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Its clearly not regional. This is not a useful poll.

It would be useful to poll if people have experienced the problem or not.
Or some other aspect that might be a clue to its cause. More specifically, it would be interesting to poll those who have NOT run into the problem.
Are they always in a strong 3G area?
How cool or dry is the climate? Sweat may make it worse.
Would be nice if we could determine what frequency their carrier is using to see if it affects certain frequencies more than others.
Spot on. But then again, does it really surprise you that a low quality poll is on MacRumors to begin with? The fact that anything bad about the new iPhone made it to the front page is a miracle.

:(:mad::apple::confused:


AT&T + iPhone 4 = NO BARS IN ALL PLACES !

Love this... I thought you should make it your signature!
 
Its clearly not regional. This is not a useful poll.

It would be useful to poll if people have experienced the problem or not.
Or some other aspect that might be a clue to its cause. More specifically, it would be interesting to poll those who have NOT run into the problem.
Are they always in a strong 3G area?
How cool or dry is the climate? Sweat may make it worse.
Would be nice if we could determine what frequency their carrier is using to see if it affects certain frequencies more than others.

Better would be by state, also it would tell us where the iphone is selling and maybe not. Region is so big
 
I'm afraid to buy a new iPhone now until Apple resolves this problem.
It is more important to have a dependable phone in case of emergencies than to have extra bells and whistles.

:(:mad::apple::confused:


AT&T + iPhone 4 = NO BARS IN ALL PLACES !

There’s no reason to bring AT&T into this debacle.

So, are you going to change your user name? Maybe, iphones4no1?:)

Better would be by state, also it would tell us where the iphone is selling and maybe not. Region is so big

It would still be meaningless.
 
Which monkey drew up this poll??!!

tick this box if you don't have an Iphone?! what? why??

If the results from this poll are published then it could imply that 28.3% of US Iphone owners experience signal problems... when clearly this isn't the case...

I suggest removing this poll and then removing the monkey who created it!!!

-------------------------------------------------------------:apple:------
 
List of factor influencing whether you see the problem

- cell tower frequency in use, 1.9 GHz or 850 MHz
- whether the phone tries to switch cell towers or frequencies
- signal level (how far above 5 bars, could be 10000X stronger)
- amount of interference from other nearby cell phone users
- hand used to hold iPhone (left or right)
- hand position (top or bottom, tight in palm or loose 2,3 fingered hold)
- bumper or other case insulating the antenna
- orientation to cell tower (hand between antenna and cell tower or not)
- hand touching both sides of the gap between antennas
- skin moisture content (sweaty to normal to dry), depends on the temperature
- salt content (or dirt) contained in skin moisture
- amount of anti-conductive coating or insulating oxidation on antenna
- how long you wait for the signal strength bars to change
- unicorns waving magic spells over your iPhone 4
- etc.
 
What do you do if you are left handed??!?!? This problem is only an issue for Left handers.. Steve Jobs Hates Left Handed People!!! that JERK!
 
Here it is:


Make sure you LISTEN to this video. Note the progress bar in Safari and how it moves in conjunction with the antennae being touched.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzn8QhrYIvI

Exactly. I believe every iPhone 4 is the same but whether or not the problem manifests itself depends entirely on the individual using it. Some people's skin/body attenuates the signal while with others it has no effect.

If you are not having this problem consider yourself lucky. It is real and significant. See if your friends have the problem when holding it.

I did not have this problem with my 3G, 3Gs nor any other cellphone I've used. It is clearly the fact that the metal frame contains the antennas and is coming into direct contact with the skin/body.
 
Right - I know I'm a relative newbie here - havent posted in a long while, but here's my experience on O2 in the UK.

I have noticed the signal bars drop when I hold the phone in my left hand and make the "connection" on the joins, however I have not experienced a degradation in call quality, nor any call drops. The bars go down, but my calls are not affected. I personally think this is a software glitch rather than a huge hardware issue. Please note I get 4 to 5 bars of 3G signal at home and in the office (about 20 minutes away)

If AppleInsider are to be believed (I'm taking it with a pinch of proverbial salt for now), then the supposed 4.0.1 update to be released next week will fix this.

This is not gospel at all, nor am I denying there is an issue - I'm just providing my experience.
 
Everyone just needs to take a step back and relax. The problem is a software one related to radio frequency calibration of the baseband. Apple will reportedly have a fix early next week according to reports by Apple Insider which cited claims by Apple tech Support on the Apple Support Forum this week.
 
unbelievable

The information gathered here will mean absolutely nothing. No valid conclusions will be able to be made by analyzing this data. The state of a cell phone's reception has much to do with timing... at that moment in time, what is the angle of the phone to the tower, what is the state of the tower (how many current connected calls, how many outgoing, how many incoming, etc.), what are the weather conditions, what was the Sun's corona doing 7 minutes ago, is the phone perfectly still, is it being waved around, how many and what kind of materials between you and outside, how many trees, buildings and other things that block line of sight between you and the tower... the list goes on and on.

