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'Consumer Reports' Smacks Verizon iPhone Over Antenna Issues
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LOL you must have been holding it the right way to have sent this message or used a bumper........
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You can't speak for everyone. I talk on my phone just as much if not more than my other usage. Everyone doesn't text, im, or read gadget blogs all day. Some people work and live off of their phones. I think it's called in iPHONE for a reason.
Salacion said:
You can't speak for everyone. I talk on my phone just as much if not more than my other usage. Everyone doesn't text, im, or read gadget blogs all day. Some people work and live off of their phones. I think it's called in iPHONE for a reason.
At least once each week I'm reminded how wise I was to return my bought-on-first-day iPhone 4 after just two frustrating days. I replaced it with a 3Gs 32GB white phone. It's the best designed, most comfortable to hold device I've ever owned, actually exactly like my 3G but more powerful. If iPhone 5 is just a 4 with more toys and goodies I'll keep the 3Gs.
maelstromr
macrumors 6502
How many other phones have they tested?
I suspect any phone with the antenna in a position where the hand can cover it is more susceptible to this ... perhaps not as bad considering the iPhone's design, but does CR test many other phones?
I suspect any phone with the antenna in a position where the hand can cover it is more susceptible to this ... perhaps not as bad considering the iPhone's design, but does CR test many other phones?
Lab tests aren't the same in the real world
The CR should conduct their tests in real world situations. I've had my iPhone 4 for about 5 months now and for a country that is still developing in terms of ICT infrastructure, I'm happy with my iPhone 4.
Weak signals only happen if the telcos don't have enough "coverage" for a certain area, so the important thing here is for telcos to ensure strong signals wherever they cater. Besides there's no perfect thing in the world, if there was then innovation wouldn't exist.
The CR should conduct their tests in real world situations. I've had my iPhone 4 for about 5 months now and for a country that is still developing in terms of ICT infrastructure, I'm happy with my iPhone 4.
Weak signals only happen if the telcos don't have enough "coverage" for a certain area, so the important thing here is for telcos to ensure strong signals wherever they cater. Besides there's no perfect thing in the world, if there was then innovation wouldn't exist.
I'll say this about epinions, itunes, amazon, and any site with reviews.
If you are SMART - you'll pay attention to HOW people are reviewing as much as what they say.
I can't tell you how many books I've bought on Amazon that have crappy reviews (despite being best sellers) because people didn't get their item shipped on time. Or it came ripped. Or they didn't like the price they paid. All things that have nothing to do with the actual BOOK or AUTHOR.
Same thing happens with Apps and people who don't know how to read descriptions of what the App is, can do, technical requirements, etc.
Some people are paid to post negatively about products by their competition
Some people are paid to post positively about some companies.
And then there's the obvious reason why reviews can differ. PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT USE CASES. And EXPERIENCES.
If you are SMART - you'll pay attention to HOW people are reviewing as much as what they say.
I can't tell you how many books I've bought on Amazon that have crappy reviews (despite being best sellers) because people didn't get their item shipped on time. Or it came ripped. Or they didn't like the price they paid. All things that have nothing to do with the actual BOOK or AUTHOR.
Same thing happens with Apps and people who don't know how to read descriptions of what the App is, can do, technical requirements, etc.
Some people are paid to post negatively about products by their competition
Some people are paid to post positively about some companies.
And then there's the obvious reason why reviews can differ. PEOPLE HAVE DIFFERENT USE CASES. And EXPERIENCES.
i never lost a call... Also even if i did, id just call back.
also, hes talking few dB's of difference. FEW DBS. phones usually have 55dB gain amps in their circuits.
also, hes talking few dB's of difference. FEW DBS. phones usually have 55dB gain amps in their circuits.
Did this guy get stuck in the 80's or something? And nice lab! A whole single computer that shows approx signal strength. Not an apple cult fan or anything, but this guy looks like someone paid him off. He doesn't even believe what the hell he is saying
I'm not a fanboy at all; I just haven't had any appreciable problems with the antenna; neither have most of the people I know with IP4's. Seems like you've experienced differently; that sucks.
I'm not mad. I'm annoyed. Old news is still old news no matter how many times they post a video on it.
i just traded in my 3GS for a HTC phone and Consumer Reports is right. i'm still on AT&T and i can now use my phone in elevators and in the middle of reconverted factory buildings with thick walls. still use my old iphones as ipods.
the HTC has it's own death grip issues especially with the wifi antenna, but as a phone it's much better than an iphone. now android vs iOS is another story. but at $80 and a 4.3 inch screen it's a killer deal
the HTC has it's own death grip issues especially with the wifi antenna, but as a phone it's much better than an iphone. now android vs iOS is another story. but at $80 and a 4.3 inch screen it's a killer deal
MacCheetah3
macrumors 68040
Hi
As far as your comment to it being an issue with so many people; try choosing a cellular service company that best fits your frequented regions, instead of basing your decision strictly around a phone.
I have been with AT&T, and briefly Cingular before the switch, for quite some time now. I live in a pretty rural area where Verizon controls the majority of coverage because they purchased a dieing company called Cellular 2000, which invested highly in covering the state of MN as best they could.
