iPhone 11 iphone 11 reception

[jay968]

So what is the consensus on signal reception on iphone 11?
I had an XS a few months ago and was just not impressed. Can anyone comment on a comparison to either the 11 or the 11 pro?
I am NOT talking about download speed. Just signal strength either in dbm or call quality and/or ability to hold onto a call in a bad signal area.

 

[barbu]

holding onto a call in a bad signal area has nothing to do with reception, it is the transmitter on your phone that is the limiting factor. Think about it: a massive cell tower with mega-watt power vs. the tiny battery operated device in your pocket...
So that said, there are many factors such as tower activity, weather, environment and materials around you, and so on. The phone is the last factor I would consider in that equation.

 

[DevinNj]

^This, I have a Pro Max, my son has the 11, heck my wife has a XS Max, pretty much no difference we've noticed. Especially on road trips, we all seem to be on par with each other.

 

[bobsamm]

IP8 has the best signal reception since 6S. The only iPhone since 6S that has a blue tick from our biggest Telco in Australia for better reception in rural areas.

 

[jay968]

>>holding onto a call in a bad signal area has nothing to do with reception, it is the transmitter on your phone that is the limiting factor. Think about it: a massive cell tower with mega-watt power vs. the tiny battery operated device in your pocket...
So that said, there are many factors such as tower activity, weather, environment and materials around you, and so on. The phone is the last factor I would consider in that equation.<<

I understand this but;
1 - not all receivers and antennae are created equal and this can indeed become a factor when the transmitter isn't exactly close at all to the receiver.
2 - You are dismissing the possibility of the tower perhaps being located remotely.

What you are saying is like saying "the local TV transmitter being 75 miles away should provide just as good performance on my TV set whether I use a long range antenna on the roof, or use a pair of rabbit airs on the TV set itself.

When using an app such as Cellmapper (not available for iphones) or when looking at the signal strength using the service menu on an iphone, one can see what the actual signal strength in dbm is. There is a pretty big variation between phones and from what I have seen in the phones I have owned over the years, the Androids always have better results. I can see a reading of say -100dbm on an Android and at the same spot see -120dbm on an iphone (or for that matter on an Android with poor reception capabilities). At -120dbm, any phone will struggle to maintain the call.
That said, I much prefer iphones but have always gone back to Android after using them for a bit because of this situation. Many have said the iphone antennae are just not as good, and others have said the Intel modems are a factor. I'd just like to know if the iphone 11 is anything of an improvement or not.

Aside from all this, based on your response about the transmitter in the phone being the limiting factor, I'd still ask the question...how well does the 11 stay connected to a tower and how good is the call quality compared to the Xr or Xs in very bad coverage areas?

 

[bobsamm]

Aside from all this, based on your response about the transmitter in the phone being the limiting factor, I'd still ask the question...how well does the 11 stay connected to a tower and how good is the call quality compared to the Xr or Xs in very bad coverage areas?

They are all the same, XR/11/11pro/max, read my post above.

 

[jay968]

Yes I did and I thank you. I was replying to someone else.

 

[Derek87]

my wife's 11 has much better performance in lower signal area than my XS. both in bars, and data access.

yet, i have been lead to believe that something is amiss with my XS because anecdotally, i thought it performed a little better up until several weeks ago.

that being said, since Sept, my wife has been very pleased with her 11's ability to work in all sorts of signal scenarios. my hypothesis is that the aluminum band maybe less signal attenuating than the stainless on my XS.

 

[dooku77]

Apple is still using the intel chips in the new ones, which for me didn’t work at all on my xs max. My 11 pro max is only slightly better. I popped my SIM card into my note 10+ at work where I have issues and behold I have very good signal.

 

[Beelzbub]

Coming from an iPhone 8. My 11 holds onto a signal better. In areas where my iPhone 8 would drop in the middle of a call (back country roads), my 11 holds onto the call. I feel I get better reception with the 11 than previous models.

 

[jschnee21]

my wife's 11 has much better performance in lower signal area than my XS. both in bars, and data access.

THIS. My wife’s 11 Pro and son’s 11 do seem to have marginally to moderately better reception, calling (completion and avoiding drops), and more consistent DL/UL performance than my XSM. Though peak speeds on the 11 (non Pro) are slower (2x2).

But IHMO, the biggest difference I’ve seen is in switching from AT&T to Verizon. After 25 years with T, though I hated to switch, my XSM actually works, albeit slowly, now when I only have 1 or 2 bars with Verizon (like my 6s used to with T). Verizon peak speeds (DL) are generally slower than T, but usually more consistent. UL and calling are much better with VZW. No more data stalls Airplane mode nonsense. And it’s cheaper.

Of course, every market varies. We have 6 lines in the NJ/PA market area.

I’m hopeful the iPhone 12 with Qualcomm will help bring iPhones back on par with Samsung and others for reception. BUT, if Apple continues their stupid quest to design their own antenna array, I wouldn’t hold my breath. Qualcomm is a monopoly for a reason, stupid. Just buy them already.

 

[jay968]

Not sure if what I read someplace is accurate, but I did see that Apple plans do not include Qualcomm in the iphone 12. I hope this is wrong.

 

[jschnee21]

Apple will definitely use the Qualcomm x55 baseband modem. They have no choice — it’s the only game in town for 5G.

But the amplifier solution, quantity, and antenna solution are anyone’s guess. Apple thinks they can do it better (smaller, more aesthetic, cheaper?) than Qualcomm’s solution.

Many expect they will try and fail. But they’ll spin it as the greatest, most innovative antenna ever. Oh, and your just holding it wrong.

And this boys and girls is why Samsung (and several other Qualcomm centric Android solutions) outperform iPhones (cellular performance wise) every time (since the iPhone 8 Plus). Wi-Fi is usually better, too.

Apple makes up for this by offering a much faster CPU and GPU, more polished, reliable, and supported hardware and software solution, a better Ecosystem, and more robust and frequent app and game development.