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iPhone 4 Reception Issue? [Video]

Ok
this is from the engadget website review

He is holding the iphone 4....

upclose.jpg




http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/22/iphone-4-review/

view these videos, he is holding and on facetime.
 
FFArchitect said:
I don't know if this is a case of reception bars not being displayed correctly or a genuine issue with the antenna.

The following video can describe the issue better. Holding the iPhone 4 in your hands with your fingers touching the antenna seems to immediately and consistently send the bars plummeting.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ixIHyEPO5g
Click to expand...

I work in a lab where we can kill all cell phones on demand turning on a function generator that sends out noise in the high MHz to GHz frequencies. It's quiet too. I wouldn't be surprised if that's what's happening in the video.
 
GameraFan said:
After some testing, I can avoid the dropped bars if my hand doesn't contact the phone at or below the line on the left side. Once my hand slides down and contacts that black separation, I drop. Can anyone else confirm this?
Click to expand...

Yes, even though there does seem to be perhaps a small drop due to just the inductance of touching the phone (all phones would have this to some extent), what I see as the "reception killer" is when I cover/cross the gap on the side with the volume buttons and hold it like that for several seconds.
 
FakeWozniak said:
I work in a lab where we can kill all cell phones on demand turning on a function generator that sends out noise in the high MHz to GHz frequencies. It's quiet too. I wouldn't be surprised if that's what's happening in the video.
Click to expand...

Except other users have posted on the thread that they are experiencing the same thing?

Although I must admit that it makes WAY more sense for that video/this thread to be a fake than to believe Apple would not have seen/addressed this issue.
 
iphaedrus said:
Yes, even though there does seem to be perhaps a small drop due to just the inductance of touching the phone (all phones would have this to some extent), what I see as the "reception killer" is when I cover/cross the gap on the side with the volume buttons and hold it like that for several seconds.
Click to expand...

Yup. If I cover on the volume side and I am also touching below the black line, I can watch it drop.
 
iphaedrus said:
Yes, even though there does seem to be perhaps a small drop due to just the inductance of touching the phone (all phones would have this to some extent), what I see as the "reception killer" is when I cover/cross the gap on the side with the volume buttons and hold it like that for several seconds.
Click to expand...

Break out the scotch tape and cover that part up ;)
 
chim9999 said:
Does the invisible shield cover the sides? Thought that it was just front and back.
Click to expand...

You can buy a "complete coverage" package that has piece that are applied to the sides of the phone, but are more difficult to do so.
 
Its just an animation issue. It's a bug that Apple will fix in the coming weeks. You can still make phone calls.
 
ryuuzaki said:
Its just an animation issue. It's a bug that Apple will fix in the coming weeks. You can still make phone calls.
Click to expand...

Some people sd when it says searching, they can't make phone calls. Are you just making info up, or is there truth? When my iPhone 3Gs says searching or No Service, I can't get my text messages or make calls.
 
Happens 100% without fail for me.

Touching either one of the sides while simultaneously touching the bottom metal strip.

Can't initiate calls or new data connections, but existing ones (haven't tried calls) seem to stay up. Was walking around the gym with no service and no WiFi while listening to Pandora (for at least 2 minutes, longer enough to get out of the buffer zone)
 
gloss said:
Would you mind holding it with your right hand? Perhaps it's the contact between your palm and the two distinct antenna elements on the left side of the phone.
Click to expand...

Yes, it does seem to be in the left hand mostly. It happens in the right hand, but not to the same degree.

To be more specific, it plummets when the bottom portion is touched, but the effect is intensified on the left side, seeming to go to "No Service" more on the left side than the right.
 
ryuuzaki said:
Its just an animation issue. It's a bug that Apple will fix in the coming weeks. You can still make phone calls.
Click to expand...

You cant make or receive calls when SEARCHING is on. If you dont know what you're talking about, get out.
 
FFArchitect said:
Yes, it does seem to be in the left hand mostly. It happens in the right hand, but not to the same degree.

To be more specific, it plummets when the bottom portion is touched, but the effect is intensified on the left side, seeming to go to "No Service" more on the left side than the right.
Click to expand...

I would concur with this, I am seeing this as well.

The trigger seems to be the bottom metal strip, but holding the left side and metal strip seems to drop it far quicker than the right side.
 
I wanted to call BS ... but

Mine does NOT go to searching .. and will make a clear call at one bar ( my 3Gs would not..... ) but the problem DOES go away tho held in the EXACT same position while wearing even leather gloves.. odd.. very very odd... :confused:
 
My Test

If I place a phone call with full bars, set the phone down on the table, also have full bars, but put my index finger over the jump on the left side of the phone so only that is covered (and also kind of connect the two antennas) my phone slowly drops bars until I finally drop the call. This has happened 3 straight times in different areas of my house with the same affect.

I called Apple and now have a case number with this issue. Basically they can't troubleshoot it with me until the phone technically comes out tomorrow, so I have to call back in to get it officially troubleshot (troubleshooted?). She also suggested I avoid the AppleStore tomorrow with a 10 foot pole (not sure that's long enough).

That's my experience
 
I normally have sweaty hands. This will probably make the reception worst. If this is real Apple have a real trouble on their hands. Total hardware re haul.
 
I just tested this with my iPhone 3GS. I could make my signal go from 5 bars sitting on a desk to 2 bars holding it in my hand pretty consistently. It never went down to "Searching," though. I'll try again with my iPhone 4 on Friday when I can conduct the same test in the same location.
 
FFArchitect said:
Yes, it does seem to be in the left hand mostly. It happens in the right hand, but not to the same degree.

To be more specific, it plummets when the bottom portion is touched, but the effect is intensified on the left side, seeming to go to "No Service" more on the left side than the right.
Click to expand...

Ah. Bad juju, this.
 
Fully Replicated

I can fully replicate this.

My iphone 4 goes from 5 bars to 1 within a second or two in my hand. Once I let go the signal goes right back to all 5 bars.

-New Orleans area
-Rubber soled shoes
-only tested right hand
-fully dressed
-sitting in office chair
-single story home
-male
-about 30 years of age

Seriously, this is a big problem.
 
ryuuzaki said:
Its just an animation issue. It's a bug that Apple will fix in the coming weeks. You can still make phone calls.
Click to expand...

I don't think it's an animation issue, but Apple may choose to serve us an animation solution.

I will agree that it may not have as much of an affect on actual calls, because I do believe there is a "power-up" process during the call itself ... but this is going to take some testing to see if this is a real problem.
 
Same Problems here

This may be a big problem.

I am having the same issue here. If I hold the phone in my left hand normally it will slowly drop to NO SERVICE. And unlike some people's repots, I CANNOT make a phone call.

Interestingly if I hold the phone the same way in my right hand there is not an issue.

This will be interesting to see IF it can be fixed. This "new" antenna system might be a bad idea. I hope this is just a software issue.
 
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