iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 pro can’t hold a cellular connection on train ride

[Hyloba]

In general I am very happy with my 15 pro. Battery life is stellar when on wifi and can regularly get 2 days.
However when I travel with train I can’t connect to any site for about 80% of the time. Even though I seem to have 4g and 2 bars, or full bars and 3g. I have tested this over several weeks. Worst of all, I lose about 30% in an hour during the train ride.

I also carry with me a cheap 200$ samsung company phone, and to my big surprise, that phone gives me uninterrupted signal. I can hardly believe a cheap phone like that has no problems but a phone 6 times more expensive is struggling to maintain a connection. I thought Apple used the best Qualcomm modems available. Also, battery life on the samsung drops about 5% during the ride even while hotspot it my iphone is on. It’s kind of insulting actually.

I contacted Apple already but they told me my phone is normal. This is the biggest downside of an otherwise excellent phone.

 

[zorinlynx]

Are they on the same carrier? One carrier may cover the train tracks better than another.

You might want to try turning off 5G on the iPhone. Train tracks tend to go through rural areas which don't have very good 5G coverage yet; if your phone is trying to cling to what little 5G it can find, it may end up with a poor signal.

You don't mention where you are but I do know in the US coverage isn't very good along train tracks; carriers like to prioritize highways.

 

[d5aqoëp]

I upgraded from 14 Pro Max to 15 Pro Max and even I noticed that my Phone falls back to 4G network often now while I am doing my usual walks on the same route. 14 PM never fell back on 4G even once while 15 PM does it for 4-5 times along way. Same carrier and same problem on iOS 17.1.1 and 17.2 Beta 3. I hope Apple has not borked the antenna placements in 15 PM just to use titanium or that material somehow attenuates cellular signal.

 

[JPack]

Antenna design on iPhone isn't the best. There are many better options on Android if cellular is important.

 

[Hyloba]

Are they on the same carrier? One carrier may cover the train tracks better than another.

You might want to try turning off 5G on the iPhone. Train tracks tend to go through rural areas which don't have very good 5G coverage yet; if your phone is trying to cling to what little 5G it can find, it may end up with a poor signal.

You don't mention where you are but I do know in the US coverage isn't very good along train tracks; carriers like to prioritize highways.

They are the same carrier, but different subdivision. They do use the same towers normally. But you’re right, I’ll try to swap the sims to see if there’s any difference. Thanks for the reply!

 

[bushman4]

Tricky because it has to do with the carrier and the tower your using
Roaming might be an option

 

[Reverend Benny]

Are you using a case to your iPhone? I'm guessing most cases are fine but years ago I remember a mate buying some cheapo magnetic case with a magnet that affected his coverage.
Longshot I know but may be worth a try to remove the case IF you are using one.

 

[jav6454]

Trains move relatively fast (comparable to a car). As such, you shouldn't run into signal strength issues if traveling within urban areas. That said, if the train is cross thru areas with poor cell signal, that may be your issue.

Now, two devices on the same network may mean different technology for connection, what tech (3G, 4G, 5G) does the cheaper phone use? Deduce from there.