iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone - Continued
This thread is a continuation of
iPhone 3G Reception Problems? You're Not Alone, which has been locked. The thread was too long and some browsers were timing out. The above link goes back to the original thread.
/sarcasm: Sure. It's definatly "bad hardware batches" on a global scale. Apple has launched so many international cell phones that their software couldn't POSSIBLEY have any problems (mobileme?)
I just dont think its a hardware fault. I think its a mix of "Baby's first world phone" (aka the phone needs some software tweaks) and due to that it's having some issues with 3G networks. I think proof of this is that GPS in most cases doesn't work with 3G enabled but it ALWAYS does with 3G disabled.
It certainly has become a mystery. I think there can now be little doubt on either side that there are iPhones that are working very well, and iPhones that are not. The PCMag article someone linked to echoed as much in that their first iPhone had the reception problems, but the second one did not.
The real mystery, obviously, is the cause. A number of people have had their problems fixed by changing the sim card and/or having their iPhones reset. Others, like Swiss, have found that to be ineffective. The experiences of the posters on these two threads should give everyone a good idea as to why it would take Apple so long to respond. The issues and answers aren't immediately obvious. I guess the silver lining in all of this is that it is possible to get an iPhone 3G with good 3G reception. If you're having issues, don't give up on having the problems remedied.
The following is continental USA specific.. (sorry)
It would appear that the "working" SIM cards have the same numbers as ones supplied with 3G Treo 750s for at least a year, the non-working ones are the same as supplied with non-3G phones.
It might be useful to know the full IMSI number for a working and non-working phone (SIM) as this tells us more.
Is it possible that someone has inadvertently put the old iPhone SIM cards into the 3G iPhones?
Is it possible that AT&T have two levels of service for 3G customers?
I was told to take the sim from my old 2G iPhone and put it in my new 3G phone. Other than dropping calls and the bars being an unreliable indicator of signal strength, my call quality (2G and 3G) is good and the GPS works (although it drains the battery) just fine. My 3G connection is currently running 1240kbps, however, the phone indicates only 2 bars. Today's average 3G speed on the testing site is 856kbps, so I'm one happy camper.
returning it doesn't work, as it's the best phone on the market, and nothing out there compares. Therefore I would like to work! I think it's just a bad batch from a particular factory, Apple should easily be able to identify, which factory, by the build date and factory number, and keep those ones of the shelves, and replace those with different batch #'s.... Keep in mind they have sold million plus by now, and it's becoming more obvious that it's just some that are not working.
No you would have to port your number to another provider and then port back, or get another phone from at&t, they do give you a 30 trial period to decide.
I have been following this post since I picked up my iphone on July 14th.
I switched from Verizon in San Diego so right off the bat there was a noticeable change in reception quality. I was prepared for that.
There seems to be a change of 1 to 3 bars decrease in reception depending on how the phone is held. If I cover the back with my hand it drops a couple bars. With just grip on the top and then on just the bottom it jumps back up to 4 or 5 bars of G3 reception depending where my hand is.
I tried the field test ( star3001#12345#star ) in a variety of positions and got the following:
Inside Gripping Full Back (normal use) -99 to 105
Inside Gripping Top -81 to -92
Inside Gripping Bottom -97 to 113
Outside Gripping Full Back (normal use) -89 to -91
Outside Gripping Top -79 to -87
Outside Gripping Bottom -93 to 101
I have to follow this up by stating that I have no Idea how to use this field test or what it means. I read about it on the post and gave it a try.
I am having some of the same issues Im reading about but not to the extent of most.
San Diego usage has been ok to disappointing. My Verizon Envy was crisp and clear... but the iPhone is wobbly and hard to hear. Call recipients tell me that at times its great and then I cut out on them.
Last Week I traveled to Denver, Co. from San Diego, Ca. and got to rally give my phone a work out.
I did drop a few calls in both places and had some fuzzy or wobbly voice calls. Data and GPS was great in Colorado with the exception of entering the Rockies outside of Boulder. The maps stopped loading and had no phone reception but the a-GPS stayed on and followed me to my destination.
Heading back into Boulder and after resetting the phone, I lost contact with all services until I was back in Boulder (had to press call to see active signal).
Now, im back in San Diego and its pretty much the same. Moderate to bad reception and slow to decent data speeds depending on how I hold the phone and where I am in town.
I lost a call in Vons yesterday and in certain areas I only get the GPRS reception icon - not cool.
I love this device and have patiently waited to buy. As an apple user since 97 I am not willing to jump up and start protesting although, I do believe that its the responsibility of both parties. The Phone needs a better antenna and the cell companies need to boost their signal strength to accommodate the heavy usage with a million + iPhones pulling more information than ever from their services. This all seems pretty simple. what's the hold up? Then again, Im no mobile phone tech.
Are there any cases out there that have a antenna booster built in? maybe that will help until Apple recalls our phones for a fix.
Personally, i think the issue is what frequency your provider uses for 3G and Edge. Here is the capability from the technical specifications page of the iPhone:
Cellular and wireless
UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz)
GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
Wi-Fi (802.11b/g)
Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
Further down is the disclaimer:
Internet use over 3G: Testing conducted by Apple in May and June 2008 using preproduction iPhone 3G units and software. Internet over 3G tests were conducted over a 1900MHz 3G network using dedicated web and mail servers, browsing snapshot versions of 20 popular web pages, and receiving mail once an hour. All settings were default except: Call Forwarding was turned on; the Wi-Fi feature Ask to Join Networks and Auto-Brightness were turned off. Wi-Fi was enabled but not associated with a network. Battery life depends on the cellular network, location, signal strength, 3G connectivity, feature configuration, usage, and many other factors. Battery tests are conducted using specific iPhone units; actual results may vary.
So my thought process on this is the antenna is tuned in the firmware to operate based on their testing. Further, the physical setup inside the phone, may also be based on their initial testing. Routing of the antenna may have been adjusted.
My experience with wireless theory and actual usage leads me to believe that the chip and antenna are engineered to try and hold on to 3G. Depending on what frequency your provider uses, the phone will operate better on one frequency vs. another. I was on my way to help my brother with his new iPhone. New gadgets are not his thing to try and figure out. While filling the tank with gas, I was across the street from a AT&T tower a tech had previously given me the location of. I still had 3G turned on and at best I had 1-2 bars, right next to the tower. This is the tower the tech told me was providing my voice service at my house, and it was moderate reception, at best. So, this tower is 2G/EDGE and not 3G. Heading over to the freeway, where I know the towers are 3G, my signal strength shows all bars. Your results may be similar or very different.
Apple has engineered the iPhone to be compatible with different networks. I think they need to adjust the firmware and antenna parameters of their phones based on testing with each network.
One of the repliers mentioned that AT&T sent him an update to help him connect to the towers. First I've heard of this. Any others have this experience?
