Issue with Proximity Sensor during calls

I just called in as well. I also strongly suggest as many people as possible call in. Go here: http://www.apple.com/support/expert/

Enter a description of this problem and your phone number. In your description, explain that the screen turns on and off even when the phone is against your face. Explain that you've done a full restore and tried reset all settings. Give them a link to this discussion thread.

I didn't gain any useful information from support, but she was helpful and she did review this discussion thread with level 2. If enough people keep pointing level 2 at this thread, they will make it a priority.

@sysrage: Good deal on calling in. Did they give you an option to exchange the iPhone?

Yes. She wanted me to try doing a full restore again, but I didn't have time to do so right away. So, she said to perform one when I have time and if it doesn't resolve the problem, call back and she'll schedule a time for me to go in and exchange the phone.

Since others have exchanged their phones and still had problems, I'd rather not waste my time doing that. But I guess we'll see how this all pans out.

I am having the same problem. I notice it mostly when I hold the phone between my ear and shoulder as in I have both hands doing something else. But it also has happened other times. I have never had this problem with my other 2 iphones. Crap they better fix this. Can I send it back if not.

So glad I found this thread. I thought I was going crazy. In a 20 min call to my parents I muted them twice, initiated Facetime once, started dialing other numbers numerous times and hung up on them twice. Thank goodness they were understanding.

My ear has initiated some "feature" in every call I have made so far. While I love the capabilities the apps give me, I bought this primarily as a phone and it isn't cutting it. I have tried resetting the phone and that didn't change anything.

I recently ordered a SIM card adapter from the MicroSIM-Shop in Austria so I can use my iPhone 3G (with camera removed) while I'm at work (no cameras allowed). Now I am glad I did because that will be the only phone I use until Apple fixes this issue.

NOT A HARDWARE ISSUE

I have a GPS app called Trails that uses the proximity sensor to shut off when it's in your pocket, and it works perfectly, but it doesn't work during calls -- so this is a SOFTWARE issue.

BEST TEMP FIX

The best temp fix is to press the sleep button after starting the call. Then the only thing on the screen is the "slide to unlock" which would be pretty hard to trigger with your ear.

@lowbatteries: hmmm...I tried the sleep button sleep button while on a call and it hung up. The behavior is different with a headset but without, it hangs up. Does yours act different?

Yep, having the same issue. Tried resetting all the settings, hard resetting the phone, restoring the phone, etc. still not working. I sure hope this is fixed next week, if not I'll try to replace it. I don't want to try to replace it and then end up with one that has reception issues - thankfully I don't have that! Never had this problem with my 3G.

@iradeon7: If you get a chance, give Apple a call and open a case number so this issue will get escalated for us. Thanks!!!!

@66sweep - right you are - I was testing while plugged into my stereo. Blast, I thought that was such a good fix. Guess I'll just use a headset until this is resolved.

Ditto on the headset solution for now...

lol I just called Apple and hung up on them in the middle of the conversation.

What happened?? Let me guess, they asked if you had removed the plastic cover that shipped on the screen like they did me and didn't want to take "yes" for an answer. That's how my call started out.

They asked if I had anything on the phone and I said no, and they just set up a Genius Bar appointment for me.

Let us know how the Genius Bar appointment goes. I'm guessing they will replace it. I think I misunderstood your previous post. I thought you meant you hung up on them out of frustration. Then it hit me: you were on the iPhone and your face did the hangin' up...LOL!!!!! Classic.