We have received complaints from our readers that they’re observing reception issues when they touch iPhone 4’s side antenna bands.
Gizmodo has also received several complaints from their readers who have observed the same issue and has posted many videos showing the problem.
iPhone 4 comes with a new antenna system system. Steve Jobs had revealed during his Keynote address at WWDC that the stainless steel bands around the new iPhone are actually part of the "primary structural element" of the device that house the iPhone's antenna system.
We were hoping that the new antenna system will fix the network connectivity issues resulting in fewer dropped calls that has plagued iPhone users until now (at least AT&T's iPhone customers). But things don’t look good if you take a look at the videos below:
Here is a video from another user showing the same problem:
One user has reported that he is observing the same issue if he only touches the left side, connecting both antennas.
While another user hasn’t observed the issue even if he touches the side antennas.
Another user did a speed test with the iPhone on the table, with his hands on the phone, and one while he had his hands on the phone but with a leather case on it. He observed that he observed the issue only when he hands on the phone (without the leather case).
Meanwhile Kewlj1313, one of our readers is reporting that he is observing a strange freezing issue on this iPhone 4. He has posted the following video to show the issue he is facing:
We’re not sure why he is facing this issue but it could be due to the fact that he has restored from his iPhone 3GS backup. Setting it up as a new iPhone in iTunes might be an option though its not an ideal solution.
New iPhone 4 owners have also reported discoloration on iPhone 4’s retina display and scratches on the glass back.
Have you observed any of these issues? Please let us know in the comments.
Thanks Kewlj1313 for reporting the issue with the video.
Update 1:
MacRumors points out that similar issues were seen with older iPhone models. The video below shows a similar issue on an iPhone 3G.
Here is a video of a similar issue observed on an iPhone 3GS:
So it doesn't seem to be an iPhone 4 specific issue.
Update 2:
Our readers are reporting that though they've observed a similar issue, it is not affecting the call quality. So it seems to be a software glitch or might have something to do with the fact that an iPhone 4 was restored from an iPhone 3GS backup.
Update 3:
Kewlj1313 has restored his iPhone 4 as a new iPhone rather than from his iPhone 3GS backup and it seems to have resolved his freezing issue. Thanks Kewlj1313 for your comment.
Thanks for the feedback everyone.
[via Gizmodo]
Yes first! I got my cake you effers! And I can't wait to get my iPhone four, but now I'm alitlle scared
And I can't wait to hear about the layoff's in the various companies that contributed to the iPhones creation, I love tech drama!!!!!
Looks like a problem in the software, as video two could still make a call (and quite fast I might add). I expect there will be a bug fix in about a week. If anything, it might be dropping one bar, but the software looks like it's glitching to continue to drop until that original bar is restored.
Oh and iPhone hacks, don't you think that apple may have observed this issue a long time ago? Hence the iPhone bumper? How often does apple create a product like the bumper unless they know for sure it will be needed and sold
If it's needed to make calls it should be in the box
iPhonehacks, it sounds like a software issue when backing up from an iphone 3gs or 3g. All of the videos (of credibility) have stated that they have used their data from their 3g or 3gs. Like I said before, it might be dropping one bar at most, but because of this glitch from backing up from an old iphone, it continues to drop despite still being able to make calls like it was just missing one bar. I expect that apple will fix this problem in a week or so.
The 2nd theory sounds more correct
2nd Theory: Upon thinking, it could also be (along the lines of that same glitch) overloading or enhancing the signal, as our bodies should actually be improving the signal than harming it (like when you touch the antennas on an extremely old tv, the reception gets better) All the videos showed full bar's, and then they touched the sides. Thus, because it is going beyond its limits, this could then trigger the glitch and force it into a continual drop in reading because it does not know how to handle it (as video two shows it works lightning fast). When the hand is removed, it can then read it properly and thus the glitch is stopped and returns the reading to normal.
Crap, sides are 2 antennas and probably hand is connecting both antennas and grounding them or short circuiting them and reception dies.
Can you guys hold it with paper wrapped around to exclude short circuiting and post what happened?
Well mine has the same problem with the bars dropping and the firat call i made seemed like there was no reception. I thought maybe cause there was a storm comming, but now i dont think so.
What a bunch of shit. Apple should not release a product without better testing! Im pissed
Ok so now i have it in a rubber 3g case and i have better bars.
hold it with 3g case and without case, also put paper on your hand and iphone in it and hold and see what it does, if same with paper and case and bad reception without them than ohoho happy new year apple …
just kidding probably phone will get recalled or they will do some update to drop antenna sensitivity
I restored from my 3GS backup and I'm having no problems. Reception doesn't drop whether I hold the phone or not, no discoloration of the display, no scratches. :\ Not that I'm complaining or anything, haha.
The second guy was able to make the phone call because he had one bar of signal. Had the one remaining bar dropped to "Searching" or "No Signal", his call would have dropped. Seems like common sense to me.
I wonder if the last guy had his previous iPhone jailbroken since he claims to be restoring from backup. I'm preparing my 3GS by uninstalling most Cydia app before I create a backup as a precaution.
The number of signal bars go up and down on every phone I've ever used. The positioning of the phone, location, etc all affects the number of bars. Apple has already reported that the number of bars being shown will be fixed soon and does not affect call quality.
I haven't had any of these problems with my iphone 4 yet. I got mine today and so far, it's working flawlessly. I saw the other post about the screen problems too. I guess I got lucky. Mine is flawless!
I have has the same signal issue, but have not noticed any effect from it. Even when the signal shows zero I can still make calls and they sound great on the phone that I'm calling and I can surf the net fine when wifi is off.
