iPhone XS and XS Max Owners Complain of Wi-Fi and LTE Connectivity Issues
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Half the people posting on this thread are posting for the Chinese and Korea opposition without a doubt.
For the rest of you... when has Apple not fixed issues with their phones? They always do. So please spare us the gnashing of teeth and desperation, Apple always comes through, if there actually is a problem.
Packers1958
macrumors 68000
They never fixed the iphone 4. We were told we were holding it wrong and gave us a cheap case that did nothing.
frifra
macrumors 6502a
At least the issue with not connecting to the faster/closer wifi network is an older one. I have an iPhone 6 and when I got to my basement, the iphone connects to my wifi there (different SSID). But when I come back upstairs it does often not automatically connect back to my other router (2.4/5 GhZ) even if I put my phone right next to it.
This has been standard with many manufacturers for years - everyone from DLink right up to Cisco have access points that have multiple frequencies and antennas built-in and broadcasted as a single network, best combination is then chosen. Similar principal to your phone choosing the best frequencies/strength from the multiple cell/mobile towers it can see at any one time.
Diatribe
macrumors 601
I have just checked signal strength (you can do that by using Apple's Airport Utility and turning on WiFi scan in settings for example) and I have consistently worse signal strength on the Xs compared to both an iPhone 6s, 7 and iPad pro (around 5-6dBm less at the office, router is about 10 feet away from my desk, no obstructions). I have yet to do more thourough testing on LTE (needs to be on the same tower, etc.) but it definitely feels worse, call quality seems worse as well.
DCIFRTHS
macrumors 65816
I would like to add the discussion: I have an iPhone 8 with the Qualcomm modem. I use Verizon as my provider.
I am currently staying in an area where used to get full bars (LTE) 99% of the time. Once in a while I would fall back to 3 bars, but it was rare. Ovet the past month or so I started seeing 3 bars more often than 4. I attributed this to the heat, and humidity, in my area. Seriously.
I updated to iOS 12, and I am now getting 2 bars, while sometimes falling back to wi-fi calling. In this location, I have NEVER fallen back to wi-fi calling. The signal also seems unstable as the strength indicator fluctuates frequently.
My wi-fi signal strength also fluctuates between 2 and 3 "bars". Before iOS 12 it was usually at full strength.
I thought I had a broken phone, but after reading the first post of this thread, I am now wondering it is iOS 12 and/or the carrier update included with it...
This is a long thread, and I will be reading more, but I wanted to share my experience as there are a lot of posts to read through!
I am currently staying in an area where used to get full bars (LTE) 99% of the time. Once in a while I would fall back to 3 bars, but it was rare. Ovet the past month or so I started seeing 3 bars more often than 4. I attributed this to the heat, and humidity, in my area. Seriously.
I updated to iOS 12, and I am now getting 2 bars, while sometimes falling back to wi-fi calling. In this location, I have NEVER fallen back to wi-fi calling. The signal also seems unstable as the strength indicator fluctuates frequently.
My wi-fi signal strength also fluctuates between 2 and 3 "bars". Before iOS 12 it was usually at full strength.
I thought I had a broken phone, but after reading the first post of this thread, I am now wondering it is iOS 12 and/or the carrier update included with it...
This is a long thread, and I will be reading more, but I wanted to share my experience as there are a lot of posts to read through!
Apple's iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max launched last Friday, and shortly after, some customers who purchased one of the new devices started noticing an issue with LTE and Wi-Fi speeds and connectivity.
According to multiple threads on the MacRumors forums, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max users are experiencing connectivity problems with Wi-Fi and LTE on the two new iPhones when compared to other, older Apple devices.
Multiple users have said that there are noticeable differences in cellular reception between the iPhone XS models and the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, with a 15-page thread suggesting this is a widespread problem that quite a few people are noticing. As described by MacRumors reader onepoint:Users are noticing fewer bars and poorer signal on iPhone XS and XS Max compared to devices like the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, especially in areas where signal is weak. Many of the complaints come from Verizon users, suggesting the issue could potentially be carrier specific. Multiple AT&T users, for example, have said the signal is the same or better, while Verizon users are seeing signal issues.
