iphone 4s on AT&T -- Is connection reliability improved?

[Stealthipad]

I can only remember having maybe one dropped call with my 4 and so far not a single drop with the 4S. AT&T covers my city very well and it is hard to find a place where you do not have a minimum of 2 bars and most the time 4 bars.

 

[WannaGoMac]

I gave up on AT&T abysmal level of service and lack of reasonable quality. I switched to Verizon with the 4S. With my 3GS on AT&T, half my outgoing calls need 2-3 tries to dial successfully. About 70% of my calls (incoming or outgoing) dropped. I would lose 3G data in many areas.

With Verizon, my call and data reliability so far have been 100%.

I completely understand your frustration. However, this thread is about people who stayed with AT&T 4s to comment if the new design fixed their problematic service.

Have a report of someone I know who just got a 4s today, reports 2x the download speed and 1/3 the ping of his old 3gs. No dropped calls thus far

 

[ravenvii]

Yes, I actually do see a tremendous reliability improvement between the 3GS I had and the 4S I have now. It's impressive, actually.

 

[bowlerman625]

I don't make many calls so I'll comment on data.......

It's always been good for me. When I first had the 4S data download speeds picked up 25 to 50 per cent but have have come back down. Still usually 3 to 3.70 Mbps. Not bad.

 

[AJsAWiz]

AT&T better reliability

It's been a very very difficult choice, and I am still shocked, I am going to stay with AT&T.

Given all the other factors in this decision such as unlimited data grandfathered in, probably get early upgrade to iphone 5 on AT&T unlike verizon, far faster speeds than Verizon (when AT&T works haha), and more for the money on AT&T compared to verizon I have come full circle.

Still can't believe it! 🙂 Just yesterday had nothing but endless timeouts using my 3gs, really hope it's as dramatic an improvement for AT&T as some people are physically telling me where I will use my iphone most.

I can relate . . . it was a difficult choice for me as well. Since I waffled back and forth I missed the first pre order window so I was a bit late in getting my 4S. I don't regret the time it took to make that decision even though it resulted in me getting my iPhone 4S after launch day. I hope you are as happy with your choice as I am with mine. As another poster said, the screen (retinal display) is a major improvement over my 3 GS. When I first turned it on it seemed as though everything was just popping out of the screen 😉 There was a dramatic improvement for me, as compared to my 3S of course, in reception. Plus the other improvements (Siri, form factor, processor, etc.) made this a very good choice for me. I hope you report back here after you get your 4S 🙂

 

[WannaGoMac]

Yes, I actually do see a tremendous reliability improvement between the 3GS I had and the 4S I have now. It's impressive, actually.

I don't make many calls so I'll comment on data.......

It's always been good for me. When I first had the 4S data download speeds picked up 25 to 50 per cent but have have come back down. Still usually 3 to 3.70 Mbps. Not bad.

I can relate . . . it was a difficult choice for me as well. Since I waffled back and forth I missed the first pre order window so I was a bit late in getting my 4S. I don't regret the time it took to make that decision even though it resulted in me getting my iPhone 4S after launch day. I hope you are as happy with your choice as I am with mine. As another poster said, the screen (retinal display) is a major improvement over my 3 GS. When I first turned it on it seemed as though everything was just popping out of the screen 😉 There was a dramatic improvement for me, as compared to my 3S of course, in reception. Plus the other improvements (Siri, form factor, processor, etc.) made this a very good choice for me. I hope you report back here after you get your 4S 🙂

Thanks, really good information! Seems like majority of people are finding it improved. Let's see how it unfolds as poll number increases -- thus far staying over 70% see improvement

 

[AttilaTheHun]

I will put it a way so my replay will not be keeck out laike the last time

i belive that all the problems that my iphone 4 has were corected on my iphone 4s.
Yes

and a commet on the above questions

ATT rellability improved?
the answer shuld be it improved not because ATT but because APPLE 4S was improved

 

[fs454]

10 miles north of boston in a suburb (Wakefield, MA), as well as college up in Ithaca, NY.


1) Do you find significant reliability improvement (far less dropped calls and internet timeouts) with the 4s?
Extremely so. I couldn't even so much as touch the metal band on my 4 while in my house or i'd drop the call. I'd also consistently lose my ~2 bars of 3G and it'd drop to 1 bar of no data all too often.

The 4S seems to be rock solid at 2 bars in the house and hasn't dropped a call anywhere I've used it.


2) What area of the USA do you use the iphone 4s?
10 miles north of boston in a suburb (Wakefield, MA), as well as college up in Ithaca, NY. Anywhere in between as well.

3) Which iphone model did you have before the 4s?
All of them. I've had each phone on launch day. I came from the 4.

 

[sr1329]

I gave up on AT&T abysmal level of service and lack of reasonable quality. I switched to Verizon with the 4S. With my 3GS on AT&T, half my outgoing calls need 2-3 tries to dial successfully. About 70% of my calls (incoming or outgoing) dropped. I would lose 3G data in many areas.

With Verizon, my call and data reliability so far have been 100%.

