Video: Massive iPhone 4 flaw revealed

Video: Massive iPhone 4 flaw revealed | News | TechRadar UK

 

@_@ I don't know if that vid is for real.

 

I would say that the fragility of the phone is a bigger deal than this. The signal strength thing is just an annoyance; the fragility issue means that you're out of a phone if you drop it onto a hard surface on either side.

Apple has to look at both issues and figure out ways to deal with them.

This is a widely reported issue. They're not making it up.

 

This is incredible

 

a lot of people are saying they try to mess up the signal strength and cannot...

I'm thinking it is more likely a bad batch of phones, where they squeeze too tight and antenna is not fully connected anymore.

 

From what I read it's doesn't actually effect the signal, It happens with the 3G and 3GS too, People could still make calls and call where not being dropped. Seems to be a glitch in the software.

 

I remember when the iphone 3 was released it was a problem with it getting hot or something, it must have been a non-event as you never hear anything about it now, and this problem with the 4 will most likely be the same, and quickly forgotten.

 

Fear
Uncertainty
Doubt

 

So at what point does it stop being FUD and an actual valid problem w/ the design? There are plenty of videos of it dropping throughput once touched and I somehow doubt it's all a Motorola/HTC/Google/RIM marketing ploy to steal Apple's thunder.

People seem rather forgiving of a device in its 4th iteration that still has trouble making phone calls in crowded markets.

 

iPhone 4 Loses Reception When You Hold It By The Antenna Band?

Calls don't drop, but signal strength supposedly does.

 

It sounds like it could be a bad batch, here's Apple's iPhone forum thread where users talk about the issue:
Apple - Support - Discussions - the real reason for bad reception. ...

I was initially kind of pissed I had to go to the store to pickup my pre-order, not anymore

 

On another note...I still can't believe Apple stole the industrial design from Dell Adamo down to the seam and aluminosilicate glass. At least Dell didn't make it the antenna for the 3G. That's just behind the glass sections on the Dell.

 

yeah... cuz nothing better to do than copy the lid of a laptop for a phone... especially one like that which is very unoriginal. Doesn't matter anyways since they are nothing alike.

 

it is real. some people are more affected than others.

joke post?

 

You can't honestly be serious?!

 

Mine doesn't have any issues

 

You're lucky...

I just came back from the closest Apple store, where I'm supposed to pick up my pre-order. I tried out an iPhone 4, it really has the problem: the signal bars drop down to 1 bar when I grip the metal sides. I guess that store got a bad batch.

I looked at the moderately long line of people and felt like I should tell them. Then I looked at the Apple employees and thought: maybe not. It was surreal.

That said, the display looks really, really crisp. The overall feel of the software is pretty snappy too. I hope Apple fixes the signal issue soon, at least nobody's going to blame AT&T this time

 

issue confirmed.

Apple responds over iPhone 4 reception issues: you're holding the phone the wrong way -- Engadget

Lefties: beware iPhone 4 reception problem

iPhone 4 In-Hand Signal Issue Isolated to Bottom Left Corner - Mac Rumors

YouTube - iPhone 4 Reception issues in Germany

YouTube - iPhone 4 Antenna issue

YouTube - iPhone 4 Reception Issue with Holding the Phone - Without Wifi Turned On


some people have tested the issue on every display model at their Apple Store. all exhibit the same issue.

Chances are good that if your phone isn't seeing this problem, it's because the signal strength in your area is so strong, the lost signal frequency is effectively negated.

chances are very good that as t3rom travels to places with less powerful network signals, he'll experience different results (ie, the same problem).

I'll be sitting the iPhone 4 movement out until this issue is resolved. Apple really messed this up.

 

problem shown when web browsing

YouTube - Simple Illustration of iPhone 4 Antenna Flaw, Problem / Reception Issues

 

Apple responds over iPhone 4 reception issues: you're holding the phone the wrong way -- Engadget


:laugh:

 

Steve introduces the Apple-patented 'iHold' grip: as in, "iHold the iPhone in a different way".

(Later) This conclusively proves that Apple employees who participated in tests are not really humans

Ok I have to stop...

 

My iPhone4 does seem to drop bars when I hold it, but I haven't noticed any decrease in performance yet. I did speedtest.net runs and speeds where the same and knock-on-wood I haven't dropped a call yet (but AT&T service in my area is pretty good).

