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iPhone 4 Signal Strength Indicator Issue Alleviated by Use of Bumper or Case

Fliesen said:
this (as an example that a software bug COULD be a reason (not saying it's probable) ... the software not handling the 'some fool put his finger on the seam' situation properly, that is)

also: why does it make a difference if you connect the antennas directly at the seam with your palm, compared to when you "connect" them by simply HOLDING the phone (palm resting on the right side of the phone - the 3G antenna - fingers holding onto the left side of the phone - the GPS / WIFI antenna)
you also provide some sort of connection there, just via a longer route :/
Click to expand...

I'm guessing the signal being transmitted is VERY minor and dissipates quickly... so it can only leak across very short distances (the direct palm method, for instance), not up one finger and down another.

If so, perhaps it really is a software bug, as something so minor may not have that big of an effect on the actual signal being received.
 
SooneratND said:
Could be... but what about the posts stating they have no problems at all? You can't just assume that the large number here complaining means that everyone is affected. People who have a problem are far more likely to post about it. If there even just a few with no issues posting here, then there are likely many more.
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well more people than are on macrumors pre-order iphones so chances are, that even if they have the problem, they might not post here but might post elsewhere.
 
random person said:
I've tried every permutation of what you have suggested, along with descriptions that others have provided, and for the life of me I cannot reproduce this problem. My iPhone 4 is fine and has no reception issues which cradled in either hand. Even when I attempt to fully cover the metal nothing goes wrong.

Bumme for those with the problem, catastrophic if it is widespread, and maybe I am just lucky but clearly the problem is not universal.
Click to expand...

or it's only on one of ATT frequencies and not all?!?
 
I can get my bars to drop ..... BUT,

My earpiece is louder, my speaker phone is louder and clearer, and I haven't dropped a call yet.

I had yellow spots, that seem to be pretty much gone after a day.... BUT

This is the thinnest, fastest, clearest, snappiest phone that I have ever owned.

So what if I 'cup' it and I lose some bars....

Don't get me wrong. I'm not defending Apple, just a little surprised that so much attention is given to something that has very little effect on "real world" usage of the phone.

I am still disappointed in Apple, but come on, stop filming your phones, and use them.
 
Please don't tell me that this version is going to be to Apple what Vista or ME is to Windows. HAHAHAHAHA
 
It is a big deal..

For all you who still argue that it's just a software signal meter issue, watch this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oflC4qo8M

For all of you who say "Just get a bumper," understand that a bumper is a band-aid to patch a very real problem.

For those of you who say that the phone isn't meant to be held that way: I picked up my 3GS and went to a couple of sites... The way I held the 3GS would render the 4's AT&T Network Access useless.

Let's not kid ourselves, folks. This is a problem, whether by design or manufacturing. A rubber case isn't a real solution, just a "fix."
 
ammon said:
Interesting find - When I use 3G and cover the entire base with my hand, it will eventually loose all connectivity. ("No Service")
Click to expand...

This proves that it is not an "indicator issue" as claimed by the headline of the article or by Apple. It is a reception issue.
 
So a lot of peoples responds to this is "just buy a bumper case" well I think thats a big BS. I dont care if I can find cheap cases for only .30 cents, we shouldnt have to pay for anything that's clearly a design flaw. I think apple should tough it out and give everyone a free case and be done with it, remember the Wii when Nintendo had to give out countless bumpers for there controllers because they would slip out of peoples hands and remember that those controller bumpers only cost cents to make. Now apple wants us to pay 29 plus tax to cover up these ass with a product that shouldnt cost more then a dollar to make I dont think they needed to recoup for the R&D bs like there other products excuses
 
Got my iPhone 4 today, no yellow blotches but i did test out the signal issue. I too can replicate the signal loss by cupping my phone. I'm kinda disappointed... even though the problem will not really bother me. I planned on getting a bumper case anyway.
 
gceo said:
I can get my bars to drop ..... BUT,

My earpiece is louder, my speaker phone is louder and clearer, and I haven't dropped a call yet.