Me too. I switched to Verizon and I'm at 100% success rate and no dropped calls. AT&T would drop calls left and right. Can't drive to work and hold a call. Can't go from my bedroom to my living room and not drop a call. And this is a densely populated and affluent part of Chicago proper (not suburbs). They suck so badly that I couldn't wait to drop them.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Me too. I switched to Verizon and I'm at 100% success rate and no dropped calls. AT&T would drop calls left and right. Can't drive to work and hold a call. Can't go from my bedroom to my living room and not drop a call. And this is a densely populated and affluent part of Chicago proper (not suburbs). They suck so badly that I couldn't wait to drop them.

Based upon this thread, I think Apple's prior antenna designs may have had a share in the reception problems of AT&T iphones

 

[Pravda]

Huge improvement in signal on my 4s compared to my 3Gs.
At home and at work. Went up on the average of 2 bars.
Also downloads and safari is lightening fast for me.

 

[za9ra22]

Based upon this thread, I think Apple's prior antenna designs may have had a share in the reception problems of AT&T iphones

Here's a new experience: Neither my original iPhone, nor the 3GS would ever pick up a signal inside my local Kroger or Walmart, except pretty much right inside the entrance. I might get one bar, but that would vanish with any attempt to access the network, and of course I never got an incoming call. My wife (basic non-smartphone on US Cellular) has always been able to make and take calls almost everywhere inside both stores. Walking around the middle of the Walmart a couple of days ago, I was surprised to hear my 4S ringing. It showed 3 bars of service and the call was fine. I've been able to make and take calls in both stores, and access the internet, in areas inside the stores where I couldn't before.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Here's a new experience: Neither my original iPhone, nor the 3GS would ever pick up a signal inside my local Kroger or Walmart, except pretty much right inside the entrance. I might get one bar, but that would vanish with any attempt to access the network, and of course I never got an incoming call. My wife (basic non-smartphone on US Cellular) has always been able to make and take calls almost everywhere inside both stores. Walking around the middle of the Walmart a couple of days ago, I was surprised to hear my 4S ringing. It showed 3 bars of service and the call was fine. I've been able to make and take calls in both stores, and access the internet, in areas inside the stores where I couldn't before.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[mom333]

I had a 3GS on AT&T and just moved to the 4S. It's been horrible. I don't know if it is AT&T or the phone but I need to make a decision fast on what I'm going to do. On the 3GS we experienced dropped calls, but with this 4S, it's more like I can't get the phone to even call anyone!

I was in Boston over the weekend. I kept trying to call my sister who was also in Boston so I could locate her. My phone kept saying it was calling her, but I wouldn't hear a ring. Then it would say call failed. Then I got a bunch of "call failed" in a row. It lasted for a good 20 minutes. I had 3 bars on my phone. I was like WTH?! She said she was trying to call me too, but it kept going straight to my voicemail. She is on VZ with a Blackberry. I eventually got through by calling my neice, who is on VZ and has an iPhone 4. Not sure if I got lucky and finally got a call connection or what the issue was.

Now I'm back in the Albany, NY area today, and I spent 15 minutes trying to call my husband to wish him a Happy Anniversay and I couldn't get through. Tried his cell (iphone 4s too) and the land line number. Same issue where it says "calling" but I hear no ring and nothing happens. Beyond frustrating. I don't know if I should cancel and go to Verizon or what. I have heard they have better reception in my area, but the bill will be quite a bit higher. Ugh.

 

[WannaGoMac]

I had a 3GS on AT&T and just moved to the 4S. It's been horrible. I don't know if it is AT&T or the phone but I need to make a decision fast on what I'm going to do. On the 3GS we experienced dropped calls, but with this 4S, it's more like I can't get the phone to even call anyone!

I was in Boston over the weekend. I kept trying to call my sister who was also in Boston so I could locate her. My phone kept saying it was calling her, but I wouldn't hear a ring. Then it would say call failed. Then I got a bunch of "call failed" in a row. It lasted for a good 20 minutes. I had 3 bars on my phone. I was like WTH?! She said she was trying to call me too, but it kept going straight to my voicemail. She is on VZ with a Blackberry. I eventually got through by calling my neice, who is on VZ and has an iPhone 4. Not sure if I got lucky and finally got a call connection or what the issue was.

Now I'm back in the Albany, NY area today, and I spent 15 minutes trying to call my husband to wish him a Happy Anniversay and I couldn't get through. Tried his cell (iphone 4s too) and the land line number. Same issue where it says "calling" but I hear no ring and nothing happens. Beyond frustrating. I don't know if I should cancel and go to Verizon or what. I have heard they have better reception in my area, but the bill will be quite a bit higher. Ugh.

Based upon this thread, you need to exchange the phone as it sounds defective. Additionally, upstate NY traditionally has fantastic AT&T coverage since it's the old Cingular playground.

 

[RaceTripper]

I had a 3GS on AT&T and just moved to the 4S....

That was pretty much experience on ATT. Since switching to VZ I have had one dropped call, and it may well have have been the other end that dropped it. My VZ plan is more expensive, but it works far better.

