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FWIW, week 31 here with zero reception issues. Impossible to reproduce death grip. Zero other issues (except for the proximity sensor but that's software, I hope..)
 
I'm glad your phone is working.

But the whole antenna "fix" you think you have is nothing more than fiction. Not that you don't have better reception - I believe that. But if Apple is affecting the signal in anyway via coating or modifying their design it would have to get FCC approval and that is public record. And after their press conference, if they were to change the design in anyway on this generation iPhone - they would be facing even worse press than they got for the issue in general.
 
Week 31 New as purchased thru AT&T, however I do not have reception issues, rattling buttons etc, but I do have the Yellow, Blue and Green Hue on my photos, not sure what is causing it.
 
I've sat side by side at my kitchen table with a new at the time Week 30 phone and my week 25 and both did the same exact thing when held in the magic spot. Not to say definitively that they did not do something when it was refurbed, but I kind of have to doubt it. I just can't see how they could change the antenna performnace unless the bands of the antenna have moved or they added more of them or they added a coating (or thicker coating) to the band. It is much more likely that the signal conditions have changed.

As far as the camera and the button, I can see that being different as many people do not have either problem, so it is obvious that the phones differ some. I seem to have a fine camera but a slightly loose button.
 
This issue with serial numbers has been flogged around since the phone first came out. The problem is that there are quite a few factories around and *if* there were a fix it would not necessarily appear at all factories the same time.

I still do not believe there has been a fix but one way of checking to see if your antenna has a coating was to check the impedance on the metal band with a digital multimeter. The idea was higher impedance there is a coating, lower impedance no coating which makes perfect sense.
 
I just think some phones have the antenna issue and some don't. I have a week 32 and can't reproduce the 'death grip'. I do not see any kind of coating on the antenna.
 
I just think some phones have the antenna issue and some don't. I have a week 32 and can't reproduce the 'death grip'. I do not see any kind of coating on the antenna.

I think it is all a factor of your signal strength and clamminess of your hand as to whether you see it or not. The bars are very rudimentary and if you are getting a strong 5 bar signal you will not notice it, despite the drop having been measured at roughly 19 dBm.
 
I think it is all a factor of your signal strength and clamminess of your hand as to whether you see it or not. The bars are very rudimentary and if you are getting a strong 5 bar signal you will not notice it, despite the drop having been measured at roughly 19 dBm.

Exactly. It can even vary in the same place at times if your signal is on the fringe of being "good" and "bad". Occasionally the deathgrip does not occur at my apartment but most of the time it does. At work (bad signal), it easily drops. At school (good signal), I haven't been able to ever get it to drop. This is according to the bars of course. I'm sure the signal is dropping but you can't see it.
 
After using it for a while I am almost positive it feels different. By feel different I mean the old one felt metallic and cold in the hand. This new one feels like a more slick surface maybe plasticy and not cool to the touch. It looks exactly the same which leads me to believe there is definitely some sort of clear coat over the metal band.

WOW. I've beeeeen expecting a silent fix since a long time, here's one good report.

Do you mind scratching the plasticy-feeling metal band with a knife? Is there metal beneath the outer most layer?
 
WOW. I've beeeeen expecting a silent fix since a long time, here's one good report.

Do you mind scratching the plasticy-feeling metal band with a knife? Is there metal beneath the outer most layer?

Mind cutting into your skull with a knife and seeing if their is a brain beneath the outer most layer?

Look smartass, I know none of you will believe me I don't care. The rattle has been an issue for all phones (pretty sure) and this one doesn't have it, the camera is much better posted the proof (I didn't even realise my old camera had a problem until I got the new one), and the antenna is so much better. Maybe its not a silent fix, maybe I got a dud, maybe it came from a different factory I don't know for sure, but 3 things were fixed which leads me to believe so. I'm not sure whether a clear coat over the antenna would need FCC approval or not, maybe it does, we don't know so we can't know for sure. Ofcourse I'm just speculating, but from my experience it feels like it is fixed. Believe me or not.
 
One way to check is to see if there is higher resistance on the stainless steel band. If there is a coating on it, the resistance across the band is going to be higher. Get hold of a digital multimeter and get back to us. Assuming it is a few ohms or higher then it will be coated.
 
One way to check is to see if there is higher resistance on the stainless steel band. If there is a coating on it, the resistance across the band is going to be higher. Get hold of a digital multimeter and get back to us. Assuming it is a few ohms or higher then it will be coated.

Please do this ^
 
Please do this ^

I don't even have my old phone nothing to compare it to. Plus I don't really want to go pick up a multimeter for it. Like I said I assure you the rattle has been fixed (which seemed to be an issue in every iPhone) which really surprised me. I think I have a old one somewhere Ill look for it.
 
Mind cutting into your skull with a knife and seeing if their is a brain beneath the outer most layer?

Look smartass, I know none of you will believe me I don't care. The rattle has been an issue for all phones (pretty sure) and this one doesn't have it, the camera is much better posted the proof (I didn't even realise my old camera had a problem until I got the new one), and the antenna is so much better. Maybe its not a silent fix, maybe I got a dud, maybe it came from a different factory I don't know for sure, but 3 things were fixed which leads me to believe so. I'm not sure whether a clear coat over the antenna would need FCC approval or not, maybe it does, we don't know so we can't know for sure. Ofcourse I'm just speculating, but from my experience it feels like it is fixed. Believe me or not.

Calm down, buddypal. :rolleyes:
Just asked, if you wanted to do it, to put an end to all rumors. No one is refuting your claims or trying to be smart.


Post a few pics of the metal band?
 
