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Just called Apple care and reported the problem. The guy was very interested in the issue. He had me go to accessibility and turn on reduce motion but I already tried that and it didn't make a difference. I mentioned the "do not disturb" option and he said that doesn't calibrate the phone it just keeps it from moving. He didn't think the phone has auto calibration when sitting still.

What he recommends everyone doing that notices this is go to apple.com/feedback and submit the issue.

I have been working with a senior engineer I do believe vs an apple care rep. I could be wrong but I do believe that was his title. The same person has been calling me back to work with me...

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Is this before or after I waive the dead chicken over my head 15 times:confused:

It's 16 times, jeeez....
 
I would hope that it's just a software calibration issue, such that if you can put the phone in a position where it is known to be exactly level, you can reset it and save the calibration. The phone then takes a snapshot of the positions of the motion sensors and then knows that all other angles are relative to this.
 
64gb AT&T just arrived from China and it is perfect 0 (verified with a known good spirit level) also matches my 5. Are we doing date code checks yet?
 
Just called Apple care and reported the problem. The guy was very interested in the issue. He had me go to accessibility and turn on reduce motion but I already tried that and it didn't make a difference. I mentioned the "do not disturb" option and he said that doesn't calibrate the phone it just keeps it from moving. He didn't think the phone has auto calibration when sitting still.

What he recommends everyone doing that notices this is go to apple.com/feedback and submit the issue.

Hey, that's what I've been recommending everyone do too! I should work for Apple!
 
Did you try it in several positions flat on on the sides? You are truly lucky. Maybe Apple has resolved this in the factories if we see more fresh copies like yours. I guess if we start seeing more )s going forwards we should post the date codes.


64gb AT&T just arrived from China and it is perfect 0 (verified with a known good spirit level) also matches my 5. Are we doing date code checks yet?


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Well after 3 hours using these directions it is not resolved.


I have been working with a senior engineer I do believe vs an apple care rep. I could be wrong but I do believe that was his title. The same person has been calling me back to work with me...

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It's 16 times, jeeez....
 
64gb AT&T just arrived from China and it is perfect 0 (verified with a known good spirit level) also matches my 5. Are we doing date code checks yet?

I would love to know the date code so at least we can have a reference point and hopefully Apple already corrected this situation at the factory.
 
I would love to know the date code so at least we can have a reference point and hopefully Apple already corrected this situation at the factory.

Production year: 2013
Production week: 38 (September)
Model introduced: 2013
Capacity: 64GB
Memory - flavour: xx
Factory: DN (China, Chengdu - Foxconn)
 
I would expect that in the near future all apple stores will be getting a level stand on which they will place the 5s. They will then use some calibration settings that will be downloaded in the next OS update to fix the phone. Seems way easier than replacing everyones phone. I also have a hard time believing that the chip can't be recalibrated.

I am not an engineer, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.
 
My 5s shows -1 and the girlf's 4s also shows -1 this s on the floor at home.
Was in the mall earlier tried one of the demo 5s's in the apple store that showed -4 while mine still showed -1 on the same surface. Dont see how they will fix this in a software update.
 
make sure when you test these test both flat in few positions and on the long and short sides (not the sides with the buttons)

positions
My 5s shows -1 and the girlf's 4s also shows -1 this s on the floor at home.
Was in the mall earlier tried one of the demo 5s's in the apple store that showed -4 while mine still showed -1 on the same surface. Dont see how they will fix this in a software update.
 
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Not working (out by about 4º or so.. Purchased at an Apple Store):

Production year: 2013
Production week: 38 (September)
Factory: C3 (China)
 
Verizon iPhone 5s 64gb Gold purchased at Best Buy on launch day...

Production year: 2013
Production week: 36 (September)

Off by -4 degrees
 
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This is all I get:

Nice Name: iPhone 5s
Machine Model: iPhone6,1
Family name: A1533
Model Number: ME311
Group1: iPhone
Group2:
Generation:
CPU speed: 1.3GHz
Screen size: 4 inch
Screen resolution: 1136x640 pixels
Colour: Space Gray
Model introduced: 2013
Capacity: 64GB
Memory - flavour: xx
Factory: DN (China, Chengdu - Foxconn)

Try putting your serial number in this link, it should spit out those production info.
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html
 
My 5s shows -1 and the girlf's 4s also shows -1 this s on the floor at home.
Was in the mall earlier tried one of the demo 5s's in the apple store that showed -4 while mine still showed -1 on the same surface. Dont see how they will fix this in a software update.

It's just calibration. Right now, your phone thinks it's at a -4 degree tilt when it's lying flat. It just needs to be told that this is actually 0. You can do it yourself if you touch the right side of the screen when in the app. Trouble is, the phone doesn't remember this for next time.
 
Just got a call from apple. This is a recommended solution for this problem. I will be trying this before going to sleep this evening. If others want to give it a go today, please update with the results...

Turn on "Do not disturb"
Plug it into the wall charger
Do not touch the device or turn on the screen, really dont mess with it!
Let it sit untouched with do not disturb on for over 90 minutes.

I was told that this should recalibrate the sensor. We shall see...

Apple guy is talking nonsense. My phone is on DND every night. Makes no difference at all.
 
That calibration is a bit useless. If you have a perfectly flat surface you know is flat to truly calibrate it you should do it form different positions. I have a level app that has me do that. Unfortunately some games and programs do not have a calibration option.

It's just calibration. Right now, your phone thinks it's at a -4 degree tilt when it's lying flat. It just needs to be told that this is actually 0. You can do it yourself if you touch the right side of the screen when in the app. Trouble is, the phone doesn't remember this for next time.
 
That calibration is a bit useless. If you have a perfectly flat surface you know is flat to truly calibrate it you should do it form different positions. I have a level app that has me do that. Unfortunately some games and programs do not have a calibration option.

Yeah, I know. My point is, the phone just needs to know that readings from the various sensors on a flat surface = reference. In theory all apple need to do is produce an app that has you put the phone (not in a case) on said flat surface on its back, side and bottom and use those readings to recalibrate the sensor and store them. It shouldn't be hard, but it does require them to admit the default calibration is wrong ;)
 
Mine shows -3 when on a flat surface.

Production year: 2013
Production week: 37 (September)
Model introduced: 2013
Capacity: 32GB
Factory: DN (China, Chengdu - Foxconn)
 
Just picked up a new 5s for a friend today. His reads -1 lying on its back or on its side. Mine reads -5 to -6. Suck!

Mine is a week 35.
 
i just swapped mine, mine was showing -4. You can really notice the level is off when you play a driving game. For ex. Asphalt7, my car would be turning to right when I hold the phone perfectly straight. My new one is showing -1 to -2, but its not as noticeable when playing asphalt, but still can tell its bit off. Prob the best thing to do is wait a bit til they iron out the bugs.
 
http://www.cultofmac.com/247282/iphone-5s-compass-and-level-way-off-base-users-say/

Let the stories for gryogate begin. Hopefully Apple will have a better solution than sending a coupon for a spirit level/bumper.

Off by (degrees): 4

Nice Name: iPhone 5s
Machine Model: iPhone6,1
Family name: A1533
Model Number: ME312
Group1: iPhone
Group2:
Generation:
CPU speed: 1.3GHz
Screen size: 4 inch
Screen resolution: 1136x640 pixels
Colour: Silver
Production year: 2013
Production week: 35 (September)
Model introduced: 2013
Capacity: 64GB
Memory - flavour: xx
Factory: DN (China, Chengdu - Foxconn)
 
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