Detailed Analysis of iPhone 4 Signal Strength Dropoff

[MacFly123]

Confirms to me that I'm staying with the 3GS until Apple builds another phone that doesn't require a case to make calls with. My 3GS is naked when I'm using it... why should I have to buy a case just to make calls with an iPhone 4? Apple really did a dumb thing here in the name of good looks.

I really didnt want to use a case with this one.

I don't have my iPhone 4 yet, but I am hoping Apple gets an update out before I have mine. I am not negating the hardware having some sensitivity in low signal areas, but I think there is also room for improvement in how the baseband code handles switching frequencies and such! I have always carried my 3G naked and I will do the same with the iPhone 4 if Best Buy ever gets it to me! But, if worst comes to worst, couldn't Apple just do some sort of clear coating around the band and improve things a lot? I mean worst case scenario, if Apple doesn't do anything hardware wise (which they probably won't till the next iPhone next year) couldn't you just put a coat of clear nail polish around the band and improve things a lot without even being able to notice anything on the phone?

 

[marksman]

This study is woefully inadequate to anyone with a basic knowledge of experimental design for the following reasons:

This does not provide any data on upload/downloads of Web pages, for example; it only addresses phone calls. It would seem that at lower signal strengths, regardless of selectivity, data/transmission would be much slower on the IPhone 4 under most circumstances.

Also, in how many situations (e.g., varying signal strength, different cell phone tower frequencies) was the "study" done. How many different phones were used in producing the results? How many calls were used in drawing the studies conclusions? How many testers (with different degrees of conductivity in their hands were used)?

How do they explain the huge number of reports from users in the field that the iPhone 4 drops calls at a higher rate than the other reports. One study by a user showed an iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS side-by-side phoning each other. The iPhone 4 constantly dropped calls the iPhone GS did not.

Funny that you critique yoru analysis but that site much more suspect and less valid tests as a counterpoint. Can't really have it both ways.

Nobody has done a test like you propose, and nobody with the problems has demonstrated with any degree or testing or methodology that a significant and tangible problem exists beyond what is normal, at this point.

 

[axual]

I'm sure there is a Rube Goldberg answer

Rube Goldberg must be out there with a answer to this dilemma ... a bumper case can't be the answer ... I'm looking for hydraulics, rubber bands, super glue and large quantities of Velcro for the answer.

 

[BobVB]

Funny that you critique yoru analysis but that site much more suspect and less valid tests as a counterpoint. Can't really have it both ways.

I guess I don't understand your advocacy when this data of this report shows that the iPhone 4 suffers from atrocious signal degradation explaining all the reports of dropped calls that many experience. In fact it seems the phone is only even comparable to other phones with an additional bumper that costs 10-15% of the 'not really functional without it' device itself.

Again, selling something as complete that doesn't really work without an additional purchase is illegal in most states. Apple should just give a free bumper to anyone who wants one if they want to avoid as many legal and PR loses as they can.

 

[shen]

Finally some analytical proof for all the bozos who claim there isn't a problem at all.

except what it really points out is that even in the worst case "death grip bars dropping" scenario, it still makes calls more often and more easily than the last iPhone.

And that, to me, is not a problem.

 

[lilo777]

Funny that you critique yoru analysis but that site much more suspect and less valid tests as a counterpoint. Can't really have it both ways.

Nobody has done a test like you propose, and nobody with the problems has demonstrated with any degree or testing or methodology that a significant and tangible problem exists beyond what is normal, at this point.

Could you define "normal"? As Anandtech tests proved, the drop in signal strength for iPhone 4 is much more pronounced than for other phones (and we already knew it anyways). Is that normal?

What Apple did with iPhone 4 design is just plain stupid. Imagine if the company was designing a boombox, decided to make antenna out of the handle (and this is what Apple essentially did) and then told customers to hold the boombox "differently" (i.e. not by the handle). Very stupid. But then Apple went even further and surpassed themselves by making the case out of glass.

 

[BobVB]

except what it really points out is that even in the worst case "death grip bars dropping" scenario, it still makes calls more often and more easily than the last iPhone.

Actually it doesn't. Is says the phone is more sensitive generally but specifically if you are in a situation where a 16db drop is lethal to the call it functions far worse than the last iPhone.

If you can't make the calls you need to make, regardless if it can theoretically make more calls that you don't need to make, its still a defect in comparison to the last model.

 

[kevwright]

except what it really points out is that even in the worst case "death grip bars dropping" scenario, it still makes calls more often and more easily than the last iPhone.

