Apparently, if you hold the iPhone 4 by the antenna band, you'll lose your bars, your reception, and maybe even your call. As this video making the rounds showcases, holding the handset with your fingers pressed upon the antenna throws off your cell reception and effectively reduces your bars all the way down, in some cases, to zero.
Of course, it isn't yet clear if the real issue relates to an inaccurate showing of bars or a significant problem with the actual antenna. But as thousands unbox their iPhone 4s and activate the long awaited updated smartphone, you may want to give your device the finger so to speak and play the home game version of this video demonstration.
But as Paul noted earlier in his piece "iPhone 4 Screen Defects Reported," in every new product, manufacturing defects are almost inevitable. So as scattered but undocumented complaints similarly surface, there's a good chance we'll know in the coming hours and days if this example is an isolated incident (and let's hope that it is)... or if this is the first real bug and potential nightmare for the 4th generation iPhone and its customers.
I can definitely say that this is true. Happens every time you pick up the phone. Sit the phone back down and the signal goes up. So, I decided to try a little experiment. Put my iSkin 3GS case around it, and guess what. The bars went back up while holding it!!!
So you're saying you're not being used as an RF ground now? Right..........Me (1) Apple (0)
I've only been in Electronics Engineering since 2001, Apple has engineers from how far back that should have known this? DUH?
Turn off Wifi, Bluetooth and you won't lose reception. Your hand is acting like a circuit thats "short-circuiting" the reception when touched together. When its off, it doesn't short because its not on.
i just love this community how everyones contributing... my verizon contract expired and i was going to switch to at&t just for the iphone 4... but apperently people in my area have bad service with at&t and now this to make it worse
Just tried this on my 3gs i smothered the phone with my hands like everyone has been doing. Guess what happened? I lost 3 bars oh my!!! Common sense? Yes.... Smother your phones antennae and lose signal. I just hope it isn't worse on my iphone 4 that arrives tomorrow
I'm not doubting it's a software problem but if it is what kind of software would make it lose signal when you touch the case of the phone. I just don't understand what kind of software can cause a problem like that from the phone being touched on the case.(not on the screen)
Turn off Wifi, Bluetooth and you won't lose reception. Your hand is acting like a circuit thats "short-circuiting" the reception when touched together. When its off, it doesn't short because its not on.
Just tried this on my 3gs i smothered the phone with my hands like everyone has been doing. Guess what happened? I lost 3 bars oh my!!! Common sense? Yes.... Smother your phones antennae and lose signal. I just hope it isn't worse on my iphone 4 that arrives tomorrow
Smothered? I believe the issue is TOUCHING the i4, not shoving it 2 feet up your...... GIGGITY@!
For the record it cannot be i4 firmware if "I" don't have problems on my 3GS, as all firmware is the same.
not to get off topic...but i bought my xbox 360 for $500 3 days before it dropped in price...
i will never buy something as soon as it comes out again
Take it back then. I actually only buy consoles from Costco cause they have a no questions return policy. When I red the red ring, I take it to Costco and get a new one, not wait six weeks to get a refurb.
Not to bail Apple out here but that's what happens when:
A)People expect a new iPhone every year, on the dot around June.
B)Someone releases details about an unreleased phone (gizmodo)forcing Apple to release the phone earlier in order to maintain old product (3GS) profitability
C) a company is forced to keep up with its market position
FACT IS, as you can tell from posts in this thread.
Some people have the issue, some people dont.
Ive realized the whole "place your phone on the table to get more service" issue ever since my first cell in 1996. My 2G, 3G and 3GS all do that. To that extent (0 bars), NO, but they all do it. So nobody should be accusing anyone for "bs" or calling someone a "smartass" only cause its not happening to you.
Give it some time. A solution will be found. Either you'll return your unit or the situation is solved software wise. I still dont have my iphone4 but im still getting it, because with a company the size of Apple the issue will get resolved (cash or fix) one way or another.
I've tried every which way to duplicate this and I can't. BUT my wifi signal goes down though. Weird?
Also I did drop a call to my dad twice this evening but I attributed it at the time to AT&Ts network and shrugged it off. He complained that my voice sounded tinny off and on.
Holly crap. I hope I get my hands on one tomorrow so I can try this... if so, it's going back to apple and will stick around with the old 3gs until they fix this real good
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