3 bars when i used to have 5 in a strong signal area (judging my past experience) i will not be happy!

Also, where i used to only get 1 bar of signal will (again in my experience, not just on iphone 4) will the iphone 4 display no service!!!!

This statement needs to be a little more specific, as it seems like Apple are just tweaking a display calculation rather than solving anything.

Just to add, i have the signal problems on my iphone 4 but only in certain areas...

I am still on the fence with the whole issue - hardware vs software....!

 

[juan370Z]

I did. I'm guessing more people will too.

Hey if you return it do you have to pay restocking fee?

 

[orbital]

I'm not even about to read this thread as much as I do most others, was out grocery shopping when this "announcement" became public.

If you have half a brain in your head, you can immediately see it's a complete lie, and such a 'software update' would not take several weeks to implement.

The fact that this isn't a statement from Steve Jobs himself proves it, in my opinion.

The phones are defective, to a significant degree of numbers, and while not necessarily every single one of them is as drastically affected as others (like mine, for example), the fact that they put this "press release" out indicates they know they're in deep doodoo over this.

And it's about to get much worse.

Okay okay fine you argue this, I have heard many argue this statement. Do you own one? I think a new rule should exist that if you declare it defective you MUST own one and have a return receipt.

I don't own one. I have not used one long enough to make a statement either way. All i know is that 80% of the belly aching on these boards are a) trolls and b) people who know someone who knows someone. Is there an issue, yes is it as far reaching I doubt it.

From my experience setting up a friends phone last night, I was unable to get it to loose bars (it was not in DB mode so i can't confirm, it could have still been using strength) I am also in Manhattan so not the best test environment. Thats about as balanced of a comment as I can make.

 

[cmChimera]

Does this mean the whining will end? Please?

 

[Mark Booth]

"As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund."

Anyone that is having issues with dropped calls (related to signal loss), the above is EXACTLY what you should do. And please hurry!

Mark

 

[coolfactor]

I don't really see how it can just be a misrepresentation of the signal strength if people are reporting dropped calls and data grinding to a halt.

They are trying to appease the situation. They've issued this statement just a day or so after reportedly putting out calls for 5 more antennae engineers. I believe the issue is two-fold... one being a software issue, which they can fix now, but the second being the new antennae design actually shorting out when touched in a certain way. That can't be fixed by software.

The very fact that they will be increasing the *size* of the bars is just meant to make it appear that the signal strength is better in areas where there will only be 1 or 2 bars after the software fix. Touchy situation.

But kudos for them to admit the problem and not pass the blame. Even though, in the long run, part of the blame is being passed.. haha. Sneaky.

 

[txpotato]

That is exactly what I want to say. This is a hardware issue. No software can fix it. Apple is fooling all of us and thinks we will accept it. Return it and get your money back. Being a Apple fan does not mean being stupid.

I think its safe to say that those with the reception issue should return their phones and get something else. This software update will not fix your problem.

 

[3282868]

I actually believe Apple.

Why?

Because my iPhone 4 gets better reception than the iPhone 3GS I had. I have been ignoring the bars on my phone ever since the reports of antenna issues surfaced.

I base my findings purely on the actual use and call quality of my phone. No dropped calls. Excellent sound quality.

People are getting on my nerves saying that some folks are blind or are drinking too much of Apple's kool-aid. I can tell you, I'm not.

I would return the phone in a heartbeat if it did not meet my needs, instead of crying about it.

Well, the phone works great for me and my wife. This one is a keeper!

For some reason, I've had the same experience, and I believe this, even though the whole situation is a bit .

 

[sonicwind]

OK, so what is the software issue that causes the bars to drop when the phone is gripped? Did Apple specifically write a software touch sensor for he bottom left of the phone and include this in the bars algorithm?

And does the software issue also say "well the bars are low, I must drop this call". Really? Apple coded it so that if the bars are low it drops calls even though actual signal is "the best ever"?

If you buy this all, I can say is "wow". That's all I can say anyway. You're stupid and Apple knows it.

 

[mattydee87]

I bought apples return policy was 30 days, but on my iPhone 4 receipt it says return date July 8th. Which would be 14 days. Does it vary by state??

UK bought iPhone here and same thing from Apple Store UK online... 14 days not 30

 

[Kuro]

That is the biggest load of crap I have ever read in my entire life and it makes me truly disgusted to be an Apple fan.

Explain me this Apple: I have a femtocell 10 feet away, pumping out flawless 100% 3G coverage to my Blackberry and my old iPhone 3G, how can I be in a low signal area? How is it the iPhone 4's representation is correct until I pick it up and hold it and how is it that if it's just a signal meter issue, that my speed test comes out at like 2kb/s.

This software update is probably going to put me into minus signal.

 

[Lesser Evets]

This is fun.

 

[ijen0311]

This was the cover up bullsh-t answer I both expected and was afraid of.

 

[IrI]

That statement, and the fix is an utter disgrace. Patronising much?

Makes them look shady as anything.

 

[dpruitt]

Can you not read?

All of you people still bitching, maybe you didn't read:

"As a reminder, if you are not fully satisfied, you can return your undamaged iPhone to any Apple Retail Store or the online Apple Store within 30 days of purchase for a full refund."

Take your damn phones back!!