My point is this, I've had Nokias, Samsungs, Motorolas (those with external and those with the now common internal antennas), but every cell phone I had struggled for connectivity in the same areas. Of course, coverage has changed a bit for both over the years but it actually still remains generally the same, with some improvements here and there.
Put simply, it is a problem but it's RF technology limitations, not an iPhone flaw.
P.S. I'm happy with AT&T for my uses, which is why I've been comfortable with buying and upgrading to new iPhones. That isn't true for everyone, so make your choices appropriately.
Uh... The problem exists with any RF transceiver equipped device. If you test a Wi-Fi router in a room with aluminum walls and can't get a signal when leaving the room... Oh yes.. Must be the router. 😀
As far as your comment to it being an issue with so many people; try choosing a cellular service company that best fits your frequented regions, instead of basing your decision strictly around a phone.
I have been with AT&T, and briefly Cingular before the switch, for quite some time now. I live in a pretty rural area where Verizon controls the majority of coverage because they purchased a dieing company called Cellular 2000, which invested highly in covering the state of MN as best they could.
My point is this, I've had Nokias, Samsungs, Motorolas (those with external and those with the now common internal antennas), but every cell phone I had struggled for connectivity in the same areas. Of course, coverage has changed a bit for both over the years but it actually still remains generally the same, with some improvements here and there.
Put simply, it is a problem but it's RF technology limitations, not an iPhone flaw.
P.S. I'm happy with AT&T for my uses, which is why I've been comfortable with buying and upgrading to new iPhones. That isn't true for everyone, so make your choices appropriately.
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annoyed at CR or MR? You'd never even know about it if it was just on CR's website, right? 😉
Yes, because everyone's houses are made of 5" thick metallic alloy walls with a deadlocked door.
BC2009
macrumors 68020
These days I only really use my CR website membership to research obscure products for which there are not a plethora of reviews on the web.
I have found that their car recommendations need to be taken with a grain of salt, and their tech recommendations are not the best either. They are rather inconsistent.
Their actual ratings for cars and tech make for a good reference when you take other sources of reviews into account (as long as you ignore the overall CR rating and pick out the parts you are unable to find information on otherwise).
Their iPhone 4 non-recommendation is obviously something Apple cares about, even if it is not a fair judgement of the device. Clearly CR is not testing other smart phones in the same way or clearly their test is somehow flawed. The only people I know who have any problem with the smartphone (notice I did not say "iPhone") death-grip causing dropped calls are on forums like this. Of all the people I know with smartphones (especially iPhone 4s) -- I have never met a single one who had a serious dropped-call issue in their day-to-day life, but all of them can attest to signal variation based on how they gripped their phone (regardless of model).
The only good side to the CR non-recommendation is that Apple has hired more experts in antenna design and they are trying to improve upon the antenna in the iPhone. That is only good for us as consumers. So if you own an iPhone 4 and you are thinking "this never happens to me" then just be happy that things are only going to get better.
One thing I did remember after reading this story though was how little I use my CR subscription and I am wondering if it is really worth the annual cost. Maybe I should just cancel that while its on my mind.....
I have found that their car recommendations need to be taken with a grain of salt, and their tech recommendations are not the best either. They are rather inconsistent.
Their actual ratings for cars and tech make for a good reference when you take other sources of reviews into account (as long as you ignore the overall CR rating and pick out the parts you are unable to find information on otherwise).
Their iPhone 4 non-recommendation is obviously something Apple cares about, even if it is not a fair judgement of the device. Clearly CR is not testing other smart phones in the same way or clearly their test is somehow flawed. The only people I know who have any problem with the smartphone (notice I did not say "iPhone") death-grip causing dropped calls are on forums like this. Of all the people I know with smartphones (especially iPhone 4s) -- I have never met a single one who had a serious dropped-call issue in their day-to-day life, but all of them can attest to signal variation based on how they gripped their phone (regardless of model).
The only good side to the CR non-recommendation is that Apple has hired more experts in antenna design and they are trying to improve upon the antenna in the iPhone. That is only good for us as consumers. So if you own an iPhone 4 and you are thinking "this never happens to me" then just be happy that things are only going to get better.
One thing I did remember after reading this story though was how little I use my CR subscription and I am wondering if it is really worth the annual cost. Maybe I should just cancel that while its on my mind.....
maelstromr
macrumors 6502
Quite different. Macrumors exists to post information, news and rumors about Apple related events. Consumer Reports exists to provide legitimate useful reviews on consumer products.
Macrumors posting a sensational, yet relevant and true, story about Apple products is proper; Consumer Reports calling the hands-down most successful and well-built touchscreen device ever made unbuyable smacks of shameless trolling for attention/hits/relevance.
See discussion above for why their rating is ridiculous. The criticism regarding possible antena issue is valid, refusing to call it a buyable product is just stupid.
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Not a single one more. Aplle sells every phone they make.
Not a single one more. Aplle sells every phone they make.
I live in Ft. Lauderdale, and worked in Miami up until about a year ago, my i4 drops less calls then my 3GS ever did.