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iPhone 4 Signal Strength Indicator Issue Alleviated by Use of Bumper or Case
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Are you paying attention to the post? ANY case seemingly solves this problem. You don't have to buy the bumper; if there is an iPhone case that is $1, buy the $1 case and this problem is solved.
The only people seemingly SOL are those who wanted to carry the phone unprotected in the first place.
I remember watching the WWDC keynote where Steve Jobs described the antenna configuration. The steel bands of the enclosure are of varying length because of the varying frequencies they must support. Could it be possible our hands are "bridging" the left and bottom antennas together? This added antenna length would make it less effective. I would then assume any case that prevents the user from touching the steel band will prevent this loss of network signal.
Yep, I can reproduce this too. It seems like those that can't are in the minority from what I've seen. Fortunately I can't see myself holding the phone in a way that will make this a major issue, but I'd still like to see a fix sooner rather than later.
In other news, 3G speed tests on the iPhone 4 absolutely smash my old iPhone 3G:
3: 812 kbps down / 188 kbps up
4: 1235 kbps down / 1507 kbps up
Frawsome.
In other news, 3G speed tests on the iPhone 4 absolutely smash my old iPhone 3G:
3: 812 kbps down / 188 kbps up
4: 1235 kbps down / 1507 kbps up
Frawsome.
Agreed. The phone should work as it is designed. having to have a bumper to have it work or tape it up on sides seems really low quality.
That being said if it is just touching one corner you need to avoid I think I can live with that.
I had a whole conversation with my mom and it didn't drop (and I tend to talk with the phone in my left hand).
I've held it in my left hand and at best got it to fluctuate (sometimes as low as one bar but then it would go up. Usually it stayed the same or went down one bar). I couldn't consistantly get it to repeat the issue.
Though, my hands are dry and I have not tried clammy hands as one poster pointed out.
You're Completing the Circuit!!!
The problem comes from completing the circuit by holding flesh over the gap between the top portion of metal and bottom portion of metal. This causes the interference that diminishes the signal. The solution is to not put your finger in that spot, or in the alternative, buy a case to cover the area.
For what it's worth, I get better reception on this new version provided that I'm not completing the circuit. Call quality is vastly improved.
It's a small issue. All hardware has some issue(s). This should not be a dealbreaker for anyone.
The problem comes from completing the circuit by holding flesh over the gap between the top portion of metal and bottom portion of metal. This causes the interference that diminishes the signal. The solution is to not put your finger in that spot, or in the alternative, buy a case to cover the area.
For what it's worth, I get better reception on this new version provided that I'm not completing the circuit. Call quality is vastly improved.
It's a small issue. All hardware has some issue(s). This should not be a dealbreaker for anyone.
Some people (like me) keep their phones in a pouch or slipcase. A bumper wouldn't help in that situation.
All issues present...
Oh, and my iPhone 4 came in the mail yesterday. It had the yellowish screens AND the fading bar issues. I thought the yellowing issue was because of the heat...but today's heavier use will be the test. I'm glad to hear maybe it's just a matter of the glue curing and evaporating...we shall see. As for the fading bars, I've seen them go down, but haven't dropped any calls (yet). To test, I simply call weather or time numbers and move my hands all over the place/changing my grip. I've noticed the bars going down...but have not lost a call yet...and the call appears to be consistent in quality...no obvious issues in the sound quality, etc. So I am HOPING HOPING HOPING that this is just a software issue. Seems to me the fading bars thing has happened on previous phones...and was a software issue. My previous iPhone was a 3G...I didn't get the 3GS...but I vaguely remember similar issues with the 3G back when.
