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

[kalsta]

But there is one more issue. Which Apple did not address and the Anandtech article does.

4) The external antenna means the iPhone4 is more sensitive to being held than other phones. It can cause a 24db drop. That's 7db worse than the Nexus. 10db worse than the iPhone3GS. That's a big jump.

Spot on Carniphage. It seems a few people on this forum didn't read that article past the pretty graph about how signal strength is mapped to bars. Folks, that wasn't the point of his article! He starts that section, 'Before we dive in…' Dive in to what? The actual data about signal loss when you bridge the antennas!

For those who didn't catch it, here's a short quote from the Anandtech article:

'Add in an external antenna you're essentially forced to touch and bridge to another adjacent antenna while holding, and the signal attenuation is even worse. The fact of the matter is that either the most sensitive region of the antenna should have an insulative coating, or everyone should use a case. For a company that uses style heavily as a selling point, the latter isn't an option. And the former would require an unprecedented admission of fault on Apple's part.'
​

Reading is fundamental. If you read Anandtech and didn't realize they had a scale issue then you have comprehension problems.
…
But the bigger issue is the iPhone 4 antenna requires a stronger signal than iPhone 3g or 3gs. (My original iPhone is about on par with the 4 for signal.)

No, wrong. He says the opposite: 'it's readily apparent that the new baseband hardware is much more sensitive compared to what was in the 3GS.'

The problem with the iPhone 4 is the loss of signal when you hold the bottom left of the phone. That is what hundreds of people have been saying all week, and Apple are simply creating a diversion with all this talk about how the bars are displayed. It was okay for them to display an average signal with 5 bars when they wanted to make the previous models look good, but now that this exposes the iPhone 4's weakness, they're doing a back flip.

'Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use…'
​

Apple, as a long-time fan, I'm sorry to say it, but that is absolute marketing BS. The only ones truly stunned here are those of us who expected more from you.

I'm done with these discussions. My vote has been cast and I will not be upgrading my 3G as originally planned. I can only encourage those who have already purchased an iPhone 4 to return it within 30 days, and make sure they know it's because of the defective antenna design. If enough people did that, Apple would be forced to listen.

 

[MacVault]

Halarious! Apple Talks to Us Like We're IDIOTS...

...oh wait, we are... we pay them all this money every month to be locked in with ATT...

As for Apple's response to the signal issue... 1) this signal bar forumula copout does not explain at all why the calls drop and data ceases as soon as iphone is held wrong way... and 2) their admission now of bad formula for signal bar count leads me to think this formula was intentionally made this way to give users the impression the iphone has better reception than the competition. Now they just find it more worthwhile to 'fix' it and say it was a mistake. I'm tempted to call that a crime / fraud!

Can you say: INVESTIGATION

 

[RobertCraigWils]

Wifi?

I'm probably gonna get flamed for this, but if someone could figure out how the facetime API works and then just remove the video portion and upload that for jailbroken phones, couldn't we just use that instead of having to deal with cell attenuation? Granted, it doesn't change the fact that calls do drop when making a 3G call, but I don't think anyone has dropped a facetime call while on wifi. I also understand that we as consumers shouldn't have to find a workaround for what is clearly a problem with the phones.

What do you guys think?

 

[pic620]

to further... Apple is NOW using ATT's formula. Why weren't they using it before? Simple. Because they didn't want their phones looking like they grabbed less of a signal than a blackberry or some other device.

The press release is great spin, but unfortunately to anyone with half a brain, painfully transparent.

personally, i cant believe apple even said

"Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong"

do they think we are moronic? that statement alone dug one shovel full deeper into their own iphone 4 grave. it blatantly states they have used software over the years to LIE to customers about their devices efficiency, or the network's accessibility. either way, they misrepresented their product, and expect us to believe "oh, we were absolutely stunned to find that we were making ourselves look better".. seriously?

and now because the iphone 4 has a hardware issue, and actually drops calls completely, they have to show an accurate depiction of bar strength, so the effect doesnt seem so drastic.

REAL FIX PLEASE

 

[MacJones]

If the software update is coming in a few weeks some iPhone 4 owners will be outside the 30 day return time. What do you do then when your phone is still not working after the update and you want to return it?