Some iPhone XS owners have theorized that the issue is related to Qualcomm vs. Intel modems. The new iPhone XS and XS Max are using Intel modems, while older devices used a mix of Qualcomm and Intel modems. AT&T iPhone 8 and iPhone X models used Intel modems previously, while Verizon iPhones had Qualcomm modems. As explained by MacRumors reader radiologyman:Some AT&T and T-Mobile users are, however, complaining of connectivity problems too, while others have noticed better signal, leading to a confusing mix of user reports.
It's not clear if modem differences are causing the perceived connectivity issues that iPhone XS and XS Max owners are noticing or if there is a genuine bug with the new devices, but in the days following a new iPhone release, there are often carrier updates that can solve connectivity problems.
Given the confusing mix of information coming from users on the forums, the LTE connectivity problems may be related to software and could be fixed through the aforementioned carrier update or a software update from Apple, but we'll have to wait for more information to figure out exactly what's going on.
In addition to the LTE problems, there appears to be a separate issue with Wi-Fi. On the MacRumors forums, users began noticing slower Wi-Fi speeds on iPhone XS models compared to other Apple devices, which readers quickly deduced was a 2.4GHz vs. 5GHz Wi-Fi issue.
It appears that the iPhone XS and XS Max are preferring 2.4GHz networks over 5GHz networks when connecting to routers that use the same SSID for both the 2.4 and 5GHz bands. From MacRumors reader playtillyadrop:The majority of people experiencing slower speeds found that their iPhone XS models were indeed connected to the 2.4GHz network rather than the 5GHz network. In our own testing, we found that when comparing an iPhone XS Max and an iPhone X, the iPhone XS Max connected to the 2.4GHz network while the iPhone X connected to the 5GHz network.
With routers that do not have separate SSIDs for the two bands, it can be difficult to tell which you're connected to, leading to perceived slower connection speeds.
This is clearly a bug that needs to be addressed by Apple through an update to make the iPhone XS models prefer the faster 5GHz network to the 2.4GHz network, but in the meantime, providing separate SSIDs for the 2.4 and 5GHz bands can allow you to make sure your iPhone is connected to the 5GHz band at all times.
Some users have also had luck with resetting their network settings and/or forgetting their Wi-Fi network and reconnecting, but the iPhone XS models appear to default back to 2.4GHz often if not made to connect to the 5GHz network.
This connection issue appears to be at the root of most of the slow Wi-Fi complaints, but there have been a few other complaints of poor connection speeds when connected to a 5GHz network, so it's possible there's also something else going on.
We've contacted Apple to ask about both the Wi-Fi and LTE issues that customers are experiencing with the iPhone XS models and will let MacRumors readers know if we hear back.
Article Link: iPhone XS and XS Max Owners Complain of Wi-Fi and LTE Connectivity Issues
Having similar problems a reboot seems to solve for a while. Was having the same problems in the latest beta on my regular X which makes me believe this is more about the latest Beta than the hardware. I now have the XSMax
Lol, 90% of Apple fixing something that costs money is after lawsuit or public viral outcries.
iPhone 4 didn't get fixed, you got an a case. The Macbook Pro's gpu failures didn't get fixed, they just replace the boards, but not before lawsuits. Last time they "fixed" something with reception, they tweaked the bars visually to hide the issue.
Take off your Apple tintet glasses, get out of the distortion field and face reality of Apple. Apples stance is 100% "It's your fault" until they are backed up against the wall in court.
indychris
macrumors 6502a
Just drove from Indiana to Western Kansas yesterday. With AT&T as my carrier and my iPhone 8+ and new Max side-by-side, my Max lost service numerous times while my 8+ lost service only once. The XSM seemed to really struggle in areas where LTE dropped out and 4G took over, where the 8 seemed to transition easily.
Needless to say, once I’m in Phoenix the Max is going back to the Apple store. $1500 for a phone that isn’t nearly as good as the previous model is simply unacceptable.
Needless to say, once I’m in Phoenix the Max is going back to the Apple store. $1500 for a phone that isn’t nearly as good as the previous model is simply unacceptable.
Newtons Apple
Suspended
196 mbps on mine, no complaints.
