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Ok, Proximity sensor, I've had enough..
- Thread starter thelumpya2
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Just finished up at the Genius bar. The "genius" told me I MAY have to relearn how to talk on the phone.
He also said he'd seen this issue quite a bit (in fact the guy next to me, and the guy next to him, were both there for the same reason) and it's possible Apple would be issuing a software fix for it.
He gave me a new phone. I have used it twice during long calls and have not been able to duplicate the proximity issue on the new phone. So maybe there is hope.
This is the same exact phone model, no cosmetic changes or anything like that, so the folks who are imagining they are getting new equipment from some secret "quiet recall" might be, in fact, insane.
I am restoring from backup now because I put a lot of work into setting up the previous iP4, I hope restoring it doesn't cause the issue to return. (the original was set up as a new phone so it shouldn't have anything to do with it.)
He also said he'd seen this issue quite a bit (in fact the guy next to me, and the guy next to him, were both there for the same reason) and it's possible Apple would be issuing a software fix for it.
He gave me a new phone. I have used it twice during long calls and have not been able to duplicate the proximity issue on the new phone. So maybe there is hope.
This is the same exact phone model, no cosmetic changes or anything like that, so the folks who are imagining they are getting new equipment from some secret "quiet recall" might be, in fact, insane.
I am restoring from backup now because I put a lot of work into setting up the previous iP4, I hope restoring it doesn't cause the issue to return. (the original was set up as a new phone so it shouldn't have anything to do with it.)
Wow!
I've decided to reactivate my 3gs tomorrow and return my iP4 because of comments like this. A company that is so arrogant that it takes weeks to acknowledge they even have a problem (NOT officially, yet.....), and then have the balls to tell us we don't know how to use a PHONE!
New member here. I had a 16gb 3G for about 2 years with 0 issues other than the phone being a little laggy. I just got my ip4 today and I'm having a ton of issues with the proximity sensor. I'm going to reserve judgment about the battery life because I may have used it more than "usual", but it seems to be far worse than advertised. I've already ended 3 calls prematurely, hit mute two times and the speaker once as well as entering into my phone book two times. Should I wait to go exchange this phone? My assumption is whatever phone I exchange this for will have the same issues.. - Dave
I've had this problem since day one and it has been extremely frustrating. I've contacted Apple support three times and been to the Apple store once... and they are pretty good at pretending they've not heard of the problem. But, then they seem oddly familiar with it as the conversation goes on.
It seems to me the problem is in relocating the proximity sensor above the ear speaker... when I use it, there is a pretty good amount of space and light between my ear and where the sensor is. In the old one, it sat much closer to my skin. My guess as to why some people have no issue and others (like me) have it on almost every call may be the different shapes of ears?? I sure hope Apple doesn't blame my problem on my ear shape.
While I was at the Apple store today, the "genius" pretty much admitted it's a terrible design and that I'd have the same problem with a replacement phone. He said I could either return the phone, or keep it and live with it. Nice! And since I bought it through AT&T, I'd probably have a "restocking" fee. Apple's really losing me on this one.
It seems to me the problem is in relocating the proximity sensor above the ear speaker... when I use it, there is a pretty good amount of space and light between my ear and where the sensor is. In the old one, it sat much closer to my skin. My guess as to why some people have no issue and others (like me) have it on almost every call may be the different shapes of ears?? I sure hope Apple doesn't blame my problem on my ear shape.
While I was at the Apple store today, the "genius" pretty much admitted it's a terrible design and that I'd have the same problem with a replacement phone. He said I could either return the phone, or keep it and live with it. Nice! And since I bought it through AT&T, I'd probably have a "restocking" fee. Apple's really losing me on this one.
My genius bar guy told me the same thing!
Sounds like talking points from Apple.
But after making some small talk with the genius bar guy, he whispered to me that he and his friends are having the same problem and they are all counting on the next software update to fix it.
I think Apple employees are on our side- they are getting sick of lying. They have the same complaints.
And when Apple loses the faith of their own military front line, then you know something drastic has to happen.... I expect big news on Friday.
But it better not be a free bumper. I don't want a bumper which costs 25cents to make and is ugly.
I would be happier with a full recall. Or a rebate and a promise that we can exchange the iPhone 4 for the fixed iPhone 5 when it is out, gratis.
For Apple sake I sure hope this addressed on Friday if there is nothing said about this issue and nothing seen in the new 4.1 beta then this piece of crap is heading right to them! I am done with this!
Glad to see since my last post that they did address this on the Friday conference, but whats the update with the next software version.... sure its nice to know that it will be fixed in the next software update but I have a piece of junk till THEY decide weeks from now to release a fix?
Its still a big problem and in my opinion not cool to make people just WAIT till their ready to release it.
Any update or a ballpark figure of when this new update with the fix will be released?
Its still a big problem and in my opinion not cool to make people just WAIT till their ready to release it.