Also, regarding reception: I'm sure it's a combination of the new chipset w/ HSPA+, but my iPhone4 does 1.63Mbps down/ 1.67Mbps UP. I couldn't believe the symmetrical upload speed, that I did the test 4 times over a 1 hr period and got the same results. My old iPhone3G could get the 1.6Mbps down, but never did better than 500kbps up.

 

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This is being over played, I actually saw this on the news, but everyone likes to pick on Apple. Suicide at a Foxconn plant? It's "Suicide at Apples production plant" Not Suicide at Dells, or HP, Or what ever hand full of companies that Foxconn makes products for. Remember the Nexus One signal issue? Yeah, exactly, you don't because it wasn't all over the internet or on the news. HTC Evo has horrible battery life, Here that on the news? Nope because it's not Apple.

 

They already solved the issue, They came out with the "Bumper".


Also, How many people with the iPhone shove it into there palm? I don't have a iPhone but I hold my iPod touch across my 4 fingers, not really past where my fingers stop, it makes it easier to use the screen. Shoving it into my palm makes it difficult to use.

Here is how I hold my iPod touch http://dl.dropbox.com/u/810494/DSC_1045.JPG none of my hand is even touching the bottom left corner, Now I'm not trying to say that there is not problem, but the fact that 99% of people probably won't have this problem.

 

^The base of your hand is near the edge where the problem occurs. If you have a larger hand, it is possible to keep the phone completely on your fingers while you manipulate it w/ your thumb but trying it out on my 3.2" screen G1, it doesn't seem particularly secure to let the phone rest solely on your fingers. From the looks of the picture, if you touch the bottom right of your screen, your hand would probably close enough to make contact...still a design flaw.

Also, look at where the volume switches are on most phones...you can't change the volume up/down w/o using your palm/fingers to hold the phone up to touch the volume keys. Clearly if Apple didn't plan on you holding it w/ your left hand clasped w/ your fingers/palm, they wouldn't have put the volume rocker there.

Face it Apple went for the style points over true functionality. They did the same for the Cube and other various designs that have run into trouble down the road. They aren't any more trouble free than other manufacturers...they just get better PR. It won't stop them from selling millions of the things flawed or not b/c yes Apple is just that good. I would just expect them to see a few class action lawsuits over it (lawyers have to eat).

 

afaik, the iphone doesn't support HSPA+

 

Just buy a silicon case so you are not directly touching the antenna.

 

Or the bumper, or just wait because apparently in the UK Apple is giving the Bumper away for free to some users.

 

I heard on the radio today, that Apple said just deal with it

 

It is not the only phone with the problem. For some reason people expect the human body to not interfere with radio waves.

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LOL I love apple, if our products don't work, then you need to change!

I'd be pissed, I never moved over to iPhone, ATT just blows too hard to switch, plus my unlimited phone as modem rocks on sprint. I know how many people spend boo-koo bucks on these products, and Apple's attitude toward flaws strikes me as a slap in the face of their customers.

I do have some freinds who are card carrying members of the Church of St. Jobs at Cuppertino, I just wish they'd get mad at these things!

BTW 1ghz snapdragon + android = heaven

 

Edit: I'm wrong, you're right. I had heard incorrectly.

I fixed that one for you.

 

Lol that's funny.

 

It is a flaw and it is now known. Caveat Emptor and move along. Trying to justify, use a half baked "fix," or make excuses is dumb, so just stop. Yes, you can work around it and potentially most will not have a problem, but that isn't the point.

Who cares if other phones have had similar problems. We're talking about Apple right now, and a problem is a problem period regardless of comparative media attention given to other companies who have experienced similar problems. I can't take one of those other phones, rub it against an iPhone 4, and suddenly the iPhone 4 problem goes away.

Apple is being picked on? Welcome to Microsoft's life circa 1996-2008 till they released Win7 which was their saviour of sorts. Even now The Vole still gets raked over the coals. Luckily for them Vista was so bad and Win7 is so good along with Apple being the resident media darling (both good and bad) they are getting a mild grace period right now.

Personally, I use a protective case and screen film for every phone I've had, so the issue would be irrelevant for me and would not be a factor whether I bought one or not, but it is a potential problem for those who hate cases and care more about using their phones versus taking care of them along with how they hold/use them. Look at the condition of used phones on eBay. Many have the crap beat out of them. My brother is the same way with his iphone (he uses the original JB'd on Tmobile). He never uses cases and just slides the phone as is in his pocket.

