Iphone 4S - reception

[jas72]

Well one week into my new phone and I'm quite disappointed with the reception.

The reception bars on the phone seem to dance around from 2 bars to 3 bars mostly.

My wife phoned me yesterday from home and we got cut off twice with call failed message.

I will point out I don't really use my mobile often but my old Nokia 7200 never had any reception problems at work.

I thought they fixed the antenna problems with the 4S or is there something else I should / should not be doing to make the reception better.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/9166/iphone030.png

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5371/iphone031.png

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/8329/img0033c.png



These three photos are taken from the same position I haven't moved from my seat.

 

[jas72]

Been reading up and some people have had a fix by getting a new sim card. My operator just cut my card to make it fit but apparently the micro sims are new versions which work better. Going to hop out and get a proper micro sim see if that helps.

 

[jas72]

Not talking about the data reception but the actual transmitter reception for making calls.

It's very strange that it jumps from 3 bars to 1 bar while sitting still is this normal? If so why?

What can cause the signal to become poorer when the phone isn't moving.

it's either

a) the phone that's bad

b) the service provider has a shoddy transmitter.

However I've been with the same provider for 5 years now and my old nokia phone never had any problems so the answer must be A.

I've even tried switching off celluar data but it doesn't make any difference to the reception.

 

[jas72]

I think I'll ask apple to have a look at it.

Just had lunch with an iphone 3GS user and he is on the same network as me

He was showing 4 bars and mine was showing no service

However when I tried to phone someone it "snapped" back to 3 bars.

On hanging up it went slowly from 3 bars to 1 bar while sitting on the table and then back to no service....

 

[jas72]

If the phone shows '3G' then it's connected to a 3G transmitter for both calls and data. Turning off cellular data won't change that. If your old phone wasn't 3G and you want to compare the signal levels directly, you need to switch off 3G.

Ahh this might explain it... so I must be with a service provider that has poor 3G coverage?

Yes you are right just switched it off and now I'm getting 4 bars.....

Thanks Mattus


So what should I do then only switch on 3G when i want to use the net and then switch it off again?

 

[jas72]

Me too I love it.

I tbh I can live with poor 3G reception at work since I have a PC anyway.

Reception outside the building is 3-4 bars on 3G and at home when not on wifi I'm getting a great reception. Must just be my building. If I switch 3G off I get a solid 4 bars (not dropping out)

I've been reading since and Belgium doesn't seem to have a great 3G coverage at the best of times.

Thanks for the replies guys.