And how about everyone not having problems now suddenly having 2-3 bars when they thought they had 5? That'll create an even bigger **** storm.

I still think it's a hardware issue. I'm gunna laugh so hard when everyone in here complaining about people complaining (aka the shut up and return your phone or buy a case crowd) starts having issues because of this "fix."

 

[Geckotek]

Anybody else remember when the 3G signal was weak and the "fixed" it with a software update?

Anybody else think they are just reversing that "fix" with the coming update?

 

[nooaah]

to further... Apple is NOW using ATT's formula. Why weren't they using it before? Simple. Because they didn't want their phones looking like they grabbed less of a signal than a blackberry or some other device.

The press release is great spin, but unfortunately to anyone with half a brain, painfully transparent.

Yup, anyone with a jb phone who can see their signal in real time in dB at all times (I have an Iphone 4 restored from jailbreak and it retained this setting) knows and has known that the radio Apple uses is severely inadequate. The only explanation for a -90dB signal, which, by most measures, is barely acceptable to make a clear call, show as five bars is to cover their terrible hardware.

Like I said, AT&T sucks, but the iPhone radio also sucks. One negative + another negative = A lot of negative.

That said, I've gotten used to holding my phone with my left hand without covering that area and I have to agree that my number of dropped calls has gone waaaaayyyy down from the 3GS.

 

[Xaximus]

Why Apple's iPhone 4 Update Won't Fix Your Reception Problem

 

[Kahnyl]

...oh wait, we are... we pay them all this money every month to be locked in with ATT...

As for Apple's response to the signal issue... 1) this signal bar forumula copout does not explain at all why the calls drop and data ceases as soon as iphone is held wrong way... and 2) their admission now of bad formula for signal bar count leads me to think this formula was intentionally made this way to give users the impression the iphone has better reception than the competition. Now they just find it more worthwhile to 'fix' it and say it was a mistake. I'm tempted to call that a crime / fraud!

Can you say: INVESTIGATION

Halarious indeed!

 

[aughsum]

personally, i cant believe apple even said

"Upon investigation, we were stunned to find that the formula we use to calculate how many bars of signal strength to display is totally wrong"

do they think we are moronic? that statement alone dug one shovel full deeper into their own iphone 4 grave. it blatantly states they have used software over the years to LIE to customers about their devices efficiency, or the network's accessibility. either way, they misrepresented their product, and expect us to believe "oh, we were absolutely stunned to find that we were making ourselves look better".. seriously?

and now because the iphone 4 has a hardware issue, and actually drops calls completely, they have to show an accurate depiction of bar strength, so the effect doesnt seem so drastic.

REAL FIX PLEASE

return it.

 

[pic620]

ok let me explain it simple then for the hard headed:

1. Even after the fix and the more accurate method of signal strength display, even then you wont be able to judge reception between Apple's handsets and other manufacturers. Imagine those bars as variations of worst, better, mid, good, great. That is all.

2. Same as the battery indicator: you have learned by experience than no two devices batt indicator says anything other than for the device itself. Therefore you cant judge the 5bars of say the i4 against a moto X

3. Apple says this is its best phone ever in wireless performance, and believe it or not they have got date to back this up. So, if you do like how the 3GS or 3G works, then this one will work even better.

As simple as that. k?

yeah simple as that. except for the fact that my 3GS does not drop calls, and my iphone 4 does. hows that for data?

 

[falconeight]

Heard htc makes phone get one and stop crying

 

[nvelker]

Is it really a problem?

I believe this whole issue was blown way out of proportion. Seriously, look at how those conversations between Steve Jobs and "Tom" were totally fabricated. It seems to me that a lot of people are just trying to take a shot at Jobs and Apple, while all of the real evidence suggests the antenna on the I4 is the best that has ever been produced. Everyone wants something for free, and the reality is that Apple is a business in the business of making money. Of course they aren't just going to throw freebies at 1.7 million people. They shouldn't.

Personally, I purchased two phones and haven't had any of the problems with them. I don't get a good signal in my house, but that is At&T's problem... not Apple's.

