Proximity Sensor Issue Being Addressed in Future Update

[iphone4925]

Thank you mac rumor for covering this issue and this issue is far more bigger than the Signal problem it is dropping almost every call i make I hope this do get fixed in the software update IF MAC RUMORS you guys have the ability to tear down the mobile and see what is causing it we would love to know it please look into this issue for all of us thanks I still have a doubt that a software will be able to fix it

 

[alexph]

To anyone having this problem...don't try doing this. It doesn't fix anything. I did it. It's a pain in the ass. You lose game saves on your apps and it's time consuming. People that think this works probably realize it actually doesn't a couple hours after posting about it working when they're on a phone call for longer than 5 minutes and they get off and realize they've been texting someone else with their cheek. This is most likely a problem in all iPhone 4's and will almost definitely be fixed in a software update.

Actually, reconfiguring as a new phone worked for me as well and since I did this, i have not had the Proximity issue at all. It doesn't take that long, its mostly automated, and if it fixes the problem...

 

[zub3qin]

Actually, reconfiguring as a new phone worked for me as well and since I did this, i have not had the Proximity issue at all. It doesn't take that long, its mostly automated, and if it fixes the problem...

Give it time. I did it on my original iPhone 4 and the replacement one i asked for. Prxoimity sensor is horrible. I was on the phone without AT&T and AppleCare and was on mute for long stretches, not realizing it as i was talking. Thankfully the AT&T lady was so out of it and chatty that she never realized i was on mute.

Please everyone call AppleCare and report this problem. Steve likes to track iphone complaints on AppleCare evidently and maybe he will do something about this.

 

[gorgeousninja]

I have a problem with the proximity sensor on my iPhone

every-time I go near it........ it works!


Still trying to get rid of the loose fitting cloud of reception that keeps dogging me, as well.

 

[nvarsj]

I just called AppleCare and spent about 40 mins on the phone with a rep who refused to give me a straight answer. I ended up muting my phone twice while talking to the rep due to this issue. She said there would be a software update to fix the problem, but then told me it was a hardware problem with my phone and I needed to send it in for repair. Then she said I needed to update to 4.0.1 which would fix it. I told her I was already on 4.0.1 and that it wouldn't be acceptable to send it in for repair, considering I was still within 30 days of buying it. Finally she suggested I take it to an Apple store, and then tried to sell me extended AppleCare. What a joke and complete waste of my time.

So I'm still not sure whether to wait for a software update or get it exchanged. I'll probably try to get it exchanged.

 

[Alisstar]

I just called AppleCare and spent about 40 mins on the phone with a rep who refused to give me a straight answer. I ended up muting my phone twice while talking to the rep due to this issue. She said there would be a software update to fix the problem, but then told me it was a hardware problem with my phone and I needed to send it in for repair. Then she said I needed to update to 4.0.1 which would fix it. I told her I was already on 4.0.1 and that it wouldn't be acceptable to send it in for repair, considering I was still within 30 days of buying it. Finally she suggested I take it to an Apple store, and then tried to sell me extended AppleCare. What a joke and complete waste of my time.

So I'm still not sure whether to wait for a software update or get it exchanged. I'll probably try to get it exchanged.

I went twice for an exchange and didn't get one. Some people have. They probably are louder than me. I can tell you though, the Genius I talked to the second time put in writing that if the next update doesn't fix my problem, then I'll be getting a new phone. Go back to Apple Store if you can so that they can log all this in before you run out of time.

 

[gorgeousninja]

I just called AppleCare and spent about 40 mins on the phone with a rep who refused to give me a straight answer. I ended up muting my phone twice while talking to the rep due to this issue. She said there would be a software update to fix the problem, but then told me it was a hardware problem with my phone and I needed to send it in for repair. Then she said I needed to update to 4.0.1 which would fix it. I told her I was already on 4.0.1 and that it wouldn't be acceptable to send it in for repair, considering I was still within 30 days of buying it. Finally she suggested I take it to an Apple store, and then tried to sell me extended AppleCare. What a joke and complete waste of my time.

So I'm still not sure whether to wait for a software update or get it exchanged. I'll probably try to get it exchanged.

Yeah maybe exchange it for a bunch of flowers to give to that poor woman you've been abusing for the last 40 minutes...... and a new phone of course.....

 

[alexph]

People seemed concerned that they have to get the phones back to Apple within 30 days to get a refund. Ok, I am in the UK and don't know if the same applies in the US, but would assume it probably does.

My 30 days is up next Friday, and i have to say that to date (including traveling around the UK) I cannot replicate the loss of signal issue to the extent that the call is dropped. However I did have the issue on the proximity sensor, which appears to have been resolved by a reinstall of the software and setting up the iphone as a new phone rather than restoring from my old 3G.

