Poll: iPhone 4 problems thread

[JGBR]

I think their are too many variations involved in this, so far (feel free to add)

1. Dependant on how you hold it
2. Location in the Nation
3. Location in reference to local masts
4. Carrier
5. How Conductive your hand is
6. Size of hand
7. Other antennas in use
8. Local devices in use also.
9. Earthing
10. Weather

C'mon could apple test for that?! Debate.

 

[SiriusB]

As I stated (more than once) I have had no issues with my handset. No problems, and I am very happy with my device. However....other people may not be having the same experience as me.

Which part of that statement makes me blind?

I wasn't directing my post at anyone in particular... There are just a lot of people in this thread who say there isn't a problem or it's not that bad.

However, just because you personally aren't having an issue [one of very few I might add] does not mean the problem isn't there and not a serious one.

Not everyone had a Toyota with crap brakes, didn't make it any less of an issue.

I know you can't directly compare the impact of the issues, but the point stands you can't dismiss a problem just because you aren't experiencing it. I want the iphone 4 as I have said several times, but I want to know any issues like this will be fixed before I lay out any money on it.

 

[Yas786]

I want the iphone 4 as I have said several times, but I want to know any issues like this will be fixed before I lay out any money on it.

Same scenario im in...just waiting to see if they rectify these reception issues although i heard that apple are releasing an update to OS4...so hopefully that may or may not fix the issue...lets hope they thoroughly test the update though

 

[cu3ed]

How many manufacturing lines does Apple commission to make the new iPhone?, im sure this is not a design flaw, but something has happened in the manufacturing phase.

But thats a death right there if its hardware, mi not sure how any amount of software can help it, considering the network Mhz are pretty much locked in, im wondering how much movement they really have to adjust things.

 

[Doonhamer]

I know you can't directly compare the impact of the issues, but the point stands you can't dismiss a problem just because you aren't experiencing it.

I didn't dismiss it. I replied to somebody about my own experiences. Its been a complete non issue for me and I said that. Or am I not allowed to have a satisfactory experience just because others are not?

 

[Raymond Lin]

I went to see for myself in the Apple store in the bullring in Birmingham. You could not get any more central.

1. Dependant on how you hold it

I hold it how i have hold a phone in my entire life, both left and right hand.

2. Location in the Nation

Birmingham, but i don't live there, and if it drops in Birmingham then what hope do i have when i got to the sticks?

3. Location in reference to local masts

In the bullring? I dunno where the nearest one is but it cant be far away as it is a new building and it is the bullring!

4. Carrier

I tried both O2 and Orange.

5. How Conductive your hand is.

Like a hand, its not like i can change it.

6. Size of hand

Irrelevant, only a part of the palm is touching it, whether it is small or big hands.

7. Other antennas in use

It is out of your control so irrelevant. It is not like you can help it. And if it is affected, it is a mobile, are you only going back to that place to make calls only?

8. Local devices in use also.

Same as above, out of your control so irrelevant.

9. Earthing

I have to wear rubber shoes to use a phone or something?

10. Weather

It was a bright sunny day yesterday, if it is affected by the weather then it has even more problems!

 

[SiriusB]

I didn't dismiss it. I replied to somebody about my own experiences. Its been a complete non issue for me and I said that. Or am I not allowed to have a satisfactory experience just because others are not?

So I don't really see what all the fuss is about

You dismissed the issue right there. Just because you didn't have a problem. I do concede you made your point clearer further down the thread.

However, my original post when I first quoted you was concerning this line:

Reason I ask is because as far as I can tell those making the most noise are people who do not own an Iphone. Which to me seems to be more about looking for a fault than practical experience of using the handset.

I was stating you didn't have to be an iPhone owner to voice disapproval. The rest of my post wasn't directed at you, nor was my post up there directed at you entirely.

You are taking this a little personally. I am not attacking you!

 

[Type_R]

I think its fairly clear that this issue (antenna) affects ALL iphone 4s. I can get my iphone 4 to not show up the issue when Im at work on the 4th floor of a building - I have 5 bars, drop to 1 but it holds on to 3G. However when I come home its 3 bars to nothing.

A good friend works for Apple. He bought his iphone 4 to my house insisting that it did not suffer with the 'antenna' issue. Once again within seconds it had ground to a halt on the 3G front in my house. So in my opinion anyone who cannot highlight the issue with their iphone hasn't aligned all the boxes that make it happen (some of those mentioned above e.g. location, mast distance etc).

Equally, I am sure that all phones from any make can be ground to halt when you put a number of things together. Anyone remember the new A-class rolling over in a test! Bet Mercedes had tested that car nearly as much as Apple have their iPhone. However, one of the big boxes in the puzzle of preventing functionality should not be placing your hand on the phone. Just like turning right and then left in an A-class proved to be disaster - it was not acceptable and neither is this. Lets hope Bosch have an answer for the iPhone 4 []

 

[mOdO]

For those who got free bumpers. Did you ring applecare or go into the store?

 

[Nismo]

Received mine today from Orange, and unfortunately I think it's going to have to go back.

I simply CANNOT hold it in any position without it either dropping bars significantly, switching to EDGE from 3G, or losing service completely. This isn't just the bottom left corner issue either, even holding it flat on my palm degrades the signal (this is all in my right hand as well).

If I put it on a flat surface like a desk it gets full bars on 3G, and I've tried the sim in another phone (Nokia 5800) and the reception is perfect.

Feel very deflated to be honest as I genuinely didn't think the issues would be this bad

 

[JGBR]

I went to see for myself in the Apple store in the bullring in Birmingham. You could not get any more central.

1. Dependant on how you hold it

I hold it how i have hold a phone in my entire life, both left and right hand.