Oh, and my iPhone 4 came in the mail yesterday. It had the yellowish screens AND the fading bar issues. I thought the yellowing issue was because of the heat...but today's heavier use will be the test. I'm glad to hear maybe it's just a matter of the glue curing and evaporating...we shall see. As for the fading bars, I've seen them go down, but haven't dropped any calls (yet). To test, I simply call weather or time numbers and move my hands all over the place/changing my grip. I've noticed the bars going down...but have not lost a call yet...and the call appears to be consistent in quality...no obvious issues in the sound quality, etc. So I am HOPING HOPING HOPING that this is just a software issue. Seems to me the fading bars thing has happened on previous phones...and was a software issue. My previous iPhone was a 3G...I didn't get the 3GS...but I vaguely remember similar issues with the 3G back when.
Facetime Without Needing A Cell Signal!
I've just notices it is possible to make FaceTime calls even when there is no cell signal - anyone else able to get it working?!
Definitely seems like Apple are setting it up for compatibility with iChat!
I've just notices it is possible to make FaceTime calls even when there is no cell signal - anyone else able to get it working?!
Definitely seems like Apple are setting it up for compatibility with iChat!
Those that can't haven't held their finger in the gap. We are 5/5 in our office and all can reproduce the effect. A nonbeliever who said "my phone doesn't do that" was quickly corrected by another colleague.
Possible Fix?!?!?!?!
HEY GUYS, SORRY TO TYPE IN CAPS BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THIS MESSAGE.
I CALLED APPLE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TO RESET THE NETWORK SETTINGS TO FIX THIS ANTENNA ISSUE.
SO FAR, IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING.
GO TO SETTINGS. THEN GENERAL, THEN SCROLL TO RESET ALL THE WAY IN THE BOTTOM, THEN RESET NETWORK SETTINGS.
I've touch the atenna several times now and the signal bar is still at five bars, let me know if it works,
thx,
manny
HEY GUYS, SORRY TO TYPE IN CAPS BUT I WANT PEOPLE TO SEE THIS MESSAGE.
I CALLED APPLE AND THEY TOLD ME TO TO RESET THE NETWORK SETTINGS TO FIX THIS ANTENNA ISSUE.
SO FAR, IT APPEARS TO BE WORKING.
GO TO SETTINGS. THEN GENERAL, THEN SCROLL TO RESET ALL THE WAY IN THE BOTTOM, THEN RESET NETWORK SETTINGS.
I've touch the atenna several times now and the signal bar is still at five bars, let me know if it works,
thx,
manny
I can't reproduce it. I've tried and tried and tried, no such luck. My 3G speeds are also ahead of the 3GS model by far, at least upload wise.
Perhaps its a great marketing ploy by apple to get another x-amount out of customers with a bumper case?? lol
Touching my finger to the case such that it bridges the two antenna segments will cause the connection to completely drop. I ordered a bumper case from Apple this morning for delivery next week. It appears that my skin is very conductive ... perhaps it is not the case for others. For me, I often rest the phone in my left hand and use the right to manipulate the touch display. When I do that, the skin on the palm of my hand bridges the gap and the signal drops dramatically. I was planning to get a bumper case anyway, but this sped things up a bit.
I do hope that someone comes out with a dock that works with the bumper case in place ...
I do hope that someone comes out with a dock that works with the bumper case in place ...
still wondering if this is just one bad line in a factory. Are people who are picking them up in stores seeing this issue?
I picked up two iPhones this morning, and can't reproduce it with dry, sweaty, clammy, damp, or any other hand conditions on either device.
At most i've gotten it to drop a single bar, but that could have just been random fluctuation, as it didn't continue to drop and didn't happen consistently.
I picked up two iPhones this morning, and can't reproduce it with dry, sweaty, clammy, damp, or any other hand conditions on either device.
At most i've gotten it to drop a single bar, but that could have just been random fluctuation, as it didn't continue to drop and didn't happen consistently.
This posts describes how you don't even have to use a bumper:
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/10307923/
It seems as if literally ANYTHING covering the bottom left corner solves this issue.
I'd love to work for ZAGG right now; an Invisishield specifically for the edges of the iPhone4 would solve this and I'm sure those guys would make a killing.