That said,, and given what is clearing available in the public domain , that there is an admitted issue with both the signal and proximity sensor, it is quite reasonable behaviour to wait until the manufactuers fix is released to see if that works. if it does not, then under UK law, the user would still be entitled to return the goods and 'not fit for purpose' and have a full refund.

Whilst Apple may well try and refute the obligation to a refund, then the threat, or issue of a claim in the Small Claim Court, will, I guarantee, result in a satisfactory settlement for the user.

Whilst the manufacture of any product m,ay issue terms and conditions, these CANNOT over-ride national legislation which, as I have stated, says that goods must be fit for purpose. I think in the US its called 'a lemon'. Perhaps someone from the US will advise.

That said, there is therefore no-one who needs to panic or get so stressed about getting their phone back befofre the 30 days is up. Sit back, give Apple a reasonable time to fix the issues, and if they dont, then clearly they will have to replace the phone with one that does actually work, or refund the full cost.

 

[Alisstar]

People seemed concerned that they have to get the phones back to Apple within 30 days to get a refund. Ok, I am in the UK and don't know if the same applies in the US, but would assume it probably does.

My 30 days is up next Friday, and i have to say that to date (including traveling around the UK) I cannot replicate the loss of signal issue to the extent that the call is dropped. However I did have the issue on the proximity sensor, which appears to have been resolved by a reinstall of the software and setting up the iphone as a new phone rather than restoring from my old 3G.

That said,, and given what is clearing available in the public domain , that there is an admitted issue with both the signal and proximity sensor, it is quite reasonable behaviour to wait until the manufactuers fix is released to see if that works. if it does not, then under UK law, the user would still be entitled to return the goods and 'not fit for purpose' and have a full refund.

Whilst Apple may well try and refute the obligation to a refund, then the threat, or issue of a claim in the Small Claim Court, will, I guarantee, result in a satisfactory settlement for the user.

Whilst the manufacture of any product m,ay issue terms and conditions, these CANNOT over-ride national legislation which, as I have stated, says that goods must be fit for purpose. I think in the US its called 'a lemon'. Perhaps someone from the US will advise.

That said, there is therefore no-one who needs to panic or get so stressed about getting their phone back befofre the 30 days is up. Sit back, give Apple a reasonable time to fix the issues, and if they dont, then clearly they will have to replace the phone with one that does actually work, or refund the full cost.

The proximity sensor is an issue for most if not all iPhone 4s. I bought mine new and didn't use a 3G or 3GS backup and I still have this issue. I've also restored and set up as new again and I'm still having issues with it.

 

[alexph]

The proximity sensor is an issue for most if not all iPhone 4s. I bought mine new and didn't use a 3G or 3GS backup and I still have this issue. I've also restored and set up as new again and I'm still having issues with it.

Sorry you mistake my point. I am not saying thagt there is not an issue - I had it and was very fed yup to say the least, but the action I have taken appears to have fixed MY iphone. I am not saying that this is good for all phones - it was for mione and I can only talk on mine. What I am trying tosay is that people seem to be in a total panic about where they are having a problem and don't get the phone back to Apple inside 30 days they are stuck with a lemon phone for the next however how long. In the UK that is NOT the case. Forget what the manufacturer might say - it does not affext the consumers national legal rights - and in this case is that given the phone has a problem, and the user has tried to sort the issue out - including waiting for the manufactuers announced plan to issue an update to fix the problem - if that doesnlt cure the problem, then the user is still entitled to a total refund - even if this is outside of the manufactuers imposed 30 day limit.

there is therefore no need to panic or get so stressed up as many on this forum seem to be, - wait and see what Apple come up with, and if that doesn't fix the problem then that is tghe time to demand a refund - they will still be liable.

 

[azurehi]

Get it exchanged for a new one that doesn't have that issue. That's what my friend who had the proximity issue did. Took his back to the Apple Store, got it exchanged for a new one that didn't have any proximity issue. Problem solved.

Did the replacement have the Grip of Death problem...just curious

 

[nvarsj]

Yeah maybe exchange it for a bunch of flowers to give to that poor woman you've been abusing for the last 40 minutes...... and a new phone of course.....

It was more like 5 minutes of telling her about my proximity sensor issue, 10 minutes of her asking me about dropped calls (which I did not even bring up), and 25 minutes of being on hold. Blah.

 

[bronzini]

Get it exchanged for a new one that doesn't have that issue. That's what my friend who had the proximity issue did. Took his back to the Apple Store, got it exchanged for a new one that didn't have any proximity issue. Problem solved.

