Not that I'm saying you made this up, but I don't believe you.The iPhone 4 will only lose 2 bars even if you death grip the hell out of it.
Incidentally, I can only make mine drop bars if I squeeze the hell out of it. Laying a finger on the seam doesn't do anything.
You don't have to believe me. It depends on location. I've seen iPhones with full bars being gripped tightly and lose 3 bars. Others have full bars, and go to none. This was before 4.0.1 so the formula was totally wrong
End conclusion: iPhone 4 seems to have an antenna issue tat is more severe than other phones. Apple is expected to make products that "Just work" based on their advertising. When a company makes a big deal about a magical product, and it has a pathetic issue, the media pounds on the issue. But If you don't like the iPhone 4, don't buy one, If you have reception issues, bring it back. You are entitled to a working phone. I think its childish of Apple to grip other phones like a monkey and say Hey, they have the same issue as us. Because its simply not true.
That being said, more people have no problems with their iPhone 4. If you have a problem with it, stop complaining and do something to resolve it.