Still, after a 3 day stay in Atlantic City @ Harrah's, took a trip over to the Pier 1 Apple Store (and to get some play time in at da Trop).

Hilarious listening to the Staff:

"Sure the iPhone 4 fully supports Flash. Just download it and everything runs great."

"The iPhone 4 has the largest hard drive...."

"You can run everything on Youtube great!" I immediately pull up the Avatar HD trailer and bring the ipad and iphone to a state of 1fps chunkfest. In Apple's defense, this trailer also crushes most netbooks too.

A guy was in there "playing" with an iphone 4 while he was charging his iphone 3gs on the display dock for a good 40 minutes. Apple crew was very cool about it.

They had plenty of iphone 4's in stock and were pushing 'em hard. Many inquires were about buying unlocked versions ($599/$699) with the sales guy stationed at the iphone 4 table stating over and over, "With the unlocked version, you don't have to sign up for AT&T, but the phone will still only work on AT&T's network so what's the point? If you like, we can check your eligibility for AT&T right now..."

The 24" Apple LED display is awfully purdy...

The 17" Macbook Pro is sexy as ever....both glossy and matte (side by side).

All that light, all those ipads.....all those glaring smudges....everywhere. Germ freaks would probably pass out after taking in one panoramic vista of the store. Out of all the things to say, the first thing the gf utters is, "wow, those things have serious fingerprint smudges ick..." Apple should have an employee constantly assigned to wiping them down every 30-60min.

The iPhone 4 is very snappy compared to my old 3g. The screen is beautiful, and World Cup highlight clips via ESPN were very crisp. Rotating even mid clip was much more fluid as were web pages overall. I definitely like the new form factor and iOS4 is slick as ever. I found the camera much improved too and the video recording had very decent quality. Potential problem noted, It is a very, VERY nice upgrade to the 3g (for those who skipped a generation).

 

I tried this on my E71, it does not drop a bar at all...i even smothered it with all sorts of stuff.

I also tried it using the built-in GPS receiver and it only drops a bar or two which is understandable.

This whole lost reception thing might be an AT&T thing?

 

I'm a big fan of the iPhone, not a fan of AT&T, but I can't ever figure out how this can be AT&T's fault?? I mean, it's not like they're changing the signal based on how one is holding the phone.

This is a flaw, I don't think there's any other way to say it. If it needs the bumper, then Apple should have had it coated before it's sold. Getting their customers to eat their mistake by spending more money is just wrong. Apple should at least give their customers some monetary credit.

 

I agree. I love all the people on here that assume it must be fake cause they're such diehard apple fans too. People need to be realistic.

 

its very likely bridge the gaps will cause problems... like Apple says.. Dont Do It!

they still could have tried to make that not happen.. some type of clear coating on the outside that didn't hinder signal.. but insulated it enough from the hands?

 

Who said it was fake?

 

True, and on a related note:

Leak shows Apple's spin on iPhone 4 flaws - CNN.com

 

I hold it like Steve Jobs sez to, and I get a cramp.

Help, I think I need a lawyer.

 

I had to hold mine pretty tight for a while to get it to happen. I reinserted the sim card and it improved a bit. With the case on there is no issue at all.

 

yall people having problems with your iphone4 just need to have more faith in Apple.

ture Apple fans do not have reception problem because Real Apple Fans has got the magic touch.

 

Apple's iPhone 4: Thoroughly Reviewed - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

iPhone 4's antenna problem looks worse than it is, but it's still bad -- Engadget

you'll find the reason why you maybe have less of an obvious issue in those links.


oh, and a class-action suit is on the way:

First iPhone 4 Class Action Suit Filed Against Apple and AT&T

 

I went back to the same Apple store and tried making the signal strength disappear again. This time, bridging the two antennas, I could only make the strength reduce by one bar. When I completely enclose the sides of the phone with my hand, it goes down by two bars.

So it looks like it varies from phone to phone.

 

no really.

Apple's iPhone 4: Thoroughly Reviewed - AnandTech :: Your Source for Hardware Analysis and News

read it this time. it addresses that too.

 

Serous or not it makes me laugh.

Apple’s Clean Hands May Have Dirtied iPhone 4 Signal | Epicenter| Wired.com