2. Location in the Nation

Birmingham, but i don't live there, and if it drops in Birmingham then what hope do i have when i got to the sticks?

3. Location in reference to local masts

In the bullring? I dunno where the nearest one is but it cant be far away as it is a new building and it is the bullring!

4. Carrier

I tried both O2 and Orange.

5. How Conductive your hand is.

Like a hand, its not like i can change it.

6. Size of hand

Irrelevant, only a part of the palm is touching it, whether it is small or big hands.

7. Other antennas in use

It is out of your control so irrelevant. It is not like you can help it. And if it is affected, it is a mobile, are you only going back to that place to make calls only?

8. Local devices in use also.

Same as above, out of your control so irrelevant.

9. Earthing

I have to wear rubber shoes to use a phone or something?

10. Weather

It was a bright sunny day yesterday, if it is affected by the weather then it has even more problems!

You say its all irrelevant and theirfore backing up the point that its a problem of epic proportions but some people are claiming to not have the problem hence their must be factors in play that are slightly different.

I am not attempting to draw conclusion but just state people seem to be complaining in so many different tests its hard to find a "mean" to the problem so far.

Theifore showing we are no further towards answering if its hardware or software.

 

[Raymond Lin]

You say its all irrelevant and theirfore backing up the point that its a problem of epic proportions but some people are claiming to not have the problem hence their must be factors in play that are slightly different.

I am not attempting to draw conclusion but just state people seem to be complaining in so many different tests its hard to find a "mean" to the problem so far.

Theifore showing we are no further towards answering if its hardware or software.

If I CAN make it lose signals by my mere touch then I should be seeing a doctor and get some Anti-Virus on prescription!

Also if it is only a software fault then apple won't tell you to hold it differently or ask you to get a bumper.

 

[Moredhel]

Theifore showing we are no further towards answering if its hardware or software.

I don't think anyone can truly answer that but Apple or mobile phone networks testing the device.

Can you really say you're an expert in radio technologies or GSM baseband systems? They'll be the kind of people working on it, both at Apple and AT&T I suspect. I sure as hell can't claim any expertise in that area, I doubt many others can either.

We can but faff around waiting for a patch...

 

[JGBR]

Yet as i said,

Their is still no conclusion either from apple or the bumbling press over weither it is hardware or software, theirfore wise to prepare when buying or using one to be ready for either eventuality.

 

[Westyfield2]

This signal problem is amusing.

I had my iPhone 4 resting in my left hand (as I then tap/pinch etc with my right hand) and it gradually went down from 5 bars of O2 3G to 1 bar. Then put it back on the patio table and it slowly went back up to 5 bars.
Then I put my handkerchief over my left hand and rested the iPhone 4 back in it. This time it only went down from 5 bars of O2 3G to 4 bars. Then I got someone to pull the handkerchief out (which proves how the iPhone 4 was resting in my hand, not being gripped tightly!) and the signal slowly went down to 1 bar.

For reference, this was outside in Bath with the iPhone 4 connected to WiFi.

TLDR: Having the iPhone 4 resting in my left hand but insulated makes it drop 1 bar, without the insulation it drops 4 bars.


Apologies for keep mentioning "iPhone 4", it's because I've still got my 3GS so have been comparing them!

Thinking about it, I really can't see how software can fix this .

What's everyone going to do then? I'm really hoping Apple come up with a proper fix, otherwise I'll be forced to take mine back for a refund.

A temporary bodge I've just thought of though, get one of those scratch protection things (e.g. http://www.wrapsol.com/en_US/Home+Page/Products/iphone+_+mobile/apple/iPhone+4.aspx) and stick it on the antennas. Though with a £600 phone we shouldn't be having to do this!

 

[Kainz]

Apparently iOS4.01 remedies the issue...hopefully very soon.
http://www.appleinsider.com/articles/10/06/25/death_grip_hysteria_may_end_monday_with_ios_4_01.html

Readers report that Apple's tech support forums originally confirmed that a iOS 4.0.1 software fix addressing the issue would ship early next week (as early as Monday), before the comments were subsequently taken down along with all the other related discussion about the matter.

The fix is expected to address a issue in iOS 4 related to radio frequency calibration of the baseband. Readers who saw the original forum discussions say that the issue is believed to occur when switching frequencies; because the lag is allegedly not calibrated correctly, it results in the device reporting "no service" rather than switching to the frequency with the best signal to noise ratio.

iOS 4 introduced some enhancements to how the baseband selects which frequencies to use, so it makes sense that the error may have crept into those changes. Additionally, this explains why iOS 4 has also caused similar problems for iPhone 3GS users.​

 

[Robbo]

^ I've already posted about iOS 4.01 in this thread and the other thread

Would be nice to have a confirmation of sorts though.

 

[Yas786]

^ I've already posted about iOS 4.01 in this thread and the other thread

Would be nice to have a confirmation of sorts though.

Well anything would be better than Jobs coming out and saying your holding the phone wrong...i do hope that what he said was a joke.

Looking back im sure he regrets saying it as he should have just said that apple are looking into it rather than actively insult your loyal customers.

 

[Robbo]

Well anything would be better than Jobs coming out and saying your holding the phone wrong...i do hope that what he said was a joke.

Looking back im sure he regrets saying it as he should have just said that apple are looking into it rather than actively insult your loyal customers.

Indeed, he's made himself and his company look like a bunch of tools.

The Macrumors thread on it makes very interesting reading, many self confessed Apple fanboys are disgusted by it. Something that isn't common to see at all.

 

[SiriusB]

It is a rather unexpected reply for the king of PR himself.

Though I am sure he will ride it out. Bringing up Toyota once again, imagine their CEO said "you are driving it wrong!" to brakes issue?