Proximity Sensor Issue Solved

[gecis]

Before I returned my first Iphone, I tried every trick in the book i.e. restore to factory settings, setup as a new phone without backup, upgrade to 4.01 etc. But I still had the problem with the sensor. So I finally concluded It was a hardware issue not a software issue. Well at least in my case it was.

How to find out if you have this problem with the sensor? Well unfortunately there's no certain way. While testing, the proximity sensor works perfectly fine when you place your finger on it etc. However it starts acting funny during calls. Mine use to start acting up mostly after a few minutes into call when the phone started to heat up. And then no matter how close I put it to my face the screen light still remained on. I was at a stage where I had to ensure that my cheek didn't touch the glass while talking. Trust me it was a pain.

So far the new phone's been doing great. I tested it for at least ten minutes at the genius bar before taking delivery. The the genius asked me to comeback anytime if I am able to replicate the issue again.

 

[PeteLP]

I fail to understand how Apple plans to fix this issue via software. Some people have it, others don't, but we all have the same firmware. Call me old fashioned, but this has usually meant a hardware issue in the past.

Maybe Apple's "fix" is just the beginning of Sensorgate.

As I see it, there are many possibilities where the problem could stem from hardware and still be dealt with through a software fix

1) The proximity sensor is probably a temperature sensor which produces a range of values as a function of temperature. If so they might have success reducing the value which the software considers necessary to turn off the screen. (Call it the threshold value)

2) Given that the phone seems to have more problems when hot (I only experienced the proximity problem once, and the phone had been left out in the sun at that time, and was indeed very hot), they might be able to have the software checking for temperature periodically and modifying the threshold temperature to be a function of current/recent temperature. I believe that it's only turned off when you're in the phone app, so a base temperature could be calculated when the device was last NOT in the phone app.

3) Varying base values could be determined by assuming that more gradual temperature changes do NOT imply a change of proximity. Thus the software could continue to change the base value even when IN the phone app, and the software could make the threshold value a function of this kind of variable base value.

4) Many other possibilities.

It's also possible the the problem may be too random to be dealt with through software. This won't be known until we actually see what apple comes up with.

Pete

 

[fuseone]

I think its just a bad patch out there. My phone works fine but my girls had the problem so we took it back to apple they replaced it we tested out the replacement, it happend so they tried to tell her it was they way she held the phone so i had her try right there in the store with my phone had no problems. so they replaced it again with in 5 mins with another one that one finally worked. seems like you can tell really quick if you pull it away from your face and unlocks really quick when your on a call it will have the problem but if it takes like 2 seconds then it shouldnt have the problem.

 

[ARF900]

why would Apple not mention anything? They would not do a replacement at the apple store for my issue.

They did mention it at the press conference, they said next update.

I'm happy mine worked out of the box, (Although I had the third batch)

 

[dagomike]

Apple said a software fix is on the way. A simple timing setting would help a lot.

Seeing as the proximity sensor is a fickle thing, I'm skeptical any new phone is "fixed". I have a week 28 phone and it has it. If I didn't hold my phone in my shoulder I'd probably never experience it.

4.1 might help. It's hard to tell, like I said it's not really repeatable in actual phone usage.

 

[pollster25]

proximity sensor

Anyone looking at Apple's forum - it is dominated by this issue - my phone is a piece of junk - I cannot use my phone to make calls - my sensor does not work - sending it back! My wife's IPhone 4 does not have the this problem. If your IPhone does not have this problem - you are very fortunate - it is a nightmare to get a call and your phone keeps dialing a new number and hanging up on calls or the mute fuction starts and the other party cannot hear you speaking! The longer the call goes on / more strange things happen!

 

[parker770]

I have been experiencing issues with the proximity sensor since day 1(I bought the phone the weekend of the launch)

When I am on a call for any period of time longer than a minute or two, I notice out of the corner of my eye that the screen flashes on and off, while I still have the phone to my ear. Inevitably, my face ends up pressing buttons on the screen. Sometimes it activates the speakerphone or mute, but most of the time it ends up ending the call. A few times on a call that was 2 hours+, I have had it happen and end up hanging up 5 or 6 times on one call.

I called AppleCare, and really expected them to claim that it wasn't an issue after reading about the experiences others had at an Apple Store.

The reps were extremely friendly, and immediately said that they would replace the phone. There isn't an Apple Store within 120 miles of where I live, so I was dreading having to driver 240 miles round trip to have the phone replaced, but they offered to overnight me a new phone for free!

Unfortunately, they do not pay for Saturday delivery, so I will have to wait until Monday to get it, but I'll post up when the new phone gets here and update as to whether or not the issue is present.

If anyone is having the problem, just call Apple and they will replace it without a second thought! I was thoroughly impressed by their customer service!

 

[Johns12]

I am on my 2nd phone and still have the proximity sensor problem. It is very frustrating. I have "hung up" on quite a few people and had to call back and apologize. Hope it's fixed soon.

 

[dlemmon]

Maybe we were supposed to grow really poofy beards so that we won't push the buttons with our faces?

Mine either goes into my contacts while I'm on a call, or tries to text a random face-generated phone number.

It hits speaker phone quite often too.

So, Don't hold your phone in the grip of death, and don't hold it too close to your face. How convenient!