BEFORE UPDATING!! Post your true signal strength before/after (READ 1ST POST!)

[Rybold]

The sole purpose of showing amount of bars is to reflect service strength, which correlates to phone connection. If service strength is not improved, but the amount of bar is added, then what exactly is the point?

A lot of us had zero bars of 3G most of the time. Our phone rarely went to EDGE, but it was just on zero bars of 3G most of the time and worked fine. They recalibrated it so that instead of being on zero bars most of the time, we would have one or two bars, to be more in-line with reality. I saw A LOT of people posting screen shots, before 2.1, on Mac Rumors that showed zero bars but on 3G.

 

[Rybold]

Apple assumed we're gullible fools.

I have 2 iPhones in the same location. Top ones is the 2.0.2 and the bottom ones is from 2.1.

Nice work!

Those of us that use our phones a lot realized pretty quickly that the actual signal strength had not increased but that 2.1 only increased the number of bars displayed on the screen (which could be argued by Apple as a subjective indicator of signal strength). I think they did this for two reasons:
1) a lot of people had zero bars of 3G most of the time but were on the 3G network (see my post above this one).
2) perhaps this keeps it on the 3G network more easily and it doesn't switch over to EDGE as easily (which would reduce dropped calls, which occur due to switching from one network to another).

 

[CocoaPuffs]

A lot of us had zero bars of 3G most of the time. Our phone rarely went to EDGE, but it was just on zero bars of 3G most of the time and worked fine. They recalibrated it so that instead of being on zero bars most of the time, we would have one or two bars, to be more in-line with reality. I saw A LOT of people posting screen shots, before 2.1, on Mac Rumors that showed zero bars but on 3G.

I don't have problem with the phone showing 0 bar or 5 bars, provided that I do get service. Prior to the latest update, I would get drop calls in my current location that shows 0 bar. Now I would get dropped calls while it's showing 3 bars, so what's the point? Other than the fact when I call AT&T and they ask how many bars you get and end of conversation.

How about this, anyone have a screenshot of 0 or 1 bar with 3G after 2.1 upgrade? If not, does that mean 3 bars now means 0 bar and < 3 bars = void?

 

[RonD69]

3G signal strength

I wish I took note of my signal strength before the update. :-(

2.1.0 | at home in my study | -79 | 5 bars

yay!

 

[PNutts]

The OP has a legitimate question with many good answers and I will add to them when I can measure my 2.1 signal as I did post with my old signal strength in a different thread.

It simply cracks me up is that the OP was made a full 24 hours after the release of 2.1. There are no good analogies, but I'm thinking that 24 hours after the ice cream truck leaves the neighboorhood the kids are told to wash their hands before eating ice cream. No big, it just cracks me up. Now to get some coffee...

 

[Helianthus]

Before:

2.0.1 | -91 | Desk At Home | 1 Bar

After:

2.1 | -98 | Desk At Home | 5 Bars

2 Days Later:

2.1 | -91 | Desk At Home | 5 Bars

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

Same for me... these readings are about 30 minutes apart

Home Desk (2.0.2)

1 bar (-101, -103, -105dB)

2 bars (-95, -97, -99dB)

Home Desk (2.1)

4 bars (-99, -103dB)

5 bars (-97dB)

 

[jeffvb9]

2.0.2 | -83

2.1 | -89 to -93

At home in brick loft building.

 

[tryppy]

basement apartment

2.0 (Rogers 3G 1 bar) *never anything higher* Outside of house 5 bars
2.1 (Rogers 3G 4-5 bars) MUCH better.