Good for you, I can't
Had to buy a case to make web browsing usable over 3G. Holding "normally" in left hand, I don't think how tight your grip is makes any difference. It's just the fact the corner is covered.
Poll: iPhone 4 problems thread
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Good for you, I can't
Had to buy a case to make web browsing usable over 3G. Holding "normally" in left hand, I don't think how tight your grip is makes any difference. It's just the fact the corner is covered.
After reading that letter, it just got me plain curious (I don't own an iPhone but an N95 8GB) as to Apple's whole take on the situation.
I live in a very "fluctuating" area for signal. It can go from anywhere between full and very low signal generally hovering around 50%-75%. I did a quick Google to find the location of the antenna on my phone (the top area of the main bulk of the phone above the camera if interested). This is a place you don't tend to cover at all, or at most only partially even though I have big hands.
I cover the antenna with my hand and it totally destroys the signal. Goes totally away and then the phone must boost the power and claws back a single bar (on a Nokia).
So at least Apple's claim of this is obviously true.
The problem lies in Apple's dodging of the real issue. To show again the quote above:
In certain ways. So Apple were fully aware of this situation yet decided to put the antenna where the phone is held? Instead of a normal place like Nokia certainly have done on my phone. You know, in a place you are very unlikely to cover.
This only has one of two answers:
Apple are so inexplicably stupid they didn't know this until now. This is extremely unlikely.
They were fully aware that covering an antenna reduces the signal but decided to go with the "form over function" approach. Either because they really, really liked the design or because they thought (as they have stated!) that it wouldn't cause a massive drop in signal. This is probably what happened.
Great.
I live in a very "fluctuating" area for signal. It can go from anywhere between full and very low signal generally hovering around 50%-75%. I did a quick Google to find the location of the antenna on my phone (the top area of the main bulk of the phone above the camera if interested). This is a place you don't tend to cover at all, or at most only partially even though I have big hands.
I cover the antenna with my hand and it totally destroys the signal. Goes totally away and then the phone must boost the power and claws back a single bar (on a Nokia).
So at least Apple's claim of this is obviously true.
The problem lies in Apple's dodging of the real issue. To show again the quote above:
In certain ways. So Apple were fully aware of this situation yet decided to put the antenna where the phone is held? Instead of a normal place like Nokia certainly have done on my phone. You know, in a place you are very unlikely to cover.
This only has one of two answers:
Apple are so inexplicably stupid they didn't know this until now. This is extremely unlikely.
They were fully aware that covering an antenna reduces the signal but decided to go with the "form over function" approach. Either because they really, really liked the design or because they thought (as they have stated!) that it wouldn't cause a massive drop in signal. This is probably what happened.
Great.
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Not checked to verify but somebody earlier in this thread pointed out it was legislation that forced Apple to put it at the bottom and not a design choice. If its at the bottom there is always a high chance it could be covered.
I disagree, i can easily drop bars and calls
I have not had any problems with my signal dropping out but this new statement confuses me.
Apple are stating that currently the signal strength could be over reading by a much as 2 bars.
If that is the case then are Apple effectively saying that their Antenna is less effective (than other phones) and they 'fixed' the software to make it appear better than it actually is
Apple are stating that currently the signal strength could be over reading by a much as 2 bars.
If that is the case then are Apple effectively saying that their Antenna is less effective (than other phones) and they 'fixed' the software to make it appear better than it actually is
If that is the case then are Apple effectively saying that their Antenna is less effective (than other phones) and they 'fixed' the software to make it appear better than it actually is
Agreed, with that statement they are only digging a bigger hole for themselves
Unless the software is miscalculating the signal strength and it is the software that is responsible for cutting the call off and displaying no signal when there actually is signal there is no way a patch can fix this
ie you have 2 bars of actual signal but software calculates zero and ends call,
this still does not explain why holding it "wrong" drops it
I've just read read the Anandtech iPhone 4 review and it's pretty interesting.
This below image is taken from that review : http://www.anandtech.com/show/3794/the-iphone-4-review/2
It appears Apple need to better distribute the scale used to determine signal strength. Which effectively is what their official statement is saying.