I don't even have my old phone nothing to compare it to. Plus I don't really want to go pick up a multimeter for it.

You're not being asked to compare it to the old one.

You're being asked to put each of the two ohm-meter contacts on the SAME portion of the metal antenna, and read the absolute measurement of the resistance in ohms. If there's no coating the resistance should be way less than one ohm. If there's a coating it should be greater than a couple of ohms.

No doubt one of your friends has a multi-meter who can let you use it for the test. Put it in Ohm meter mode. It would be entirely interesting to hear the results.

Pete
 
Week 31 New as purchased thru AT&T, however I do not have reception issues, rattling buttons etc, but I do have the Yellow, Blue and Green Hue on my photos, not sure what is causing it.

Week 27, new from AT&T. Reception loss, rattle and hues on my pics. I called up Apple and they stated the weird hues you're getting from the photos is "normal" if you're taking the pics indoors due to the fluorescent lighting. If you're experiencing hues in your photos when taking pics outdoors, THEN it's an issue, according to them.
 
I know its been a while but I picked up a multimeter for another project:

Here are the Ohm Readings: (there was more than one setting in Ohms, I have no idea what they mean but they are less than 1)

X1K : Jumped to the 0 Ohms, and went a little farther, maybe negative?

X100: Same thing, Jumped to the 0 Ohms, and went a little farther, maybe negative

X10: Jumped to the 0 Ohms, and went a little farther, maybe negative

(wireless symbol, .))))): it was at like .5 and started beeping so I removed it.


All were tested on A RadioShack Analog Multimeter.

Don't know what they mean
 
I know its been a while but I picked up a multimeter for another project:

Here are the Ohm Readings: (there was more than one setting in Ohms, I have no idea what they mean but they are less than 1)

X1K : Jumped to the 0 Ohms, and went a little farther, maybe negative?

X100: Same thing, Jumped to the 0 Ohms, and went a little farther, maybe negative

X10: Jumped to the 0 Ohms, and went a little farther, maybe negative

(wireless symbol, .))))): it was at like .5 and started beeping so I removed it.


All were tested on A RadioShack Analog Multimeter.

Don't know what they mean

Means that there is NO coating.

On a side note, on the camera color cast, everybody who has done serious photography know that AUTO white balance gives unconsistent results especially under artificial lighting no matter if it's a 4000$ camera or a 100$ one...basic photography 101. Even though the iPhone has a quite impressive camera, you really think it's gonna perform better that the high end Canon or Nikon DSLR?
 
I know its been a while but I picked up a multimeter for another project:

Here are the Ohm Readings: (there was more than one setting in Ohms, I have no idea what they mean but they are less than 1)

X1K : Jumped to the 0 Ohms, and went a little farther, maybe negative?

X100: Same thing, Jumped to the 0 Ohms, and went a little farther, maybe negative

X10: Jumped to the 0 Ohms, and went a little farther, maybe negative

(wireless symbol, .))))): it was at like .5 and started beeping so I removed it.


All were tested on A RadioShack Analog Multimeter.

Don't know what they mean

It means all the excitement you had regarding having some kind of silent fix was unfounded. There is no coating, and if there is going to be a coating, it won't be until the next generation. You simply have an iPhone 4 that works like it should, just like a majority of the owners of the iPhone 4, me included. Rejoice.
 
Those claiming a magical fix of the antenna issue should really post a video. I am still really confused why coating the metal band would solve a antenna issue if you have one in the first place. If you have a antenna issue the bars drop when you touch the actual antenna located in the left bottom hand corner and not the steel band. Touching the steel band does not cause the bars to drop so why would it be coated???
 
I have a week 38 beginning with 79XX and I have the reception problem (better with speck HD) and sometimes I have very minor proximity sensor issues (once or twice).

EDIT: I have also dropped a few calls (with case on)

I don't think the week number has anything to do with anything.
 
I have a week 38 beginning with 79XX and I have the reception problem (better with speck HD) and sometimes I have very minor proximity sensor issues (once or twice).

EDIT: I have also dropped a few calls (with case on)

I don't think the week number has anything to do with anything.

When it comes to the Iphone 4, the fixes are dictated on a few things.

1. Antenna is fixed by coverage in your area. Good area, no problems, weak areas - antennagate.

2. Proximity issue - The shape and folds in your ear, and how you hold it against your face.


I think people who really want to believe there is a fixed phone see what they want to see. Not a hit on them, because sometimes we ALL see what we want to see. But, the mind plays a lot of tricks. And frankly, 'feeling' a difference on your antenna I think qualifies as one. Glad your phone is working better.

BLUF: When I stopped giving a **** about whether my finger in x spot drops signal, my quality of life and phone reception improved greatly.
 
FWIW. I believe OP.
I took back my old iPhone 4 because of overheating issues; it would be sitting on my desk in an air conditioned room and I would get the "You need to let iPhone cool off before using it". Also my old phone had the death grip issues and the magic hang up spot.

Got a refurb, week 32 (starts with 5K) and I can confirm that the metal band feels...different. Hard to describe, but it feels "rougher"? Like its not smooth, polished steel. On this phone, I am unable whatsoever to cause the death grip issues. The dropped calls have stopped and I have a "cooler" screen. My old phone had a yellowish screen.

Believe him or not, just dont flame him. Sorry, Im not going to "scratch" my phone to prove it to you. Nor am I going to buy a digital thingamajigameter to measure Ohm resistance.

Refurbs do go through a far more intensive QC inspection process than FOB phones do.

It could be that they added capacity to the local towers in the area but I'm going to give Cupertino the benefit of the doubt and say that something was fixed. (Reception is still kind of junky on the 3gS)
 
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