I am NOT OK with having to use a bumper. I would be OK with a free bumper UNTIL they have a solution and actually FIX the phone. They have our addresses. Acknowledge the problem and send everyone a bumper. Doing this up front would restore some, I said some faith in Apple!
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iPhone 4 Reception Issue? [Video]
- Thread starter FFArchitect
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I am NOT OK with having to use a bumper. I would be OK with a free bumper UNTIL they have a solution and actually FIX the phone. They have our addresses. Acknowledge the problem and send everyone a bumper. Doing this up front would restore some, I said some faith in Apple!
Go in a room, hold both sides by the seams. I'm sure you will be able to in low signal areas. That being said most phones don't behave well in low signal areas.
Agreed, I am all about solutions and fixes but if this is hardware related and it is not a simple bring it in the the Apple Store fix, then I am simply going to pass on the phone....resale on it could be low as well.
When Leica Camera AG introduced the M8 digital, their first, it had a nasty issue of turning black fabrics purple due to having no IR pass filter. It was a total disaster in terms of PR. They actually gave the camera owners two filters that went over the front of each lens for free. The filters normally costing $110 and the camera over 5 grand.
F-ups like these are virtual train wrecks for companies who seemed to have blundered in terms of real world testing. I returned my M8 when this came about, as a professional, I needed what I have always expected from them, top notch equipment to match the top notch price tag.
Apple is no different, they will lose their butts big time if they do not push to the front of the line in addressing this.
I just wanted to post and clear up some previous posts I made. I was using a silicon case and was easily reproducing this, which made me worry that bumpers may not even work.
However a few hours later I tried to videotape the event with the case on and I could not reproduce the results. I came to the conclusion that I just have a very sporadic signal.
I can reproduce it without the case but not with the case. It looks like a case may solve this issue but it should not be like this.
However a few hours later I tried to videotape the event with the case on and I could not reproduce the results. I came to the conclusion that I just have a very sporadic signal.
I can reproduce it without the case but not with the case. It looks like a case may solve this issue but it should not be like this.
I was on the phone this morning, driving to work (about 20 minutes), holding the phone to my right ear. No problem with signal drop, including in the one spot I almost always lose signal (because I'm driving under an overpass).
I believe it is the same for all the phones. There are many variables here:
1) location
2) how you hold it
3) size of your hand
4) depending on the alkaline/salt/sweat etc on your skin
5) I am sure the different bands 850/1900 etc could be a factor too.
In some places I could not get it to drop 1 bar by holding the problem areas and another time I dropped the same call 5 times holding it.
I am almost certain its not a bad batch of phones etc. Only time will tell.
Bumper is the fix for now.
1) location
2) how you hold it
3) size of your hand
4) depending on the alkaline/salt/sweat etc on your skin
5) I am sure the different bands 850/1900 etc could be a factor too.
In some places I could not get it to drop 1 bar by holding the problem areas and another time I dropped the same call 5 times holding it.
I am almost certain its not a bad batch of phones etc. Only time will tell.
Bumper is the fix for now.
This is clearly a major design flaw. It looks like a gorgeous device, but if you can't make calls or transmit data what good is it?!? It's totally unacceptable. 
This is going to be ignored by Apple until the media pick up this story. I've e-mailed Bloomberg, WSJ, NYT, etc. to bring this to their attention and I urge you to do the same.
And yes, I'm about to double my short in AAPL stock
This is going to be ignored by Apple until the media pick up this story. I've e-mailed Bloomberg, WSJ, NYT, etc. to bring this to their attention and I urge you to do the same.
And yes, I'm about to double my short in AAPL stock
Earlier in this thread, others have mentioned that they were able to reproduce the problem on 3GS hardware, which has an internal antenna only. That didn't make any kind of sense to me, so I tried to reproduce it with my bareback 3G (non-S) that I installed iOS 4 on Monday. Sure enough, just holding the phone in my hand the signal bars drop from 4 to "No Service" one bar at a time. Then the signal returns when I put the phone down.
While I never explicitly tested this behavior on my 3G prior to updating to iOS 4, I can tell you conclusively that I never used to drop calls sitting in the exact same seat where I just now observed this issue prior to installing iOS 4. But sure enough, my 3G now completely loses signal (starting at 4 bars) when I hold the phone in a way that induces this problem and try to make a call. I had not noticed reception trouble since installing iOS 4, as I had not yet made a hand-held call this week (I usually use an earpiece).
