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iPhone 4 Reception Issue? [Video]

I posted this in another thread...

I created a few videos to show how bad the iPhone 4's signal strength is when you touch the aluminum band of the phone when using it.

Signal strength very much drops to 0 bars and eventually to 'no-service' within seconds. It's very much reproducible.

I also created a quick video showing the iPhone 4 in a case (3GS case) and how this will work until Apple finds a permanent solution to this critical problem.

http://www.loyalmoses.com/2010/06/iphone-4-poor-signal-quality-with-and-without-case/

Enjoy.
 
Mark Booth said:
The number of antenna strength bars displayed on my iPhone 4 goes up and down even when it's just sitting on the the desk. And, what a coincidence, the number of bars goes up and down when I'm holding it my hand. :rolleyes:

I've used my iPhone 4 for calls several times today, both holding it in my hand and while not holding it in my hand (connected via Bluetooth to my Infiniti while driving around in the Infiniti). Call quality was perfect and I didn't lose the connection or have any issue whatsoever.

I don't see any yellow blobs on my screen either. But that's another topic.

Mark
Click to expand...

Good, no one expected anything different from you. All you do is defend Apple. Bye. Let those of us experiencing the MAJOR problem dissect it a bit more.
 
donbenjy said:
THANK YOU!!! At least this alludes to the fact that it isn't a design fault (in terms of simply shorting antennae), and hopefully localised to a batch of devices or a software issue caused by the reception search protocol
Click to expand...

When you actually think about it, the antenna is not like an electrical circuit...there's RF energy running through it, not electricity. Realistically, if the two have been bridged together, they're should be minimal effect, if any. Wifi and 3G are completely different RF frequencies and should have no effect on each other.

I want someone to film this problem, but instead of bridging the lower left side...i want to see them bridge the black band at the top of the phone. If it does it there as well, it may be a hardware issue...or simply a software issue having trouble sorting through the noise of both signals and panicking.
 
Daremo said:
A BUMPER WILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE.

I have a Griffin Reveal case on the phone. It has a rubber "bumper" around all the metal, covering it all. The signal still drops with i pick up the phone with the case ON.

same things folks. It's NOT a skin on metal issue.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, that's interesting. I guess the next step we need to take is have everyone repeat their tests with a case or bumper attached. Perhaps we were all just assuming it was direct skin contact? That's what made the most sense, though you may be the first to report it does the same thing with a case attached?
 
InfinitiG said:
Reader Tobias directs us to this article, in which a Danish professor who's an expert in antennas, predicted that human touch would interfere with the antenna, because it's on the outside of the phone.


Update 12: TotheFloor's video shows what happens when he's in a call. When the phone hits 1 bar, he can still make a call, but not when it's "searching for signal." He says when he's in a call and the phone drops to 1 bar, the person on the other end can't hear him.


apple should include bumpers with the iphone 4 lol
Click to expand...

I might be completely wrong, but it doesn't mean that the top surface of the antenna isn't insulated to prevent exactly this from happening. Just because it is metal underneath, it doesn't mean that you are making an electrical connection. Anyone with a multimeter care to verify? I will be able to in about 7 hours time when I get mine!
 
So let me get this straight.

The bars go down, but folks are still able to make calls and do speed tests, the phone still functions properly.

So how is that not a software issue?
 
xmtgx said:
Whats fail here is the OP, apple already addressed this saying there's a issue with the software displaying incorrect signal strength readouts and that calls are unaffected.
Click to expand...

This is a complete ******** staement and one not based in fact. I placed a call with full bars then held the iPhone 4 and watch the bars AND my call quality plummet. The call then dropped. This is real and it is Hardware. It is because of contact with the antenna. I know this because I can bring the call back from the dead by moving my grip on the phone.

Bottom line is that this is ********!
 
SiskoKid said:
So let me get this straight.

The bars go down, but folks are still able to make calls and do speed tests, the phone still functions properly.

So how is that not a software issue?
Click to expand...

we can't confirm this until someone puts vaseline around the aluminum trim and do a test run
 
Call Apple Care tomorrow

Hey Guys, as much as I want to not believe this is happening, all signs (and common sense) points to the antenna being an issue.