And that, to me, is not a problem.

I was thinking the same. Only problem with that is if the new iPhone is showing a couple of bars, say in a place that the 3G or 3GS would have been showing no service, which of the following do you think people will say if those bars and signal disappear (which they do) when they pick it up wrong.

1. Oh, that is OK, I am sure my old phone would not have worked here anyway.

or

2. **** Apple and their ****** products, Google for me next time.

Kev

 

[fat jez]

What level are they referencing their dB to?

1mW, hence why figures are quoted in dBm.

They've basically come up with the evidence to backup what I posted here on the 25th.

 

[lilo777]

except what it really points out is that even in the worst case "death grip bars dropping" scenario, it still makes calls more often and more easily than the last iPhone.

And that, to me, is not a problem.

You just did not get the article. Read the original article on Anandtech. All it says is that when the signal is very bad (one bar) iPhone 4 drops less calls than 3GS. Well, let's now see how this works. In a place where the signal is at, say, 3 bars, when hand-held, 3GS would still have 3 bars whereas IP4 would get 1 or none. Given the same signal strength (externally) 3GS will behave much better. The only advantage iPhone 4 has is that in areas where the signal is very weak (1 bar) 3GS might be in trouble but one can still use iPhone 4 but... only when not holding it in hand. That's a very questionable trade-off.

 

[Taluner]

Free Bumper?

I get my iPhone 4 tomorrow (if Fedex is telling me the truth) I'm curious to how much of an issue the signal loss will be at my house where my service is hit or miss in the first place. What is interesting though, my Bumper finally shipped today and Apple put the money for it back in my bank account. Not sure yet if they'll charge me again for it or if they're giving me the bumper for free.

 

[kevwright]

I get my iPhone 4 tomorrow (if Fedex is telling me the truth) I'm curious to how much of an issue the signal loss will be at my house where my service is hit or miss in the first place. What is interesting though, my Bumper finally shipped today and Apple put the money for it back in my bank account. Not sure yet if they'll charge me again for it or if they're giving me the bumper for free.

I think you will suffer the same as me, total loss of signal, but only if you touch the little join.

I have decided to stop moaning, not return it and try for a free bumper here in the UK. Would be really interested in hearing if yours is free.

Kev

 

[firewood]

Confirms to me that I'm staying with the 3GS until Apple builds another phone that doesn't require a case to make calls with. My 3GS is naked when I'm using it... why should I have to buy a case just to make calls with an iPhone 4?

You don't. The iPhone 4 does not require a case. It's only an option to help people who are to old, infirm, neurologically injured, or inflexible enough that they can't hold a cell phone properly (without blocking the antenna).

Why should I be required to buy a handicap aid, or have it built in to a bulkier device, when I know how to hold my phone properly, and which I only need to do in weak signal areas in the first place?

I sometimes use a bumper, not because I need it for the antenna, but because I want some protection on the glass corners. It's a nice option.

If the opposite were true, and I should be allowed to hold the phone any d**m well way I please, then I'll be the first to sue them because the first time I grabbed my iPhone to take a photo with the built-in camera, my hand, holding the phone the same way I naturally hold my 35mm camera, covered the lens. I could not take a photo without moving my hand! Design flaw! Sue! Sue! Sue!

 

[marksman]

You think they had a scientific advisor?

John DeLorean maybe?

 

[kevwright]

You don't. The iPhone 4 does not require a case. It's only an option to help people who are to old, infirm, neurologically injured, or inflexible enough that they can't hold a cell phone properly (without blocking the antenna).

Pretty harsh if you can only use your left hand, it is quite hard to not touch that spot. And at least one person here is disabled and can not hold it another way.

Kev

 

[RHatton]

I can simulate the signal loss but honestly I have tried numerous times to try to make the phone drop calls and it won't. Like mentioned even though the signal apparently is degrading, the calls are still working. I know this doesn't apply to everyone but this has been the case with everyone I know that bought them so far.

 

[MacTheSpoon]

So basically the reception takes an exceptionally big hit when you hold it wrong, you'll get much worse data bandwidth, and you'll be more likely to hit the death point of -113dB -- but until reception hits -113dB you'll be less likely to drop your call than before.

So still, either hold it special or get a case.

 

[rhanley]

You don't. The iPhone 4 does not require a case. It's only an option to help people who are to old, infirm, neurologically injured, or inflexible enough that they can't hold a cell phone properly (without blocking the antenna).