Well, according to the Apple Genius I met with a couple of week ago, the proximity sensor is in the same spot on ever new iPhone 4, so give it time and positioning and it'll happen to pretty much everyone. I actually wonder how many folks actually think it's just another dropped call and not a hang up? It happens to me when I put it between my chin and shoulder, but not all the time. Won't happen for a while and then several times in one day. Is it a pain? I use the phone the most in my car,s o it's a not so big issue, but not being able to use two hands and multi task in the house if a PIA. If it truly can be fixed by software, then the hardware doesn't matter does it? I expect to be flamed now......

 

[severe]

I actually wonder how many folks actually think it's just another dropped call and not a hang up?

I've read several people ask the same question. For me, I became aware of the issue just after receiving my iPhone on opening day. A few weeks later I ran into a friend that received hers at the same time and was under the impression that she had the much talked about reception issues. After some inspection, I informed her she didn't. It was the proximity issue giving her trouble as well.

This is her first iPhone, purchased at my suggestion. But I'm sure this has been a terrible and embarrassing issue for a lot of users.

 

[space1nvaders]

I wonder if, instead of signal dropping because of the way a person holds the phone, if what is actually happening is they are hitting the end call button.... I know I have the proximity sensor issue......

You may be right!

 

[scottnj1966]

I just called apple and they told me I need to go back to the store and have my phone replaced for the sensor issue.
That's does not sound like a software fix.
Now I have to head all the way back to the Florida Mall.

 

[space1nvaders]

I just called apple and they told me I need to go back to the store and have my phone replaced for the sensor issue.
That's does not sound like a software fix.
Now I have to head all the way back to the Florida Mall.

I would just wait. I have version 4.1 on my iPhone 4 and it seems better. This has happened before and Apple fixed it with a software update.

The only time the sensor is a problem for me now is when I put the phone on my shoulder (which is not the way to hold it anyway).

 

[Alisstar]

I just called apple and they told me I need to go back to the store and have my phone replaced for the sensor issue.
That's does not sound like a software fix.
Now I have to head all the way back to the Florida Mall.

I already went to the Florida Mall and they wouldn't replace my iPhone. He told me the next update should fix it, and if not, then I could go back and get it replaced. This was before Steve Jobs press conference last Friday. I don't know how far you live from the FL Mall but I would probably wait till the update is released because I doubt they'll replace your phone.

 

[alexph]

I just called apple and they told me I need to go back to the store and have my phone replaced for the sensor issue.
That's does not sound like a software fix.
Now I have to head all the way back to the Florida Mall.

My wife's favourite Mall. We used to lunch at Ruby Tuesdays

 

[scottnj1966]

I would just wait. I have version 4.1 on my iPhone 4 and it seems better. This has happened before and Apple fixed it with a software update.

The only time the sensor is a problem for me now is when I put the phone on my shoulder (which is not the way to hold it anyway).

I already had 4.0.1, I already did a setting reset. I did everything. No better.
They replaced my phone last night. Much better now. I have not put anyone on hold or hung up on them.

 

[scottnj1966]

I already went to the Florida Mall and they wouldn't replace my iPhone. He told me the next update should fix it, and if not, then I could go back and get it replaced. This was before Steve Jobs press conference last Friday. I don't know how far you live from the FL Mall but I would probably wait till the update is released because I doubt they'll replace your phone.

Florida Mall had no reservations left, I scheduled one with the mall of millenia last night at 650. It was a mad house in there. I was not taken care of until around 715. Thenit was another 15 minutes before my phone was replaced.

I have used the phone last night and this morning a few times now. Not once has it went to mute or any hang ups.
It may be a software issue from syncing my 3gs to the iphone 4 a couple weeks ago. Who knows. But this replacement was sync'd from iphone 4 to iphone 4.
Maybe thats the difference and why everyone is not having the issue.

 

[Alisstar]

Florida Mall had no reservations left, I scheduled one with the mall of millenia last night at 650. It was a mad house in there. I was not taken care of until around 715. Thenit was another 15 minutes before my phone was replaced.

I have used the phone last night and this morning a few times now. Not once has it went to mute or any hang ups.
It may be a software issue from syncing my 3gs to the iphone 4 a couple weeks ago. Who knows. But this replacement was sync'd from iphone 4 to iphone 4.
Maybe thats the difference and why everyone is not having the issue.

Thanks for the update. And I'm glad they replaced your phone. Too bad I wasn't so lucky. Perhaps I should go back again and see what happens.

But anyway, I used to own an iPhone 3G but when I got the iPhone 4 I set it up as new. I didn't restore from a backup or nothing. I even installed most apps straight from the phone's App Store. Maybe some phones had the issue because they synced it from an old phone, but that wasn't the case with me. My phone was set as new from the start. I tried all the things that have worked for others but I am still having issues with it. I'm just glad Apple is aware of it and they're looking into the issue.

Will you post an update again in a couple of days after you've put the replacement phone through good use?