Consumer Reports 'Can't Recommend' iPhone 4 Due to Signal Issues

[jmpage2]

Maybe Apple should just replace the phone of anyone who has this issue, then they can quickly and easily worm out defective stock, as this obviously isn't a universal issue.

You're kidding right? All of these phones have this problem as has been demonstrated in lab tests now by CR and others.

The only 'fix' for this problem is going to be a change in the manufacturing process in which they spray a coating of some kind (teflon, etc) over the external antenna parts to effectively insulate them against being shorted out by user contact.

At that point maybe they can offer to swap phones for people who want to carry them naked and are being affected by this.

For people to continually stick their head in the sand about this issue and claim that their phone or some other magical phone does not have this problem is simply absurd. The only thing you can demonstrate is that you have the discipline to follow Steve's recommendation and 'don't hold it that way' or you have sand-papery dry hands that don't short the antennas out.

 

[xbjllb]

It seems like YOU haven't been paying attention.

Apple has found a market. Revenues are off-the-charts high. Those revenues are being driven by the "iKiddies" market, not the high end, high ticket pro app customer base (which apparently isn't much of a base anyway, as the Mac Pro is testament to).

BUBBLE. BUBBLE. BUBBLE.

Look it up. Apparently you don't know what it is, let alone recognize a textbook example when you see one.

POP.

Too late. It just popped.

And people haven't been buying the desktops BECAUSE THEY'RE 3-5 YEAR OLD TECHNOLOGY. Not because there isn't a need and HUGE market for CUTTING EDGE MACHINES.

They've merely been GOING ELSEWHERE.

 

[Mattie Num Nums]

Hundreds of thousands.

As much of a troll as this guy is he brings up a valid point. Apple is starting to neglect its computer products.

 

[Chad H]

MacGyver?

Seems more like MacGruber running Apple these days...

So you want Apple to drop the iPod, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, iPod nano, and iPod mini and focus on their computer lineup? Thank god you aren't running the government.

 

[Nieval]

I feel that Apple should find some 100% transparent coating to put over the steel bezel or whatever it's called, so as to create a barrier between one's hand and the antenna

Problem is coatings don't last very long. The only definite solution is a redesign, if this software update doesn't help (which it probably won't).

 

[Palm Pimp]

There's still time.

 

[Misplaced Mage]

I agree that without access to the iPhone 4 field test screen or to the phone's internal test commands, all we can do is speculate (well-educated speculation, in some cases, but still speculation). Out of curiosity, however, I'd love to see if someone can post or link to a picture of another cell phone that meets the following criteria:

• Has a cellular antenna(s) with bare metal exposed to the user as designed and manufactured (i.e., not user modified with an aftermarket antenna or a coating removed either through normal wear and tear or deliberately)
• Released (not just announced, but actually shipped) in the last twelve years (i.e., GSM-, TDMA-, CDMA- or PCS-based, AMPS only as a fallback)
• From any of the "major" cell phone players with a long history of RF development experience (e.g., Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG, HTC, Sony-Ericsson, RIM, etc.)

I'm really curious to see if Apple has shipped the only cell phone in recent history with exposed antennas. If it has, you have to wonder why no one else has, despite several manufacturers having shipped phones with—other than the area around the antennas—a metal housing.

 

[3282868]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape#Etymology

Duct tape can also be a fix for the antenna problem on Apples iPhone 4.

"Silence is golden but duct tape is silver", a few people on MacRumors should take that to heart

 

[LagunaSol]

+1 and this applies to a select few, they know who they are, that seem to have the agenda of inflaming others over many years for the sole reason of passive aggressively dismissing a product while at the same token promoting the products of its competitors. It makes one wonder why they spend so much time on a company and its products they despise.

While healthy criticism is always a good thing, there seems to be a few with an unhealthy attitude.

Indeed. The motivations of these usual suspects remain a mystery. But astroturfing is a myth, isn't it???

 

[SnowLeopard2008]

So why does my 2007 iphone have reception and no drop calls in the exact same location my iPhone 4 does? Low reception areas is not the issue. It's a damn hardware design flaw. Your skin might not be as conductive as others. Simple as that.

It's not a flaw if majority of users aren't affected. These forums are mainly for the affected.

• A: Your conclusions are faulty
• B: It's mass hysteria across the globe affecting people like AnandTech, Consumer Reports, Engadget, and many others including countless consumers.
• C: It's a mass conspiracy involving the above.

Usually the simplest answer is the correct one...

Yes, the simplest answer is you are wrong. AnandTech, Consumer Reports and Engadget aren't consumers. They are gadget blogs. Consumes would the average person who has an iPhone. It's not mass hysteria because most people aren't affected.

 

[dagomike]

YOU haven't been paying attention. I want Apple to concentrate on making cutting-edge COMPUTERS again and quit crapping all over its high end high-ticket pro app customer BASE, not iJunk for iKiddies who, when they go elsewhere, will pop the bubble and bankrupt the company.

Hate to burst your bubble, but the iOS probably is the future of computing.

Either way, you're way out in left field since Mac sales growth has been accelerating.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape#Etymology

Duct tape can also be a fix for the antenna problem on Apples iPhone 4.

