Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
noooooo! lol

eh here in phoenix i noticed before ipad came out we had some crazy fluctuations on service. i still will be picking up my iphone 4g tomorrow. i figure worst case scenario i just get a replacement if there's any issues. apple has awesome customer service. least my experience so far.:eek:
 
o_O

My lil brother's iphone 4 has this exact same problem. If he werent at the gm right now, i'd take photos of it. I will hold out a little longer and see if the problem can be fixed. if not, looks like i'll be a sprint customer and get an evo :/
 
I'm not having this issue with my iPhone 4. I did get an Edge signal earlier today while I was in a basement level office but when I held the phone up away from where it was resting it jumped back to 4 bars.

Maybe the bumpers play a role in better signal quality? You wouldnt be touching the metal minus the buttons.

Have a case on mine and it still happens.
 
When I try to use my iPhone 4 in my panic room reception drops dramatically.

I think it is related.

I have tried holding my iPhone 4 outside with barbecue tongs, and that seems to keep the signal more steady.

Also I tried to use a pully system using fishing line to hold the phone and suspend it at ear level, but that seems to show the same decrease in signal as when holding it.

Finally I tried it with a brand new catcher's mitt, and one that has been well worn and used. The brand new mitt mimics these problems of signal degradation when using the iPhone 4. Using the well worn and broken in catcher's mitt though, the signal not only does not decrease, it actually seems to increase.
 
I wrapped both hands around my 3G iOS4 and it only dropped two bars, from full signal. I tested twice with same results. My area does have excellent signal however. I don't find my results to be the same as iPhone 4.
 
Fingers are culprit?

Many phones have had same problem for years. Don't put hand over the whole back of the phone. On a filp phone, don't put fingers over the top part.
 
Gizmodo = sour grapes?

I Agree, Gizmodo Garbage talk at it's best, Throw what you can against the wall and see what sticks.

I Can't believe that others are picking up on this type of Bait with a bit of Bottom feeding reporting, Oh o and why is this, "Gizmodo" is the answer that has only one conclusion "REVENGE".

Gizmodo Suck's.
 
Always had this issue

I have always had this issue with my iPhone 3G when I would try and send a text message back home which has terrible AT&T service to begin with. I don't know if it is the phone or AT&T service but I have to always hold the phone with just 2 fingers and wait for just one bar just enough to get the message through. Either way though I will still love the iPhone 4 if I have to hold it with 2 fingers to get service! :eek:
 
i'm not overly surprised. you create three separate antennas on the case, each one is most likely "tuned" to the frequency range it's supposed to operate in, and you short them to each other in your hand and change their characteristic impedance. the body is a high resistance, but it just may have an affect.

You would think so, but you would also think that Apple's engineers could not have overlooked something so obvious that even a complete non-engineer (such as myself) would ask themselves immediately? I mean, they must have considered this when they designed it? I'm kind of stumped as to how dumb an oversight this is on Apple's part.
 
Some folks are saying even if they cover the 3G or 3GS up with their hands, they will lose some bras yes, but still have Service. I had to completly cover my phone. The way of holding iPhone 4, only with a few fingers kills reception, and this has not happened on my iPhone 3GS or my brothers 3G.
 
When I try to use my iPhone 4 in my panic room reception drops dramatically.

I think it is related.

I have tried holding my iPhone 4 outside with barbecue tongs, and that seems to keep the signal more steady.

Also I tried to use a pully system using fishing line to hold the phone and suspend it at ear level, but that seems to show the same decrease in signal as when holding it.

Finally I tried it with a brand new catcher's mitt, and one that has been well worn and used. The brand new mitt mimics these problems of signal degradation when using the iPhone 4. Using the well worn and broken in catcher's mitt though, the signal not only does not decrease, it actually seems to increase.

I am really concerned about this problem, but still your post (especially in combination with your 'tar) was hilarious.
 
When I try to use my iPhone 4 in my panic room reception drops dramatically.

I think it is related.

I have tried holding my iPhone 4 outside with barbecue tongs, and that seems to keep the signal more steady.

Also I tried to use a pully system using fishing line to hold the phone and suspend it at ear level, but that seems to show the same decrease in signal as when holding it.

Finally I tried it with a brand new catcher's mitt, and one that has been well worn and used. The brand new mitt mimics these problems of signal degradation when using the iPhone 4. Using the well worn and broken in catcher's mitt though, the signal not only does not decrease, it actually seems to increase.

It would be cool to have a " Like --Dislike " System in place for comments

I REALLY like this one.

Belly Laugh
 
Well, DUH! My first thought was "When people touch those sides=antenna's it's going to affect signal reception." But that may be the Electrical Engineer in me speaking!
 
Happens w 3GS

I've had the problem w my 3GS and it does drop calls. I don't have my 4 yet to compare. I'm hoping it is better.
 
This happens all the time with my 3G. I get full bars when it's lying down, but when I pick it up and try to make a call it drops to zero.
 
an iPhone with bad reception?!! Unheard of! Impossible!!!

really.......my 2g has similar issues. Can hardly hold a single call......
 
Okay we get it Gizmodo you are bitter. All day with cracked iPhones if dropped. Really electronic equipment dropped over and over breaks? REVELATION!
 
iGloves!!!!!!

Apple is now selling iGloves $29.95 available in September for better cell reception and as an added bonus they prevent scratches!!!!!!!!!
:D:D:D:D:D
 

Attachments

  • iGloves.jpg
    iGloves.jpg
    82.7 KB · Views: 99
doesn't happen here in Switzerland with my iphone 3g. Maybe a AT&T issue?

nor have i heard of dropped calls etc. here in Switzerland.

I envy you, :eek: can't believe how bad a company can be until you use ATT.

As for the actual article, I have never had this problem with the 3G and I don't have the 4Gen yet to comment if this is happening.

Has anyone actually had this problem with 3G or 3Gs?
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.