iPhone 4 Reception Issue? [Video]

[ravensfan55]

i have not followed all of the pages in here, but does anybody with a 3G or 3GS still have iOS3+ that they can check with to see if it is indeed a software issue or not?

I still have 3.1.3 on my 3G, I'm trying to see if I can replicate the results.

 

[tman1425]

My 3G does this on OS 3.1.3, never noticed before seeing these videos. It never drops to no service though, just 1 or 2 bars.

My 3GS does the same thing on OS 3.1.3 also. It never drops to no service, but if I have a 3G connections, the bars slowly drop until it switches to Edge with only 1 bar...

 

[cheese0]

i have not followed all of the pages in here, but does anybody with a 3G or 3GS still have iOS3+ that they can check with to see if it is indeed a software issue or not?

My 3G doesn't have these issues on iOS4 or iOS3.

However seeing as older devices are clearly having similar issues to the iphone 4's, we cannot dismiss it as a software issue yet.

 

[ubercool]

Stop misquoting what happened. Mossberg said he reported that the bars went down, but Apple assured him it the reception was fine it was just the bars incorrectly reporting low signal. But these cases are not like that. People have lost there connect altogether, cannot make calls and Speed Test slow down and fail altogether when you touch both antenna's at the same time. This is not the issue Mossberg was on about.

Well, here's the exact quote:

But, in my tests, network reception was a mixed bag. Compared with the previous model, the new iPhone dropped marginally fewer calls made in my car, both in Washington and in Boston.

Yet, in some places where the signal was relatively weak, the iPhone 4 showed no bars, or fewer bars than its predecessor.

And, in fact, in nearly all of these cases, the iPhone 4 was able to place calls despite the lack of bars.

However, on at least six occasions during my tests, the new iPhone was either reporting "no service" or searching for a network while the old one, held in my other hand, was showing at least a couple of bars. Neither Apple nor AT&T could explain this.

 

[dhy8386]

I'd like for someone to explain to me how it could possibly be a software issue?

How is it easier to somehow assume it's some sort of elaborate software issue that is caused by holding the phone in some way, rather than the obvious antennae bridging hardware issue?

Simple. It doesn't happen to everyone. I just hope they get to the bottom of it soon so people can enjoy how great this phone is. Unacceptable for people to have this problem.

 

[Preds]

i have not followed all of the pages in here, but does anybody with a 3G or 3GS still have iOS3+ that they can check with to see if it is indeed a software issue or not?

I just tested it on my sons 3G running OS3.1.3. Signal strength drops, but not quite as dramatically (4 bars down to 2).

 

[definitive]

If you're a bear, you have no business holding an iPhone with your hands! If you're human, what are you doing with bear hands? he he he

you never heard of the right to bear arms? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCgCceg042w

 

[ravensfan55]

I'd like for someone to explain to me how it could possibly be a software issue?

How is it easier to somehow assume it's some sort of elaborate software issue that is caused by holding the phone in some way, rather than the obvious antennae bridging hardware issue?

The software, behind the scenes, sees the dB +/- level for signal strength, and then turns it into the bar system we see on phones. When the cell band gets touched by a conductive object, such as human skin, it may cause the dB readings to go haywire and then causes the bars to drop as it is getting an abnormal reading.

If it's a hardware issue, its because skin is causing electrical interference with the antenna, or the two antenna bands are bridged and cause interference.

 

[ct2k7]

Simple. It doesn't happen to everyone. I just hope they get to the bottom of it soon so people can enjoy how great this phone is. Unacceptable for people to have this problem.

That more explains a hardware issue, than software. Given that the hardware isn't exactly 100% standardised.

 

[zerocustom1989]

Well, here's the exact quote:

Here's the full quote.

But, in my tests, network reception was a mixed bag. Compared with the previous model, the new iPhone dropped marginally fewer calls made in my car, both in Washington and in Boston, and was much louder and clearer over my car’s built-in Bluetooth speaker-phone system.

Yet, in some places where the signal was relatively weak, the iPhone 4 showed no bars, or fewer bars than its predecessor. Apple says that this is a bug it plans to fix, and that it has to do with the way the bars are presented, not the actual ability to make a call. And, in fact, in nearly all of these cases, the iPhone 4 was able to place calls despite the lack of bars.