Honestly, I don't know if there is a problem or not. I don't know whether or not a software update will fix the issue. I don't know whether or not Apple "played games with the bars" and intentionally caused them to read signal strength inaccurately... something I HIGHLY doubt. It is much more likely that there was an error in the calculations like they stated in their public comments. Those calculations are very complex.

I would also like to point out that the phone came out a week ago. I don't think Apple was prepared for the nasty public backlash. It took them 7 days, just 7 days, to research the problem and formulate a solution. Which is faster than I could have hoped for. The comments by Steve Jobs until now have been sub-standard for a company attempting to solve a problem in the midst of major public scrutiny. They did't know the issue, and they didn't have an answer... while everyone was demanding freebies and answers, Apple was working on it. That shows tremendous good will in my eyes. They didn't shut their customer base down forever... and who knows... maybe this software issue will fix everything.

I think that if you are truly unhappy with the phone, just return it and wait for next year. Those of you that are happy with the phone... keep it and enjoy it. I know I will. For those of you with nothing to do but complain and demand freebies... You are rotting from the inside out with unethical and childish behavior. Good luck getting anywhere in life with your crappy attitudes.

 

[samcraig]

From the way I see it, this public statement is for protecting Apple legally. I am not here to troll, and am a big Apple supporter, but Apple dropped the ball on the iPhone 4.

Apple just admitted this issue effects all iPhone 4's, so people saying I have 5 iPhone 4's and this problem only effects 3 of the 5, you are wrong.

Apple next tries to "down play" the issue by saying this problem exist on the iPhone 3GS, and other phones like the Android, etc. This statement is more for legally protecting themselves.

Apple follows to explain how simple the issue is to fix, they will start using an AT&T calculation for representing bar strength and change the look of the bars on the iPhone. If this issue is simple to fix, and Apple is using the calculation that AT&T is providing, then why is this software update going to take a few weeks? If Apple does not get this software update out earlier, A) It is either not as easy as they say it is, or B) they want to make customers wait past the 30 day return period.

If I was AT&T, I would be pressuring Apple to fix this problem correctly, but who knows what AT&T is doing. The way I see it, AT&T will loose a lot of customers to the Verizon version of this phone if it does come out in January. Users who are stuck (past the 30 day return policy) with the iPhone , because they believed Apple will fix the problem with a software update, may be able to break the contract with AT&T, but it will require some serious arguing about service quality and AT&T failing to provide their part of the contract agreement. Also good luck in receiving a full refund from Apple after the 30 day return "window".

Next, from a stockowners point of view this is scary. Apple, will eventually release a new iPhone, iPhone 5 or "iPhone Verizon". If they release an "iPhone Verizon" Apple may be able to make changes to the antenna design, and argue that the changes were required for supporting the CDMA technology. However if they release the iPhone 5 or a new revision of the iPhone 4 with changes to the antenna, then I see it as Apple admitting there is a hardware design issue and will be sued for the iPhone 4 rev A antenna issue.

Overall, I think Apple needs to do a recall. The statement released today was because of the class action started yesterday,and that is it, it was not released to appease the customers. Apple put a clear non-scratch non-conductive coat on the antennas, and move forward. The earlier this is done the less money it will cost Apple.

We know one thing, the next iPod Touch is going to be great!

While I don't agree with every premise here - this is a great post and worthy of reading.

 

[pic620]

return it.

I dont want to return it, I want apple to get their head out of their ass and fix it so I can have a nice , WORKING iPhone 4. thanks.

 

[thatguysmells]

Wow. Just… wow. I’m gonna say this knowing I’ll probably get a timeout for it (quite frankly I don’t care), but you are an idiot. What the heck does this issue have to do with anyone’s political affiliations, and where do you get off using derogatory names for those that protest what they perceive as injustice (remember, liberals are far more likely to protest publicly than conservatives, if you just look at history)? You need to take a good hard look at your own shortcomings, because posting stupid things like that just makes you look absolutely moronic.

jW

Hahaha, oh wow. How many tea party protests did you go to? You just proved my point even more, thank you for that.

 

[dotdotdot]

So what about the people who replicated this issue in an Apple store, which is right next to an AT&T store, inside of a mall, with a cell tower on top of it?

My local Apple store has some of the best AT&T coverage where I live, and I was able to make the iPhone 4 drop down to zero bars.

