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Signal problem with Mophie Case.

FeliApple

FeliApple

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 8, 2015
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I got a Mophie juice pack plus (Biggest one with 2100 MaH) for Christmas, for my iPhone 5s. It works perfectly but when I put the case in, signal drops either to No Service or to one dot. I take the case out and signal goes back as normal. Put the case on again and same problem appears. Any clues about why it happens?
 
FeliApple

FeliApple

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 8, 2015
3,684
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As in the crappy country I live in there are no refunds, I'll ask to the Apple reseller that sold it to me (no Apple stores as well here) and if he gives me an useless answer I'll exchange it for another product of equal value. Seems there is nothing else I can do unfortunately... Question though: Why doesn't any internet review mention this deal breaker issue?
Thanks for answering, and Merry Christmas.
 
Last edited:
HEK

HEK

macrumors 68040
Sep 24, 2013
3,547
6,080
US Eastern time zone
FeliApple said:
As in the crappy country I live in there are no refunds, I'll ask to the Apple reseller that sold it to me (no Apple stores as well here) and if he gives me an useless answer I'll exchange it for another product of equal value. Seems there is nothing else I can do unfortunately... Question though: Why doesn't any internet review mention this deal breaker issue?
Thanks for answering, and Merry Christmas.
Click to expand...
Yes cases that have metal in them, especial battery cases block signal strength. Exchange it for an external carry along flat back up battery. You can give your phone a charge any where any time and since it is not wrapped around the phone won't interfere with signal. This way you keep nice slim phone and still carry extra power with you. Added feature if you have a laptop or tablet, you can charge those as well from this extra battery pack.
 
P

PortableLover

macrumors 6502a
Apr 14, 2012
734
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england
I believe the official apple battery case has signal boosters inside it, i assume that there should be some third party cases with this feature as well?
 
HEK

HEK

macrumors 68040
Sep 24, 2013
3,547
6,080
US Eastern time zone
PortableLover said:
I believe the official apple battery case has signal boosters inside it, i assume that there should be some third party cases with this feature as well?
Click to expand...
Think the official Apple battery case is only for the 6 and 6s. I suspect even with booster antennas some signal loss will still take place. Especially if they are passive boosters, which I believe they are.

Unfortunately even Apple can't violate physical laws that reduce radio wave propagation inside metal objects. Look up faraday cage.

By adding a battery case that reduces signal, the radios turn up higher, using more electricity, sort of defeating the added battery in first place. Nothing would beat a phone with external antennas, sticking up outside the case. Remember those. But the form factor says no antenna masts any more.
 
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Applejuiced

Applejuiced

macrumors Westmere
Apr 16, 2008
40,672
6,533
At the iPhone hacks section.
HEK said:
I think calling them boosters is a bit generous. More like built in repeater antennas to help channel signals around metallic parts and battery itself. Think I read it in the teardown. Not sure now, too lazy to look it up.
Click to expand...

I'd like to hear some input from people that have and use it.
I bet signal is still impacted by the particular case.
 
V

Vicrooloo

macrumors regular
Dec 8, 2015
198
87
FeliApple said:
As in the crappy country I live in there are no refunds, I'll ask to the Apple reseller that sold it to me (no Apple stores as well here) and if he gives me an useless answer I'll exchange it for another product of equal value. Seems there is nothing else I can do unfortunately... Question though: Why doesn't any internet review mention this deal breaker issue?
Thanks for answering, and Merry Christmas.
Click to expand...
You live in the country so signal strength is already a sort of premium. I'll bet that in the city the signal reception is strong enough to overcome whatever limitations the case may bring.
You see there are more than one band used to handle communications, a easy sort of descriptor is a channel. These various channels are all used as a sort of fail safe since reception will vary from location to location. Some channels may be strong in one area but not another but as you move strength will decrease and increase. Out in the country instead of, say, five channels to connect with you may be limited to just two or even one.

PortableLover said:
I believe the official apple battery case has signal boosters inside it, i assume that there should be some third party cases with this feature as well?
Click to expand...
Off the top of my head, I can only remember one article about a case with signal boosters. I can't remember its brand or name though. If its up to me, I would go with the official Apple case
 
Newtons Apple

Newtons Apple

Suspended
Mar 12, 2014
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15,254
Jacksonville, Florida
FeliApple said:
I got a Mophie juice pack plus (Biggest one with 2100 MaH) for Christmas, for my iPhone 5s. It works perfectly but when I put the case in, signal drops either to No Service or to one dot. I take the case out and signal goes back as normal. Put the case on again and same problem appears. Any clues about why it happens?
Click to expand...

Good reception with no case, bad with case. . . . There is you clue.

Get rid of the case.
 
FeliApple

FeliApple

macrumors 68040
Original poster
Apr 8, 2015
3,684
2,088
Yeah, if I was in the US That'd be easy, but there are no refunds here. I guess I'll try to see if it keeps impacting signal. if it does, I'll exchange it for something else. I appreciate all answers, thanks everyone.
 
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