However, on at least six occasions during my tests, the new iPhone was either reporting “no service” or searching for a network while the old one, held in my other hand, was showing at least a couple of bars. Neither Apple nor AT&T could explain this. The iPhone 4 quickly recovered in these situations, showing service after a few seconds, but it was still troubling.

 

[alexchannell]

A few comments:

1. The tests conducted on here are hardly conclusive.
2. Different people will get different results due to signal strength at their location, but a very large factor is conductivity of peoples hands.
One user, living in southern california is likely to have much less moisture on their hands. Without moisture, the salt from sweat doesn't form an electrolytic solution that is conductive. If you are in a humid area and have moist hands you are likely to see a much higher signal degredation.

I suggest you run a test.
1. Put the cell phone on a wood table. Record bars.
2. Pick up the cell phone in your bare hand. Record bars.
3. Pick up the cellphone with a non-conductive glove (rubber). Record bars.
4. Put phone back on wood table, short the two antennae with a copper wire. Record bars.

 

[yozh]

I've got the same deal. Bumper arrives from FedEx tomorrow. I wonder if it will help. This is ********.

Oh wow, my bumper is still prepared for shipment

 

[ubercool]

Here's the full quote.

Got it, Bro, see my original post.

 

[Eluzion]

This happens to me as well, although it usually just gets down to 1 bar and remains there until I set the phone down.

I was getting noticeably worse reception where I work today. I use to occasionally get no signal but it was a lot more frequent with the iPhone 4.

This is on a non jailbroken iPhone 4 from a clean install (did not restore from a backup).

 

[carrako]

Here is a video i just took...

Just did the iPhone 4 test....

Found this interesting. When it was laying flat, Full signal. When i picked it up and held the phone like everyone elses video, drop signal to 1 bar. However, when i covered my hand with a rag/microfiber cloth, The signal was unaffected and stayed FULL.

Very weird.

LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1KFgiwm-Q0

 

[gforce216]

Are people squeezing the iPhone? I feel like if I squeeze my left hand in the corner down there then I get it to go from 5 bars to 3, but if it's held regular it may drop to just 4 bars. I always hold it with my right hand so I guess it'll be fine.

Maybe Apple is against those who hold iPhones with their left hand?

 

[bahooki]

Or you, for that matter.

And you. The contributor of nothing.

 

[zerocustom1989]

Got it, Bro, see my original post.

Lol atleast bold this part

"Apple says that this is a bug it plans to fix, and that it has to do with the way the bars are presented, not the actual ability to make a call. And, in fact, in nearly all of these cases, the iPhone 4 was able to place calls despite the lack of bars."

 

[ubercool]

Here is a video i just took...

Just did the iPhone 4 test....

Found this interesting. When it was laying flat, Full signal. When i picked it up and held the phone like everyone elses video, drop signal to 1 bar. However, when i covered my hand with a rag/microfiber cloth, The signal was unaffected and stayed FULL.

Very weird.

LINK:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1KFgiwm-Q0

OMG, you can't get any more positive proof than that!

FREE BUMPERS FOR EVERYONE!

 

[kwyn]

Don't know if this means anything, but I have ATT and my old 3G. I have been having worse than usual reception today. Haven't gone anywhere different. Perhaps an ATT issue?

Any overseas having issues or unlocked on another service?????

 

[msduncan]

Are people squeezing the iPhone? I feel like if I squeeze my left hand in the corner down there then I get it to go from 5 bars to 3, but if it's held regular it may drop to just 4 bars. I always hold it with my right hand so I guess it'll be fine.

Maybe Apple is against those who hold iPhones with their left hand?

I am not applying any pressure at all. I'm holding it gently.

 

[gloss]

And you. The contributor of nothing.

Yes, yes, you're so valuable.

 

[marcioveiga]

I hope this is really and software issue cause i'm planning to buy one...
Well in Portugal when they arrive.... in 2012 but...

 

[sdsvtdriver]

I'd like for someone to explain to me how it could possibly be a software issue?

How is it easier to somehow assume it's some sort of elaborate software issue that is caused by holding the phone in some way, rather than the obvious antennae bridging hardware issue?

Because it happens on different hardware types.

 

[klitorisaurus]

i don't want a god damn free bumper... I want a working device.