Posts:
1
From:
Texas
Registered:
Jun 27, 2009
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iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 27, 2009 3:56 PM
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Firstly, I apologize in advance if this issue has been addressed or resolved in another thread; moderators feel free to delete and or merge this post if it’s deemed appropriate.
I have attempted to provide as many details as possible to accurately explain the situation.
Having recently upgraded from a 16 GB (Black) iPhone 3G to the 32 GB iPhone 3GS, I am experiencing inconsistent speeds on the new iPhone 3GS when connecting via Wi-Fi to my home network. Specifically, the 3GS will connect to the home network without incident, display full signal strength and yet transmission speeds (as monitored by the Speedtest App by Xtreme Labs) are inconsistent, and oftentimes exceedingly slow. These inconsistent speeds range from approximately 800 kb/s to 6000 kb/s downstream; during repeated testing the iPhone 3GS will consistently and predominantly report the exaggeratedly depreciated transmission speeds. I believe the isolated result of 6000 kb/s was an anomaly. On average, the iPhone 3GS reports download speeds in the range of 800 kb/s to 3000 kb/s. The upstream speeds are consistently recorded between 200-300 kb/s. Additionally the network latency is recorded in the 300 ms range.
The local ISP provides our home with an 8 Mb/s downstream connection and 500kb/s upstream.
Prior to the upgrade to the 3GS, the iPhone 3G would consistently report transmission speeds of 4000 to 5000 kb/s downstream and 400 to 500 kb/s.
The wireless network was comprised of a D-Link wired gigabit router and two Airport Express 802.11n units. One unit was physically connected to the D-Link router via Ethernet cable, and created the wireless network. The other unit served as an Air Tunes receiver in another room. The network was secured with WPA2 Personal encryption. Both units were running the most recent Airport firmware (7.4.2). The option to create a “closed network” was enabled; the SSID was not broadcast. Prior to the inclusion of the iPhone 3GS this arrangement performed well.
Upon introducing the iPhone 3GS to our home network I was dismayed to observe the inconsistent and slow Wi-Fi speeds and high network latencies as reported by the iPhone 3GS. Using the iPhone 3G as a basis for comparison, we observed that the iPhone 3G behaved as it always had, reporting the higher speeds mentioned above consistently and without incident.
I have duplicated these results with multiple iPhone 3GS models and iPhone 3G models from other owners. The results are consistent: iPhone 3GS models report slow connection speeds and high network latencies. These values fluctuate as detailed above. All iPhone 3G models tested performed essentially identically, reporting consistent faster speeds and lower network latencies.
Fearing a hardware problem with my iPhone 3GS, I performed analogous tests on the Wi-Fi network at the local university that employs a similar security scheme (WPA2 Enterprise). Here, the iPhone 3GS operation improved dramatically- reporting downstream speeds of 6000 to 7000 kb/s and upstream speeds of 1000 to 1500 kb/s.
I assumed these results suggested a problem with my home network; I then removed the D-Link wired router, the two Airport Express units and replaced them with a new Airport Extreme 802.11n (simultaneous dual-band) router. Our desktop machines are connected to the Airport Extreme via the Ethernet ports and are functioning normally. Again, with just the iPhone 3GS and the iPhone 3G on the wireless network, the new iPhone 3GS reports inconsistent and slow speeds, while the iPhone 3G operates as it always has.
I have tested this network with both the 7.4.1 and 7.4.2 firmwares, and many variations of settings on the Airport Extreme unit. I have created both open and closed networks, (broadcasting SSID and not, respectively) employed varying degrees of security (no encryption to WPA2 Personal), adjusted channels and enabled and disabled MAC address filtering. In every circumstance, the results are similar. The iPhone 3G performs as expected (as it always has), while the iPhone 3GS performance varies from exceedingly slow to download speeds approaching (but never reaching) those of the iPhone 3G.
The signal strength indicated on all tested iPhone models remains at full during all tests; proximity to the base station seemingly has no effect on any of the devices tested. All iPhone models tested are running the most recent version of the operating system (3.0).
Most recently, I have reset the Airport Extreme to its default settings (preserving the 7.4.2 firmware), and have as yet not reconnected the Airport Express units.
If anyone might be able to provide insight on how to resolve this issue, I would sincerely appreciate the assistance. I eagerly anticipate my new iPhone 3GS operating as well on Wi-Fi as my older iPhone 3G.
Please do not hesitate to request clarification on any of the details listed above if they are unclear, and thank you in advance.
