Looking to buy an iPhone 4? Look here first! (USA?) - Hardware & Software

[B]Update 2: Seems to be your skin connecting the gaps in the stainless steel band. See update 1[/B] [B]Update: It may be the skin contact with the metal. If you think about it, it really does make a lot of sense because your skin can conduct electricity. The "Bumper" cases for the iPhone 4 really seem to help a lot.[/B] Many people are experiencing reception issues if they hold their iPhone 4's tightly in certain areas around the stainless steel band. This band was a great innovation, and had a fantastic theory behind it. If you hold your iPhone 4 tightly (the problem looks to be on the left side of the phone), such as making a phone call, or simply holding it with your left hand to touch the beautiful screen with your right hand, you begin losing reception. The bars begin to drop, and sometimes you will even encounter a dropped call. Here is a video. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GqUG-_Daek[/media] Now some speculation is that it is the software. This could be dealt with in the near future with a simple software update. However, if the problem is the architecture of the phone, Apple may provide an updated model soon. At least this is my guess. Don't hate, or exclaim biased opinions with your preferred choice of phone to make the iPhone looks bad. It is a great phone, and many times things just need to be thoroughly tested. If you have a strong 5 bars, I wouldn't worry [I]that[/I] much. I noticed from a few videos that users do not always have 5 bars and are easily susceptible to lowered bars easily. Hope this was enough information. Post any updates or news that you guys encounter.

wow... That antenna idea wasn't such a hot idea after all, I guess. Depending on you live, I suppose.

If that is the case and it is only possible to fix it with a new model, will they be obligated to replace all phones with the problem?

[QUOTE=Bengley;22860513]If that is the case and it is only possible to fix it with a new model, will they be obligated to replace all phones with the problem?[/QUOTE] I would assume so. They did it when there was huge problems with the iMac. They also took time in dealing with the problems which meant that the iMacs had delayed shipping times. I think this is what would happen with the iPhone if the problems were widespread.

I wouldn't worry much unless the following: A) You're left handed and B) You contain a death grip on your iPhone in awkward hand movement.

If Jon can replicate it, then I believe it. This is soo lols.

hurray for being right handed and not wanting to firmly fondle the phone.

Update: It may be the skin contact with the metal. If you think about it, it really does make a lot of sense because your skin can conduct electricity. The "Bumper" cases for the iPhone 4 really seem to help a lot.

Jobs replied to an email asking about this. He told them to hold the phone different :/

[QUOTE=Dr Egg;22863499]Jobs replied to an email asking about this. He told them to hold the phone different :/[/QUOTE] that's because he's an ass hole

et voila [url]http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/24/apple-responds-over-iphone-4-reception-issues-youre-holding-th/[/url]

[img]http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5721/iphonewp.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=M_B;22864267][img]http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/5721/iphonewp.jpg[/img][/QUOTE] Her last reply; 3 hours ago. I'm sure shes long gone

you don't really know how facebook works do you

[QUOTE=M_B;22864843]you don't really know how facebook works do you[/QUOTE] Perhaps I analyzed the picture wrong.

I think I'm going to wait for Apple to release an iphone 4 that doesn't lose reception when you hold it in your left hand.

[QUOTE=stablemist;22864958]I think I'm going to wait for Apple to release an iphone 4 that doesn't lose reception when you hold it in your left hand.[/QUOTE] They probably delayed the white version to see if the black one had any problems. Wouldn't surprise me if they fixed the problems in the white device

[QUOTE=YWNJack;22868659]They probably delayed the white version to see if the black one had any problems. Wouldn't surprise me if they fixed the problems in the white device[/QUOTE] actually they delayed the white one because it is cheaper to manufacture just the black one in bulk than manufacturing 2 different colours at the same time

I use my right hand, this does not affect me.

I'm considering buying an iPhone 4 - how bad is the left corner signal issue people are talking about? I thought they would fix the issue and send out new batches in future but Steve's e-mail reply makes me a bit concerned whether they'll actually do that. Is it a deal breaker?

[QUOTE=AMD 32;22875820]I'm considering buying an iPhone 4 - how bad is the left corner signal issue people are talking about? I thought they would fix the issue and send out new batches in future but Steve's e-mail reply makes me a bit concerned whether they'll actually do that. Is it a deal breaker?[/QUOTE] Unless you're going to grasp your phone in an unrealistic way, I wouldn't worry about it.

[QUOTE=YWNJack;22868659]They probably delayed the white version to see if the black one had any problems. Wouldn't surprise me if they fixed the problems in the white device[/QUOTE] wouldn't surprise you? why not? it'd surprise me, there's hardly any way they can fix this without a dramatic physical change which is not something they're about to do

A software update can fix this. All the software has to do is tell the hardware how to interact

Why does Apple hate left handed people? :smith:

You guys do realize all internal antenna phones do this right? Even Nokias. It's been happening for years.

[QUOTE=alphaspida;22876298]A software update can fix this. All the software has to do is tell the hardware how to interact[/QUOTE] you clearly do not fully understand what the problem is [editline]10:22PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Loompa Lord;22878802]You guys do realize all internal antenna phones do this right? Even Nokias. It's been happening for years.[/QUOTE] no, they don't. to a mild extent, yes, a lot of phones until about 2-3 years ago, yeah, but no.

[QUOTE=MacRumors' Report]Gripping any phone will result in some attenuation of its antenna performance, with certain places being worse than others depending on the placement of the antennas. This is a fact of life for every wireless phone. If you ever experience this on your iPhone 4, avoid gripping it in the lower left corner in a way that covers both sides of the black strip in the metal band, or simply use one of many available cases.[/QUOTE] Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Nexus One have similar issues to this a while back?

[QUOTE=M_B;22892937]you clearly do not fully understand what the problem is[/QUOTE] Please, tell me the problem with how said possible solution fails

[QUOTE=alphaspida;22893468]Please, tell me the problem with how said possible solution fails[/QUOTE] He's saying that the problem is a hardware based issue, thus voiding any possible chance of a software update or solution to the physical grounding of your hand when touching the antenna.

[QUOTE=alphaspida;22893468]Please, tell me the problem with how said possible solution fails[/QUOTE] it's a structural hardware issue. if it was a problem with how hardware interacts then perhaps firmware could remedy it, but it's not a problem with how hardware uses hardware, it's just a problem with the hardware. to give a direct blunt example, say for whatever reason your mouse' scroll wheel/ball became loose and doesn't really have the tactile response needed for it to be useful. that's something software cannot fix. if it was something like one wheel scroll acting as though it were a full rotation, that would be something software COULD fix. [editline]11:39PM[/editline] [QUOTE=Loompa Lord;22893264]Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the Nexus One have similar issues to this a while back?[/QUOTE] it still does, but the thing is it's not nearly common enough for people to pass it off as though it were something that happens with [B]every[/B] phone. it happens with 3 out of every 10, sure, but every phone? absolutely not. especially not too often with something upward of $50 [editline]11:41PM[/editline] do i think this antenna thing is really a big deal? no, i don't. it's just not going to be repairable with a software update, and it's still doing something it's not supposed to do. if i wanted an iPhone 4, i'd still get one, even knowing of this. then again i'm in the US so i'd have to be on at&t, which outweighs the antenna thing as a negative worth noting.