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

[Kahnyl]

I just hope they can fix it. Without recommending a case or having to hold the IP4 differently.

They're not trying to fix it. They've acknowledged twice that it exists and that if you don't like it, return it.

 

[meridiusuk]

and what about the Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls I have this problem with my new iPhone 4 and a new replacement iPhone 4 wheres the fix for this.

 

[MacVault]

I vote for this solution to the signal issue...

Rip the cellphone out of the iPhone 4 and change the name to iPod Touch 4. Problem solved! I don't want to pay for a device which I must then pay monthly to a carrier in order to 'unlock' it and use most of it's features.

Where is the iPod Touch 4 (with GPS, Gyro, Cameras on both sides, etc)???

 

[kernkraft]

Because many people on these boards don't realize that in order to have a real debate, you need to use logic.

I can imagine this scenario:

A (in Detroit): Man, I hate the rain... I wish it would clear up.
B (in San Francisco): Yeah, it's, like, flooding here.
Q (in Houston): WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ITS NOT RAINING ANYWHERE U IDIOT MORANS

You are misspelling 'moron'.

 

[dmelgar]

Hey everybody, look at my cool new phone! Sure Apple has admitted its defective. That you can't hold it and make a call. So what? Ya, I realize other phones can make calls even while being held. But I have the COOLEST phone anywhere.
Why are folks laughing at me? Just because I bought a defective phone because I thought it was cool?
Maybe its not so cool after all. You mean there are other phones that can do the same stuff and can make calls, even while being held??

Mommy!

 

[Kahnyl]

You are misspelling 'moron'.

Intentional.

 

[kernkraft]

Intentional.

Just as with me.

 

[samcraig]

So smartass, how does your speedo work then... Oh and let's not forget, speedo's read in the metric system, so do add the conversion to imperialism to your explanation.

It is still a poor analogy of cellular signal strength issues.

If you know something about phone manufacturing, then you'd know, the reporting of the cellular signal is step 1.

I'm done replying to you. You lost me when you resorted to name calling. Try and engage someone else in conversation. You must be a big hit at parties and with friends if that's how you "debate"

 

[kironin]

If you are having problems and are unsatisfied with your phone, vote with your wallet not your mouth.

EXACTLY!!!!

Nothing new here, for some AT&T coverage is lousy. Get a full refund. Go to Sprint and whine about the lack of 4G coverage or got to Verizon and have fun fixing up the oversized Android Incredible or Droid 2 mess.

 

[tivoboy]

nice move

I am happy to report that the APPLE PUTS I bought when this issue reared its ugly head are now up 1000%,

I'm going to sell today and put the money towards the iphone 4.5



Okay, I'll hold a couple for the impending wash out.

 

[tigres]

As much as I love Apple's products, I have to say this announcement marks the biggest piece of BS reversal/cover-up I've seen in my lifetime. It's as if the sideways universe never existed at all (see Lost).

Now before you dismiss me as a hater or whiner, let me just say I'm perfectly fine with my iPhone 4 and have no intention of returning it. I can reproduce the issue (already detailed in other posts) but am not affected in general use, either with or without a case.

However, as an RF Engineer with a PhD in EE, I can guarantee this is not a software issue and I find the audacity of such a cover up to be rather incredible, yet ultimately I can see how it happened. The antenna engineers took a risk with this design, and I'm sure someone knew something like this could happen; either that or their antenna staff is a bunch of idiots and that's why they are now hiring new engineers. The brilliance of using this *software* coverup is that it's hard to debate. There are no signal strength standards attached to bars, so the Apple software folks can simply tweak to their hearts delight to make the signal attenutation no longer appear under different signal strength conditions. Voila, the problem has vanished.

Problem for them is when people continue to run tests with Speedtest and other means of testing such as dropped calls. The latter is probably unreliable and difficult to legally prove as it could always be blamed on the opposing party. Speedtest is probably the best way to confirm you are still losing signal strength, but even that is subject to issues that would be hard to prove in court.

Pretty genius legal move on their part to cover their asses and placate some of the masses, but it stinks if you ask me.

Very well said. FYI you can also download the Ping Lite application right from the app store, and watch the packets fail. FYI a good test point for AT&T is 208.67.222.222.

 

[Cubs08]

To all you people who have iPhones that work:

Why are you even reading these posts?

You tell us to stop complaining and yet you stay in the room. Who's the strange one?

 

[Master Chief]

Hah.

Ever heard of iDrive in BMW?

People adapt.

Oh and re: the holding in left hand comment.. i'm a lefty....................

Newsflash. That is on 2G. Not 3G.

 

[fuzion]

I still dont understand how an incorrect algorithm will fix the whole "death grip" issue.

Can anyone explain?