Why should I be required to buy a handicap aid, or have it built in to a bulkier device, when I know how to hold my phone properly, and which I only need to do in weak signal areas in the first place?

I sometimes use a bumper, not because I need it for the antenna, but because I want some protection on the glass corners. It's a nice option.

If the opposite were true, and I should be allowed to hold the phone any d**m well way I please, then I'll be the first to sue them because the first time I grabbed my iPhone to take a photo with the built-in camera, my hand, holding the phone the same way I naturally hold my 35mm camera, covered the lens. I could not take a photo without moving my hand! Design flaw! Sue! Sue! Sue!

Still at it, huh? How much is Apple paying you for your PR effort?

I guess I've been holding my iphones wrong for 3 years and it's just a miracle that I didn't run into dropped calls like I'm experiencing now. I guess Steve Jobs and the hand models in the Iphone4 documentation hold their phones wrong too, huh?

I make all my calls holding my phone in a way where I don't cause the degradation, but after a few minutes, it moves back to what's comfortable for me and I can't help that.

but you're right, this is all my fault and this is certainly not a design flaw .

 

[BobVB]

You don't. The iPhone 4 does not require a case. It's only an option to help people who are to old, infirm, neurologically injured, or inflexible enough that they can't hold a cell phone properly (without blocking the antenna).

yeah you're a shill. Your list is growing I see. When a phone being held normally has a 16dB+ drop in signal strength over the previous model, that's a design flaw. When being off in your hand 1/4 inch in a usage where you can't even see the hand will cut off the signal that's a design flaw.

Please, go tell Steve your attempts to have his back aren't going to work - the data is out and his options are shrinking as we speak. If a bumper is needed for the same functionality as the last model then he sold an incomplete phone - the class action suit and every attorney general's office in the country will be making money off Apple if he doesn't just admit error and fix the problem. And no, offering to sell a bumper for 10-15% of the cost of the phone isn't a legal solution.

 

[Mac Fly (film)]

This issue is a serious one for me. At my house, I get 4 bars when the phone is sitting on a table. When I hold it my hands, I lose signal completely. The "searching" text appears and I cannot receive calls or SMS messages. It's a "real world" issue.

A held phone should not be unusable. Period.

No beating around the bush anymore. Get your money back on this product.

 

[Rootus]

I'm still waiting for my signal to degrade when I bridge the two antennas. I consistently get an extra bar of strength when I do that, not a loss.

I do notice that I get more consistent and fast data performance during my commute than I was getting with my 3GS (my commute is 25 miles from a rural area to the center of an urban area on light rail). If this is what it's like to have a poorly engineered antenna, then I'm looking forward to even more craptastic engineering and correspondingly better performance in the future...

 

[rhanley]

I'm still waiting for my signal to degrade when I bridge the two antennas. I consistently get an extra bar of strength when I do that, not a loss.

I do notice that I get more consistent and fast data performance during my commute than I was getting with my 3GS (my commute is 25 miles from a rural area to the center of an urban area on light rail). If this is what it's like to have a poorly engineered antenna, then I'm looking forward to even more craptastic engineering and correspondingly better performance in the future...

Consider yourself lucky -- AT my work 2 1/2 miles from my home I still get the signal to drop from 5 to 3, but I can still use my phone and everything's good. I don't have a problem with that -- I don't care about bars, I just want to be able to hold a conversation and browse the web.

You just haven't been in an area that exposes this issue yet, but I'm guessing you will eventually. At my house, my phone is basically unusable, even when I go outside.

 

[IBradMac]

Still haven't had one dropped call. Just saying.

I've had only 3 since I got this phone.

It has gotten better as of late.

 

[ChrisJSNh]

couldn't you just put a coat of clear nail polish around the band and improve things a lot without even being able to notice anything on the phone?

one word of warning, a lot of nail polishes contain solvents , also as it starts to chip or flake off ,, you either have to scrape it off or use a solvent like naphtha or acetone to remove it. Which could/would damage that black insulator between the antennas and possibly the seal between the glass and the antennas,
well that is unless you keep gobbing it on as it chips off

 

[ChazUK]

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You don't. The iPhone 4 does not require a case. It's only an option to help people who are to old, infirm, neurologically injured, or inflexible enough that they can't hold a cell phone properly (without blocking the antenna).

Why should I be required to buy a handicap aid, or have it built in to a bulkier device, when I know how to hold my phone properly, and which I only need to do in weak signal areas in the first place?

Considering a disabled member has posted on these very boards of their difficulties with the iPhone signal dropping because of the design fault i find your comment quite sickening.