The only conclusion I can draw from these observations is that there is something strange going on in iOS 4 that is causing the radio to malfunction under certain radio propagation conditions. I am not a wireless engineer so I can't accurately speculate on how this can be the case, but it clearly affects more devices than just iPhone 4. It's almost like it's "hearing" the radio reflection from my hand and is pulling back radio power to reduce "feedback".
Regardless of the actual radio condition that triggers this problem, the fact that it only manifested on my 3G after upgrading to iOS 4 indicates to me that a software patch may in fact correct this problem on all affected devices. Keeping my fingers crossed that this is the case. Meanwhile I guess I'll just keep my BT earpiece charged up.
-Brian
While I never explicitly tested this behavior on my 3G prior to updating to iOS 4, I can tell you conclusively that I never used to drop calls sitting in the exact same seat where I just now observed this issue prior to installing iOS 4. But sure enough, my 3G now completely loses signal (starting at 4 bars) when I hold the phone in a way that induces this problem and try to make a call. I had not noticed reception trouble since installing iOS 4, as I had not yet made a hand-held call this week (I usually use an earpiece).
The only conclusion I can draw from these observations is that there is something strange going on in iOS 4 that is causing the radio to malfunction under certain radio propagation conditions. I am not a wireless engineer so I can't accurately speculate on how this can be the case, but it clearly affects more devices than just iPhone 4. It's almost like it's "hearing" the radio reflection from my hand and is pulling back radio power to reduce "feedback".
Regardless of the actual radio condition that triggers this problem, the fact that it only manifested on my 3G after upgrading to iOS 4 indicates to me that a software patch may in fact correct this problem on all affected devices. Keeping my fingers crossed that this is the case. Meanwhile I guess I'll just keep my BT earpiece charged up.
-Brian
Earlier in this thread, others have mentioned that they were able to reproduce the problem on 3GS hardware, which has an internal antenna only. That didn't make any kind of sense to me, so I tried to reproduce it with my bareback 3G (non-S) that I installed iOS 4 on Monday. Sure enough, just holding the phone in my hand the signal bars drop from 4 to "No Service" one bar at a time. Then the signal returns when I put the phone down.
While I never explicitly tested this behavior on my 3G, I can tell you conclusively that I never used to drop calls sitting in the exact same seat where I just now observed this issue prior to installing iOS 4. But sure enough, my 3G now completely loses signal (starting at 4 bars) when I hold the phone in a way that induces this problem and try to make a call. I had not noticed reception trouble since installing iOS 4, as I had not yet made a hand-held call this week.
The only conclusion I can draw from these observations is that there is something strange going on in iOS 4 that is causing the radio to malfunction under certain radio propagation conditions. I am not a wireless engineer so I can't accurately speculate on how this can be the case, but it clearly affects more devices than just iPhone 4. It's almost like it's "hearing" the radio reflection from my hand and is pulling back radio power to reduce "feedback".
Regardless of the actual radio condition that triggers this problem, the fact that it only manifested on my 3G after upgrading to iOS 4 indicates to me that a software patch may in fact correct this problem on all affected devices. Keeping my fingers crossed that this is the case. Meanwhile I guess I'll just keep my BT earpiece charged up.
-Brian
Specifically when you said "The only conclusion I can draw from these observations is that there is something strange going on in iOS 4 that is causing the radio to malfunction under certain radio propagation conditions." ... It clicked. If it is indeed a software issue then this is most likely the problem. I'm hoping you're right, but then again, I have no idea if the phone captures its own feedback and adjusts accordingly.
Regardless of the actual radio condition that triggers this problem, the fact that it only manifested on my 3G after upgrading to iOS 4 indicates to me that a software patch may in fact correct this problem on all affected devices. Keeping my fingers crossed that this is the case. Meanwhile I guess I'll just keep my BT earpiece charged up.
I've seen a few reports like these - this leads me to believe it is a software problem, but we'll have to wait it out. Given the amount of phones gone out, I would think we'd hear a lot more about it.
Yes, it's true human contact can lead to radio reception disruptions, but it still remains to be seen if it's enough to actually cause problems. I'd be really shocked if this was a hardware condition that slipped past Apple.
Me either. i can cover the whole perimeter of the phone for a minute and not lose a bar. I've tried a number of hand positions and can't seem to reproduce.
