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iPhone 5s accelerometer/gyroscope/compass values incorrect

i-aamir said:
My 14 days runs out Monday and I bought from the online Apple Store. Will need to call the after sales team and ask for an express replacement. I suppose this will be a white box one?

I'm just concerned they may try to feed me the same info as th GB today and basically say that the phones are fine and you need to 0 it everytime so the phone knows the correct level.
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The iPhone users guide is VERY clear how the level should work:

http://help.apple.com/iphone/7/#/iphb5af8af5e

If a genius or online advisor says otherwise refer them to Apple's own documentation!
 

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ross1998 said:
Man I wanna return my 5s to tmobile(I have 4 days left to do so) but they have a 50 dollar restocking fee. Also I paid 450 cash then 260 debit, do they return the money the same way or all cash?
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Here in Canada, they return it the same way. Also, you shouldn't get charged the $50 since the device is defective and not fully functional as Apple states. When and if you return it, make sure you have all the possible data regarding this issue.
 
so is this affecting every single 5S that apple makes? there aren't any that work correctly?

also, is it only the 5S affected. I really want a 5S but this has put me off buying one. i'm tempted to just buy a 5C. I don't think apple will ever fix this issue.
 
Just download the Clinometer app which allows calibration on ALL sides of the iPhone 5S and do the test again.

I've found my iPhone 5S to be really accurate after calibration. It's the raw data from the sensors that's slightly off and it's funny that Apple forgot to allow calibration settings despite all apps that use the sensors having this.

After calibration within apps, I've found Real Racing, and Labyrinth LE works perfectly. For example, in Labyrinth LE, the ball stays put when I lay the phone flat on the table. However, Real Racing does not calibrate on all axis so if you calibrate the game with the phone standing on one of its side, you flip it around 180 degrees and the gyro sensor is off again.

Using the Compass app, my iPhone 5S is also reporting a 3 degrees discrepancy when measuring inclination standing on its side without the buttons. I tested it against the iPhone 5, all colors of the 5S/5C and the 4S at the Apple Store. It's true that the 4S and some 5C report correctly calibrated raw data when flat on its back, but none were able to give the same result when tested against all it's sides. I'm starting to believe that its impossible to have an iPhone that has correct calibration on all its sides.
 
zybersniper said:
Just download the Clinometer app which allows calibration on ALL sides of the iPhone 5S and do the test again.

I've found my iPhone 5S to be really accurate after calibration. It's the raw data from the sensors that's slightly off and it's funny that Apple forgot to allow calibration settings despite all apps that use the sensors having this.

After calibration within apps, I've found Real Racing, and Labyrinth LE works perfectly. For example, in Labyrinth LE, the ball stays put when I lay the phone flat on the table. However, Real Racing does not calibrate on all axis so if you calibrate the game with the phone standing on one of its side, you flip it around 180 degrees and the gyro sensor is off again.

Using the Compass app, my iPhone 5S is also reporting a 3 degrees discrepancy when measuring inclination standing on its side without the buttons. I tested it against the iPhone 5, all colors of the 5S/5C and the 4S at the Apple Store. It's true that the 4S and some 5C report correctly calibrated raw data when flat on its back, but none were able to give the same result when tested against all it's sides. I'm starting to believe that its impossible to have an iPhone that has correct calibration on all its sides.
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You better recheck for Clinometer allows to calibrate within that App only and doesn't have any affect on any other apps such as racing games.
 
NavyDude065 said:
You better recheck for Clinometer allows to calibrate within that App only and doesn't have any affect on any other apps such as racing games.
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But most racing games also include its own calibration settings. What I'm trying to say is that if the sensor was broken, the reported values would continually be off even after calibration. But that's not the case which points to a more software oriented issue, or basically the sensor was not mounted completely flat on the motherboard of the iPhone 5S but Apple has not allow for self calibration in the compass app for the gyro.
 
zybersniper said:
But most racing games also include its own calibration settings. What I'm trying to say is that if the sensor was broken, the reported values would continually be off even after calibration. But that's not the case which points to a more software oriented issue, or basically the sensor was not mounted completely flat on the motherboard of the iPhone 5S but Apple has not allow for self calibration in the compass app for the gyro.
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One of the rumours is that the phone can calibrate when sleeping but a bug means it isn't actually doing so.
 
zybersniper said:
But most racing games also include its own calibration settings. What I'm trying to say is that if the sensor was broken, the reported values would continually be off even after calibration. But that's not the case which points to a more software oriented issue, or basically the sensor was not mounted completely flat on the motherboard of the iPhone 5S but Apple has not allow for self calibration in the compass app for the gyro.
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Oh sorry, I thought that you were saying that the calibration performed in Clinometer had an impact on the game performance. I been playing around with Clinometer and iHandy level for the past week or so and they calibrate perfectly so this make me believe that a software feature would easily fix this. However, Apple can be rude and unhelpful at times and may end up letting this slide thinking that we'll all get over it or something. Not me. I hope to see a patch this week. I think this is once again poor manufacturing and agree that the main board or chip wasn't seated or aligned properly. Cheers!!
 
Khedron said:
One of the rumours is that the phone can calibrate when sleeping but a bug means it isn't actually doing so.
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I doubt that it does, unless the phone somehow can put itself up on it's side. Also how would it orient itself if it's in a dock?
 
Anyone think it is likely Apple will handle this in the same fashion as the iphone 4 "antennagate?"