So before everyone goes all pissy and bash Apple. Tomorrow give Apple a call (appleCare) and tell them about this issue. The more people telling them the more likely they will investigate (trust me... i am an ex-apple care rep).
Once this generates enough attention then I think at least we'll get free bumpers =P
 
SiskoKid said:
So let me get this straight.

The bars go down, but folks are still able to make calls and do speed tests, the phone still functions properly.

So how is that not a software issue?
Click to expand...

NO, you did not read enough pages of the thread. Not only are they dropping calls, they also affect speed tests and can prevent you from making a call (or speed test) altogether. The phone does NOT function properly. Your wishful thinking will not mask this problem.
 
jbuck777 said:
When you actually think about it, the antenna is not like an electrical circuit...there's RF energy running through it, not electricity. Realistically, if the two have been bridged together, they're should be minimal effect, if any. Wifi and 3G are completely different RF frequencies and should have no effect on each other.

I want someone to film this problem, but instead of bridging the lower left side...i want to see them bridge the black band at the top of the phone. If it does it there as well, it may be a hardware issue...or simply a software issue having trouble sorting through the noise of both signals and panicking.
Click to expand...

I agree. But if the bottom one is connected to common ground, then the receiving chip is not going to see an alternating waveform. I don't think that is necessarily what is happening though. I want to see someone doing it at the top too.

I think all of these tests aren't accurate enough to give us realistic results though. And if people are experiencing it with bumpers on, then surely it's just what happens with EVERY phone :rolleyes:
 
Reception issue on mine when holding phone

I have noticed this as well, it is very easily reproducible and my bars go from full to as low as one bar. The bars then raise back to full or near full when my hand is no longer touching across the little black cut away on the side. It appears the touching the iPhone on the left side reduced the reception more then if touching it on the right side and spanning across the little black cutaways (when looking at the face of the iPhone).
 
cybaster said:
Hey Guys, as much as I want to not believe this is happening, all signs (and common sense) points to the antenna being an issue.

So before everyone goes all pissy and bash Apple. Tomorrow give Apple a call (appleCare) and tell them about this issue. The more people telling them the more likely they will investigate (trust me... i am an ex-apple care rep).
Once this generates enough attention then I think at least we'll get free bumpers =P
Click to expand...


oh so you were one of them huh, what made you switch sides? *holds lamp over head* WHAT AREN'T YOU TELLING US?! WHERE WERE YOU THE NIGHT Gray Powell lost the iphone 4 at a bar!? WHERE!
 
Travisimo said:
NO, you did not read enough pages of the thread. Not only are they dropping calls, they also affect speed tests and can prevent you from making a call (or speed test) altogether. The phone does NOT function properly. Your wishful thinking will not mask this problem.
Click to expand...

Interesting, in all the reviews, they've said the calls are fine. Only one review said that it's better than 3Gs in some things not as good in others.

Apple has tested it for a long time (and please don't say they only used cases, that's just not factual), and they never once saw that their touching the phone would disallow calls?

Come on, people. This is insane. Just make calls use the data and when Apple rolls out the software update that leaves the bars on (which they've also done in the past), you'll all forget about it.
 
I'm having the same problem. I can't even make a phone call in my home unless I hold the phone near the very top. My iPhone 3g worked great in my home. :(:(:( I feel sick.
 
SiskoKid said:
So let me get this straight.

The bars go down, but folks are still able to make calls and do speed tests, the phone still functions properly.

So how is that not a software issue?
Click to expand...

It's hard to imagine that touching the antenna is going to trigger a software bug unless it's a matter of a separate component that measures the signal strength not being calibrated to compensate for being touched.

A handful of people here are saying that you can't make a call when it's gotten down to "searching" and it will also drop a current call...

still- that's not to say it's not an issue where the software bug is reporting no service to the properly functioning phone... rumor is that there's a fix on the way... so we'll see.

As someone who'll be in line early tomorrow... I'm on the edge of my seat and hope you're right.
 
Ordered my iPhone 4 form Apple, which should arrive tomorrow... hoping this reception issue won't be a problem... I've tried holding my iPhone 3GS running iOS4 various ways and I don't lose any reception (I'm with O2 in the UK).
 
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