And the retard restored from an iphone 3gs backup. They're two different phones. Itunes should not have allowed that backup to be restored to the iphone 4. It's a new phone and should have been setup as a new phone.
User error there.
I set my phone up as a new iphone, then synced it with my itunes and ALL of my data including songs, movies, photos, contacts, apps were copied to my new iphone 4.
i have the same issue…. NO BARS
I have a 3G running iOS4. I JB'd right away. I notice huge problems. I then restored the pwn back to a new ipwn also running iOS4. I'm still seeing dramatic problems with freezing and taking forever to do little things. Including writting this. I'm very disappointed with the firmware upgrade.
I wanted to wait for a white ipwn. But I might just wait for the windows 7 pwn.
I have no issues like that. This phone is awesome. Got it today at 1pm.
i only have the reception issue but it only happens when i thouch the left side of my phone!
I restored my iPhone 4 from scratch and did not restore my iPhone 3GS backup. The phone is running smooth thus far!
Thank you,
Kewlj1313
Antenna static issue just like old tv antenna hahaha…Yall better careful when holding that iPhone 4 when there is thunder and lightning strike…might get yourself kill with that defective antenna hahahaha
Sounds like now is the perfect time for the competition to break out with the droid X it's pretty much like the evo 4 from sprint but with a better antenna. Si they might brag about that considering this little problem apple is having
i dont get any reception lost when holding my iphone 4 how its shown in the first video… perfect full bars!
I am having an issue where when I read an email it will not be marked as read and will continue to show the little blue dot next to it. iPhone 4 32gb
I'm sorry but are you fucking retarded,
The "backup" feature is there for reasons like this, you get a new phone and you back up your old phones contents onto it!
WOW..
I have went from 2g-3g-3gs all originating from my old, 2g backup, so don't tell me, "Apple shouldn't of aloud the backup"
Don't call this guy a retard, he clearly is not
I think google speeding lies to make
the iPhone 4 looks bad
this is a cold war between apple and
google and pc
I was able to replicate this on my 3GS running iOS4, and made a call with no bars and it didn't drop out or anything, so I think it is just a glitch in the iOS4 software in recognizing the signal.
I was able to replicate this on my 3GS running iOS4, and made a call with no bars and it didn't drop out or anything, so I think it is just a glitch in the iOS4 software in recognizing the signal.
I was able to replicate this on my 3GS running iOS4, and made a call with no bars and it didn't drop out or anything, so I think it is just a glitch in the iOS4 software in recognizing the signal.
my iphone 3gs 16gb also has signal strength issues when its being held something i never noticed till now.i have to believe the reason for these reports is due to all the possible problems that its been put under a microscope. i also have news about the best buy iphone 4 launch.
I was sitting on the toilet at work, playing Angry Birds on my new iphone 4, when I dropped it. After I fished it out, I noticed the screen was discolored a yellow/brown and it had no bars…
Hey guys, I think it's a battery saving feature. The phone senses when you're holding it, and knows that you're not making a call. It then diminishes allowing you to run apps. However, if a phone call comes in, it senses the call and returns to normal… Any thoughts???
shut up smash!!! you apple freak, don't you see the videos ??
u just blew my mind
first iphone4 in water?
i really believe it can be solved by putting bumpers around the iphone…some one need to test this with bumpers around the iphone. hopefully it will work..:D
thts a really good idea…some one really should try it
Geohot just said this via twitter
"In Berlin where there are no Apple stores. USA in world cup! No plans for new jailbreak. Stop asking."
http://twitter.com/geohot/statuses/16905793671
Sad day!!
I'm glad i didn't get the iphone 4 and don't plan on getting it because of the fact that every time apple releases the new product there WILL always be a problem that some people face. So I guess I'll be sticking with my iphone 3G S, and wait for the next gen. iphone (not the iphone 4).
im now able to replicate the issue… internet still works without a hitch.. havent tried calling.. but id imagine that still works fine too.
I'm fascinated by iphone 4 .
here is a "review of iphone 4"
http://www.ifunia.com/iphone-column/a-review-of-apple-iphone-4g-hd.html,
"iOS 4.0: Everything You Need to Know"
http://www.ifunia.com/iphone-column/iphone-os-4-everything-you-need-to-know.html
Somethings you want to know, I guess
I have a 3G and I have installed iOS4 JB/Ultrasn0w unlock yesterday. Everything worked perfectly first time. Setup as new phone and then sync with iTunes using backup. Are u sure you are doing things correctly?
Nope, that's not true. It does not short the ckt. The "whole" frame is used.
After the presentation of iPhone 4, a Danish scientist said that it will have reception issues , as the human body will degree a lot of the signal strength, when it is in direct contact whit those antennas. I think it's a HW issue.
My 3G network wont work after updating to ios 4.0 and restoring my back up from 3.1.3 on my iPhone 3Gs, so I had to have a clean install and loose all my info to be able to connect to the Internet through 3G
To me it's down to the natural Resistence of the human body which levels at about 50ohms. When contacting the reciever plates by holding it, the plates become 'linked' and signal diminishes.
Apple must have found this out and quietly decided on their 'Bumpers'. So you pay $30 just to rectify a design issue, Bad Apple!!
Sticking with 3Gs methinks
Bad Apples indeed Tim, wtf is going on?, i've got the bucks in my hand to get one, but luckily T-Mobile havent got their shit together so cash has left my little grubby mitts yet lol
Hope alls well bud?
cash hasn't i meant, duh
that's why apple made bumpers.. so that part of your hand cant touch the sidings.. ahaha