Cellular update will not fix this hardware problem
I xxx recall that after iOS 12 on my iPhone SE T Mobile, that LTE was flaky with reduced bars in fringe areas, etc. I [too] wouldn’t be surprised if this is a Wifi Assist issue is with iOS 12, on Xs and Xmax. Apple iOS has had similar issues in the past. I hope these users have identified a target to fix:
From a posting #1:
I’m no expert but I thought I’d chime in with something I tried. I turned off WiFi-assist and it seems it has done the trick. My WiFi speeds are back and cellular issues are gone. Now it could just be a placebo or something but seriously not seeing the issues I had before.
If some of you can give it a try and let me know if you get the same results, at least it’s something we can either pinpoint or rule out.
I am currently now on 12.1 beta 1 and have sent feedback on this issue. But I have had this issue on my iPhone 7 with ios12 betas before picking up my XS. My wife who is also on an ios12 beta on her iPhone 7 is having the same issue and seeing better results with turning WiFi-assist off. Btw, our iPhone 7’s are Verizon phones this have the Qualcomm chips.[/div]
Turn off Wifi Assist:
To turn off Wi-Fi Assist, launch the Settings app and navigate to Settings -> Cellular (Mobile in some regions) and scroll down to the bottom where you will see Wi-Fi Assist [Cell Network Search]. Tap on the toggle to turn it off
From a posting #2:
Turn off Cell Network Search:
Go to Settings, scroll to Privacy, select Location Services, scroll all the way down to System Services; Turn off Cell Network Search
Likely software and conflicting default preferences causing havoc. And/or using old vs. new SIMs with some providers (in the past) keeping an old SIM serviceable for a few days, maybe deprecated, but network expecting the new SIM paired with IEMI.