Mobile

AppleCare: The iPhone 4 Update Won’t Solve The Antenna Problem

3:45AM July 7, 2010 | Jesus Diaz

AppleCare has confirmed what we already knew: the incoming software update won’t fix the iPhone 4′s transmission and reception problems. They acknowledged the antenna problem exists, offering the same solution as before: buy a case or hold the iPhone differently.

I was secretly hoping that the software update would magically fix the iPhone 4′s antenna design problem, because I really wanted to buy what otherwise is an great gadget. Unfortunately the cosmetic change to the bar display – which promises to show the actual signal strength – will not fix the transmission/reception problem that countless iPhone 4 users are experiencing.

AppleCare’s response

We called AppleCare three times today to confirm it. We told them that we were experiencing voice quality problems and call drops, as well as problems with internet access. Their response was immediate and unequivocal, the same in the three cases:

• There is an antenna interference problem when you hold the iPhone 4 in a certain way (the tests show that the signal drop will happen every time you touch the phone’s dead spot, on the left bottom corner.

• One solution is to hold the phone differently, avoiding touching the left bottom corner of the phone (coincidentally, this is how models hold the iPhone 4 in most of Apple’s promotional material).

• The other other solution is to buy a case or one of Apple’s $US30 bumpers.

• The incoming software update will not fix this antenna problem, only change the way the phone displays the available signal, make it more accurate.

While we already knew about it, the official AppleCare response is sad news. Like Gizmodo reader and former RF engineer for HP Medical products Gordon Cook said in a recent email: “Wrapping a metal antenna around a phone is simply asking for trouble, and Apple may in fact have realised too late that they had a real can of worms, so chose to release what they had instead of enduring a lengthy shipping delay. Now, after millions of phones shipped, and given the alternatives, screwing with the software is the only realistic way of fixing this, even if it’s mostly cosmetic.”

But cosmetic fixes will not stop the problem from happening. Apple should provide with a real fix to a design problem that ruins what could have been the best smartphone experience out there, bar none. And if they can’t fix the units currently in the market, they should fix their manufacturing so this doesn’t happen and at least provide with a free solution, like free bumpers or cases.

Comments

  • The Flash

    July 7, 2010 at 7:47 AM

    I am experiencing something that I don’t usually… denial… I really want the iPhone 4 but this issue is making me have 2nd thoughts…
    I secretly hope the the mobile infrastructure here in AUS will somehow allow the iPhone 4 to work without this issue but then again… I am in denial… Maybe I should do the unthinkable and get a Desire on Telstra :|… Could I?

    • Death Duck

      July 7, 2010 at 1:27 PM

      I say do it. I’ve already converted a few of my friends to the Desire from the iPhone just by letting them play with it for an hour.

  • doug

    July 7, 2010 at 8:25 AM

    Im with the Flash now…
    Im thinking of sitting the first round out and seeing what apple does to address the design issue following its launch here in Aus. Unless a company (which im sure they are working on now) can release a clear film to go over that corner of the phone.
    Iphone 4GS anyone??

    • Hiko

      July 7, 2010 at 9:03 AM

      this got me thinking, since the antenna problem was all reported in the US and everyone using AT&T (known to provide crappy service for iphones since the 3g). this may only be affecting those on AT&T?. i am with Telstra here in sydney with full bars at all times and never experienced dropped calls or bad reception. i would be surprised if this is a technical design flaw and not the phone carrier that just cant pump the juice to iphone users. (bare in mind some iphone4 users on AT&T were not able to replicate this issue which made me think its a carrier issue.)

      • Pat

        July 7, 2010 at 10:43 AM

        Its definantly a hardware issue, theres been videos showing it happening coming from all over the place (for example, london on the O2 network – http://www.viddler.com/explore/engadget/videos/1594/19.819). basically what happens is, every time you touch that spot, you lose about 20dB of reception, look at the graphs above, its a good illustration of why some people have thought its not happening on their phone (coincidentally, this is the only this apple is changing – how the bars are displayed).
        In short – it IS a hardware problem, if you have full reception EVERYWHERE then it shouldnt be a big issue, but it will still be happening

  • Simon Potts

    July 7, 2010 at 9:28 AM

    Ditto. Have a 3G and am keen as mustard to get one of these, however I think I will wait and see what other peoples results in Oz are before I make the leap.

  • Shane

    July 7, 2010 at 9:32 AM

    They should simple ship with a bumper, full stop. It would be less costly then trying to re-engineer the phone at this time. They can give them selves another 12 months or so before needing to release v5.

    I’ve already order a case for mine, so I’m hoping they don’t change anything…

    This will most likely either delay the international release or they simply won’t release it all.

    Yipppee…

  • Michael Randall

    July 7, 2010 at 10:03 AM

    Have been a huge fan of apple, owning many computers, iphones, using them personally and in my business. Really wanted to purchase the new iPhone 4.0, but having serious doubts now. Why would I want to buy a new phone if it didn’t work as a phone? I won’t be purchasing until I see that they have worked this problem out, but as it seems like a physical construction problem, it might not resolve itself until the next model comes out.

  • Tom

    July 7, 2010 at 10:21 AM

    It’s had me concerned a lot, this issue. I’ve read and read, watched and thought. One thing I read was on the whirlpool forums where a guy had imported a unlocked iPhone4 (for a ridiculous price of $2500..) and didn’t have any issues whatsoever on Telstra around Sydney.

    I also think it’s odd that a lot of the immediate reviews didn’t bring up the issue until a couple of days later when the videos started pouring in. For instance, engadget said that they had improved reception and less dropped calls overall from the 3GS.