I also do not have any yellow spots FWIW
I tried to reproduce this on two different iPhone 4's. I tried in a location with a strong signal, and in another location with a weak signal. I was NOT in either location able to reproduce the signal problem.
I tried multiple different grips, and followed the many different videos on the web.
I tried multiple different grips, and followed the many different videos on the web.
At home I have 5 bars and can reproduce the problem. At work I have 5 bars and no matter what I cannot get it to drop a bar. Maybe its using different 3G band.
Probably with the $40 billion sitting in the jar on top of the Apple break room fridge.
The keynote problem was with WiFi. This issue affects only cell service. Completely unrelated problems.
Theory of Signal Loss Issue!
When I started reading the reports of this signal loss issue, I did a little test. I have an iPhone 3G...probably close to two years old. My house typically has a week cellular signal, but the bars are usually at 4 or 5 bars most places in the house. I picked up my 3G and cupped my hand around the back of the phone like anyone would when they talk on a cell phone. Guess what.....the bars went down to 1.
Now, I am at work in downtown DC where the signal is very strong. I pick up my 3G and hold it in the same manner. Guess what......still 5 bars.
Am I surprised by this result? Nope! There is going to be signal loss when you cover up part of an antenna. That only makes sense.
My suspicion as follows:
1) Certain percentages of signal reception equal a given amount of bars displayed. I don't know what that is, but for the sake of argument, let's say they are as follows:
60 - 100% = 5 bars
50 - 60% = 4 bars
40 - 50% = 3 bars
30 - 40% = 2 bars
20 - 30% = 1 bar
0 - 20 = 0 bars
2) When you place your hand over the antenna, if degrades the signal by a certain percentage (varies depending on how you hold it).
So, if someone has a very strong signal and picks up their phone, covering the antenna, the signal may drop from 100% to 70 %, but the bars still indicate the same.....5 bars.
However, someone with a weaker signal may pick up their phone, covering the antenna, and the signal may drop from 60% to 30% dropping from just barely getting 5 bars to 1 bar....even though the signal is dropping the same 30%.
Based on the above theory, people that are experiencing this issue are likely receiving weaking cellular signals than those that are not experiencing this issue.
Just a theory........but I bet I'm right.
When I started reading the reports of this signal loss issue, I did a little test. I have an iPhone 3G...probably close to two years old. My house typically has a week cellular signal, but the bars are usually at 4 or 5 bars most places in the house. I picked up my 3G and cupped my hand around the back of the phone like anyone would when they talk on a cell phone. Guess what.....the bars went down to 1.
Now, I am at work in downtown DC where the signal is very strong. I pick up my 3G and hold it in the same manner. Guess what......still 5 bars.
Am I surprised by this result? Nope! There is going to be signal loss when you cover up part of an antenna. That only makes sense.
My suspicion as follows:
1) Certain percentages of signal reception equal a given amount of bars displayed. I don't know what that is, but for the sake of argument, let's say they are as follows:
60 - 100% = 5 bars
50 - 60% = 4 bars
40 - 50% = 3 bars
30 - 40% = 2 bars
20 - 30% = 1 bar
0 - 20 = 0 bars
2) When you place your hand over the antenna, if degrades the signal by a certain percentage (varies depending on how you hold it).
So, if someone has a very strong signal and picks up their phone, covering the antenna, the signal may drop from 100% to 70 %, but the bars still indicate the same.....5 bars.
However, someone with a weaker signal may pick up their phone, covering the antenna, and the signal may drop from 60% to 30% dropping from just barely getting 5 bars to 1 bar....even though the signal is dropping the same 30%.
Based on the above theory, people that are experiencing this issue are likely receiving weaking cellular signals than those that are not experiencing this issue.
Just a theory........but I bet I'm right.
While it would be interesting, informative even, to see the -db level, it is not significant. The iPhone 4 dropped the signal/call. That is the bottom line.
So I can confirm that using a bumper does not reduce the bars like it does without one. also, on my way to go buy the bumper, I noticed that the bars didn't go down as i was holding that bottom left seam. i am definitely not okay with using a bumper to solve apple's problem, but I think I'm going to wait for the first update to see if that changes anything before I attempt to get a replacement. It appears to be a hardware issue, but you never know.
Agreed on all points from our perspective after testing them in other conditions through the day yesterday and today.