 

[WannaGoMac]

That was pretty much experience on ATT. Since switching to VZ I have had one dropped call, and it may well have have been the other end that dropped it. My VZ plan is more expensive, but it works far better.

Wow, that's even worse than my 3gs coverage. Seriously, I think this is a defective unit as even AT&T isn't as horrible as she described -- especially in upstate NY where Cingular had amazing service and still does

 

[gillybean]

went from 3gs to 4s in seattle on at&t.

I've never had problems with dropped calls.

With the internet connection I've noticed that the 4S seems a bit faster at getting/keeping the 3G signal when I'm on the move, and that the speed of the 3G is also faster now.

 

[Xgm541]

Not that i used to have problems, the occasional dropped call here and there, but the i4s shows more bars in more places. It may be a software thing but it seems faster overall. Even driving in a car, I can maintain a steady stream of data, while the i4 would fluctuate a lot (on the same route)

 

[RaceTripper]

Wow, that's even worse than my 3gs coverage. Seriously, I think this is a defective unit as even AT&T isn't as horrible as she described -- especially in upstate NY where Cingular had amazing service and still does

My AT&T service was as bad as she described. AT&T always blamed the phone, but I went through iPhone replacements, SIM card replacements, complete restores, and so on. I ruled out every possible thing attributable to my equipment and how it was setup. Nothing helped. AT&T only offered to give me a new phone (with a new contract, of course). The problem lies with AT&T. There is something defective on the trunk that routes my calls, but AT&T won't do anything about it. I gave up and left for VZ. Everything work now. I have more bars in places where I had bars with AT&T. I have bars in places where AT&T didn't work at all. I have data everywhere, not just in some places.

There is a reason AT&T lies at the rock bottom of consumer surveys for satisfaction.

 

[DiamondMac]

Not really. I notice maybe a bar or more improved here or there but in terms of it sounding better on the phone or reception being improved? Not really.

 

[WannaGoMac]

Not really. I notice maybe a bar or more improved here or there but in terms of it sounding better on the phone or reception being improved? Not really.

Just got my 4s AT&T. Thus far it's A HUGE improvement over my 3gs. Cellular data connection is reliable (not timing out), and it's so much more responsive i don't even need my wifi! Of note, I used to get 1-2bars, now i am getting 4-5 bars throughout my apartment

Ping:
3gs 250
4s 77

Download Speed
3gs 1.4
4s 5.6

 

[WannaGoMac]

I gave up on AT&T abysmal level of service and lack of reasonable quality. I switched to Verizon with the 4S. With my 3GS on AT&T, half my outgoing calls need 2-3 tries to dial successfully. About 70% of my calls (incoming or outgoing) dropped. I would lose 3G data in many areas.

With Verizon, my call and data reliability so far have been 100%.

My AT&T service was as bad as she described. AT&T always blamed the phone, but I went through iPhone replacements, SIM card replacements, complete restores, and so on. I ruled out every possible thing attributable to my equipment and how it was setup. Nothing helped. AT&T only offered to give me a new phone (with a new contract, of course). The problem lies with AT&T. There is something defective on the trunk that routes my calls, but AT&T won't do anything about it. I gave up and left for VZ. Everything work now. I have more bars in places where I had bars with AT&T. I have bars in places where AT&T didn't work at all. I have data everywhere, not just in some places.

There is a reason AT&T lies at the rock bottom of consumer surveys for satisfaction.

Yes, however you used AT&T with the prior antenna design of the 4 or 3G iphones and not with the 4s? This thread is showing that the new antenna design is greatly improving AT&T service.

I am finding HUGE improvement with the 4s on AT&T (but it's been just one day I admit) compared to my 3gs (which was beyond crap on AT&T). I have a friend in Albany who swears by AT&T over verizon -- on his 3g he claims he never dropped a call (shocking I know!).

Mom333 issues seem extreme and above what I even got on my 3gs, that's why I think Mom333 should ask for a replacement. If that doesn't help, of course switch to Verizon. I plan to test AT&T for the next month, if it still sucks I am going to Verizon, but if it's better I really prefer the speed (my tests last week showed an AT&T 4s download rate was 6x that of a Verizon 4s) and data/voice ability of AT&T.

 

[RaceTripper]

Yes, however you used AT&T with the prior antenna design of the 4 or 3G iphones and not with the 4s? This thread is showing that the new antenna design is greatly improving AT&T service.

My problem wasn't with the antenna. I had a 3G Microcell in my home, which gave me 5 bars, and my service was just as bad there with 5 bars as anywhere else.

 

[WannaGoMac]

My problem wasn't with the antenna. I had a 3G Microcell in my home, which gave me 5 bars, and my service was just as bad there with 5 bars as anywhere else.

Now that's really strange as a Microcell should have made AT&T service irrelevant since it routes your calls over VOIP on your ISP to AT&T. Only thing I could think of is your ISP may also have had problems, and without QOS at your internet router, VOIP traffic can be quite unreliable