Any update or a ballpark figure of when this new update with the fix will be released?
Just curious, why not use the included headset until this is resolved? Better for your noggin anyway.
Interesting...
My iPhone4 has been flawless until this morning where this kicked in:
-its in a case.
-my ear apparently muted a conversation.
-I finally realized it was muted since the person I was calling say going "hello? hello?"
-I pulled the phone away from my face and it was on the dialing screen and it says "tap to return to your call".
-Tapping that top bar returned to the call BUT the mute button and the hang-up button was not tappable! It was like they were "grayed out".
Weird. Only time that's happened.
Update: I figured it out! It's my old iPhone 3g case by Incase. It's a little too large for the phone the phone slides to the left and right in this case (until I can get the one Apple is sending me). Here's the deal: the proximity sensor is getting actuated by a decorative leather part of the case some of the
time!
Apple's site says if you are experiencing this a good way to test the proximity sensor is to use a visual voicemail call playback (not on speaker!) to test this - you can put your finger over the proximity sensor to determine if it's working or not: the screen should darken when this happens, when you remove your finger it should light up again.
What happened in my case is the screen stayed lit but none of the controls were responsive because the proximity sensor was getting triggered about every few seconds when I was handling the phone since the phone was sliding around inside this case that wasn't really designed for it.
My iPhone4 has been flawless until this morning where this kicked in:
-its in a case.
-my ear apparently muted a conversation.
-I finally realized it was muted since the person I was calling say going "hello? hello?"
-I pulled the phone away from my face and it was on the dialing screen and it says "tap to return to your call".
-Tapping that top bar returned to the call BUT the mute button and the hang-up button was not tappable! It was like they were "grayed out".
Weird. Only time that's happened.
Update: I figured it out! It's my old iPhone 3g case by Incase. It's a little too large for the phone the phone slides to the left and right in this case (until I can get the one Apple is sending me). Here's the deal: the proximity sensor is getting actuated by a decorative leather part of the case some of the
time!
Apple's site says if you are experiencing this a good way to test the proximity sensor is to use a visual voicemail call playback (not on speaker!) to test this - you can put your finger over the proximity sensor to determine if it's working or not: the screen should darken when this happens, when you remove your finger it should light up again.
What happened in my case is the screen stayed lit but none of the controls were responsive because the proximity sensor was getting triggered about every few seconds when I was handling the phone since the phone was sliding around inside this case that wasn't really designed for it.
i think cases definitely play a role with the sensor issues
i ran an experiment and figured something out. if even the slightest bit of anything, like my case, is covering even a microscopic edge of my phone's camera/ear speaker section, the screen goes on and off and vice versa. i made a call to my voice mail with my phone sitting flat on my table and whenever i moved a part of the leather case anywhere near it (barely at all! - definitely not covering anything), the screen sensor became active. but phones slide around in leather cases and other types of cases when you are carrying them and holding onto them while talking so it should not be that sensitive! it doesn't do it as much without the case on because it is usually up to your ear or not with less chance of a piece of the case staying in front of the sensor when you go to hang up a call. that is probably the reason the screen won't allow you to end calls on certain occasions (because "microscopic" amounts of input from a foreign object like a small corner/edge of a case is keeping the screen turned off)! Maybe when you are simply on a call, the case interference is confusing the sensor and making it turn the screen on or off at the wrong times.
how many of you are having problems with cases and without cases on the phone, what type of cases are you using, and what is the level of issues with the sensor that you are experiencing? i seem to have less issues without a case, but i want a case on my phone!
i ran an experiment and figured something out. if even the slightest bit of anything, like my case, is covering even a microscopic edge of my phone's camera/ear speaker section, the screen goes on and off and vice versa. i made a call to my voice mail with my phone sitting flat on my table and whenever i moved a part of the leather case anywhere near it (barely at all! - definitely not covering anything), the screen sensor became active. but phones slide around in leather cases and other types of cases when you are carrying them and holding onto them while talking so it should not be that sensitive! it doesn't do it as much without the case on because it is usually up to your ear or not with less chance of a piece of the case staying in front of the sensor when you go to hang up a call. that is probably the reason the screen won't allow you to end calls on certain occasions (because "microscopic" amounts of input from a foreign object like a small corner/edge of a case is keeping the screen turned off)! Maybe when you are simply on a call, the case interference is confusing the sensor and making it turn the screen on or off at the wrong times.
how many of you are having problems with cases and without cases on the phone, what type of cases are you using, and what is the level of issues with the sensor that you are experiencing? i seem to have less issues without a case, but i want a case on my phone!
i also wonder if screen protectors are interfering with the sensor if they are slightly misaligned when installed. but there should be some leeway. it seems that the sensor is simply way too sensitive!