I had yellow spots, that seem to be pretty much gone after a day.... BUT

This is the thinnest, fastest, clearest, snappiest phone that I have ever owned.

So what if I 'cup' it and I lose some bars....

Don't get me wrong. I'm not defending Apple, just a little surprised that so much attention is given to something that has very little effect on "real world" usage of the phone.

I am still disappointed in Apple, but come on, stop filming your phones, and use them.
Click to expand...


People aren't cupping it. They are holding it normally, and the phone loses reception. So, its a big issue if you can't hold a phone normally with out it losing connection with the cellular network.
 
Typical of Apple

Free bumper cases?? Yet another design flaw from Apple. Maybe they should do more product testing using the general public instead of their engineers. We all know how that turned out. I would bet they knew about it long ago but chose to correct it by selling bumper cases at 29.99 a pop. :eek: instead of correcting the issue.
 
This is bad. I can reproduce this on my phone, specifically with 3G speed tests. Leaving the phone on the desk consistently gets between 2 and 2.5mbps. Holding it in either hand and the signal bars start dropping, and my speeds go down to between .24 and .9mbps. It's drastic.

Apple needs to fix this now.
 
to Apple Fanboys everywhere

Listen, the bumper case is not the solution as it interferes with the aesthetic of the phone, a major selling point!

I think the whole design philosophy from the beginning was to get away from "cheap" plastic, hence steel and glass construction on the exterior. Yes, we all know that you can't get rid of plastic completely.
 
Oh yes and as bcotten has posted this YouTube video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6oflC4qo8M
It clearly shows that the problem isn't due to "covering" or "cupping" and area on the antenna, but rather bridging the two antennas. No wonder Apple put those black seams on the edge, to separate the two antennas, because they cause problems when they're connected. However, you can easily connect them with your hand, rendering the seams useless.

Maybe this could be solved by a software update, by turning off one antenna while the other is in use. I could imagine such a solution, or to use a different frequency for signals or some other solution to prevent interference.

If someone could carry out this simple test, it would answer the question: Take a piece of wire or something similar and link the two antennas together, without cupping anything and without touching the phone, and see if it affects reception. If it does, than the problem is clearly due to linking the two antennas.
 
random person said:
I've tried every permutation of what you have suggested, along with descriptions that others have provided, and for the life of me I cannot reproduce this problem. My iPhone 4 is fine and has no reception issues which cradled in either hand. Even when I attempt to fully cover the metal nothing goes wrong.

Bumme for those with the problem, catastrophic if it is widespread, and maybe I am just lucky but clearly the problem is not universal.
Click to expand...
Ooh, that may actually be a worse problem. If your body does not affect antennas electrically, it may simply mean that you don't exist. Sorry, that's too bad.

NAG said:
Electricians tape would probably work better in that it wouldn't leave gunk on your phone. This is assuming you're seriously considering taping your phone.
Click to expand...
I'd like the brand name of the non-gunk electrical tape. I can't find it in MN.
 
I love this new iPhone, it's perfect except like clockwork my signal is lost usually completely on the slower network out here in the sticks by holding it naturally as I always have done.
 
Alternative to bumper case!!!??

If you dont want the bumper (like me)

Zagg sells the invisible shield "maximum coverage" shield for iphone 4. Its an option on the page. Its cheaper than the apple bumper, and includes clear invisible shield cutouts for the antenna! If anyone is an engineer, would this prevent the signal drop, or will it still conduct through the shield? I dont think it would, but I do biological work.

I am totally getting this. Its cheaper, looks better, and I don't like having cases. Plus it gives me the option of invisble shield for my screen, or I can cut it and use it on my camera.

Disclaimer: I do not work for Zagg or anything like that, although my post sure sounds like it.
 
chuckles:) said:
It seems weird to me that no one at apple would have thought of this issue. Isn't it sort of obvious?
Click to expand...

that's why i think it MUST be a manufacturing flaw.

no offense, but you don't have to have a degree in engineering to ask the "but people touch these antenna bands on the sides of the phone, doesn't that interfere with the signal?"
that's why i don't believe that it has been "overlooked" because they used disguise rubber cases.
 
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