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Ridiculous

I tested this first when activating 2 iPhone 4s. We had 3Gs. I upgraded one, then tested signal strength against the still-activated 3G. They had the same number of bars until I picked them up. Then the iPhone 4 lost bars. My wife, who makes phone calls with her left hand, has dropped calls on 5 of her last 6 attempts with the new iPhone. I can't even type on the on-screen keyboard without losing reception. This is absolutely unacceptable. I shouldn't have to change the way I hold a phone.
 
I'm in Toronto and can't replicate this on my 3G like that YouTube video. Even if I cover the whole back with my hands I still get full bars.

Anyone else?

I'm with Rogers. Maybe their cell towers are so powerful that it goes through anything :D

It does depend on how strong your signal is. Unfortunately, as true of all phones, 5 bars does not represent the full range of signal a phone receives. On the iPhone, 5 bars is maxed out at -91 dBm...but the phone can go up to -50dBm, 10,000 time stronger in signal and it will still say only 5 bars.

Most phones weigh the bars to the low end, so you know better when you are in trouble with low signal. This being the case, if you are really in a strong signal area at -51 dbm, losing 20 db will still register 5 bars...you really need to look at dbm's not bars to learn this.
 
nexus one too :)

arn

really does that make you feel better?

i dont get it - this attitude if perplexing to me!!! someone give me a taste of the apple koolaid - maybe i'll understand.

SO what if every other phone on the market has antenna issues

lol - that doesn't solve the problem! my god what is wrong with you!
 
nexus one too :)

arn

Can't believe people are ok with his response. Anyone who keeps this phone is completely owned by Apple. Returning this joke, and going back to VZW. I have never experienced this type of problem with any other phone.

haha dude u and me both - people are justifying their purchase and are fanboys

each and every one of these guys should get a smack in the face

steve jobs is a narcissistic fool for making such a statement
 
Please get off that bandwagon. The wheels have come off and you’re heading for a cliff.

if the wheels have come off the wagon, shouldn't he be ok since he will no longer be rolling towards the cliff? i'm guessing he still may fly off the cliff depending on how close he is when the nose of the wagon makes contact with the ground...;)
 
nexus one too :)

arn

Not mine, maybe I'm lucky. I've never had a dropped call on my nexus... though that has more to do with the network.

At least some simple tape on the iPhone 4 seems to fix the issue... kind of kills that whole sexy factor (like the big rubber case), but if you get out the air bubbles people might not even notice!

Hopefully the situation can be improved with a firmware or software update if the issue is as bad as some say... that hardware is too sexy!
 
Do your other cell phones lose signal by holding it?

I have a Droid Eris as my work phone and I literally mauled the thing outside and didn't lose any signal.



That was not the case for my bumper-less Iphone 4.

Seriously, the Iphone 4 design should be shown with the bumper. IMO that is the fully functional design of this phone.
 
This is completely unacceptable for a $700 in 2010. If the Nexus One has the same problems who cares it doesn't make it okay for Apple to have these problems.
 
really does that make you feel better?

i dont get it - this attitude if perplexing to me!!! someone give me a taste of the apple koolaid - maybe i'll understand.

SO what if every other phone on the market has antenna issues

lol - that doesn't solve the problem! my god what is wrong with you!

If you want a truck buy a truck. If you want a sports car then get one of those. If you want a phone that is not sensitive to antenna blockage test them out till you find one and make that your phone.

This is a widespread phenomena among phone models from different vendors.
 
I'm sure you would have never noticed had a few sensationalists journalists not made some moronic and unfounded reports.


What problems are you actually experiencing? Or is it just that you can see some bars drop when holding your phone in an awkward way, something you wouldn't notice when actually using your phone?

How about I can't make a phone call. Would that be an issue for a phone?
 
Guys read this carefully. The reason some people do not have the issue and others are is simple. I cannot replicate the issue at home or at my office. But I can in my co workers office, at school in class and in the bathroom of my school. So what I'm getting at is if you are in a GREAT/VERY GOOD signal area, you will not be able to replicate the issue. If you are in a KINDA GOOD/POOR signal area, you will be able to replicate the issue. This is a fact guys, try it for yourself. Try your house, your job, your school, bathrooms and see for yourself and please reply to this with your responses.
 
I tested this first when activating 2 iPhone 4s. We had 3Gs. I upgraded one, then tested signal strength against the still-activated 3G. They had the same number of bars until I picked them up. Then the iPhone 4 lost bars. My wife, who makes phone calls with her left hand, has dropped calls on 5 of her last 6 attempts with the new iPhone. I can't even type on the on-screen keyboard without losing reception. This is absolutely unacceptable. I shouldn't have to change the way I hold a phone.

Return the phone and buy another vendors device. Apple has very good return policy.
 
Isn't the Eris a verizon phone?
I'm pretty sure that has something to do with GSM phones (like t-mobile, att)?
 
This is so overblown its ridiculous. Ive had my 4 since early wednesday and have had zero issues. Yes, I can reproduce this, just like I could if I covered the antenna on any other phone. I can also do it on my old 3G and 3GS. I used to actually use it as a tool with my 3GS. If I sent an SMS that I realized had a spelling error I would just cover the bottom of the phone with my hand and the msg would fail. Fix the error and resend. The situation with the 4 is only the tiny strip and you have to really cover it completely. I've even seen video of folks performing the test while on a phone call and going down to no signal yet the call doesn't drop. ?? Everyone needs to just chill the F out already.

It should also be noted that most tech sites that have done extensive testing with the phone have it at least equal or better than previous models. Sitting on my couch my 3GS shows 2-3 bars.... my 4 shows all 5, even when Im holding it. If I lightly or casually cover the lower left junction point nothing happens. If I firmly press my finger over it intentionally it will start to drop bars. Most often only a couple.
 
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