iPhone 4 signal issue

e36Adz · 17 Mar 2013 at 22:00

Hi guys, I was wondering if anyone could help.

My wife has an iPhone 4 16GB which is unlocked on all networks. She has had it for a few months now, this problem has pretty much been there from the start but it seems to be getting worse. The phone is in front of me now on my desk and it says 'searching...' for signal. It normally sits on one bar but jumps between that and no signal. It frequently drops out on calls.

I have just updated it to the latest version of iOS to see if that makes any difference and it seems to have made it worse by the looks of it, I can't even get one bar now.

Is there anything I can do? I have tried it on O2 and EE, both of which we get good reception in our area yet on this phone it makes no difference.

Do I need to take it in to Apple and if so, how much would it cost to repair?

theheyes · 17 Mar 2013 at 22:06

I found the iPhone4 garbage for signal and calls in general (in my experience)

In places I got no signal at all I can get a good signal with my new phone. You could take it in, but it wouldn't at all surprise me if there's nothing technically wrong with the phone.

e36Adz · 17 Mar 2013 at 22:11

I've factory reset it and updated to iOS 6.1.2. I've just now managed to get one bar for a few seconds so it picked up the O2 network and now its back on searching.

The phone itself is in mint condition, its been kept in a case and had a screen protector since day one. I want to sell it and get her something else but I can't sell it like this because the problem is so bad, it renders the phone completely useless in all honesty.

What options do I have?

theheyes · 18 Mar 2013 at 13:02

Are you only trying it in one location or does it do this anywhere?

e36Adz · 18 Mar 2013 at 13:39

theheyes said:
Are you only trying it in one location or does it do this anywhere?

Does it everywhere, it's no wonder she wants to get rid of it. I've only actually started testing it myself yesterday and in the same location it can jump from 1/2 bars to no signal without touching or moving it. It's currently on 'searching...'

It's definitely 100% faulty, I'm just wondering how much it would cost to repair/replace?

e36Adz · 18 Mar 2013 at 14:07

Just rang Apple, they said they can give me a replacement handset for £126. If it was a 4S I'd have considered it but no way for the 4.