I personally can't repeat this problem on my phone. I just thought it was terrible AT$T just like normal. I only get 3 bars nearly everywhere I go and there is a tower not 2 miles from my house.
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iPhone 4 Signal Strength Indicator Issue Alleviated by Use of Bumper or Case
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I am waiting a few months to upgrade BUT it seems that with every new release of iPhones, Macs, iPads, iPods and so on, there's frequently some flaw that soon after gets fixed one way or another by Apple. They are great in this way. In terms of not finding problems during testing in the field, do you think they have one hundred or so testers? Well today they have almost one million everywhere.
The bumpers from Apple alleviates the signal problem? Which clearly means Apple was well aware of the problem and still manufactured the device anyway.
Now it makes sense why Apple has decided to sell these.
So glad I've decided not to get with this. So far the 3GS is still the best iPhone out htere.
Now it makes sense why Apple has decided to sell these.
So glad I've decided not to get with this. So far the 3GS is still the best iPhone out htere.
And the return of the bumper conspiracy people.
If they knew this was a problem and they knew the bumper was a solution then they would have just encased the antenna.
Stop spreading FUD. Sometimes a phone case is just a case.
"Alleviated" is a good choice of word. It doesn't seem to eliminate the issue in my experience - as I think others are saying it could be to do with humidity, natural skin oils getting through etc.
This is what we get for early adoption. I'm sure Apple will resolve it eventually (even if it's adjusted hardware and replacement phones), historically they seem to have been reasonable for this. It's not like they can say "oh that's just how it is" like with the old TN panel iMac issues etc.
Past incidents indicate that they won't admit to the fault until they have discussed it properly (a few weeks) and have a plan of action in mind. For now, don't panic. Don't touch the bottom left corner
Or if it matters, return it and wait 6 months.
I'll be surprised if it's a software fix, but it's tough to say without knowing all the technicalities. Perhaps in software they can detect the other radio stuff interfering and filter it digitally? Who knows.
This is what we get for early adoption. I'm sure Apple will resolve it eventually (even if it's adjusted hardware and replacement phones), historically they seem to have been reasonable for this. It's not like they can say "oh that's just how it is" like with the old TN panel iMac issues etc.
Past incidents indicate that they won't admit to the fault until they have discussed it properly (a few weeks) and have a plan of action in mind. For now, don't panic. Don't touch the bottom left corner
Or if it matters, return it and wait 6 months.I'll be surprised if it's a software fix, but it's tough to say without knowing all the technicalities. Perhaps in software they can detect the other radio stuff interfering and filter it digitally? Who knows.
Mine does that too but then the bars slowly go back up after about a minute or two. Maybe there'll be a software update for it but at least the bars go back up bit it's up and down :/ but other than that, this phone is ****ing AMAZING!!!
Someone around here wrote that the signal indicator is based on the power consumed by the radio, or something like that. If one touches the antenna, some power leaks away, resulting in the phone to "think" there's worse reception.
Imagine that were true. Now, if Apple programmed the software so that a call is dropped when the reception is below a certain threshold—which is likely, because otherwise a call would sort of slowly die in case reception becomes really bad—it can be, in fact, a software problem.
Apple surprised me many times before what kinds of problems are solvable by software. Wait and see.
Imagine that were true. Now, if Apple programmed the software so that a call is dropped when the reception is below a certain threshold—which is likely, because otherwise a call would sort of slowly die in case reception becomes really bad—it can be, in fact, a software problem.
Apple surprised me many times before what kinds of problems are solvable by software. Wait and see.
If that's their solution I'll be returning my phone.
I don't really like the bumpers and I use a belt clip holster so the only thing I cover my phone with is the full body screen protector.
Well durrrrrrr! this fix is common sense and as soon as I saw the issue with reception yesterday I put a case on my phone.
It still doesn't excuse the issue though. Basically negating the design engineering by using a case is a cop out for a failure in design.
It still doesn't excuse the issue though. Basically negating the design engineering by using a case is a cop out for a failure in design.
Not a big deal. Just get a Bumper Case.
-Steve
Sent from my Wall-E MK2 (Do you really think I'm using an iphone)
Unacceptable.
If the screen of my new iMac flicks, I just buy a filter for the screen. Right?
