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

[bmwhd]

'bout time to ban the internet. So much opinion stated as fact, so much angst over something that just happened and hasn't been fully investigated yet. Chill people.

I believe that some folks are having issues and I'm not trying to dismiss anyone's problem as trivial, rather just suggesting that all this fury might be a bit premature.

For myself, I find it interesting that both the IP4s in our family get better reception (sans case, held in any fashion) throughout our home than any of the 3GS's they replaced or the 3G's that came before them.

Our home is in a very low signal area and dropped calls have always been a huge problem for us on any AT&T equipment spanning the last 10 years at least. That problem has gone away with the IP4. It simply does a much better job of acquiring and holding the flimsy signal in our location.

Last night was the first time I was able to replicate the visual phenomenon of the bar count going down by holding the phone in my left hand but it had no impact on speedtest or calling ability.

I realize folks are nervous that their return options may become limited if their situation is bad and it's not addressed in a timely fashion. However, if this proves an issue that can't be addressed in firmware, I'm willing to bet Apple will work with people to make them whole even if the 30 day window shuts.

 

[Kadin]

Return an exchanged phone?

So I already exchanged my iP4 through the Genius Bar due to a blown internal earpiece. It was like that out of the box. They swapped it for another one but now that I'm considering returning it, do you think Apple will care? I bought it via the online store so I don't wanna waste my time on hold if they're gonna tell me it's not returnable now...

 

[cmChimera]

Unless you are holding it.

Yeah I'm sure the reviewers never touched the phone. Idiotic.

 

[thatguysmells]

If you're not going to return it, shut up. It's kind of asinine to complain about having a defective product that you, yourself, choose to keep.

+ 1

 

[JamesKay32]

+ 1

Size 5 only ? I pegged you at a 7.

 

[Chimpware]

So is he going to return it or is he just going to get you to cry about it on this forum for no purpose and zero result? Is it making you feel better to get your frustration out here?

And the moron brigade gets another point wrong, posting on forums, Facebook, Twitter, etc. all have impact. If you knew anything about Sales and Marketing, particularly with respect to Tech. products this might have occurred to you, but alas the ignorance runs rampant among the Return Baggers.

 

[jsnmao]

no one has commented yet whether or not they are waiving the 10% restocking fee because they mentioned "full refund"

I myself want to keep exchanging out the phones until i get one that won't drop signal when i hold one. Do i get 30 days for each exchange?

 

[JamesKay32]

how can this be a design problem when majority of ip4s are all fine.
some phones go bad(manufacturing or software) and people find opportunity to bash apple and some people even go as far as wanting Jobs to die... who are you guys?

Have a source to back up your claims ?

 

[falconeight]

Defective? Really? Wow! Then return it it's simple return the damn phone!

 

[pic620]

+ 1

-5 , signal bars that is.

 

[jontucker]

Do YOU really think that they had no idea that their algorithm for displaying signal strength was wrong?

No, I don't think that, that's the point I'm making, I don't know what it is and neither does anyone else here so whilst speculating and getting irate might be fun, it's completely pointless.

 

[kits]

Thousands of complaints on this and other threads (and other sites) and yet only about a handful (i.e. five) have actually returned their iPhones.

With a return rate of 0.0000001%, why would they bother with a more elaborate fix? Apple is laughing at you all the way to the bank.

I think that is most of the people are trying to hold it different or is not a big issue for right handers. Also, many I know who own iPhone just like to own it as they think Apple products are best. So many I know have no idea about Android because AT&T has almost nothing except crap phones as alternate choices for iPhone. I think that should all change by this holiday season.

 

[fuzion]

Well, if it works great for you, then why is this such a big deal??

Everyone, Rob isn't having any problems. We're good now. No need to complain anymore about our made-up issues!

....

 

[thatguysmells]

Well according to Steve and several people in this thread - all phones have this problem. So returning the phone won't solve anything right? Or do you have another smart remark to make?

Return the phone! Problem solved. If you don't like that ALL cell phones will exhibit this behavior to some extent, then don't buy another cell phone. Suck it up. You need us to wipe your nose for you? Do you even have a brain?

 

[zoman504]

If you're not going to return it, shut up. It's kind of asinine to complain about having a defective product that you, yourself, choose to keep.

Isn't it even more asinine to complain about someone complaining about a defective product that you, yourself, don't find defective?

 

[kernkraft]

Now it's official: the best feature of the iPhone 4 is the 30 day free return period.

 

[Chimpware]

I'm keeping my phone.

1) I already hold it in a manner [and i'm a lefty] that doesn't cause signal issues
2) I was able to replicate the signal loss once at home.. but trying it right now, nothing happens to my bars at all.
3) I use a clear case on the phone for damage protection which also has the added benefit of negating the possibility of signal attenuation, even if I do hold it like a monkey




/shrug

works fine for me.

Nice story bro, thanks for sharing.

 

[mgmusicman94]

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.

Because since the iPhone is using a bad formula, the phone thinks it has a bad signal and it drops the call. The phone drops the call because it thinks is has bad reception,

 

[Chimpware]

Return the phone! Problem solved. If you don't like that ALL cell phones will exhibit this behavior to some extent, then don't buy another cell phone. Suck it up. You need us to wipe your nose for you? Do you even have a brain?

Return to your cave, you ignorance is giving me gas.

 

[falconeight]

Don't keep returning it until you get angled just be a real person return and take your money elsewhere. I dis it with my nexus one I hated the battery and the android market so I returned it. I didn't sue or cry I just returned it and bought a iPhone 4. You do it to and stop all this nonsense

 

[JamesKay32]

Return the phone! Problem solved. If you don't like that ALL cell phones will exhibit this behavior to some extent, then don't buy another cell phone. Suck it up. You need us to wipe your nose for you? Do you even have a brain?

iphone 4, the Ford Pinto of our time.

 

[thatguysmells]

Return to your cave, you ignorance is giving me gas.

If you've got an issue, here's a tissue. That gas comment actually made me chuckle though. Nice one!

 

[pic620]

Because since the iPhone is using a bad formula, the phone thinks it has a bad signal and it drops the call. The phone drops the call because it thinks is has bad reception,

no, you are mistaken. the phone shows BETTER signal , and thus the drop appears more dramatic than it is. in reality, it's always ******.

 

[Chimpware]

Because since the iPhone is using a bad formula, the phone thinks it has a bad signal and it drops the call. The phone drops the call because it thinks is has bad reception,

Ahhh thanks that explains it. I am glad we had someone post who is a signal engineer, it is much more clear now.

 

[reservedegotist]

So wait...ok...

If you hold the phone w/o any sort of deliberate attempt to screw with the signal (deathgrip, covering antenna, etc.) it's still performing worse than i4's predecessors?