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iPhone 4 Reception Issue? [Video]
- Thread starter FFArchitect
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On my 3G w/ iOS4, I disabled 3G as you requested and recreated the problem by cupping the phone in my hand. It took longer to fall all the way down to "Searching..." while on EDGE, but it did in fact eventually lose carrier.
As a control, I borrowed a co-worker's 3G still running the v3.1.3 firmware. While holding his phone in the same way that I can replicate the problem with my iOS4 3G, there is a signal strength decrease (goes from 4 bars to 2) but his phone does not completely lose carrier like mine does.
Now I'll be the first to admit that this is hardly a conclusive, definitive test of the problem. But it sure does seem to be a bug introduced with iOS 4 rather than a hardware-only problem. It's entirely possible (if not probable) that the exposed antennae on the i4 exacerbate the problem, but my observations strongly suggest a software bug being a significant contributing factor.
i can confirm iPhone 2g running ios3 drops but does not completely drop like you stated.
WiFi on, held my left hand in an "L" shape across the bottom, corner, and left side. Signal barely dropped one bar. Doesn't seem like much of an issue to me. The radio in this model certainly seems strong enough for me, and even without the bumper, my phone just doesn't exhibit it.
Add me to the list of people with the "left handed" reception problem. I've tested it out in several locations and have seen the bars drop with different speeds so I think it partially has something to do with signal strength to begin with. Im 50/50 on whether this is a software problem or something to do with hardware. Just waiting on Apple to issue a statement regarding this!
On my 2nd day, I think the reception on this phone is pretty spotty. I try calling it with my deskphone - 2 bars on the screen. I go to voicemail! 
Give Apple a little time to investigate
Give it a week or two. I expect Apple will be addressing this soon. They probably want to have an answer before they say anything.
FYI this doesn't occur on my new iPhone 4 with a bumper. No yellowing, either.
Ron
Give it a week or two. I expect Apple will be addressing this soon. They probably want to have an answer before they say anything.
FYI this doesn't occur on my new iPhone 4 with a bumper. No yellowing, either.
Ron
How funny, these Apple guys will say anything to avoid taking responsibility for their poorly engineered phone.
Apparently Apples decided since they are so popular, that testing is no longer needed. Quality control?
What quality control... You actually want an iPhone that works?
This video shows how easy it is to duplicate the problem.
http://www.appleinsider.com/article...its_lose_signal_when_held_with_left_hand.html
Too bad it's the phone.
I have a 3G BlackBerry Bold, and my iPhone 4, both on AT&T.
When I call from my office which is in a weak signal area, the BlackBerry stays connected, with a very clear call and good voice tone. With the iPhone it initiates, then drops the call. At first I thought my newly acquired bumper would make it better, but that does not. I only prevents a problem in a strong signal area.
A marvel of engineering!
It's ridiculous to call this a 'poorly engineered phone'. By any standards it's an engineering marvel. To channel Lewis C.K.:
It's a video phone! That you hold in your hand! It's a 32 GB computer! That you hold in your hand!
It sounds like there may be a problem with the antenna design, but that doesn't make the phone 'poorly engineered'. (For the record, I can't reproduce this with my just-purchased iPhone 4.)
I can imagine how this got by quality control, though. All of these phones that were carried around by Apple employees had a case on them, and that seems to help or fix the problem.
How funny, these Apple guys will say anything to avoid taking responsibility for their poorly engineered phone.
Apparently Apples decided since they are so popular, that testing is no longer needed. Quality control?
What quality control... You actually want an iPhone that works?
It's ridiculous to call this a 'poorly engineered phone'. By any standards it's an engineering marvel. To channel Lewis C.K.:
It's a video phone! That you hold in your hand! It's a 32 GB computer! That you hold in your hand!
It sounds like there may be a problem with the antenna design, but that doesn't make the phone 'poorly engineered'. (For the record, I can't reproduce this with my just-purchased iPhone 4.)
I can imagine how this got by quality control, though. All of these phones that were carried around by Apple employees had a case on them, and that seems to help or fix the problem.
FWIW...
I can partially reproduce this issue on my 3G. Sitting downstairs at home (on o2 uk 3G) I get 4 bars signal with phone on table in front of me. I pick it up and hold it and the 3G signal is lost completely and I go to 5 bars on 2G. This wasn't an issue before I upgraded to iOS4; in fact before that I had to go upstairs to get a 3G signal.
A software fix *might* help, but I'm holding off getting my new iPhone til we've had a statement from Apple [and o2 has more stock...!]. Shame as my wifi is f**ked and phone is OOS - I'd hoped that iOS4 might fix it... but that's a different story!
I can partially reproduce this issue on my 3G. Sitting downstairs at home (on o2 uk 3G) I get 4 bars signal with phone on table in front of me. I pick it up and hold it and the 3G signal is lost completely and I go to 5 bars on 2G. This wasn't an issue before I upgraded to iOS4; in fact before that I had to go upstairs to get a 3G signal.
A software fix *might* help, but I'm holding off getting my new iPhone til we've had a statement from Apple [and o2 has more stock...!]. Shame as my wifi is f**ked and phone is OOS - I'd hoped that iOS4 might fix it... but that's a different story!
This is a major screw up by Apple, always knew that the whole antenna/unibody was a pretty silly idea, I mean your ear must be dying from all that radiation ffs. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GqUG-_Daek&playnext_from=TL&videos=5eSGBwaUULg TechnoBuffalo also has the problem.
Um...that's why Apple is introducing bumpers.
"Need better reception, get a bumper and stop touching the sides of your phone!"
Ha ha...now the FP is saying the same thing.
*Somewhere in AT&T Headquarters*
AT&T CEO screams emphatically "FINALLY proof its not all our fault"
I agree - you can tip off engadget on their main page, I did so yesterday and I suggest everybody else does too, as we need some tech blogs on it, as well as people like CNN if we want a fast response from Apple.
Their communication has been exceptionally poor with the white iphone issues recently, and they're risking shooting themselves in the foot! The employees at my store were in until 4am this morning preparing and the ones who took over saw the phones for about 10 minutes before they had to get on with it.
i dont understand how jon didnt give battery and camera to iphone in the comparison.. made no sense.