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Perpetually weak 3G signal in Southern Cali... What are my options?

X

XciteMe

macrumors 6502
Original poster
May 21, 2009
450
1
Santa Monica, CA
PLEASE help me.

1) I am within the 30 day return window (I've had my iPhone 4 for about 2 weeks)

2) I get zero to 1 bars of 3G signal, about 60-75% of the time. The other times I randomly shoot up to full bars, but then it drops out after a few minutes.

3) I could restore it, but I don't think 3G strength has anything to do with restoring it.

4) I refuse to get a refurb from a Genius... I JUST got mine, I want a BRAND NEW iPhone 4 *** dammit (sorry for using the Lord's name in vain but this makes me angry that Apple could do this)

What should I do?
 
XciteMe said:
PLEASE help me.

1) I am within the 30 day return window (I've had my iPhone 4 for about 2 weeks)

2) I get zero to 1 bars of 3G signal, about 60-75% of the time. The other times I randomly shoot up to full bars, but then it drops out after a few minutes.

3) I could restore it, but I don't think 3G strength has anything to do with restoring it.

4) I refuse to get a refurb from a Genius... I JUST got mine, I want a BRAND NEW iPhone 4 *** dammit (sorry for using the Lord's name in vain but this makes me angry that Apple could do this)

What should I do?
Click to expand...

Ive dealt with the exact same problem with my iphone 4 since launch day. I live in mississippi however and generally have far better reception with it then previous iphones, however where i live at, its just like your situation. I get 1-2 bars of signal and cant hold a call most the time. I went through a few phones from the genius bar and finally apple sent me a brand new one and that still didnt make it any better! So, best of luck to you! I did notice a few people mentioning that the new baseband has helped them with signal issues, just not sure if im ready to give up my jb yet!!:)
 
XciteMe said:
PLEASE help me.

1) I am within the 30 day return window (I've had my iPhone 4 for about 2 weeks)

2) I get zero to 1 bars of 3G signal, about 60-75% of the time. The other times I randomly shoot up to full bars, but then it drops out after a few minutes.

3) I could restore it, but I don't think 3G strength has anything to do with restoring it.

4) I refuse to get a refurb from a Genius... I JUST got mine, I want a BRAND NEW iPhone 4 *** dammit (sorry for using the Lord's name in vain but this makes me angry that Apple could do this)

What should I do?
Click to expand...

Are you using a case/bumper for your iPhone? I had an experience very similar to yours, and upon putting on the bumper, my signal improved by a solid 2-3 bars.
 
Within 30 days you have the ability to get a brand new iPhone and not a refurb. If you bought at an Apple store and they offer you a refurb (only stores that do that) just let them know that your money was spent to buy a 100% working and 100% new in box iPhone 4, not a refurb unless they want to give you back some money.

Secondly, opt for a microcell. It's $0 up to $50 depending where you get it, who you talk to and your account standing.
 
XciteMe said:
OK due to my severe OCD, things like dust particles in the screen and loose home buttons make me crazy.

I am on my second iPhone 4 (the first one, bought at launch, was returned within 30 days because of the reception issue).

This second one has dust particle and that was out of the box.

I am considering returning it to AT&T (I've had it for about 2 weeks), which would be my second return.

"Why not just swap it at a Genius Bar?"

Because I REFUSE to get a refurbished, non-new iPhone 4 when I just paid for mine. I refuse to play a "cross your fingers and hope for the best" game, since many Genius people have been known to shut you down and tell you they cannot help you. I just refuse.

So my question is, if I return this iPhone 4, wait a week or two until my account status resets back to where it was before, and then RE order the iPhone 4 again (yet again), do you think AT&T Might deny me and say "Uh why have you returned 2 already?"

Or am I just worrying about nothing? They don't care about that, right, as long as I pay my bill each month?

What's your take? Who's done this?
Click to expand...
Good lord. First the above, now AT&T signal issues. Give up, return your iPhone. Much easier than dealing with your OCD.
 
XciteMe said:
PLEASE help me.

1) I am within the 30 day return window (I've had my iPhone 4 for about 2 weeks)

2) I get zero to 1 bars of 3G signal, about 60-75% of the time. The other times I randomly shoot up to full bars, but then it drops out after a few minutes.

3) I could restore it, but I don't think 3G strength has anything to do with restoring it.

What should I do?
Click to expand...

Return it and either wait for a Verizon iphone that some expect by January or get a Verizon Droid now.
 
AT&T signal strength seems to have gotten worse in the L.A. area over the last 3 weeks or so. Most of the people I work with have the iphone 4 and have been having problems. I'm not sure what happened but it's really getting frustrating. Unfortunately for me, AT&T is the only wireless company that gets a signal into the building I work in. At best I get edge, but if I open the door I can get 3G.
 
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