Nice!

 

[archipellago]

That is the one thing that is really funny. Apple Fanboys defend apple so much its not even fun. To me Apple is the new Microsoft. The way Apple looks now it makes Microsoft look like the good guy...and Steve Jobs arrogance is amazing....apple needs to get sued big time...

Apple fanboys are truly odious little creatures..

and...

MS were never this bad....

 

[LagunaSol]

But astroturfing is a myth, isn't it???

Oh, wait...

There's still time.

 

[jlblodgett]

BUBBLE. BUBBLE. BUBBLE.

Look it up. Apparently you don't know what it is, let alone recognize a textbook example when you see one.

POP.

Too late. It just popped.

And people haven't been buying the desktops BECAUSE THEY'RE 3-5 YEAR OLD TECHNOLOGY. Not because there isn't a need.

They've merely been GOING ELSEWHERE.

I've been hearing this same crap since the Apple //c days.

 

[AidenShaw]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duct_tape#Etymology

Duct tape can also be a fix for the antenna problem on Apples iPhone 4.

I like Duck tape.

Also available in Leopard for older Apples....

 

[xbjllb]

Moron. Yeah, because having an iPhone and iPad prevents you from also owning a 3.2GHz Mac Pro all loaded up with tons of extras, right? Oh wait, it doesn't, because I have a maxed out Mac Pro that I use for video editing, and whaddya know, I also have an iPhone and iPad. What exactly is your problem?

Again, please do find a nice tall bridge... and heck, man... jump!

No, GENIUS, it apparently didn't prevent you from idiotically throwing away your money on a OVERPRICED machine with 3-5 year old technology, and when it comes to the friggin' "superdrive"? EIGHT YEAR old technology!!!

Not to mention all the usual quality-control issues Apple creates, no matter how expensive the item.

Yeah, you're sure the genius all right.

And why would you want to throw away money on a Pro to video edit when "YOU CAN EDIT VIDEO ON YOUR IPHONE???!!?"

 

[HLdan]

No, they haven't said they are working on a fix for the reception problems. The only fix they have admitted working on is a fix for the number of bars displayed.

A fix is a fix as long as they've acknowledged that a fix IS needed. They are not obliged to tell you everything they are doing, they know what's up, trouble is MR thinks that they know more about what's going on with the iPhone better than Apple themselves. Not only are the not obliged to tell the public everything they are doing to rectify the issue, nobody here is entitled to know.

 

[Eidorian]

Oh well, I don't own one.

 

[jb007clone]

I think there is very little left to say on this issue. Either you believe there is a problem with the phone, or you don't.

 

[rhanley]

It's not a flaw if majority of users aren't affected. These forums are mainly for the affected.

Yes, the simplest answer is you are wrong. AnandTech, Consumer Reports and Engadget aren't consumers. They are gadget blogs. Consumes would the average person who has an iPhone. It's not mass hysteria because most people aren't affected.

What if 20%, 30% or even 50% are affected? Would you consider that a major issue?

How do you know most people aren't affected? I've only seen 1 poll (which wasn't very scientific here) and it showed right around 50% of people having the issue.

 

[xbjllb]

I've been hearing this same crap since the Apple //c days.

Oh yes? Bubble in the bottom line? Where? Source?

APPLE DIDN'T MAKE IFAD ICRAP IJUNK IN THE //c days.

Apple made computers then, it wasn't the Mattel Wham-o exiting the computer world.

 

[jlblodgett]

As much of a troll as this guy is he brings up a valid point. Apple is starting to neglect its computer products.

Starting to?

While Apple's serious breadwinning computers have never been "up to speed" with comparable PC hardware, I think Apple has really dropped off their computer products since the iPod started and iTunes really took off.

They've found a good market and they've owned it for the past 10 years. Whether it is still there 10 years from now is anyone's guess, but with the sales of iPads and iPhones over the past six (6) months it seems like they are still in control.

 

[dagomike]

It's not a flaw if majority of users aren't affected. These forums are mainly for the affected.



Yes, the simplest answer is you are wrong. AnandTech, Consumer Reports and Engadget aren't consumers. They are gadget blogs. Consumes would the average person who has an iPhone. It's not mass hysteria because most people aren't affected.

That conjunction should be read as publications and consumers.

In order for you to be right, everyone else has to be wrong... so yeah the simplest answer likely is that your conclusions are wrong.

Sorry, cognitive dissonance sucks.

 

[LagunaSol]

MS were never this bad....

LOL, are you serious?

• Xbox 360
• Vista
• Plays For Sure
• Being convicted of Grade A Business Weaselry by pretty much every court of law on the planet

Nope, not bad at all!

 

[jlblodgett]

Oh yes? Bubble in the bottom line? Where? Source?

APPLE DIDN'T MAKE IFAD ICRAP IJUNK IN THE //c days.

Apple made computers then, it wasn't the Mattel Wham-o exiting the computer world.

But there was still plenty of bankruptcy talk back then. Apple's financial situation today is certainly better than it was back then. Even a troll like you must admit that.