What a lazy cop-out to avoid issuing a recall.

 

[rwilliams]

I suppose some rogue developer snuck his own code into iOS 3 years ago to make the bars reflect something that was not there. Because Apple is suddenly "stunned" to discover this and all.

 

[NoExpectations]

Quick Fix

Just re-lable the iPhone 4 Boxes as "iPod Touch 4".

(I had to throw some humor in here....sorry)

 

[SirHaakon]

Man.. It says next few weeks!

Well sure... they have to make sure you're out of your return window before they can offer this nonsense resolution.

 

[chris975d]

Jeez. It's not AT&T's fault here. I've owned iPhones since the first generation and none of them had this much dropped calls ever. Why do I have to abandon the iPhone brand and service I like because of Apple's design flaw in the iPhone 4? Why can't they man up and admit that they have a antenna design flaw and issue a mass recall or give us a proper fix via firmware if it is a software issue? Not this BS signal bar fix that does nothing to help the common drop calls. Why do they falsely display better reception to begin with? They say the iPhone 4 has the best wireless performance they have ever shipped but why can't it outperform what my 1st gen, 3G, and 3GS iPhone's did better reception wise?

They aren't going to issue a recall. When have they ever? Even when the Nvidia graphics cards in their laptops were almost all failing, did they issue a recall? No, and that was an item that costs 2-3 times the price of the iPhone. Instead, they just fixed the issue when, AND ONLY WHEN, a customer came in to say they had problems. If the customer never brought it back, tough sh**. I believe this is how they will handle any issues with the iPhone 4. If you return it/exchange it, you'll either get your money back, or get to keep going through replacement devices until you get one to your liking. If you don't take it back to them, they will assume you're happy with it, even if you're on an internet forum somewhere bitching. They've opened the door to FULL REFUNDS with this press release, so people need to show Apple that they aren't satisfied with the quality (if they aren't satisfied) and give them back their broken phones! That will make them (Apple) do something about it.

 

[HLdan]

Well, that's a bunch of crap. ...Reporting two more bars than it should...MY ASS!!!

Come one Apple, admit that you didn't think the design through and that this is really a HARDWARE issue!!
Now you're going to release software update that changes the equations on how the phone does calculations to read signal strength?

What does this say about how cell phone companies can lead us to believe that we are getting great reception when we're really not???

"Oh, lets change the algorithm, we're really reporting two more bars than we should be. They won't know the difference."

This means that with any software update the formula can be changed and we can be led to believe that we are getting GREAT reception anywhere, anytime. "Hey, i'm out here in Bum-**** Egypt and I am getting GREAT reception on my nice new Apple iPhone 4!!! Look-a' that!! FULL BARS!"

And I'm not ragging on just Apple, if they can change how many bars are displayed with a software update, then so can ANY cell phone manufacturer. We can't trust a single one of them...I was going to get an iPhone 4 as soon as the local AT&T store got some in, but now I think I will hold off until Apple introduces the iPhone 4G...if AT&T ever gets off their asses and gets the network up and running. On second though, I'm going with Spring and getting the HTC Evo. **** all this waiting...

Dear Apple, I still love you, (I own an iMac, a MacBook Pro, a MacBook, two iPhones, an iPad, have an Apple tattoo on my right butt-cheek...so don't any of you say that I'm not a "Mac guy" as my wannabe fanboy coworker is wont to say...) but I cannot commit myself to you and your shiny new iPhone until you iron out all the kinks.

-- love ,
Nick.

Well then, just return it.

 

[diogenis]

yeah simple as that. except for the fact that my 3GS does not drop calls, and my iphone 4 does. hows that for data?

Very simple:
your 3GS talks with a tower very close, your i4 with a tower very far...

 

[samcraig]

Personally, I purchased two phones and haven't had any of the problems with them. I don't get a good signal in my house, but that is At&T's problem... not Apple's.

How about non-iPhones in your house? I'm not saying ATT isn't to blame - but isn't it possible that the radio INSIDE the phone isn't great? Isn't it possible that it Apple's "fault"?

 

[aughsum]

yeah simple as that. except for the fact that my 3GS does not drop calls, and my iphone 4 does. hows that for data?

return it.