How many of you have the iP4?
i only counted 6 people on this forum that stated they have an iP4 with an issue...it seems that many dont even have the phone but feel it necessary to comment negatively...pretty interesting. I got mine yesterday, i live 35 miles east of Nashville (in the sticks as they say) and i cant reproduce this problem. I am NOT SAYING it isnt real,l im just saying it doesnt appear every phone has the issue. Following logic (oh my)it should be correctable on the phones with an issue. That its a design problem is remote, that it is a quality control issue is more likely just my opinion
i only counted 6 people on this forum that stated they have an iP4 with an issue...it seems that many dont even have the phone but feel it necessary to comment negatively...pretty interesting. I got mine yesterday, i live 35 miles east of Nashville (in the sticks as they say) and i cant reproduce this problem. I am NOT SAYING it isnt real,l im just saying it doesnt appear every phone has the issue. Following logic (oh my)it should be correctable on the phones with an issue. That its a design problem is remote, that it is a quality control issue is more likely just my opinion
"Alleviated" is a good choice of word. It doesn't seem to eliminate the issue in my experience - as I think others are saying it could be to do with humidity, natural skin oils getting through etc.
This is what we get for early adoption. I'm sure Apple will resolve it eventually (even if it's adjusted hardware and replacement phones), historically they seem to have been reasonable for this. It's not like they can say "oh that's just how it is" like with the old TN panel iMac issues etc.
Past incidents indicate that they won't admit to the fault until they have discussed it properly (a few weeks) and have a plan of action in mind. For now, don't panic. Don't touch the bottom left corner
I'll be surprised if it's a software fix, but it's tough to say without knowing all the technicalities. Perhaps in software they can detect the other radio stuff interfering and filter it digitally? Who knows.
The reason why I'm hopeful for a software fix is that during one of my holding it in my left hand demonstrations I've had the bars go from 4 to 1 to 3 to 5 and then hold steady all while not moving my hand or the phone. It is probably a combination of a lot of factors material used to "bridge" the antenna, signal strength, software. Still, Apple acknowledge a bug to Walt so hopefully this can be mostly fixed with a simple software update.
I thought there was something strange about Apple offering up these bumpers. It didn't seem to be something the company would normally put out there itself. IF it turns out that the bumper or something like it is necessary to allow the phone to be a phone...that's a travesty. I don't care how unobtrusive or maybe even attractive it might be.
^ So we have to stick a piece of sticky tape over the gap of our very expensive, very high end gadget. Or Apple could have just done a better job initially. My money is still on recall and replacements.
We' have people shouting "EPIC FAIL", "incompetence" etc.
Ah fanboys (and girls). They're a funny breed!
I don't like uses cases with my phones so no. I wouldn't accept a case to fix this - I'd demand a working iPhone 4.
Still can't believe this oversight.
Or Apple could have just done a better job initially. My money is still on recall and replacements.We' have people shouting "EPIC FAIL", "incompetence" etc.
Ah fanboys (and girls). They're a funny breed!
I don't like uses cases with my phones so no. I wouldn't accept a case to fix this - I'd demand a working iPhone 4.
Still can't believe this oversight.
Did you guys switch phones to make sure it is the person using it and not just the phone being used?
It's a design flaw. Did they seriously not think about the conductivity of the human hand when designing their external antenna.
Someone - infact a whole design and test team - missed that?
That's ludicrous indeed.
Everyone that says that this problem is not affecting them is wrong. It is affecting every single iphone4. As the best test i have found, try loading any website while placing a finger over the line in the lower left corner of the phone. The page will not load, the second you let it go it starts to load, and the instant you touch it again it fails once again. What I have noticed is that Cellular may still work if touching that area (If there is good signal where you are) but data will not work at all no matter how good the signal. There is no software fix for this I dont think. Its either A) use a case/bumper or B) try to not touch that area (much harder when using left hand).
Would this be grounds for a class action lawsuit if Apple does not try to remedy this problem somehow? I do think at least they should give out free bumpers.
Would this be grounds for a class action lawsuit if Apple does not try to remedy this problem somehow? I do think at least they should give out free bumpers.
That is absolutely ridiculous, and if it were anyone but Apple, the very kind of thing Steve Jobs would scoff at as poor engineering, lack of attention to details, etc. "If you have to tell the customer how to hold the phone, you've failed."
Glad I decided to hold off on this one, hopefully they'll have it fixed by the time the mythical Verizon model appears.