Stainless steel replacement backing for iPhone 4?

[adam445]

With regards to the voBack, I emailed them and this was their response:

Hello,

I know that other iPhone 4 backs are having trouble in the following places..

1. Metal Screw Holes
2. LED/Camera Diffuser
3. Antenna

Can you please tell me if your backs are affected by these?

Their Response:

Hi XXXX,

Thanks for your questions. We have higher quality back panels compared with the generic ones out of China.

The screw holes in all of these are metal. The diffuser is not included, but can easily be supplied and installed. We haven't heard any reported antenna issues with these panels. Any panel should not affect the antenna.

Regards,
Thomas

I think i'm going to give them a shot and see how their product is.

 

[bestace]

I was posting right here on MacRumors about my experiences with 'antennagate' on my iPhones and the effects of 'palming' non iPhones such as my Nokia 6230 for MacRumors (see my lead story Macrumors video here Nokia6230). Your hand produces a detuning, reflective and RF shadowing effect on the SS band any cell phone antenna. After that, Apple started posting there own videos on their web pages for other phones as well.

So far none of the posters here seems to have purchased one of these metal backs, or reported on any results. That is too bad, I'd be curious of the results. Cell phone antennas are affected when held to your head or with your hand because you are a 'bag of salty conductive water'. A metal plate is even more conductive than water. That is why I'd be concerned. It will effect the radiation pattern of the phone. It is hard to predict whether it will be serious or not. Certainly the metal cases that cover the IP4 SS band have been mostly a disaster from the postings I've seen on Macrumors too.

there is a report of someone testing an aluminium case. They said there was no noticeable loss of reception. I would think the battery case of having less impact than one that is on the outside of the phone.

 

[xraytech]

Thirdly I have been taking literally hundreds of photos (my band has been recording in the studio and we've been using my phone to make both video and photographs of the event) and I have yet to see any different in photo quality. Honestly if you're seeing a huge different or any at all you probably smudged the inside of the camera screen on the back while you were installing it.

Clarity is fine but I get dark corners. And know I did not "Smudge" anything.

 

[Ben-]

The beveled back I've ordered last month has finally arrived, but I'm still contemplating whether I will keep it. It does have the exterior lens cover over the camera and flash hole, but there is no flash diffuser.

Do none of the current metal plates (flat and beveled) being sold on eBay come with a camera diffuser? I've read in the previous posts regarding the beveled design without a flash diffuser, photos will appear washed out. Is the result the same for the flat design? Where can I find this diffuser piece?

Also it was mentioned that the back plate is an extension of the iPhone's antenna system. How do I identity this antenna inlay piece?

 

[Ste-ve]

Anyone know where I can pick one of these up in the UK?

 

[adam445]

Any updates guys?

 

[milbournosphere]

anyone found a screwdriver for the newer pentagram (5 star) screws?

I was lurking in this thread (I'm considering getting one of the aluminum backs for the phone i'm getting this weekend) and I never saw anybody respond to this, so I thought I'd talk up iFixit real quick. They have a 'liberation kit' that has the screw drivers (proprietary and Philips), as well as replacement Phillips screws so you don't have to deal with the proprietary ones again. Looks like it's only $10 now.
http://www.ifixit.com/iPhone-Parts/iPhone-4-Liberation-Kit/IF182-019