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iPhone 4 Signal Declines While Being Held? A Longstanding Issue?

kiljoy616 said:
What makes sense, that Apple with all its Engineers did not see this coming and did not take this into account. So your basically saying Apple and their staff is basically incompetent.

I like to think that there may be some issues but that they missed this and still did not care, come on Steve Jobs even explained how important this was.

Like anything new little things can go wrong in production of so many iphones not including the issues with the foxcomm. I am sure in the coming weeks this will be dealt with. :)
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Apple has made PLENTY of screw ups due to form over function over their history. Remember the Mac Cube?
 
FYI -

Just tried this with my 3GS (iOS4), no case, it drops three bars, case on, it dropped one bar.
 
If it's the antenna, the bumper will fix it

This is easy to diagnose. If it's skin contact with the metal antennae, then wearing gloves, or using the Apple "Bumper" case will cure the problem. If it's some other problem endemic to the entire iPhone line, then those cures won't work.:p
 
Looks like Gizmodo is trying to get a little payback after that search warrant thing...
 
stukick said:
Looks like Gizmodo is trying to get a little payback from that search warrant thing...
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I guess all the people who own iPhone 4's and are complaining about it on the MacRumors forums are also trying to get a little payback too?
 
man its been a busy day on mac rumors huh! all these bad news about the ip4s. i can only imagine what tomorrow will be like. CHAOS! :apple:
 
lshaner said:
Ahahahah. Best post of the decade, in my opinion. ;-)

Leave no money on the table... Make iOS 4 on iPhone 3G so intolerable that they have to get an iPhone 4. Then make the human contact with exterior metal antenna drop the signal quality so much that they have to buy iGloves just to survive. Brilliant gouge and twist capitalism! ;-)

Apple = the new Micro$uck.
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dork said:
This is easy to diagnose. If it's skin contact with the metal antennae, then wearing gloves, or using the Apple "Bumper" case will cure the problem. If it's some other problem endemic to the entire iPhone line, then those cures won't work.:p
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Can I interest you in the new iGloves only $29.95!!!!! Magical and revolutionary they are!!!!!!
 

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If this is a real effect and it's caused by the antenna gaps being shorted when the phone is held, with all that suggests about electrical resistance and the skin.........
Could we have an E-Meter app?


Wow solo auditing anywhere anytime! :D
 
If the news is coming for Gizmodo i say i take this as a grain of salt they been B*tchy since they been busted by apple if you really want to find out browse through apples tech forums more reliaible than Crapmodo.
 
realeric said:
My iPhone 3G has the same issue.

5 Bar on my deck.
3 Bar on my hand on the desk.

:p;):D
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I absolutely cannot hold my 3G (with iOS 4) in any manner that makes it lose bars. Left hand, right hand, both hands... I tried to wrap both hands around it to the point that the bar display was just about the only visible part of the phone... still 5 bars. Then again I'm not on AT&T.

The thing the Danish expert said about the phone losing up to 90% of the signal when designed like the iPhone 4 was interesting though.
 
Its happening to me too.. and while it might happen to the other models.. its sooo much more noticeable on the iPhone 4. I never had a connectivity issue with the 3G just by holding the phone.. but I can hold this one and go from full service (im right by a tower).. down to 2 bars usually.. and i have had it go down to 0/1 as well. Never did I have it happen with the 3G. :(
 
barkomatic said:
Yes. AT&T sucks.
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Clearly this has nothing to do with AT&T.

rabmag said:
My 3GS does the same thing.
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My 3G does not. Whether the 4 actually has this problem is in question. We’ll know more as time goes on, but Gizmodo has no credibility and while certain members report this, plenty don’t. I just find it hard to believe that Apple wouldn’t have caught this during testing.
 
Might just be the carrier signal and bars that are affected

There are some reports with video of the carrier signal meter (5 bars) declining when people touch the two parts of the iPhone 4 metal frame/antenna.

I wonder if the iPhone 4 signal strength issues are only affecting the weaker carrier signal, since it doesn't seem to be an issue when making calls. The low power of the carrier "side band" might be more affected since it is designed to be on constantly, and must be low power for battery life. When making or receiving calls,the power ramps up negating, the small reduction in signal caused by touching the frame.
 
gkarris said:
Is this thread for real?

Is it April 1st?

I've never had a problem with my original iPhone hacked for T-Mobile....

For real?

Yellow spots, reduced reception when holding the phone... :eek:
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Believe it. Apple engineers are still a bit new to cellular engineering, and I doubt Foxcon has serious experience in the matter without outsourcing compents/chips/hardware that do a fine job. we'll see if this is a hardware/design/firmware related issue in the next 60 days or so.

Here is something VERY silly but may work. Those of you out there that have this issue ... after 30 minutes of drinking 1-2 tablespoons of salt in 500ml/1litre of water how does this situation turn out with the exact same test in the exact same location & orientations??!!

Yes I'm serious.
 
Whoever is saying it is iOS4 is probably RIGHT! Because since I updated my phone (3G) to iOS4 (Monday night).. I have had more problems browsing the web and connecting than I ever have before.. and now with the iPhone 4.. having trouble there too.. So I think we may can narrow it down to iOS4.

I can't use Rhapsody on iOS4 either.. if anyone has that.. Not even in Wifi.. it wont play the song
 
In the 2 years I've had my 3G (OS 2x-4.0), I have never once had a signal problem when holding it. (However, my bars drop when I'm near my roommates really old microwave when it is on :D)
 
Well it makes sense: your palm and fingers bridge the gap (the "seam") separating the different antennas and thus making a circular antenna, canceling out the signal. Also your body is extending the antennas, anybody who has ever used a portable long wave radio knobs that touching the antenna makes the signal worse.
 
Is this happening to all 600,00+ pre orders? I doubt it, Are the screen issues happening to all 600,000+ pre orders? Nope again.

So therefore when one removes the improbable what your left with is although unlikely the most probable issue. If its not happening on every single phone out there, is it possible that its a production issue? When mass produced any product can and will have issues.

Until every single person who pre-orders, or buys an iP4 has this these issues I don't think we can blame AT&T or Apple.

Nothing is perfect, Kids are born with birth defects, allergies and what not. What would have happened if the first kid/s born had birth defects? Would the human race just up and stopped having kid's because of a couple issues? I doubt it.

I could go on and on, like what about when you buy a bike for your kid and it is missing a screw (Insert smart remarks here), or when you buy a entertainment center and put it together only to find out all the pieces dont fit as they should? Does one then presume that all bikes and entertainment centers are crap and that you should no longer buy them?

Calm down, step back and re-evaluate the situation. For those of us with issues, I am sure Apple will take care of us and for those of you lucky enough to be blemish free, enjoy your new toy.

Ohh and as the Human Torch says "FLAME ON"
 
Interesting studies.

Cant buy into the gizmodo info though. They spin a lot of antiApple sentiment these days.
 
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