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my update -

at least 10 attempts, with one try at over 20 minute down time (the rest were just as long as the reboot takes)

tried elec tape, alternating on both sim and frame - no dice (tape on fram makes it very dicey due to lack of space)

i CUT the sim card a few times to center it better - and now it is centered - but this is a pretty dumb move because now the card can move a bit... no more cutting for me, there is no more room.....

anyway, just sharing not complaining or looking for a fight

this is what i did and it is what it is.
 
788aeea9-1.jpg


used electrical tape, didn't work. still dropping bars. i really wished this would work.
 
That's not my card. I just took arn's pic and annotated it :)

Ah, gotcha. Ok, but the information is still valid. ;) Apparently arn has used that SIM for some time in some different devices, I'd guess based on that level of wear.
 
I am reporting an all new theory about the AT&T iPhone SIM cards. I like to call it the "tooth" theory. In the first image below, you can clearly see that my SIM card has five teeth, with one empty space where a sixth tooth should be.

The solution you ask? Well, it's simple. Either draw in your own tooth as I did (see second image) or make an appointment with your dental surgeon for first thing in the morning. Either way your iPhone 4's reception will be magically restored in a revolutionary way.

Note that I am not a dentist, nor do I play one on TV. Therefore, it is recommended that you contact a professional prior to performing any dental surgery on your SIM card.
cannot unsee
 
Jav, if this turns out to be a fix...im going to start selling these tshirts. We can split the profits of course! :D
Screenshot2010-06-29at115828PM.png
 
I've been saying since day one (June 23rd), my iPhone4 does not have reception issues. For the sake of comparison, here is a pic of my SIM, not touching.

Nice macro shot, thanks. Interesting SIM there, never seen one so exposed like that (meaning it doesn't seem to have as much plastic acting as an insulator between the contact pads like pretty much all other SIMs do. Was that a factory microSIM or one that you've had for some time now used in other devices, etc?

The wear level (the scraping) on it seems pretty high as well...
 
Ah, gotcha. Ok, but the information is still valid. ;) Apparently arn has used that SIM for some time in some different devices, I'd guess based on that level of wear.

nope. that sim came with the iPhone 4.

arn
 
I just used a file to shave a little off the opposite side of my SIM from where it was touching. After reinserting the SIM I still have the reception problem. Five bars to none in 30 seconds or less if I hold the iPhone using the sides.
 
It does not work. I first tried clear tape to prevent the sim card contacts from touching the tray and it did nothing.
I then tried cutting the card so the gold contacts were exactly in the center and it still did not work.

If it works for anyone then try putting a metal object like a paper clip on the corner to bridge the antennas and see if it affects your reception then.
 
I've been saying since day one (June 23rd), my iPhone4 does not have reception issues. For the sake of comparison, here is a pic of my SIM, not touching.



4748126810_76ff173675_b.jpg



My SIM does NOT look like that. I got 99 problems and touching my lower left seem is one.

Mine is lower and touching the SIM tray.
 
my update -

at least 10 attempts, with one try at over 20 minute down time (the rest were just as long as the reboot takes)

tried elec tape, alternating on both sim and frame - no dice (tape on fram makes it very dicey due to lack of space)

i CUT the sim card a few times to center it better - and now it is centered - but this is a pretty dumb move because now the card can move a bit... no more cutting for me, there is no more room.....

anyway, just sharing not complaining or looking for a fight

this is what i did and it is what it is.

You could use a bit of adhesive to keep it from moving.
 
Nice macro shot, thanks. Interesting SIM there, never seen one so exposed like that (meaning it doesn't seem to have as much plastic acting as an insulator between the contact pads like pretty much all other SIMs do. Was that a factory microSIM or one that you've had for some time now used in other devices, etc?

The wear level (the scraping) on it seems pretty high as well...

I pre-ordered from AT&T. I only took it out for the sake of photographing it for this thread (twice). It's never been removed otherwise. I think it's macro that's emphasizing scratches and gaps.
 
I just used a file to shave a little off the opposite side of my SIM from where it was touching. After reinserting the SIM I still have the reception problem. Five bars to none in 30 seconds or less if I hold the iPhone using the sides.

:(
 
ANOTHER CONFIRMATION

I took the sim card out.. just put it back in and turned phone on.. Got the same crap. Went from 5 bars to 2 bars.

I thought earlier that my problems had gone away.. but they hadn't when I checked again.

Now i took it out a 2nd time but scraped with my fingernail on the side of the simcard where the gold is closest to the edge.. doubt this did anything.

But i put it back in.. and now.. My reception has only gotten to 4 bars.. not 2 bars. I keep trying.. and not going lower.
 
It does not work. I first tried clear tape to prevent the sim card contacts from touching the tray and it did nothing.
I then tried cutting the card so the gold contacts were exactly in the center and it still did not work.

If it works for anyone then try putting a metal object like a paper clip on the corner to bridge the antennas and see if it affects your reception then.

Do coins work or keys?
 
I tried it, removed the SIM, found one edge of the gold contacts touching the SIM tray as shown in pictures here, carefully filed a bit off the opposite side of the SIM (barely any, it was still tight in the tray). Gold contacts are still touching the tray, didn't want to file off more or it would be loose.

No improvement in death grip drop-off.

The premise may be correct but it seems it would require a new SIM for me to not have the gold contacts touching the tray edge.
 
Not to be a 'Negative Nelly' but I'm a bit skeptical that this is THE FIX. As pointed out earlier, it only seems to be making a difference for around half of the people who try it.

Also, so far no one in the parallel thread on the Apple Support forum has had it fix their issues. Not saying it doesn't work for some, just that it appears there are additional factors at play here.
 
My SIM does NOT look like that. I got 99 problems and touching my lower left seem is one.

Mine is lower and touching the SIM tray.

THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE THE INSULATION ON THE EDGE OF THE SIM TRAY.

If it's actually the gold contacts touching the defective sim tray, then this is clearly an AT&T issue!
 
hmmm this could explain why i haven't had issues.

Day one i got the phone, noticed the sim tray was a bit out. I pressed it in and got "no sim card" message.

I took out the sim card and put it back in. Message was gone.

Since then I have not had any signal issues.
 
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