I.E. extend return period to 30 days for current owners and waive restocking fee?
 
i-aamir said:
I just had my GB appt in Apple MK (UK) who basically said that there is no issue with the 5S's and as the sensors are different they didn't apply a fixed value to the level app(like they did to previous generations). They completely refused to replace it and said with 5S's you need to put it on a level and the press the screen to set the 0 value which didn't make much sense to me as it defeats the object ! They also said they would be advising apple care to not give out false information to us customers and that the 5s's need are all fine. In regards to games they said that the developers need to apply updates to capture the functions of the new sensors so the they are properly calibrated before playing.
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With any luck you will get an email with a feedback form.

I got one following my genius appointment yesterday (see here for the full story!). I left mediocre feedback and ticked the box saying my issue had not been resolved.

Anyway, I had a call from the store manager a few minutes ago to discuss my Applestore experience. I related my tale and that I'm still waiting for this problem to be resolved.

He told me that Apple are aware of the issue and that it will be fixed in the next software update (7.0.3) which he has heard is due next week.

Now I very strongly suspect that he was just telling me what I wanted to hear, but I thought I would let you all know:)

PS I have left a voicemail with my online senior advisor but he hasn't phoned me back yet.
 
imtiazjamil said:
Just returned my iphone 5s after using for a week :( the gyroscope issue was bugging me too much :( i miss it already!!
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My iPhone 5S was off -3 laying on its back and -6 on the long side.
My iPhone 5 is 0 on all 3 sides so something is wrong.
Both iPhones was on 7.02
I as well returned my 5S for a full refund.
 
Can anyone explain why when i lay my iphone 4s iphone 5 and iphone 5s on a flat surface and use the compass on each all the readings are different? Does this make any sense to anyone? Note that the iphone 5 is 0 all sides.
 
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Decided to go GB today to try and get some info. The girl taking my appointment immediately thought it was hardware and was about to replace it until I mentioned to her about how common it was and even the display units were off. Anyway she went in the back spoke to somebody else and came back to me saying that she had never heard of it but someone more senior told her it was a software issue and there will be an update to fix it. She assured me if it wasn't fixed by software then they will swap it next time I'm in. The most annoying part was that she reset everything on my phone!!! Anyway I think it will be software but either way it will get sorted.
 
haxtothejax said:
Anyone think it is likely Apple will handle this in the same fashion as the iphone 4 "antennagate?"

I.E. extend return period to 30 days for current owners and waive restocking fee?
Click to expand...

Considering Apple has no acknowledged there's even a problem, I'd say no.
 
so according to most of the people this seems to be a software problem and 7.0.3 will be fixing it. i hope this is the case.
 
MuGeN PoWeR said:
so according to most of the people this seems to be a software problem and 7.0.3 will be fixing it. i hope this is the case.
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My guess, just like antennagate, there will be no fix. Eventually they will come out of the factory correct. I would bet the majority of iphone 5s owners dont even know about this problem, or have a clue how it affects them. That's is what Apple is banking on and will exchange on an as need basis. By this summer, all the talk will be about the iphone 6, and compassgate will be put on the back burner. Apple will be more than happy to exchange a few hundred thousand for those that are really vocal about the problem, then to acknowledge this problem even exists.
 
wxman2003 said:
How would it know it was on a level surface to even calibrate properly?
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My guess is it wouldn't calibrate to level (it probably isn't on a level surface anyway), but instead takes a long-term and accurate reading of the direction of gravity with the accelerometer. A level surface is then just 90 degrees different to this direction.
 
wxman2003 said:
My guess, just like antennagate, there will be no fix. Eventually they will come out of the factory correct. I would bet the majority of iphone 5s owners dont even know about this problem, or have a clue how it affects them. That's is what Apple is banking on and will exchange on an as need basis. By this summer, all the talk will be about the iphone 6, and compassgate will be put on the back burner. Apple will be more than happy to exchange a few hundred thousand for those that are really vocal about the problem, then to acknowledge this problem even exists.
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i hope thats not the case and we see a software fix.
 
I think you all should call Apple support and do an exchange thru Apple Care till u get a perfect zero degrees device. We dont pay 900$ or 900 Eur for their "beautiful eyes", we pay for what they promise us .

I did and i got a perfect device right now.

Even they are aware of the issues, the faulty devices will be sent back for a repair in their factories or in their labs and then refurb on Apple Store. So just tell apple support that devices are faulty and u cant use Apps like advertise by Apple, coz datas are wrong coz of faulty sensors....

I have already given my feelings about a software patch :


A software update is surely complicated to do when u know u have different firmwares wrong on some lines and not all .

They have to check whitch lines and whitch calibration errors for each.

The best software update could be the manual calibration that dont mean a firmware calibration of the sensors . But if they dont want, they have to check serial numbers to determine where the device come from and if they cant determine whitch lines ....... i let you guess .

I have seen lots of faulty devices with a -3 degrees. they cant update to base on this calibration if others devices with 4-5 degrees or 1 degree will be affected by the patch. and they surely dont want to affect correct devices .
 
Bought an iPhone 5s just yesterday and returned it today because of the broken accelerometer. It was off -3 while my iPhone 5 was perfectly 0. Deal-breaker for games.
I checked 5 or 6 demo iPhones at the Apple Store and they ALL were off by about -3 in different directions. The Geniuses I talked to were mostly unaware, they don't have an official statement by apple yet and I bet Apple will try to not officially acknowledge this just like with the iPhone 4 antenna.

Moreover the 5s crashed a few times while switching apps and the VPN client I need for WiFi at work is not yet compatible due to the change to 64bit.

Returned the phone and got my money back without any further questions.
Will definitely try to buy one again in a month or two when all those child diseases are fixed. Don't feel like running to the Apple Store every day and get a new iPhone just to find out its broken as well. Back to the iPhone 5 in the meantime.

(Apple Store Berlin, iPhone 5S was production week 36/september)
 
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