    I think I will still bite the bullet and get it. I still think it’s a fundamental problem that Apple should admit to, but I’m still willing to take the risk. I’ll be happy to report to you guys on how it deals with 3′s network.

  • matt

    July 7, 2010 at 10:30 AM

    hey! I have an idea! you could just ware rubber gloves around everywhere! then you wouldn’t need a case for your iphone. sure, YOU’D look like a wierdo, but that’s a small price to pay for having an awesome looking phone right?

    …

    I just… why won’t any of you just get a different phone?

    • boc

      July 7, 2010 at 12:29 PM

      I feel you pain.

      I went and bought the HTC Desire and I’m quite happy with it. Maybe I should have held out for the Galaxy S. Oh well.

  • Radio Engineer

    July 7, 2010 at 11:51 AM

    Guys, stop wishing everything will be ok on Telstra’s network… This is not a network thing, but a hardware design issue. The antenna is being attenuated when you bridge the little gap with your skin. It doesn’t matter what network you’re on, its Physics.

    • But But But...

      July 7, 2010 at 12:46 PM

      But But But I really want a new phone! If I ignore the problems they wont exist right?

      I think as long as you accept what the limitations are and are prepared to live with them then don’t worry. If you think that yours will magically not do something that all the others do then you are deluding yourself

  • Paul Gawthorne

    July 7, 2010 at 12:44 PM

    Why not concentrate on the fact that apple have been lieing to everyone about the signal strength on the phone since the very first one came out. You cannot tell me that was an “honest mistake”.

  • Simon Reidy

    July 7, 2010 at 2:37 PM

    While I understand the principle of the matter (Apple are a bunch of lying unethical bastards and all that) if you want what is otherwise an excellent phone, why not just buy a case? That’s what I’m doing – problem solved.

    If a top end Android phone like the HTC Evo or Droid X was out here I may consider it, but the Samsung Galaxy S or HTC Desire don’t come close to the iPhone 4. Particularly in regard to photo and video performance (and games if you care about them).

    • boc

      July 8, 2010 at 10:02 PM

      I’d say games is the only real advantage that the iPhone still has.

      For everything else Android phones have caught up enough already.

      Apple will have to increase the pace of their updates to stay ahead from now on.

  • Joseph

    July 8, 2010 at 12:19 AM

    Buy a case.
    Build a bridge.
    Get over it.

  • Sam Timmins

    July 8, 2010 at 1:03 AM

    *holds iPhone from a string three inches away from his face*

    Oh yeah! It totally works! Except I can’t hear them. And they can’t hear me.

    This is totally not a problem.

    Because you know, it’s not like **iPhone** people or ANYTHING!

  • chris

    July 8, 2010 at 3:17 AM

    Well i got myself an IPhone 4 and experienced THE antenna problem here in the UK.

    I decided to wait to see what apple would do about this and was shocked by their ” hold it correctly ” and ” buy our expensive bumpers! ”

    I sent mine back and now i have a Samsung Galaxy S which to be quite honest is as good if not better than the IP4, and this is coming from a mega IPhone fan since the first ever one in 2007…

    I no doubt will buy the next IPhone next year but for now i’m having a year with Samsung on the Android OS.

    Lame apple LAME!

    • Arfur Sixpence

      July 8, 2010 at 11:50 AM

      Well! At last a considered and appropriate response to the hugely disappointing Iphutt 4.
      Chris has done what EVERYONE else should do and got a BETTER PHONE! And if everyone did this then Jobs and his cynical apparatchiks would not get away with churning out third-rate crap with first-rate marketing! Disgraceful.

    • boc

      July 8, 2010 at 9:59 PM

      You’ll only hold onto the Galaxy S for a year? Wow.

      I thought most people only upgraded every two years.

  • Leo W'ski

    July 8, 2010 at 10:05 AM

    ok…*NOT* a fanboy, but…so it works *with* a case? Then whats the major?

    Radios stuff up when you hold their antennas, you cant see the TV if someone is standing infront of it……just put a case on the darn thing and keep using it.

    Yes…they are being sus about the problem, so what? EVERYTHING mass produced in technology/life has problems at some point…

  • Gavin McConnon

    July 8, 2010 at 1:15 PM

    Just a note on Hiko’s comment about networks in US v’s Australia.

    I’ve had a iPhone4 for over a week in Australia, and its dropping calls all the time.

    I am using it in the city (Sydney) in my office; where I had no problems with my previous iPhones. The iPhone4 just keep losing signal strength, drooping calls, no data etc.

    Gavin

  • julian bailey

    July 10, 2010 at 5:44 PM

    I have had my Iphone4 for about two weeks and just cannot work out what all this fuss is all about regarding the ‘grip of death’. Had my Iphone4 supplied on contract with Orange UK and it has been fantastic/without any fault right from day one. Ordered with Orange on a Friday and it was delivered Saturday morning as promised after much disappointment trying to get one from the morons at O2 who quite frankly did not give any priority to existing customers as advertised nor did they give a toss about me as a long standing customer. O2 lied time and time again and everybody I know who has had one from them has had problems. In my opinion this issue is down to the network you are on and surprisingly enough I can get a signal in far more areas than I ever did with O2 with my 3G. So its like this, you have a choice and the Iphone is no longer exclusive to the O2 network. Well done to Orange, simply service at its best. As for the case issue, I did buy one on Amazon for £3-4 supplied by greymobiles and it is brilliant. Makes no difference regarding signal issue but great damage protection and a real nice snug fit. Hope this helps people out there.

  • Nicholas

    July 12, 2010 at 5:20 PM

    Pissed as everyone else here. Been hanging out for an iPhone for agezorz, thought it would be a good time to get one with this big update happening, and then they just fart in my face >.>

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