Mac Pro
Mac OS X (10.5.7)
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Posts:
549
From:
Woodstock, GA
Registered:
Sep 26, 2007
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 27, 2009 4:09 PM
in response to: TX Mac User
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That was a loooong post! It is clear since the 3GS came out that there is an issue with Wi-Fi signal consistency and stability. I have experience this myself. I am confident Apple knows this now and will discover the problem and include a fix in the next software update. Until then we do our best.
Dell XPS 720 H2C with Win 7 RC
also iMac 24 2008 running Win7 RC in BootCamp
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Posts:
2
From:
Miami beach
Registered:
Jun 27, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 27, 2009 8:03 PM
in response to: dmiannay
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Thank you for your detailed post.I have been encountering the same issues at my home. For sometime I thought it was my phone only until my siblings started reporting the same issues. At present there are far to much exciting changes on this phone that a WIFI doesn’t bother me much. I am hoping this issue is resolved in the next update.
Custom Made
Other OS
Running Windows 7
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Posts:
2
From:
Ireland
Registered:
Jun 28, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 28, 2009 1:18 PM
in response to: TX Mac User
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I have the exact same issue. Very poor range for wifi networks, funny signal strength(sometimes a few feet from the router it shows 1 bar) and most annoyingly the very max dl speed i can get is 3Mbit. The same test on my macbook right next to the iphone 3GS shows 7Mbit. Whats up apple? Will I bring it back to the O2 store?
Macbook black
Mac OS X (10.5.7)
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Posts:
2
From:
Atlanta
Registered:
Jun 29, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 28, 2009 11:09 PM
in response to: gar_fitz
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I was having the same issue. My Buffalo Airstation was set to wireless G/B Auto, I changed it to force wireless G and now my Iphone is connecting at good speeds.
Not sure if this will help anyone but I thought I'd post what helped me.
32GB 3GS
iPhone OS 3.0
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Posts:
2
From:
England
Registered:
Jun 30, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 4:13 AM
in response to: TX Mac User
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Hi. I've also got a 3G and now a 3GS and on wifi the 3GS is much slower (I'm not convinced its better on 3G). The 3GS and my Touch (all version 3) are at least twice the download speed and the signal strength on the 3GS fluctuates quite extremely. I've tried three different WIFI networks (all with different routers) and the results are consistent each time. Clealrly something is wrong, I'd be interested on any other views, I am contemplating taking mine back to the store but don't really think this a problem with my unit specifically, perhaps its more wide-spread? I'm just naffed off I gave my son the Touch, my wife the 3G and both of them get much better performance than my 3G "SPEED" ...
Dell Dimension
iPhone OS 3.0
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Posts:
4
From:
Belgium
Registered:
Jun 30, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 7:15 AM
in response to: AndyWorthington
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i have the same problem with my 32gb
full bar but downloadspeeds of 20 kb/s while i should get 500+
tried different networks etc ...
sometimes the speed is good (yesterday i could download at 300kb/s the whole day, and today its 20 .... nothing changed on the iphone)
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Posts:
43
Registered:
Jan 5, 2005
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 7:30 AM
in response to: TX Mac User
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Tx Mac User,
I, too, had this issue. I was using a Netgear Wireless N router and all was fine
until I came home with my iPhone 3GS. All sorts of weird issues popped up. Couldn't connect (multiple devices, no ip conflicts), the iPhone would connect, but be so god awful slow it wasn't worth using.
Not an optimal solution, to be sure, but I noted at my friends house with his Airport Extreme I had ZERO issues with connectivity. I paid the 179.99 for the
router at a local best buy, brought it home and hooked it up. Zero problems at home. I have the added advantage that I Get FULL coverage in my home too.
Again, the 179.99 is NOT a good solution, but I was going crazy and wanted to stop thinking about it, if you know what I mean.
I think it's a firmware issue that will be resolved, it just requires patience (that I obviously don't have!). I'm also concerned about battery life. I hope they address that as well.
Macintosh Pro Dual Core 3.0GHz
Mac OS X (10.4.9)
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Posts:
2
From:
Fort Lauderdale
Registered:
Jun 30, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 1:53 PM
in response to: Dan Merwin
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I have a new iPhone 3GS and a 1st gen iTouch. In numerous tests, the iTouch is about 4 times faster than the 3GS from exactly the same location at exactly the same time. My wifi router is a new 500Gb time capsule.