Like others who have posted numerous times on this thread, I have a completely naked iPhone 4 and it has the problem. No screen protectors or cases to get in the way. I had an iPhone 3G and I hold this phone to my ear the same way and the 3G did not give me a problem while the 4 does.
There may also be some problems with cases due to the new, higher location (in fact, looking at it, I bet it would be difficult to not have it be a problem unless the case was very well fitted and stiff over the long term), but it is not needed to have the problem.
There may also be some problems with cases due to the new, higher location (in fact, looking at it, I bet it would be difficult to not have it be a problem unless the case was very well fitted and stiff over the long term), but it is not needed to have the problem.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
+500
It's kinda frustrating to see people still saying things like "oh I think it's just the case" or "it's the screen protector" when SO many people (myself included) have been talking about our completed 100% naked iphone 4 that is completely corrupted with this issue, AFTER I had a 3G for 2 years without a single issue. Apple addressed it specifically. Said a software update is on the way...
My phone was the exact same way. I was on the phone with AppleCare and she told me I must have been holding it wrong, but to try a restore and call back if it happens again. Sure enough, it happened several more times. Eventually I was directed to a senior adviser within AppleCare and while I was on the phone with him, my call was ended twice by the proximity sensore issue causing my face to press the End Call button. He ended up setting up the advanced replacement device for me and I have yet to notice the problem on the new phone. However, I haven't been on any lengthy phone calls, or very many calls at all, with the new phone.
prox sensor is not working properly!
My IPhone 4 was a nightmare - hung up - muted calles - dial a contact and hang up on call I was on - took to Apple store and they agreed - was not working - they told me lots were having same proplem - I sent mine back to Apple for credit - lots have replaced and still having same problem. Using 3Gs - it works perfect - - not interested in waiting for patch - something is very wrong with this phone - please do not tell me yours has no problems - look at Apple's forum - so many complaints on this issue they started a new thread - I am waiting till they make this phone with a new sensor program or a new sensor. I would lose every client I have if i kept using this phone!!! Apple had better enjoy their stay at the top - with another screw up like this phone = max two years and they will be also rans.
My IPhone 4 was a nightmare - hung up - muted calles - dial a contact and hang up on call I was on - took to Apple store and they agreed - was not working - they told me lots were having same proplem - I sent mine back to Apple for credit - lots have replaced and still having same problem. Using 3Gs - it works perfect - - not interested in waiting for patch - something is very wrong with this phone - please do not tell me yours has no problems - look at Apple's forum - so many complaints on this issue they started a new thread - I am waiting till they make this phone with a new sensor program or a new sensor. I would lose every client I have if i kept using this phone!!! Apple had better enjoy their stay at the top - with another screw up like this phone = max two years and they will be also rans.
Bottom line is this needs to be fixed or at least addressed publicly in a significant way. Other than the sensor issue, I haven't had any real problems with the phone. And regarding the case vs screen protector vs naked phone, I have had much better experiences without a case. But I, like many others still experience sensor trouble with a bare phone. It's just not as bad. Ie- it is much easier for me to end a call without a case on the phone.
Talking to my accountant this morning, hung up on him twice because of the proximity problem. Ended up completing the call on speakerphone. It's driving me crazy. This is my 2nd phone. The first one had this, plus other problems. This is the only problem with the new phone.
Mad Mac Maniac
macrumors 601
Steve jobs did.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Apple#p/c/9F73FF5D3E0B50B3#t=27m50s
it won't link to the middle of the video... but it's at 27m50s
My poor cousin finally moved on from years of dumbphones to an iPhone. Her last phone was a 5 year old razor. She was so excited and pumped to show me she finally got one after I convinced her. She loves the phone but was wondering if its a feature that the phone goes on mute if her face touches it too hard. I started laughing, told her to be patient, they will hopefully fix it.
The damn antenna issue has really stolen the spotlight from in my opinion and easily confirmed by here and apple's forums the biggest issue which is this proximity sensor!
Sure wish it was talked more about and was made a bigger deal of during the press conference!
Hope Stevey Boy comes through with this next update and damnit it better come quick cause I am giving them the benefit of the doubt and keeping this piece of crap in hopes it gets fixed.
Why does he say "HOPEFULLY" we will get that fix into our next update in the keynote???
What an Ass... he says Hopefully so if they cant figure out this fix for this (which they probably wont) he can say well I said "Hopefully" !!!
Wow I should have not watched that section of the keynote cause I am pissed of all over again!
What an Ass... he says Hopefully so if they cant figure out this fix for this (which they probably wont) he can say well I said "Hopefully" !!!
Wow I should have not watched that section of the keynote cause I am pissed of all over again!
Really not trying to be an ass here dude, but you've got a lot of negative energy going on here. Not healthy.
This prox issue is so random (unlike the antenna issue, I can't find anyone who has it here at the office out of a good sized group of IP4s), why not keep trying replacement phones until you get one that works for you?