So if it is a software fault, and they fix this to show the correct signal strength, does this mean that we have phones that will only be able to get three bars worth of signal?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Apple on iPhone 4 Reception: Signal Strength Display Issue Only, Software Update Coming
- Thread starter fruitbat04
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
No. Now the legitimate whining will be "iPhone 4 only gets two bars where my nokia/htc/blackberry/motorola phone gets 5 bars. When I hold it in my left hand it drops the call."
At least it wont drop from 5 to 0 anymore.
Not sure I buy this 'fix'... my iPhone 3GS showed full bars in the office, my iPhone 4 shows full bars in the office... when I hold the iPhone 3GS there is no loss of signal... when I hold the iPhone 4 there is a loss of signal.
How does this software bug explain the dropped calls? Is it the phone's software telling it there is no signal and therefore ending the call? I won't pretend to understand the mechanics behind the phone, but I think it's hardware related.
This issue hasn't affected me as much as others I suppose since I decided to get a bumper and I don't tend to hold the phone in the offending death grip. I am happy with the iPhone 4 overall and find it much better than the 3GS so I won't be returning it.
My main concern is that the iPhone 4 seems to struggle when 3G signal is low - I've had other phones the cycle between 3G and standard coverage quite easily, but the iPhone 4 seems to get stuck when it loses 3G coverage and won't cycle down to standard coverage, going instead to 'no signal'.
How does this software bug explain the dropped calls? Is it the phone's software telling it there is no signal and therefore ending the call? I won't pretend to understand the mechanics behind the phone, but I think it's hardware related.
This issue hasn't affected me as much as others I suppose since I decided to get a bumper and I don't tend to hold the phone in the offending death grip. I am happy with the iPhone 4 overall and find it much better than the 3GS so I won't be returning it.
My main concern is that the iPhone 4 seems to struggle when 3G signal is low - I've had other phones the cycle between 3G and standard coverage quite easily, but the iPhone 4 seems to get stuck when it loses 3G coverage and won't cycle down to standard coverage, going instead to 'no signal'.
As many people have already pointed out, this latest PR from Apple is nothing more than a crock of horse s*** !
So previously when people had 1 or 2 bars, they should really have had none ?
And the fact that bridging the antenna still loses the call hasnt been fixed either.
This isnt a fix people.... its a smokescreen for all the idiots out there who live and breathe Apple. The problem is still there, and the only solution Apple are saying really works is to give them another $30 for a bumper. Everything else is just a packaged denial from Apple.
NOT buying the iPhone 4 when it came out was one of the best decisions Ive made recently
So previously when people had 1 or 2 bars, they should really have had none ?
And the fact that bridging the antenna still loses the call hasnt been fixed either.
This isnt a fix people.... its a smokescreen for all the idiots out there who live and breathe Apple. The problem is still there, and the only solution Apple are saying really works is to give them another $30 for a bumper. Everything else is just a packaged denial from Apple.
NOT buying the iPhone 4 when it came out was one of the best decisions Ive made recently
Wow some people in this thread are irrational, and will not be happy unless something is wrong.
I think it's like a poster said a few messages back. The antenna does cause signal degradation when held a certain way. Unfortunately many people in areas of poor service are going from like 25 dB to 1 dB when the signal degrades.
If the phone is reporting 25 dB as 4 bars, then your phone is going to appear to take a MASSIVE hit in signal loss.
I dont' think this is a particularly good answer from apple, but I do think it makes sense.
I do not have a handset that exhibits the dropping bar (grip) issue with my phone, and never have. I DO however have data connection drops with 3G reporting at all times and 5 bars.
To be specific (as sited in another data thread on MR) at minimal times this past week, my data screams up and down: but, for the most part, the wheel just spins, and does not connect to mail/safari/speed test/nada. The latency with the network is way high most of the time, and fast when it's working.
Can anyone weigh in on whyor AT&T (along with other networks in Europe) are ignoring this, and pointing the finger at each other. It seems to me, and I can replicate it at any time, that a 3GS stays connected to data, while at the same time the iP4 is dead on data.
i have the EXACT same issue. so frustrating to be downloading app updates at fast pace. then a few minutes later i go to download a new app or get on safari and it spins its wheels.
The iPhone 4 has a better antennae design, in terms of holding onto a signal, and it's more sensitive to changes in that signal strength. It's a mathematical scaling problem with how the bars report that signal strength.
But time will tell how effective this software fix will be in appeasing the complainers.