RamGuy
macrumors 65816
Why would it? There is zero 802.11v/r/k involved in such a scenario? No wireless device is designed for jumping between Wireless SSID's unless the active one is being dropped.
If you want seamless roaming you need access points with a shared controller than can do roaming by following the 802.11v/r/k standards which Apple and iOS already supports. But without such technology involved there is nothing telling or giving the client any reason for why it should drop its current connection.
The best thing you might achieve in your scenario is to configure your router to automatically kick devices when they get blow a certain RSSI but that's a dodgy solution and will force your clients to have to re-negotiate every time you get below this threshold.
If you want wireless roaming you need a system that actually supports it, preferably by following the 802.11v/r/k standards and not some funky proprietary standard that iOS knows nothing about.
Simply having two different SSID's won't do anything in terms of automatic roaming as each SSID is treated (rightfully so) like to completely separate networks by the client so it would and never should do any automatic roaming from one to the other unless the connection is completely dropped as that would force the client to be looking for a new wireless connection.
terrance.e.green
macrumors newbie
Wah Wah Wah....always something to complain about lol. I was waiting
Nhwhazup
macrumors 68040
I’m on ATT in NH. My Max has no trouble with keeping the the 5G connection on WiFi. But on cellular at my house it’s a very slow 3G while my husbands iPhone 8 also on ATT gets LTE.
I didn’t even think about reception until reading this thread. But I have noticed that on my walks, my radio station cuts out in two places where my 6S Plus never did.
My husband has a Genius appointment tomorrow for another issue. I will also ask about the reception problem with my Max. Man, I really like my new phone but not if the basics don’t work. I’m hoping there’s some type of software fix. But if not, it’s going back.
I didn’t even think about reception until reading this thread. But I have noticed that on my walks, my radio station cuts out in two places where my 6S Plus never did.
My husband has a Genius appointment tomorrow for another issue. I will also ask about the reception problem with my Max. Man, I really like my new phone but not if the basics don’t work. I’m hoping there’s some type of software fix. But if not, it’s going back.
WatchFromAfar
Suspended
.Sorry
indychris
macrumors 6502a
So if something isn’t working well on a brand new $12–1500 phone, people are just supposed to ignore it and be a ‘yes man’ as apparently you are?
It may point to an iOS 12 issue. I have a iPhone 6S and there was also a carrier update right after iOS 12 was installed. I have never got wifi calling before but now I have. Restarting the phone has stopped it going into wifi calling so far, but reception is still down. Whether its iOS 12 or carrier update or a combination, I'm not sure.
Update: some have indicated that it maybe related to wi-fi calling (wi-fi assist)
Update: some have indicated that it maybe related to wi-fi calling (wi-fi assist)
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Plutonius
macrumors G3
I didn't say first generation product.
All Apple products seem to have issues when they they are first sold. Give it six months and Apple usually corrects the problems.
In the race to get a product when it is first sold, the customer is usually a beta tester (i.e. if you want a better chance that the product will be error free, wait six months before buying / installing it).
Delgibbons
macrumors 6502a
That's apple making your qualcomm modem have feature parity with the Intel modem in an update
Plutonius
macrumors G3
So if something isn’t working well on a brand new $12–1500 phone, people are just supposed to ignore it and be a ‘yes man’ as apparently you are?
People should realize that Apple will usually identify and fix the issues within six months.
If people are bothered by early adopter issues, they should wit six months before purchasing. Being so called beta testers has risk.
Nhwhazup
macrumors 68040
So has anyone gone in to Apple and opened up a ticket? What are they saying? When my husband and I go in on Wednesday, I’ll have the Speedtests showing for both his iPhone 8 and my Max to clearly show the differences in connections LTE vs 3G. I'm so bummed as I really like my Max. If this issue isn’t resolved by the 14 day return window, I’ll go back to my 6S Plus for now.
indychris
macrumors 6502a
But apple DOESN’T just ‘identify and fix the issues.’ Apple RESPONDS to issues that are identified by USERS who are EARLY ADOPTERS.
PM me and I’ll give you the address where you can send my ‘Thank You’ card.
