Antenna consultants confirm the iPhone 4 problem is what Apple says it is

2. ToddD00 posted on 06 Jul 2010, 07:58 0 0

Apparently you didn't even read the article. It's software related. The phone isn't dropping calls. It's just reading out incorrect signal strength.

7. stix26 posted on 06 Jul 2010, 09:54 0 0

Have your tried using the 3G, it is worse than the 3GS! More dropped calls then ever before on previous iPhones!

8. vzw fanman posted on 06 Jul 2010, 10:01 0 0

yes i read the article. the iphone has been dropping calls for the past 3 years!

9. remixfa posted on 06 Jul 2010, 10:23 0 0

it would probably stop dropping calls the moment its of ATT. It would probably drop less calls on metro.. LOL :) basically, Apple has had to come out and say that they have been lying about signal strength the entire time to try to make it look like there was a stronger signal than there really was. You think they didnt know their fomula was wrong for 4 years now?!? riiiiiiight.... they have 40db spread over the first 4 signal bars, and 50db for the 5th bar by itself. They knew they were hiding the true signal and they got caught.

12. lovebuzz posted on 06 Jul 2010, 12:08 0 0

The article says that but it also says Apple is giving away a free IPhone 4G to the first idiot to back up their story. They've already proven several times that by holding it that certain way, it drops the bars from 5 to 1. How is that software related? It's physical and no rocket scientist needs to explain that to you. It's kind of ridiculous that they feel such a need to cover this up.

13. NOVAinc posted on 06 Jul 2010, 12:27 0 0

@lovebuzz OMG... I'm not sure if it worth it to answer your already answered question. But here I go: The iPhone 4 shows you 5 bars even if your signal is mediocre or bad. Holding any phone will drop its db reception, and in some cases where the real reception is near the -90db if you hold the phone it will drop to -105/-110db which is a terrible signal and it will drop all your bars. And now if you still don't understand it I give you an example... A normal phone is gonna show you two bars in the same condition than the iOS4 shows you five bars. So the update is supposed to show the bars correctly... That's how it is software related... Much has to do with the shitty AT&T service. Ask how is that this is software related and I'll go and chop my balls.

22. cheech4 posted on 06 Jul 2010, 18:23 0 0

and if u really believe that then ur totally lost... my friend has the Iphone 4 and yes it does have antenna issue and yes the bars to drop and yes he has had MANY dropped calls. Apple and AT&T are basically trying to save their arss by saying everything they can so people feel nice and confy with there pieces of crap.

25. rfrapp posted on 06 Jul 2010, 19:12 0 0

@ToddD00 Do you really think that this is software based? It can't be software based because this is a HARDWARE problem. Get a brain. If the problem is when you touch the antenna, then no matter what software you put on it it will still be the same. Get a brain dummy.

29. Stoli89 posted on 07 Jul 2010, 01:38 0 0

Yes...BUT. The fundamental problem is not software related. Clearly, all phones are subject to signal attenuation from the human body. However, a significant drop in dB is observed on the iPhone 4 (likely) caused by capacitive interference (human touch) at the left-side junction between the two antennas that comprise the antenna system on the iPhone 4. Although the external antenna system used in the iPhone 4 is prone to said interference it's particular design presents a gap or junction in close proximity to the heaviest part of the left palm during normal use. Some test have shown this situation to result in a -24dB drop in signal strength (http://www.anandtech.com/show/3794/the-iphone-4-review/2 ). A -20dB impact to signal strength, which was numerically demonstrated by Anandtech, covers a large range within the current graphical bars on IOS 4. By Apple's extending the signal range of the bars to "correct" the problem, the -20dB effect will be muted graphically However, this does NOT solve the purported problem. Example: If an unheld iPhone 4 results in a numerical signal strength of -94 dB, holding the phone naturally in the left hand can take the signal down to -114 dB, just below the cutoff threshold. Note that -94 dB is coincidentally in the middle of the current IOS4's "4 BAR" range...though the numerical signal measurements have nothing to do with these graphical representations. Sliding the -94dB reference down to the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd bar does not change the -20dB impact to the signal from holding the phone. In essence, this capacitive interference couples the antenna system, thereby detuning the 2G/3G portion. In parallel, energy is also lost (attenuated) into (by) the hand given the proximity of the antenna system during normal use. If you happen to be in an area where signal strength is relatively low (from -94db down to -113dB), this in turn could push the strength to a point where the phone drops calls and/or data. The only likely way around this for the iPhone 4, is with the rubber case/bumper. This serves to further separate the hand from the phone during normal use. Of course, a "home tower" might help to boost the signal above -94dB. Just my opinion on the matter.

30. jogutier posted on 07 Jul 2010, 02:21 0 0

but the phone does drop calls. my buddies does it alllllllll the time when you put it in your left hand so vzw fanman makes sense. quit being a colt member ToddD00. get a real phone with real coverage. I hate to see the day that Mr. Apple (Steve Jobes) tells everyone with a I-something to go to JonesTown and drink the magic wine.

33. mcmkone posted on 08 Jul 2010, 06:16 0 0

i don't want to hurt fan-boys feelings with the truth which sometimes you just have to accept but hey check the link and what has been stated by the design issue they are admitting too.. Read some of the information to have a greater understanding and open your eyes to the Matrix (truth) Surely Apple knows best right??? http://blogs.computerworld.com/16482/apple_confirms_stupid_design_of_iphone_4_antenna_and_cheese _pull

23. E.N. posted on 06 Jul 2010, 18:30 0 0

me too

34. corps1089 posted on 11 Jul 2010, 22:06 0 0

GSM tower software is programmed to drop calls with weak signals as expebdable during heavy traffic and during tower to tower handoffs [as opposed to CDMA which can share signals across more than one tower which can lead to its own set of problems to be fair]. I can see how the iPhone misreporting its signal strength to the GSM tower could lead to more dropped calls and therefore can agree that it could be a software issue [although I remain skeptical]. If this were true, then ATT wasted tons of money beefing up markets like NYC where iPhone, iPhone 3G, & iPhone 3Gs users were experiencing 30% dropped call rates! Regardless, dropping 4 bars [and how ever many dBm's reported] am\nd having a dictator tell me how to hold my phone is not acceptable in my book.