Currently if you're getting an amazing signal at-51 and drop -40dB (to -91) you'll still be at 5 bars.
However if you're at 4 bars (-90) and drop -20 you'll have no signal bars showing at all.
Clearly when Apple adjusts their formula this will improve the situation, so if drop -20 dB from cupping the iPhone you will only lose 1 or 2 bars instead of 4.
I hope that made sense
This below image is taken from that review : http://www.anandtech.com/show/3794/the-iphone-4-review/2
It appears Apple need to better distribute the scale used to determine signal strength. Which effectively is what their official statement is saying.
Currently if you're getting an amazing signal at-51 and drop -40dB (to -91) you'll still be at 5 bars.
However if you're at 4 bars (-90) and drop -20 you'll have no signal bars showing at all.
Clearly when Apple adjusts their formula this will improve the situation, so if drop -20 dB from cupping the iPhone you will only lose 1 or 2 bars instead of 4.
I hope that made sense
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I think you need to understand more about how decibel measurements work
* Near total silence - 0 dB
* A whisper - 15 dB
* Normal conversation - 60 dB
* A lawnmower - 90 dB
* A car horn - 110 dB
* A rock concert or a jet engine - 120 dB
* A gunshot or firecracker - 140 dB
A sound 100 times more powerful than near total silence is 20 dB. A sound 1,000 times more powerful than near total silence is 30 dB.
Its not as simple as 40 here and 20 there
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Thanks but I understood that already
40 and 20 were examples, from either moving location or cupping the phone in your hand.
iPhone 4 Problem or O2 Problem?
Hi guys,
I got the ip4 on launch, and picked up a micro sim prior to launch.
Whats been happening is that i have full signal then it miraculously has none and has no service. I have a bumper on so there is no conduction happening with the antenna.
Some might say that i might be in a low signal area. But this occurs at work aswell where i have line of sight to the mast that provides me with signal (0.5 mile away).
Im getting rather frustrated with it as i watch it have full signal them no service then about 2mins later full signal again, without moving or holding the phone.
Also i have only ever had gprs at work when my colleges get full bars and full 3g on o2 and other providers...
What can i do?
If all that was a bit of a muddle just holla for clarification lol.
Cheers,
Em
Hi guys,
I got the ip4 on launch, and picked up a micro sim prior to launch.
Whats been happening is that i have full signal then it miraculously has none and has no service. I have a bumper on so there is no conduction happening with the antenna.
Some might say that i might be in a low signal area. But this occurs at work aswell where i have line of sight to the mast that provides me with signal (0.5 mile away).
Im getting rather frustrated with it as i watch it have full signal them no service then about 2mins later full signal again, without moving or holding the phone.
Also i have only ever had gprs at work when my colleges get full bars and full 3g on o2 and other providers...
What can i do?
If all that was a bit of a muddle just holla for clarification lol.
Cheers,
Em
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Caporegime
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Sounds like BS.
Display doesn't explain the slower data transfer.
If 5 bars = 3 bars then I don't believe that either. I tested it in the apple store, not out skirt of town but the bullring in the centre of Birmingham.
No doubt people will test it again after the update.
Soldato
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Associate
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That has nothing to do with his query - he's already said it's nothing to do with that so read before you post ffs.
Embed - does the signal randomly drop with the same sim in a different handset?
I'm not sure I buy the slower data transfer thing tbh, I think it's dependant on the area.
Example: At home this morning I genuinely had 5 bars 3G, and it was nice and fast.
Went to catch a train this evening, and sitting at the station I had 1 bar 3G. I swear it was either just as fast or faster.
Example: At home this morning I genuinely had 5 bars 3G, and it was nice and fast.
Went to catch a train this evening, and sitting at the station I had 1 bar 3G. I swear it was either just as fast or faster.
Soldato
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Then take it back to the store you bought it from and insist on a replacement, or go to the Apple Store for a replacement, further to this, I did misread but there is no need to be such a muppet about it.
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