An example of the latest results:
++++++ Down Up
iTouch 4579 1254
3GS 1363 160
3GS
iPhone OS 3.0
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Posts:
2
From:
Ohio
Registered:
Jun 30, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 4:55 PM
in response to: antmon
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I just got off the phone with apple for the 3rd time. already had the iphone 3gs 32gb replaced on cause of this issue. I have gotten 3 different support agents who have had me try several different things (replace sim, reset, etc.) the last on suggested i restore the device. so i did what he said. while it was restoring i found this post. the restore didnt work by the way. The amazing thing is that all 3 agents acted like this issue was some isolated instance that they have never seen before. but its all over the internet. everyone is having similar problems. i just want someone to tell me apple knows what the issue is and there is a corrective action in place.
Home Built
Windows Vista
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Posts:
3
From:
North America
Registered:
Jun 3, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 5:41 PM
in response to: TX Mac User
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Try opendns.com from home pc and follow instructions helped me with same problem
iphone 3GS
iPhone OS 3.0
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Posts:
200
From:
New Jersey
Registered:
Jun 30, 2007
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 5:42 PM
in response to: TX Mac User
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I've also have some weird results. Before, in my downstairs bathroom I would get very low amount of bars with the 3G - but with the 3Gs it just switches to my neighbors (which I sometimes connect to when I'm outside). I used the free speedtest.net iphone app to compare the speed (when my wi-fi connection was FULL) with my iPhone and and used speedtest.net on my computer and I got very similar results both on my phone and my computer - so the issue really is RANGE.
So, I haven't noticed any type of poor download/upload speeds, but I have had issues to range & Also, sometimes it asks for my wi-fi password even if it automatically connected on a different occasion. I think there is some software glitch cause the range issue & the "not remembering my network password" issue.
Mac Pro (8core, 16GB RAM, 2.8GHz), Mac Book Pro 15", Mac Mini, iPhone 3Gs 32 GB
Mac OS X (10.5.7)
Canon XH-A1s
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Posts:
200
From:
New Jersey
Registered:
Jun 30, 2007
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 5:47 PM
in response to: JimmyGtp
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OpenDNS is great, but just to clarify - people using this should add it to their router and not just their individual devices, so ALL devices can benefit from OpenDNS. Time Warner's DNS goes down at least once a week. If I didn't use Open DNS then even the people in Iran would laugh at me for the amount of internet downtime I would have.
This won't help your specific iphone & Wi-Fi issues, but it is a good general thing to do, IMHO - which can help how fast your browser can access the website (initially), DNS does not play a role in how fast data is downloaded, but it does improve speed in one sense. If you have a bad ISP (like I do), sometimes it make take their DNS forever to figure out what IP address apple.com should point to - OpenDNS is faster...not to mention cutting out downtime for people that have ISPs with horrible DNS servers.
Mac Pro (8core, 16GB RAM, 2.8GHz), Mac Book Pro 15", Mac Mini, iPhone 3Gs 32 GB
Mac OS X (10.5.7)
Canon XH-A1s
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Posts:
2
From:
Ohio
Registered:
Jun 30, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 5:50 PM
in response to: vtonangi
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It can't be a range issue. I can stand right next to the router and get the lowest on the strength meter
Home Built
Windows Vista
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Posts:
81
From:
Arizona
Registered:
Jun 16, 2009
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Re: iPhone 3GS Wi-FI speeds slow and inconsistent vs iPhone 3G
Posted:
Jun 30, 2009 10:44 PM
in response to: TX Mac User
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I have been having problems with this as well. Safari speed is great but downloading youtube videos very slow. After playing around with this a few days, i decided to test some wifi hotspots. Download was seamless. So, yes, I was relieved it wasn't the phone, but still perplexed. I had also started noticing on my desktop and powerbook that pages were loading slower, sometimes painfully slow. I had attributed this somehow to the Safari 4.0, 4.01 updates. But it may just be more noticeable with the new interface.
So, I unplugged my airport and the cable modem for about 25 minutes, then plugged them back in. Afterwards, I saw a marked improvement in viewing movie previews in itunes, which sometimes wouldn't even load before, as well as in Apple Movie Trailers and my Flixster app. There was only a tiny bit of improvement in YouTube.
Now I'm thinking that my Airport base station is the problem. It is the original Extreme model (2003) UFO shaped base station. I'm thinking it is too slow to support the 3G S and the upated Safari on my computers. So, even though I don't really want to toss out another huge chunk of change, I think I may go out and get the new Airport Extreme and see if that does the trick. ( Been playing around with whether to get Time Capsule, as I need backup, but the reviews are mixed and a little pricey at this time for me.) Will probably wait until Thursday to get the new Extreme, as I have a coupon for Best Buy starting the 2nd.
Any thoughts or input on the above would be great!
PowerMac G5
Mac OS X (10.5.7)
PowerBook G4, iPhone 3G s (32 GB)
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