Don't you think that if this fix is fake people will be able to comfirm it by looking at signal level on other phones put side by side? Trolling is fun right?
Apple can't be serious, talk about insulting our intelligence LMAO!!!!!! That doesn't explain people loosing reception by merely shorting the area in question with ones finger. This is a design problem and they know it.
Everyone will hold their breath waiting for the software fix which by the way will come after most everyones 30 day return window and you'll all be stuck with a great gadget but lousy phone!!!!!!!!
I'm still using my 3GS and I don't have reception problems when I hold my phone normally and naturally.
This is not over for Apple people!!!!!! They won't get away by masking the problem and Steve Jobs reality distortion field will not work this time!!!!!!
Everyone will hold their breath waiting for the software fix which by the way will come after most everyones 30 day return window and you'll all be stuck with a great gadget but lousy phone!!!!!!!!
I'm still using my 3GS and I don't have reception problems when I hold my phone normally and naturally.
This is not over for Apple people!!!!!! They won't get away by masking the problem and Steve Jobs reality distortion field will not work this time!!!!!!
This software update doesn't fix the 24dbm attenuation you get from holding the phone "wrong," it only changes the way bars are shown on the screen so that it shows a more realistic visualization of your signal strength rather than lying to you and saying you have 5 bars when your signal is actually quite weak.
No patch can change the laws of physics in such a way that if you hold the iPhone 4 "wrong" you will not lose significant signal strength.
BTW, it's spelled "whining."
Print out the open letter from the Apple website and take it back with the printout in hand if you want to ride it out for 30 days and aren't confident that you can return within 30 days.
Another Enhancement on the Way
Apple is also going to enhance the iPhone by allowing the volume control to go all the way to 11. Today, 10 is the highest that it will go.
Long live Spinal Tap.
Apple is also going to enhance the iPhone by allowing the volume control to go all the way to 11. Today, 10 is the highest that it will go.
Long live Spinal Tap.
Man. I sure wish a lot of you people payed attention in math class.
Those of you who don't understand how a scaling issue issue the bars displayed can result in "sudden drops" need to go back to school.
This is as basic as it gets.
Bottom line. If you are dropping calls now. You WILL drop calls after this update. The only difference is your going to start at 2-3 bars instead of the "fake" 5 bars you have now.
Please take the damn phone back. There is NO HARDWARE FIX forthcoming.
Those of you who don't understand how a scaling issue issue the bars displayed can result in "sudden drops" need to go back to school.
This is as basic as it gets.
Bottom line. If you are dropping calls now. You WILL drop calls after this update. The only difference is your going to start at 2-3 bars instead of the "fake" 5 bars you have now.
Please take the damn phone back. There is NO HARDWARE FIX forthcoming.
This is basically all you folks need to know. This is nothing but a smokescreen. Those of you suffering from this problem are better off going back to a 3GS, moving to Android or Blackberry, or waiting for iPhone 5.
I don't think that's the case. Check the other tech sites that are reporting this story. An overwhelming majority are calling this what it is - bull ****. Some feel that Apple is trying to hoodwink them and are insulting their intelligence. I don't think that's unreasonable.
Have you seen the interface for the MeeGo? It's the first real alternative to iOS I have seen that really rocks! It's stunningly gorgeous! Just hope that the Nokia hardware will match the interface design.
I will be gladly doing that.
For such an expensive phone and all these issues people have a right to complain. They have dropped the ball on this one.
whining will end when dropped calls end.
"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."
^^^^^^^^^
Please do that!
Thank you!
Mark
Apple may be right, but yeah ....
This just further illustrates, then, how fragile/weak the AT&T signal really is, if true.
Judging by how little penetration their signal seems to have inside most buildings around here? That may well be the case.
This is the big reason I don't own the new iPhone myself, despite owning one since the very first release. I just grew tired of AT&T's high prices and excuses for poor signal in too many places. I mean, look ... when your company is well known for struggling with signal quality issues and your ad campaign on every billboard around says "More bars in more places!" ?! Can you get any closer to lying through your teeth to your customers!?
This just further illustrates, then, how fragile/weak the AT&T signal really is, if true.
Judging by how little penetration their signal seems to have inside most buildings around here? That may well be the case.
This is the big reason I don't own the new iPhone myself, despite owning one since the very first release. I just grew tired of AT&T's high prices and excuses for poor signal in too many places. I mean, look ... when your company is well known for struggling with signal quality issues and your ad campaign on every billboard around says "More bars in more places!" ?! Can you get any closer to lying through your teeth to your customers!?