If you pick up your iPhone, and you see the bars diminish, and you set it down, and the reception returns, DON't PANIC! I know the hysteria has spread like wide fire that your phone is defective, but I assure you it is not in the least, because I can duplicate the behavior on every cellphone in existence. Anytime, anywhere (except under a tower). These reception issues will only appear if you have dodgy cell to begin with. Other phones may actually have better reception. So what? It doesn't mean there's something wrong. Your phone is fine. Take a xanax or something, it's your anxiety that is the problem.
 
i have a rubber protective case around mine and never lose signal. i'd never go without a case on my iphone. when i traded in my 3Gs it looked like i bought it yesterday, but was a year old.

Who cares if it doesn't get scratches if it's always covered anyway? No way in hell i'm putting any ugly case (They're all ugly) on my iPhone.
 
Everyone just needs to take a step back and relax. The problem is a software one related to radio frequency calibration of the baseband. Apple will reported have a fix early next week according to reports by Apple Insider.
A rumor based on a response from a low-level Apple tech support person. If this was true, we would have heard from a high-level Apple spokesperson. Instead of letting this issue grow through the media and blogs. Why did Apple delete that conversation from their forum ? Most likely because it was an incorrect assumption by a low-level Apple tech person. The issue is obviously not software related.
 
Not a very scientific approach. The poll doesn't mean much. You should at least break out relevant data with additional question. In my case, I have been able to make 4 bars go to 3 bars by trying to hold the phone in different ways, but it has not affected my call quality, and I have not had a dropped call with my phone yet in the 3 days I have had it. And a hand, whether grounding the antenna out or not, can attenuate a signal, as has been demonstrated on other phones and the 3GS.
 
A rumor based on a low-lever Apple tech support personal. If this was true, we would have heard from Apple though official channels. Why did Apple delete that conversation from their forum ? Most likely because it was incorrect assumption by a low-level tech person.

I guess we'll know next week, won't we. My point being, it's too early to think the problem is not able to be solved.
 
It happens to me

The problem is legit with my phone anyway. But I slapped a silicone case around it and the problem went away. Don't want to scratch my shiney new phone. That being fixed doesn't prevent even worse reception than my 3g, and dropped calls even with 5 bars. But I got one and hopefully all the issues will be resolved. I think Steve Jobs answer of, "Its a non-issue", is sort of like Tony Hayward saying, "I want my life back". It's very reckless especially since the Droid X has yet to pounce.
 
I guess we'll know next week, won't we. My point being, it's too early to think the problem is not able to be solved.

Oh I'm sure it will be solved. But I don't think software alone will fix this issue. And it also depends on how hard customers, media, etc, push this issue to be resolved. Because I'm sure at some point before the release of this phone (probably far too late in the design/production), Apple noticed the issue.
 
apple in hiding

apple is removing most posts that talk about issues from its forum. It is not answering calls or emails on this issue.
 
If you pick up your iPhone, and you see the bars diminish, and you set it down, and the reception returns, DON't PANIC! I know the hysteria has spread like wide fire that your phone is defective, but I assure you it is not in the least, because I can duplicate the behavior on every cellphone in existence.


Really? You can cause any cellphone in existence to drop from 5 bars to 1 or no service just by picking it up each and every time? :rolleyes:

I have never had this problem with my iPhone 3G or 3Gs nor any other cellphone I've owned.
 
Really? You can cause any cellphone in existence to drop from 5 bars to 1 or no service just by picking it up each and every time? :rolleyes:

I have never had this problem with my iPhone 3G or 3Gs nor any other cellphone I've owned.

Me either. When I read some of these claims, I tried totally enclosing my 3G in both hands and saw no change (and I don’t live a good signal area).
 
Take it back

I love these posts where people who don't have any issues with their iPhones are calling the rest of us whiners. You would definitely be singing a different tune if your phone had the problem, which it probably does, but you haven't been in an area with a weaker signal.

Don’t miss understand me if you are having a problem there are choice’s:
1.take it back
2.put a case on it (most people do anyway)
3.get a different smart phone

Any problem I have had with my iPhones or any of my Apple products has been dealt with from the best customer service of any business I’ve ever dealt with. Remember the early problems with the 3g signal issue, Apple will fix this even if it’s not widespread. Most company’s would tell you to pound sand. But they are not under the scrutiny Apple is.
 
Wow so whats the new iPhone like? Has anyone tried out the new features? Or has everybody just spent the last 3 days holding it tightly and staring at the signal strength indicator?

Sounds like fun!
 
Total signal decline

My phone can be sitting on my desk & it still has less signal than my 3G. I did put a "bumper" type case on but that is only for protection. I talked to an AT&T rep in person (a really nice guy who seems honest) & he said that AT&T is doing such a massive upgrade that towers get shut down so all traffic goes thru fewer towers. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt because their reputation is fast going down the chute & Apple will be exerting MAX pressure with the threat of switching carriers. Still love my iPhone(s).
 
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