I think the logic Apple is using is as follows:

If the phone is reporting signal strength incorrectly, then the effects of covering the antenna might be more dramatic from a visual standpoint to the end user because you see so many bars drop, but overall they may not have an impact on the phone/data reception.

Let's say the bars currently have the following signal strength defined:

0 bar = 0%
1 bar = 20%
2 bar = 50%
3 bar = 70%
4 bar = 90%
5 bar = 100%

So we'll assume you have 5 bars and you cover the antenna and you drop to 2 bars; your reception is still good and you're probably not going to have any phone/data reception issues.. But visually it looks like you're not doing good.

Now if they recalibrate the software:

0 bar = 0%
1 bar = 20%
2 bar = 40%
3 bar = 60%
4 bar = 80%
5 bar = 100%

If you cover the antenna and drop to roughly 50% coverage, it's safe to assume you would see 3 bars, and suddenly in your head, it's not so bad.


It really could just be as simple as with the crappy signal status bar algorithm, things are looking worse than they really are. For those who can touch the antenna and instantly drop a call.. well hell I dunno what the hell is wrong with you.

 

[ReenyJM]

Hey everybody, look at my cool new phone! Sure Apple has admitted its defective. That you can't hold it and make a call. So what? Ya, I realize other phones can make calls even while being held. But I have the COOLEST phone anywhere.
Why are folks laughing at me? Just because I bought a defective phone because I thought it was cool?
Maybe its not so cool after all. You mean there are other phones that can do the same stuff and can make calls, even while being held??

Mommy!

I don't care!

 

[BeerLover!]

They're not trying to fix it. They've acknowledged twice that it exists and that if you don't like it, return it.

Kahnyl, does your IP4 have this issue?

 

[rcandre2]

So Apple has extended their return policy from 14 to 30 days now?

 

[fuzion11]

Wow....its like they have the Obama Press Corp working for Apple.

My phone dropped 27 calls, including THIRTEEN, when I was on the phone with Apple & AT&T.

Those 13 calls I wasn't even holding the phone.

Wife's phone exhibits the same problems, identical. No problems with our 3GS's at all.

As far as signal strength, right after a few of those dropped calls I did a 3G speed test, 3.5mbps down, 1.4mbps up, doesn't seem like a signal problem to me does it?

Apple is making a fool of themselves to anyone with half a brain, unfortunately that leaves legions to support them.

I personally am on the fence with this reception issue...hardware vs software?? What can I say I'm a Gemini....Ultimately we'll have to wait to see what the outcome is....

But if it factual statement Apple put out does go south for them, it will certainly be interesting to see what their next move will be.

Myself, I have a 3GS, live in Ontario and the thing works like a charm not matter which way I hold it....I'm a lefty too BTW.

 

[falconeight]

It can't make calls it breaks it hangs up. Damn! Return it!

 

[dijisurf]

people stop writing unhelpful comments. concentrate your energy on real issues why it might happen. It can't be a design issue because most of the ip4s are working just fine. it is either a software or physical on some devices. if it was a design issue ALL ip4's would be having the same problems.

user your brains... i thought tech followers were smart......maybe not., excluding apple haters...

 

[dmelgar]

EXACTLY!!!!

Nothing new here, for some AT&T coverage is lousy. Get a full refund. Go to Sprint and whine about the lack of 4G coverage or got to Verizon and have fun fixing up the oversized Android Incredible or Droid 2 mess.

Ignorance is bliss. Have you actually seen the size of an HTC Incredible?

 

[fuzion]

Newsflash. That is on 2G. Not 3G.

What the eff are you talking about?

 

[JonB3Z]

Ok people.

For one second - forget about the antenna issue. forget about the fix. forget about everything and focus on this one thing. Is NO ONE pissed off (at the very least) that Apple has been misrepresenting the signal strength on their phones?

I'm not, because I've never believed the bars had much real-world meaning on any cell phone. It's perfectly obvious that the designer can set the "5 bars" point to any signal strength desired, and set the scaling to any factor as well. And it's equally obvious that it's in the carriers interest to make their network look better than it is.

The confluence of those two things convinced me right from my first cell phone that the "bars" could only be interpreted relative to that particular phone, not relative to the real strength of the signal present. For any cell phone I've had, I just learned at what number of bars I could expect the signal to chop in and out. Reading anything more into that display is pointless.

 

[Mebsat]

2 Questions for those who have signal loss on an iPhone 4:

1) Does turning WiFi off change the effect in any way?

2) Does bridging the antennas with your finger/hand affect WiFi downloads?

Either one of these would lead me to think hardware design flaw...
(or at least another unrelated software flaw if you want to be generous)

 

[Kahnyl]

Kahnyl, does your IP4 have this issue?

Yeah. The bars go down but I don't ever lose signal. And I actually have signal with the 4 in places that have always been blackspots, so it's a trade-off I'm happy with.